WorldSBK to host a round in Northern Ireland from 2019
Three-year agreement reached with the new Lake Torrent Circuit.
Image: Supplied.
The Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) will enter Northern Ireland in 2019, reaching a three-year agreement to host a round at the new Lake Torrent Circuit currently under construction.
Lake Torrent is the brainchild of Manna Developments founder and motor-racing enthusiast David Henderson, to be designed by award-winning motorsport design firm Driven International.
“For the past 15 years it has been a dream of mine to build a motor-racing circuit that incorporates the feel of the road with the safety of an international standard track and also to bring the World Superbike Championship to Northern Ireland,” commented Henderson.
“Having finally identified the perfect location and achieved planning permission last year, today sees the completion of that dream and is a day that will only be topped when we see up to 30,000 spectators converge in Coalisland for the first WorldSBK racing event in Northern Ireland. They really don’t come much bigger than this.”
Defending three-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea was thrilled to have a true home round on the calendar in Northern Ireland. It’s a step that he believes will further strengthen the capable talent coming out of the region.
“I’m so excited about this news because motorcycling in Northern Ireland has a huge heritage, right through from Joey Dunlop to myself and Eugene Laverty,” Rea explained. “I’m very curious to see how the track is going to look, but I’m sure it will be very well attended because the fans over there love their bikes.
“I can’t wait to get the chance to go there in 2019, and it’s an incredible way to nurture young talent. I can’t wait to be involved and to fly the flag for Northern Ireland in this new adventure, and it would be nice to create a circuit that many people talk about as the best in the world.”
Currently in the early development stages, work is now under way on the Lake Torrent Circuit which will be 3.6 kilometres in length, featuring 12 corners with a width of 12-15 metres and elevations of plus/minus 30m, accompanied by supporting facilities.
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