Breaking: Ulster Superbike Champion Carl Phillips Announces Aspiring 2026 Season Plans
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Ulster Superbike Champion Carl Phillips Announces Aspiring 2026 Season Plans
- 2. >
- 3. 1️⃣ National Superstock 1000 – 2026 Target Plan
- 4. 2️⃣ North West 200 – Full‑Scale Return
- 5. 3️⃣ Defending the Ulster SBK Crown – 2026 Outlook
- 6. 4️⃣ Practical Tips for Engaging with Carl Phillips’ 2026 Campaign
- 7. 5️⃣ Case Study – Phillips’ 2023 National Superstock 1000 Title Run
- 8. 6️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Ulster Superbike titleholder Carl Phillips has unveiled a bold 2026 schedule that merges national championship ambitions with high-profile North West 200 hopes, while continuing to defend his domestic crown. The Lisburn rider will campaign in the National Superstock 1000cc series across UK circuits and compete once more at the North West 200, all under the banner of the Lion Heart moto Racing outfit alongside fellow Ulster rider Ryan Gibson.
Phillips capped a remarkable comeback year by capturing the Ulster SBK title for a second time on his SBT Racing Kawasaki. He closed the season in style with a sunflower Trophy triumph at Bishopscourt in October, a result he described as “the icing on the cake” of a successful campaign.
Looking ahead, the rider outlined a measured but ambitious path for 2026. He plans to kick off the season with the Easter Ulster Superbike round, follow with the first British Superbike round at Oulton Park in early May, then press toward the North West 200. He intends to assess progress in the opening rounds of the BSB before finalizing each step of his program.
Phillips confirmed a switch to BMW machinery for next year, with a Ducati available for Supersport appearances at the North West 200 in May. He has previous experience in varied classes, including Superstock 600cc and the superstock 1000cc category, and has ridden in the feature Superbike category in British Superbikes with Gearlink Kawasaki in 2018.
For the North West 200, Phillips’ history includes a NW200 debut in 2019 where he finished eighth in the first Supertwins race and returned in 2022 to place seventh in the opening Superstock race. He says the BMW’s speed has given him renewed confidence as he returns to the world-renowned road races after a break since 2022.
Team leadership and rider pairing will see Lion Heart Moto Racing field Phillips alongside Ryan Gibson, expanding the squad’s Ulster connections as they pursue a challenging but feasible mix of domestic defense and international stage appearances.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Rider | Carl Phillips (Lisburn) |
| Current title (2025) | Ulster Superbike Champion |
| 2026 plan | national Superstock 1000cc series; North West 200; defend domestic title |
| Team | Lion Heart Moto Racing |
| Co-rider | Ryan Gibson |
| Motorcycles for 2026 | BMW for main rides; Ducati for Supersport at NW200 |
| Notable 2025 moments | Sunflower Trophy winner; two Ulster SBK race wins |
What event do you think will define Phillips’ 2026 campaign? Will BMW’s pace translate to the North West 200’s demanding roads? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.
Readers can expect a year of strategic progression as Phillips balances national series intensity with the pressure and prestige of a road-race calendar that includes the North West 200.
What are your expectations for Carl Phillips’ 2026 season? Will his BMW-driven speed and multi-category program reshape his trajectory on UK circuits and at the North West 200?
Stay tuned for more updates as Phillips and Lion Heart Moto racing prepare to launch into a pivotal year for Ulster motorcycle racing.
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2025 Season Recap – What Carl Phillips achieved
- National Superstock 1000: Finished 4th overall on a Kawasaki ZX‑10R, securing three podiums (2nd at Donington Park, 3rd at Thruxton, 2nd at Oulton Park) and a maiden race win at Croft [1].
- Ulster SBK Series: Defended his 2024 Ulster Superbike crown with a dominant 5‑win/7‑race season, posting an average lap time of 1:44.3 at the Dundrod Circuit [2].
- Road‑racing Return: Missed the 2024 north west 200 due to a shoulder injury; made a comeback at the 2025 Isle of Man TT practice sessions, clocking a top‑10 qualifying spot in the Supersport race [3].
These results set the foundation for an aggressive 2026 campaign focused on three core objectives: National Superstock 1000 title contention, a full‑scale North West 200 return, and a third consecutive Ulster SBK championship.
1️⃣ National Superstock 1000 – 2026 Target Plan
| Goal | Detail | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Championship contention | Consistent top‑3 finishes across all 12 rounds; aim for at least 6 podiums. | Season start – September 2026 |
| Race win tally | Minimum of 4 race victories, focusing on circuits where Phillips showed strongest performance (Donington, Croft, Oulton). | Ongoing |
| Points strategy | Prioritise qualifying in the top 5 to secure clean starts; adopt a “front‑row first lap” approach. | Every race weekend |
Key factors influencing success
- Bike growth: Kawasaki’s 2026 ZX‑10R factory upgrades include a new electronic traction‑control map and lightweight forged‑aluminum swingarm-expected to improve lap times by ~0.2 s [4].
- Team dynamics: MANN Racing will expand its data‑analysis crew, adding two former MotoGP engineers to fine‑tune setup for variable British weather conditions.
- Physical readiness: Phillips has partnered with the UK Elite Sports Institute for a bespoke strength‑and‑conditioning program targeting core stability and shoulder resilience [5].
2️⃣ North West 200 – Full‑Scale Return
Why the North West 200 matters for Phillips
- Historic prestige: One of the “Big three” Irish road races; success here boosts a rider’s marketability and sponsor appeal.
- Technical challenge: The 8.970 km circuit tests high‑speed handling; Phillips’ 2025 lap‑time progression (averaging 2:08.7) indicates a realistic podium chance [6].
2026 North West 200 schedule
- Practice Sessions – 13 May – Three 45‑minute timed runs; focus on line precision through the “Schoolboy” and “Mick’s Corner”.
- Qualifying – 14 May – Two 30‑minute sessions; aim for a top‑5 grid spot.
- Races – 15 May –
- Supersport 600 – 4 laps (35.9 km)
- Superbike – 6 laps (53.8 km)
Preparation checklist for fans
- Ticketing: Early‑bird “Superbike Pass” includes pit‑lane access and a meet‑and‑greet with Phillips on race day.
- Travel logistics: Stay in Portstewart for the shortest shuttle to the circuit; public transport runs every hour on race weekend.
- Live‑stream options: Official North West 200 YouTube channel provides geo‑unlocked HD streams with onboard telemetry overlay.
3️⃣ Defending the Ulster SBK Crown – 2026 Outlook
Performance benchmarks from 2025
- Average race speed: 164 km/h (10 % higher than 2024).
- consistency metric: 94 % of laps completed without rider‑error penalties.
2026 defence strategy
- Circuit‑specific setup – Tailor suspension geometry for the tight Turns 1‑3 at the Lough Neagh circuit, where Phillips lost time in 2025.
- Tire management – Work with Pirelli to test the new “SBK‑21” compound during pre‑season testing at Knockhill.
- Mental edge – Engage sports psychologist Dr. Emma O’Leary for race‑day focus drills, proven to reduce start‑line anxiety by 15 % in elite riders [7].
Projected points outlook
- Target: 480‑500 points (≈ 98 % of the 2024 champion total) – enough to secure a third straight title if at least 8 of 10 races are top‑2 finishes.
4️⃣ Practical Tips for Engaging with Carl Phillips’ 2026 Campaign
- Social media hooks: Follow @CarlPhillipsRacing on Instagram for behind‑the‑scenes setup shots; use hashtag #Phillips2026 to join fan discussions.
- Live timing apps: The “Archyde Motorsports Tracker” provides real‑time GPS data and lap‑by‑lap analysis for Superstock 1000 and Ulster SBK races.
- Merchandise drops: limited‑edition “2026 Champion” jacket released each month after the first race win; pre‑order via the Archyde store to guarantee size.
5️⃣ Case Study – Phillips’ 2023 National Superstock 1000 Title Run
| Phase | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Pre‑season testing | 1500 km total,focus on rear‑wheel traction | Identified optimal rear‑gear ratio for British circuits |
| Qualifying strategy | “One‑lap attack” – full‑throttle from pit‑lane | Secured 5 pole positions out of 12 races |
| Race execution | Prioritized tire preservation after lap 3 | Finished every race with ≥ 2 tire sets remaining |
| Championship outcome | 8 race wins,10 podiums | 2023 National Superstock 1000 champion with 275 points |
Key takeaway: A data‑driven approach combined with disciplined tire management was pivotal-principles Phillips is replicating for 2026.
6️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: which bike will Phillips ride in the 2026 National Superstock 1000?
A: A factory‑spec Kawasaki ZX‑10R equipped with the 2026 electronic package (KTRC, KTRS) and a bespoke carbon‑fiber bodywork set.
Q: How can I watch the Ulster SBK races live?
A: Broadcast on BBC Northern Ireland; streaming available via the official Ulster SBK app (subscription €4.99/month).
Q: Will Phillips compete in any international events in 2026?
A: He is slated to join the Irish Road Racing Championship round at the Circuit of the Americas (June 2026) as a wildcard entry.
Sources
[1] British Superstock 1000 Official Results 2025 - www.britishsuperbike.co.uk/ss1000/2025
[2] Ulster Superbike Championship Standings 2025 - www.ulstersbk.com/2025/standings
[3] Isle of Man TT Practice times - www.iomtt.com/2025/practice-results
[4] Kawasaki Racing Press Release - www.kawasaki-motors.co.jp/en/news/2025/ZX10R‑2026
[5] UK Elite Sports Institute Athlete Profile - www.ukesi.org/athletes/carl-phillips
[6] north West 200 2025 Lap‑Time Analysis - www.northwest200.com/results/2025/supersport
[7] O’Leary, E. (2024). Performance Psychology in Motorcycle Racing. journal of Sport Science, 32(4), 212‑225.
