Aaron Clifford begins his final preparation for a full assault on the British National Superstock 600 Championship with his first competitive action of the year at Mondello Park this weekend. Clifford returns to the Masters Supersport series where he finished last season as ‘Cup’ champion with a 100% winning record.

This year Aaron will split his time between the UK Superstock 600 championship, where he will be supported by Motorcycling Ireland and the MCI Short Circuit Committee, and the Irish Masters championship, with his British Championship racing as the priority. The Masters, due to date clashes, will have to take a back seat for part of the season but that won’t stop the Duleek Co. Meath rider from looking to get his season off to a flying start this weekend as he aims for his first Masters Supersport outright win.

Clifford will ride for CPE Motorsport in the UK but at home he stays with the Kingsbury Packaging team which he rode so successfully for last year. The team will provide him with a Kawasaki Supersport machine as he concentrates on Masters race wins, rather than a championship assault, as he will have to miss five of the twenty Masters rounds due to event clashes.

Not having to think of the Championship will leave Clifford free to push hard this weekend in order to build his confidence before transferring to the UK Superstock series. The opening Masters event gives the teenager plenty of mileage as he competes in three rounds of the hugely competitive series over the two days of the event.

Speaking before his 2017 race debut Aaron said “I’m really looking forward to getting back racing. I’ve had plenty of seat time so far, with testing at Mallory Park and three days in Spain but racing is the best way to prepare for the first round of the British National Superstock 600 Championship at Donington at the end of the month. I have to thank Gerald Kingsbury for providing me with the bike for the Masters again this year and all of my other sponsors who have made it possible for me to challenge on both sides of the Irish sea in 2017. We have great supporters but always need more and anyone who would like to help even in the smallest way can do so through my funding page on pledgesports.org where we have loads of rewards available in return for assistance including free tickets to this weekends Masters.”

Aaron Clifford will race in three rounds of the Masters Supersport Championship at Mondello Park this weekend, the first on Saturday 25th followed by two more on Sunday 26th. Aaron’s progress can be followed throughout the event on his facebook and twitter pages.