The Masters is back! With a new title sponsor, a new schedule and the first ever Masters Motorcycle Show. Rounds 1-3 of the Dunlop Masters Superbike Championship will race on the National Track this weekend, March 24th & 25th, with Round 1 following qualifying on Saturday and Rounds 2 & 3 on Sunday. Regular Masters spectators will be treated to a new more relaxed Sunday schedule which allows more time to catch your breath between races and the chance to take a look at this weekends other attraction, the Masters Motorcycle Show. The opening races of the Masters Superbike Championship hit the Mondello Park National Track this Saturday and Sunday, with a top class line-up at the top of the headline Superbike class. The main rivalry from last season looks set to pick up where it left off as the top two in the 2017 Superbike championship lead the entry list. Yamaha R1 riders Richie Ryan and Charles Stuart return for another season with the lead battles set to be even more intense than last year. Joining them on new R1 machines will be a former Superbike Cup champion Edward Comerford and possible 2018 Cup winner Frank Doherty. The main opposition to the Yamahas will come from a trio of BMW’s with Brian McCormack, Luke Johnston and Peter Moloney all on the German Machines. The sole Kawasaski at the head of the field could be reigning Cup champion Andrew Murphy who graduates to the Pro ranks this weekend. Supersport will see a big change with a number of the main contenders from the last few seasons moving on to pastures new.The change in line-up will give a big opportunity to experienced racers such as Dean McMaster, Ray Casey and Darren Keys but they will have to watch out for Cup graduates Aaron Wright and Graham Whitmore, along with the highly experienced Emmet O’Grady who makes a comeback to the sport after a number of years absence. The Sunday programme at this weekends Masters will have a more relaxed timetable with the main support classes lead by the Principal Insurance Pre-Injection championship. The combined Super and Production Twin classes and a resurgent Sidecar division along with the combined grid of Superbike and Supersport ‘B’ competitors will complete the line-up. Racing on day one gets underway at 12:30 and Saturday’s action also includes Lightweight Supersport and the Young Guns and Junior Cup classes. Sunday’s Racing starts at 10:30, with the days main action kicking off with the opening Supersport race at 12:50. For the full timetable see the link below. Tickets for the season opener, which include admission to our all new Motorcycle Show, can be purchased in advance on-line at reduced prices. Pre purchased adult admission is just €12.50 with under sixteens admitted free of charge.