After a long lay off, the Irish Superbike Championships kicks back into life this weekend with the North Wales venue of Anglesey playing host to rounds 16-17, and with just three rounds remaining in the 2009 series, the respective class's are tightening up at the top, with all eyes focused on the blue riband class, the Superbike Championships, with the 2009 winner joining the Irish Racer Magazine Team in the Kings of Wanneroo in Perth Australia, which is being supported by the Western Australia Motorcycle Club.
Such is the interest in the Irish Racer backed first prize, that newly crowned Metzeler British Superstock Champion, Alastair Seeley from Carrickfergus, has decided to take in this weekends meeting in Anglesey on the Relentless Suzuki by TAS, with Seeley still very much in the mixing pot in winning the ISB crown in 2009.
Irish Racer Magazine Irish Superbike Class:
Going into this weekends rounds at Anglesey, its an all Coleraine affair at the top of the table with Mark Johnson leading the way on 190.5pts from James Dickson on 183. Dickson, has still to win a Superbike race this season, but his consistent results have shown that you don't need to be first over the line to be in with a chance of success. Randlestowns Gerard Kinghan sits on 176.5 pts with Lisburns David Haire close behind on 168.5, followed by Seeley on 150pts. Seeley has had six starts in the 2009 ISB series to date, and needless to say, has won all six. His appearance this weekend will send the shivers down the backs of the leaders.
Irish Superbike Cup Class:
Ballyclare rider Richard Rea sits tall at the top of this class on 271.5pts, with Rea and Skerries rider Michael Sweeney being the dominate duo in this class, with Sweeney on 210pts. Glengormley rider Colin Thompson is on 148.5 in third place.
Supersport 600 Class:
Glenn Irwin sits in pole position in the hotly contested Supersport 600 Class, which has seen no-less than seven different winners in 2009.
Irwin, who is one of the hottest properties around on the short circuit scene, has 207.5 pts to his credit with Mark Lunney close behind on 198. Corks Declan Swanton in still in with a shout on 163.5, with Dunadry rider Jonny Buckley fourth on 139, and Scotland's Keith Amor fifth on 122. Newtownards rider Kirk Jamison should at least inherit a place or two this weekend, with the likable Co-Down rider taking in his first Supersport 600 race as part of the Mar-Train Suzuki Racing Team.
Supersport 600 Cup Class:
A two way battle is emerging between class leader Jonny Buckley and Glenn Irwin, with Buckley leading the way on 281pts. Irwin is just 7.5pts adrift of Buckley while Michael Sweeney sits in third place on 178pts.
125cc GP Class:
With 11 race wins under his belt in this class this season, Belfast rider Mark Lunney looks set to take the title this weekend in Wales with Lunney a cool 107pts in the lead with 315pts under his belt. Nearest rival to Lunney is Robert English on 208pts with Drew Jamison third on 143pts.
English on the other hand has already taken the 125cc GP Clubmans series in 2009 with the Ahoghill rider a real star for the future. His has taken no-less than 11 race wins on the Stiff Kitten Honda, and is a bright star for the future in the 125cc GP Class.
250cc GP Class:
Its that man Lunney again who tops the lot going into this weekends rounds, with Lunney just needing 47pts from the last six races to claim the 2009 title. He has 300pts to his credit with 12 race wins, while Ballynahinch rider David Craig sits in second place on 197pts, and Kildare's Thomas Lawlor third on 175pts.
Issac Agnew Van Centre 650cc Supertwins Class:
Without doubt the most exciting class in 2009 which has produced six different winners from fifteen rounds, with Ballyclare rider Lee Hill taking the lions share of wins with nine to his credit to date. Hill has put some space between himself and the rest with the Ballyclare man on 306pts. Ballynahinch rider David Craig is currently second on 244pts, with Clare rider Keith Meere on 205, Dublin's Gary Matthews on 195, and Coleraines Malcom McKinney on 172.
Sidecar Championships:
The Lynch brothers of Dave and Derek sit at the top of the Sidecar table on 237pts, but its all to close to call at present with Newtownards pairing of George Kennedy and Colin Smyth poised in second place on 205pts, and in sidecar racing, that's nothing. Newtownards in fairing well this year with another Co-Down pair of Alex Johnston and Kyle Graham in third place on 155, while evergreen Scobbie Killough and Paddy Marley from Dundrod are in fourth place on 144, with Banbridge driver John Clarke and passenger Stuart Graham in fifth place on 125pts.
ISB Race Dates:
Anglesey..............................................................................19th & 20th September
Mondello Park (Mondello Masters)..........................................3rd & 4th October
Bishopscourt: (Sunflower Races)............................................17th & 18th October
After a long lay off, the Irish Superbike Championships kicks back into life this weekend with the North Wales venue of Anglesey playing host to rounds 16-17, and with just three rounds remaining in the 2009 series, the respective class's are tightening up at the top, with all eyes focused on the blue riband class, the Superbike Championships, with the 2009 winner joining the Irish Racer Magazine Team in the Kings of Wanneroo in Perth Australia, which is being supported by the Western Australia Motorcycle Club.