High-flying Scott Swann put down a marker for the Sunflower Trophy feature race at Bishopscourt in Co Down with a dominant victory on his Honda Superstock machine on Friday.
Swann arrived at the final round of the Ulster Superbike Championship fresh from victory in the last National Superstock 1000 race of the 2024 season at Brands Hatch in Kent where the 21-year-old wrapped up third in the title standings.
The Co Antrim rider pulled away from the chasing pack in the opening Superbike race after qualifying on pole.
On a damp track and in breezy conditions, Swann opened a cushion on his Swann Racing/Hunts Honda and eventually won by 3.1 secs from British Superbike star Charlie Nesbitt, who is aiming to retain the Sunflower Trophy on Saturday afternoon in the 12-lap headline race.
Nesbitt qualified fifth fastest on the Mastermac Honda and made steady headway as the race progressed, getting the better of Korie McGreevy (McAdoo Racing Kawasaki) at the end as he clinched second.
Richard Cooper, who was second fastest in qualifying on the BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha 600, took fourth ahead of National Superstock 1000 rider David Allingham and Barry Burrell.
Donegal’s Richard Kerr – fourth fastest on the Burrows Engineering/RK Racing BMW in qualifying – was ruled out by a faulty sensor.
It was the perfect start to the weekend for Swann, who will now hope to add his name to the star-studded list of past winners of the Sunflower Trophy on Saturday when conditions are forecast to be largely dry and bright.
However, BSB contender Nesbitt won’t relinquish his crown without a fight.
“To be able to have my name up there alongside the likes of (Richard) Cooper and everyone else is a massive thing, and it’s a nice race to do because you’re away from the BSB paddock and we’re able to come and enjoy ourselves – it’s a really nice way to finish off the season,” Nesbitt said.
“It’s just me this year (on the MasterMac Honda Superbike), but we’ve Dan Brooks who’s only having his second race on a Stock 1000 and he’s running in the awning as well, but it’s just me leading the charge on the Superbike and I have to say I’m really looking forward to it.
“Last year, I really enjoyed myself, and that’s what I’m here to do this year and see where we end up, but it won’t be easy because it never is.”
In the Supersport class, Cooper chalked up another win on the BPE by Russell Racing Yamaha from team-mate Mike Browne.
New National Sportbike champion Cooper won by 4.2 secs after lining up in pole position, with Mark Conlin taking third on his Ducati.
Ballynahinch man McGreevy took the lead of the Ulster Supersport Championship ahead of Saturday’s final race as he finished fourth ahead of key rival Christian Elkin.
Former Grand Prix star Jeremy McWilliams was seventh on the J McC Racing Kawasaki behind Gary McCoy (Madbros Suzuki).
The opening Supertwin race was won by Owen Jenner, the British GP2 champion, who edged out Cooper (Jack Reid Car Sales/KMR Kawasaki) by only 0.111 secs.
Republic of Ireland rider Caolan Irwin, running under the Burrows Engineering/RK Racing banner on an Aprilia, was a close third.
Morning warm-up is set to commence today at 9.15am ahead of a packed programme. Admission is £20.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Rea was fifth fastest in free practice on Friday at the final round of the World Superbike Championship at Jerez in Spain.
The Pata Prometeon Yamaha rider is aiming to round off a tough maiden year with his new team in a positive way before coming back stronger in 2025.
Toprak Razgatlioglu, who is on course to win the title for a second time, was third fastest on the factory BMW behind chief rival Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Ducati), who is 46 points behind in the Championship fight.
Italy’s Michael Rinaldi topped the times on the Motocorsa Racing Ducati. Sunday’s first race is at 1.00pm.