Bird handed away two weeks in the past aged 56 after a brief sickness, sending shockwaves all through the game within the UK and additional afield.
His PBM BeerMonster Ducati crew at the moment leads the standings going into the ultimate three rounds, with England’s Tommy Bridewell holding a slender benefit of 14.5 factors over Carrickfergus man Irwin, who’s bidding to turn out to be Northern Ireland’s first BSB champion.
Ahead of opening observe on Friday, Irwin revealed he’ll put on a particular version Shoei helmet as a tribute to Bird, who oversaw a file eight BSB titles for his Lake District-based crew.
Irwin mentioned: “Within the team we knew Paul wasn’t well and we’d been aware since after Brands Hatch, which was the last race he attended before Thruxton or Cadwell.
“You can look at it with great sadness and when I found out it was a huge shock, despite knowing he hadn’t been well. We always hoped or believed there could be a different outcome.
“Once you get over that initial shock, we are in the middle of what has been a very successful season to date, for myself – including at the North West 200 – and in BSB too, and for the team in general.
“We must and we will continue to focus on the same way we have all year and I think there should never be any extra motivation to win British Superbike races or the championship, but it will certainly make what may come in the next few weeks all the more emotional,” added the 33-year-old, who was final yr’s championship runner-up behind Bradley Ray.
“I think right now, it’s about maintaining focus and the team is obviously racing on in Paul’s memory, but I think at the end of the year when we really sit down and reflect on the fact that the ‘Birdman’ is gone, we can get a little bit more upset and emotional about it.
“I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunities I had [with PBM]. A lot of my ‘firsts’ came through PBM; my first North West win, my first BSB podium and BSB win, and wouldn’t it be all the sweeter to also win my first BSB title.
“For sure, that will be another thing to be grateful for to Paul and to his team.”
Elaborating on the tribute helmet he’ll don in Bird’s reminiscence at Oulton, Irwin mentioned it was his manner of honouring his former crew boss.
“I am paying tribute this weekend with a special edition helmet, which will touch on all the titles and race wins in each discipline that PBM achieved from the beginning, right up to Paul’s passing; the Sunflower Trophy is covered on it, Scarborough – everything,” he revealed.
“That’s a way that I will pay tribute and whilst paying tribute, I will continue to do my job, which is the best thing for me to do and continue this great journey that I am on for Paul.
“I’ll wear it all weekend to honour him. Someone asked if I would only wear it during the races in case I crashed, but I don’t think like that and it wasn’t in my head to keep it just for a race day.”
Irwin gained twice final day trip at Cadwell Park earlier than Bridewell responded with a hard-fought victory within the closing race.
Saturday’s Sprint race is at 4.15pm with Sunday’s BSB races scheduled for 1:15pm and 4:15pm.
