Richard Kerr has made a promising start to his Sunflower challenge, winning the opening Superbike race at Bishopscourt racing circuit this afternoon
With a number of riders sitting out the race because the conditions which saw the track still very wet, National Superstock 1000 winner Kerr went head to head in a close fought battle with Eunan McGlinchey.
The lead changed lap on lap, but it was Kerr on his AMD Motorsport Honda who edged out Mcglinchey (McAdoo Kawasaki 600) on the final lap to take the win with just under half a second splitting them at the flag.
Opening lap leader Simon Reid brought his Start Solar Honda home in third, Jason Lynn JMcC Roofing Kawasaki was fourth, Jonny Campbell completed the top five.
Ulster Superbike Champion Alistair Seeley topped the qualifying timesheets on his IFS Yamaha R1 putting him on pole for Saturday's Sunflower Trophy race with a time 0.6 seconds quicker than Kerr's with McGlinchey completing the front row.
The Supersport qualifying session saw McGlinchey set the pace with a time 0.1sec quicker than Seeley, Korie McGreevey third quickest with 2018 Sunflower Trophy winner Richard Cooper fourth.
McGlinchey will also start at the head of the grid in the Supertwin class, Richard Cooper was second quickest on the KMR JMcC Roofing Kawasaki and Sam Laffins drafted into the McAdoo team for the weekend fourth.
Morning warm-up on Saturday takes place from 9.15am followed by a 13-race programme. Weekend admission is £25 with under 16s free.