BSB keen for return to Ireland

The MCE British Superbike championship has extended its first tentative steps towards a return to Ireland, with series director Stuart Higgs meeting with the bosses of Northern Irish circuit Bishopscourt at the last round of the series earlier this month.

BSB hasn’t raced in Ireland since 2007, finishing a string of trips to the County Kildare circuit that started in 2003.

However, Bishopscourt, buoyed by the success of the Sunflower Trophy meeting in recent years, are believed to be keen to secure the return of the championship to the island – even if it may require a considerable investment in the facilities at the County Down track.

The plans may also be further encouraged by comments made by two-time Sunflower winner and BSB regular Danny Buchan, who told BBC Northern Ireland after defending his title last week that he believes the track is capable of hosting the UK’s premier series.

“I told the organisers when I was over – if the run-off was improved in a couple of areas to make it a little safer for the riders we’d be fine. The facilities aren’t the end of the world, because obviously we go to Cadwell Park and have to put up the garages there.

“I’d love to see a BSB at Bishopscourt in the next couple years – it would make competitive racing and it would no doubt be backed out with Northern Irish fans!”

Buchan was joined by a number of regulars from the BSB paddock, including National Superstock champion and runner-up Josh Elliot and Alastair Seeley and Supersport race winner Glenn Irwin, who took four victories at the meeting.