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MICHAEL Dunlop may have his first outing of the new season at the Adelaide Mondello Masters Series in County Kildare this weekend.
Dunlop is considering riding at Mondello to gain some track time as the countdown to the road racing season gathers pace.
His Street Sweep racing Kawasaki Superbike is currently being built at Paul Bird’s workshop and the Ballymoney ace is unsure whether or not he will have the ZX-10 in time for the opening round of the Masters series this weekend, although he does have the back-up option of riding his Superstock Kawasaki.
Reigning Irish Superbike and Mondello Masters champion Marshall Neill is also among the entries, with the Portadown rider due to ride the GR Motorsport Aprilia that he will campaign in the Metzeler National Superstock class this year.
Waterford’s Brian McCormack will also be on the grid, contesting both the Supersport and Superbike races at the Mondello Park circuit.
Dubliner Jack Kennedy will ride the Team Colin Appleyard Macadam Racing Yamaha in the opening round of the series this weekend, with top Irish championship riders Kirk Jamison, Mark Johnston and Jonny Buckley also taking part.
Isle of Man resident Gavin Hunt has confirmed his appearance on a BMW and the organisers hope to announce further UK competitors and teams this week.
The popular short circuit series incorporates 12 rounds over four weekends throughout the season, reaching a climax in October and benefiting from extensive TV coverage and a massive 50,000 euro prize fund.
New backers including Adelaide Insurance Services, Bridgestone, Relentless, Irish Ferries, Failte Ireland and Safety Direct have helped raise the profile of the event, combined with television coverage on UTV.
UTV will broadcast eight half-hour programmes compiled by the RPM Motorsport team, with the first due to be aired on April 14 and 18.
Meanwhile, entries have now closed for the Ian Watson Spring National meeting at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough, on April 17.
The grid includes Ryan Farquhar on his KMR Kawasakis plus Adrian Archibald, who will have his first outing on Farquhar’s Supertwin machine after the pair joined forces to contest the class in 2011.
Michael Pearson, William Dunlop, Derek Sheils, Daley Mathison, David Guiney and Darren Gilpin are also entered for the popular annual meeting.
The opening Irish road race of the year, the Cookstown 100, takes place on Saturday, April 30, followed by the Tandragee 100 on Saturday, May 7.