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The Masters Superbike Championship could see some big changes in the championship standings this weekend as the series reaches its half-way point and competitors take in the first three race event of the season. Rounds 5, 6 & 7 of Ireland's biggest Short Circuit Racing Championship will run on the full Mondello Park International Track, which will be in use for the first time since October 2014.
While Superbike and Supersport normally take centre stage at the Masters, this weekends' event will put more of a focus on the Supersport Cup competitors as they will be battling for championship points and the Aidan Lynam memorial trophy. Aidan who was a great supporter of the Masters Championship tragically lost his life in 2015 and the award in his name was introduced at the Masters in May of last year. In keeping with Aidan's love of the Supersport class and his work in promoting young Irish talent the Aidan Lynam award is now presented annually to the winner of the final Supersport Cup race of the May Masters event
This weekend all of the top Superbike competitors will be back to battle it out including Nico Mawhinney following his double win at Bishopscourt last time out. Of the other title contenders Robert English took a double last time at Mondello but will have to do it all without his team mate this weekend as Ryan Rainey will be absent due to injuries sustained at Bishopscourt. Of the rest Brian McCormack and Cody Nally will be out to break their 2016 duck, as will Nikki Coates who has won in Supersport but not on the bigger machine. The event will feature a very strong top ten which will also include, Gerard Kinghan, Peter Moloney, Mark Glasgow, Declan Hoey and Philip McNally.
The Supersport top three are separated by just nine points as they head to Mondello Park with Richie Ryan out in front from Luke Johnston and Nikki Coates. With this being the first three race weekend of 2016 there is a lot at stake and good results in all three races could bring two more competitors, Jason Lynn and Supersport Cup leader Aaron Clifford into contention.
The main supporting races will be for the Principal Insurance Pre-Injection class, a mixed grid of Supertwins and Production Twins, Lightweight Supersport and Sidecars. Making their seasonal Masters debut will be the Classic Superbikes who will race along with the Lightweight Supersport class, the Production 125cc to 300cc class where rising star Rhys Irwin will start as favourite and Classics who will race on Saturday only.
Once again a nomination for Young Rider of the Year will be up for grabs with competitors from various classes hoping to join Robert English and Aaron Clifford in the end of season final to decide who will walk away with the fantastic Young Rider support package for 2017.
All of the championship information including the event timetable and championship standings is available atwww.masterssuperbike.ie as well as on facebook/MastersSuperbike and twitter/MastersSBK.
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