This weekend’s Sunflower Trophy event at Bishopscourt is not all about the Superbike class, with a great entry also having been taken for the Supersport 600cc category.

It’s a class that has nurtured and developed some of the finest Irish riders over the past 10 years, with Jonathan Rea, Ian Lowry and the Laverty boys, Eugene and Michael, all products of the middleweight division.

With Rea and the Lavertys now competing on the world stage and Lowry in BSB, the baton has been handed to a new generation of Supersport riders.

These competitors are all ready to move through the British championship classes and for some the narrow door to world championship racing may beckon.

One young man who has shown a tremendous aptitude for the Supersport class is Fermanagh’s Lee Johnston.

The 20-year-old, who weighs in at around 56 kilos and stands just over 5ft 5ins, has been riding all year for Fleetwood-based Map Raceways Yamaha.

2009 was Lee’s debut season in British Supersport and although his final championship position of 12th is commendable for a rookie, it’s not a true reflection of his season-long effort.

When he’s on song, the diminutive Maguiresbridge rider is well enough equipped to be racing at the front of the field with the likes of champion Steve Plater and his Map Raceways team-mate Billy McConnell.

Lee’s talent obviously hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Relentless Suzuki team boss Philip Neill only last week agreeing to give Johnston a one-off ride this weekend at Bishopscourt.

“Lee came to us during the Silverstone BSB round with his dad and asked if we could find a place for him at the Sunflower, as he was without a ride.

“We haven’t been competing in British Supersport this season as a team, but are currently developing our bike,” explained Neill.

“None of our own guys was interested in riding the Supersport class, so I suppose it worked out well.

“It’s just a one-off ride but we will give him our full attention and I’m sure he’ll do a good job.

“We’ve won quite a few Supersport races at the Sunflower, so hopefully Lee can continue the run and show the fans how good the Suzuki package is.”

The change of machinery between Japanese manufacturers shouldn’t affect Johnston who races with the distinctive General Lee helmet design, although the competition will be stiff, with a large local contingent taking part.

Former GP rider Jeremy McWilliams turns out for Graeme Hanna on a purpose-built IFS R6 Yamaha and the Gearlink Kawasaki team will field Omagh’s BJ Toal and Ballyclare’s Junior Superstock champion Jamie Hamilton alongside BSS regular Ben Wilson.

If that’s not enough to deal with, former Sunflower Trophy winner Marty Nutt, Dublin’s Jack Kennedy and Irish Supersport champion-elect Glenn Irwin will also be on the grid.