The 2013 Adelaide Masters Series is almost set for the green light with less than a week to the opening event of the season at Mondello Park Co. Kildare.
Ireland's premier Motorcycle Racing Series continues to benefit from the support of motorcycle insurance specialists, Adelaide Insurance Services, as it heads into another year. And what a year it promises to be. Despite the top two from last years Superbike series and the winner of the Supersport crown not being present for all rounds this season, the championship looks healthier than ever.
The Superbike series will start with at least eight riders capable of taking the crown. Former champion Marshall Neill will make a return riding for one of Ireland’s most successful teams, as Wilson Craig Racing enters the full Adelaide Series for the first time. Neill will tackle the Superbike and Supersport series in an effort to emulate Brian McCormack's double success from 2012.
Neil will have no shortage of rivals with David Haire returning for the full season, Alan Bonner shifting his focus from the roads to the Masters Series and Damien Byrne upping his efforts to improve on third in the stranding last year, all of them will be Honda mounted. Moving up to the bigger engined class will be Jonny Buckley who will have an ex BSB Ducati at his disposal and if he can get the new machine sorted he will be a definite contender. Throw in the likes of Mark Glasgow, Nico Mawhinney and Isle of Man resident Gavin Hunt and there will be plenty of strength in depth on the Superbike grid.
Supersport could well be the preserve of the young guns this year, with a number of young riders very fired up for the season. If any of the new kids on the block want to capture the title however, they will have some very big names to overcome. Combining Superbike and Supersport efforts will be Marshall Neill and David Haire and they will be joined by Declan Swanton and Richie Ryan as the benchmark for anyone looking to make their name. Carl Phillips who just failed to pip McCormack to the title last season will start as favourite of the younger riders and he will be joined by a number of graduates from the Cup class such as Luke Johnston, James Kelly, Jason Lynn, Timothy Elwood, Dean McMaster and Mark Conlin.
As well as the supporting races which run alongside the Superbike and Supersport classes each Mondello Park round will also include a round of the Stunt Ireland Irish stunt riding championship. This series is going into its second season and following the success of last year a much bigger and more competitive championship is expected.
Full details of the Adelaide Masters Series will be available as the season progresses on a new dedicated Adelaide Masters web site www.adelaidemasters.ie.