The Allmoto Yamaha rider was making his launching at the track and after certifying inside the leading 6, ended up third in his opening 3 races over Saturday and Sunday.
In his last moto he needed to strive coming through from 5th to declare 2nd in the closing laps.
“It was my first time racing at the track and I’m happy with the results,” said Bird. “It was a steady weekend and it’s great to come away leading the championship.”
Loughbrickland’s Jason Meara and Ballyclare’s Martin Barr had a difficult weekend in the Pro class.
Meara certified 13th and completed his 2 races in 11th and 12th.
He said: “Before the track became rough I was on a fast lap but my hand came off the handlebars and I didn’t finish that lap. I was on the outside of the gate for both motos and couldn’t make a clean start but did my best to charge through.
“I’m happy enough with my riding, I just need to get the starts together,” included the Moto-Cycle/JP Transport Gas Gas rider.
Barr, who had a hard time to 13th total on the Apico Husqvarna,” said: “It was a difficult weekend. Maybe I came back too soon after the injury but it’s another race under my belt.”
Race one saw him hammering out to 12th after a poor start. In race 2 Barr was off eviction much better just to stall the bike on the 2nd lap.
“It upset my rhythm and I was trying too hard,” he said. “I backed it off and brought it home in 14th.”
Omagh’s Lewis Spratt still holds 4th in the B/W85 champion. Spratt certified 6th prior to completing 5th and 6th in Saturday’s races.
Sunday’s opening race saw the McCullagh’s Centra/Todds Leap KTM rider fighting for 3rd prior to a huge crash at the table top dropped him to 11th by the flag. Seventh in his last race sufficed for 6th total.
Spratt said: “I just couldn’t gel with the track but I’m happy to still hold fourth in the championship.”
Meanwhile, Moria’s Dean Dillon extended his benefit in the MRA premier Ulster quad champion at Tinkerhill after declaring the total.
It was a comfy success for Dillon in race one after race leader Mark McLernon retired with a damaged foot peg on lap 7. McLernon won the last 2 races with Dillon a close second.
“I had closed on Mark before he retired, leaving me a massive advantage over Davy Cowan by the flag,” he said.
“Mark got the hole-shot in race two and I pushed him hard hoping he would make a mistake – he didn’t! I knew I had the overall in the bag but still fought hard finishing only 0.3s behind him at the flag. I’m happy.”
Ross Dillon won the semi professionals while Travis Toye maintained his unbeaten run in the Y3 class.
Cole McCullough ended up 20th total at the Junior World Championships in Romania.
The 14-year-old Milwaukee KTM rider certified 11th however retired from race one after a crash.
The Castlederg teen had a terrific race 2, fighting through from 19th to 14th by the flag.
“It was a good weekend on a great track,” he said. “My lap time were good but I need to work on my starts.”
