Masters Superbike Championship to broaden its appeal with return to terrestrial TV

Ireland's highest profile race series, the Masters Superbike Championship, is set to broaden its reach with a return to terrestrial television for its final event of the season in October, thanks to the support of BMW Motorrad who will sponsor the event. The Masters Superbike Championship will make its Channel 4 début on 'Irish Bike Racing', with the programme being produced by NPE Media the team behind coverage of the Armoy Road Races. The one hour highlights programme will be broadcast within two weeks of the event, which takes place on October 1st and 2nd, and it will bring the championship to an International TV audience for the first time. The return of TV coverage to the Masters following a years’ absence has been made possible by the support of Mondello Park circuit partner BMW, who will sponsor the programme through their Motorrad brand. Putting the championship back on terrestrial TV has been an aim of the championship promoters, Mondello Park, for a number of seasons and it is hoped that this one-off event will lead to a more permanent programme in 2017. The Channel 4 coverage of the Masters will concentrate on the climax of the championship chase in the feature Superbike and Supersport classes. The final two races of the season, for each class, will be shown, along with a round-up of the action from the support races and all of the background to the event. Speaking on the announcement of their sponsorship of the TV coverage BMW Motorrad Ireland said “we are pleased to support the Masters Superbike Championship at Mondello Park. Bike racing from Mondello Park is always an exciting spectacle and provides a good collective of talented riders who put every effort into securing a podium place. A bonus of television coverage means more people will be able to watch and enjoy this event. From our part we could be looking at BMW riders of the future.” Mondello Park General Manager Roddy Green said, “we are excited about the prospect of showcasing the Masters Superbike Championship to a wider audience. The Championship is going from strength to strength and the programme will give us the opportunity to bring it to an international audience. Our thanks must go to BMW Motorrad Ireland who have come on board to assist with the production cost.” Dates for the broadcast of the Masters Superbike Championship finale will be confirmed closer to the event and will be released through the Championship's web site www.masterssuperbike.ie.