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A flurry, of roads scene aces were in purpose-built circuit racing mode, for today’s Ulster Superbike Championship curtain raiser at Bishopscourt (National circuit configuration).
Five times Northwest 200 Richard Cooper was in forthright, stern race winning form.
Cooper aboard KMR Kawasaki, Boyce Precision Engineering/Russell Racing Yamaha machines, sped to double triumphs from Spence Engineering Supersport, Ashvale Engineering/Megoran Quarries Super Twin races.
The Nottingham racer also, despite an obvious power deficit to 1000cc steeds, riding the BPE/Russell Racing Yamaha in the SBT Ireland/SG Jones SBK races, was in prime contention for race captures.
Korie McGreevy edged Cooper for SBK Race One spoils whilst a thrilling second SBK encounter saw Mad Bros Racing’s Gary McCoy, record a famous victory.
McCoy the swiftest Northwest 200 debutant of 2022, runner-up in both Super Twin encounters, finished under 0.1 of a second ahead of McAdoo Kawasaki’s McGreevy with the versatile Cooper third, 0.282 further back.
National roads regulars Kyle Parkes, Malcolm Love topped the Junior 350/Junior 250 Classics races.
TH Racing’s Jay Bellers Smith, one of last year’s speediest Manx Grand Prix first-timers Caomhan Canny, prospective NW200 newcomer Darragh Crean, Martin Jones Racing’s Michael Sweeney gained top six finishes as did Conor Cummins, making his racing debut in BE/RK Racing colours.
The ‘Ramsey Rocket’ accumulated four top ten finishes, faring best from Supersport action on exotic V2 Panigale Ducati apparatus, finishing sixth, fourth.
Photo credit: Tommy Vennard
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
