I, SUPERBIKER THE SHOWDOWN, which will be shown in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from February 21, is a high-octane behind the scenes look at last year’s British Superbike Championship.

Last year’s film was more of a season review but this time around it’s a fly on the wall behind the scenes documentary, looking into lives and psyche of the 2011 British Superbike Championship’s top six contenders: Tommy Hill, Josh Brookes, Michael Laverty, Ryuichi Kiyonari and American John Hopkins.

The BSB series is regarded as the world’s leading national championship, and I, Superbiker is Series Director Stuart Higgs’ way of taking the MSVR promoted series to masses.

The unprecedented and controversial Showdown format whittles a full grid of title contenders in April, down to just six protagonists going into the final three rounds in September and October – guaranteeing the large British Superbike audiences a last round, last race thriller.

There were tears of agony in 2010 for Englishman Tommy Hill, as he watched his title hopes go up in flames at the final round at Oulton Park, losing out to Japan’s Ryuichi Kiyonari on the final day.

This time around Swan Yamaha mounted Hill didn’t have to peek through his fingers at the I, Superbiker première in London; the 2011 British Superbike Champion happy in the knowledge that after 90 minutes of film-making, he could watch himself lift the coveted BSB title for the very first time.

It was the most enthralling BSB finale in history, with Hill pipping American John Hopkins to the title in the final race of the season by a miniscule, six-thousandths of a second.

Hill said afterwards: “After last year’s movie some people asked me did I have a stunt man doing the racing scenes. I had to tell them I was a professional motorcycle racer and not an actor. That’s why the film is so good for BSB as it takes the series to a wider audience.”

And with a top soundtrack from David Vanian of the Damned and a theme tune written by Phil Collen of Def Leppard, the Mark Sloper directed film is a must see.

Local man Michael Laverty, Hill’s team-mate last season, also features strongly in the movie which is set to break all records when it hits the big screen at the end of the month. Unfortunately from the 120 listed cinemas, only one is screening in Northern Ireland. So expect big crowds at the Odyssey complex in Belfast.

Southern listings include Dundrum, Swords and Coolock; Dungarvan, Mayo and Gorey

Never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes…

It was more a case of ‘bridge-building than boat-building’ for off-the-wall racer Guy Martin, during his latest visit to Northern Ireland. But despite much speculation, the fast-talking Lincolnshire man has re-signed with Moneymore based Tyco Suzuki by TAS Racing, and will partner Manxman Conor Cummins at all three international road races this season.

Since the launch of TT film, Closer to the Edge, which has reputedly sold 180,000 copies to date, and his hit BBC series ‘The Boat that Guy Built’ the mutton chopped cartoon like racer with the Dennis the Menace style haircut, has accumulated a ridiculously large cult following worldwide.

But despite his unique television appeal, the truck fitter from Kirmington still maintains racing and tinkering at engines is his number one priority.

“I’m delighted to be back with the team for a second year. I couldn’t knock last year to be honest; the only thing we didn’t do was win a TT,” he explained, referring to his four podium near misses on the Isle of Man.

He added: “Going into this year we’ll not be changing anything really. The Superstock is a new bike and the 600 will have some more development as will the Superbike. The main thing for me is to keep the team the same. Cracking lads; I get on with them really well. As long as I have Mark and Danny on the spanners and Philip looking after it all, then… job’s a good’un.”

In last year’s blue Riband Senior TT, Guy pushed John McGuinness harder than he’s been pushed before, leading the 15-time TT winner for over two laps. It was a learning experience, and a frustrating one at that as he explained.

“Yeah, yeah… I think I led him for two and a half laps. It’s there boy… it’s there. We just need a bit of fine-tuning. We can do the speeds; I’m good enough and the TAS bike’s good enough – we just need a few rough edges polishing off.

“The amount of miles we did before the TT and the miles we clocked up all helped and we’ll do that again. Now I’ve had a year and time to sit and think about it all, we’ll get back on the bike and get used to it. Then we’re going to make a few changes. That’s what we’re going to do. I want to do well at the North West and the Ulster but the main thing in to get this bloody TT win out of the way.”

Being mobbed at last year’s event by his ever growing fan base slightly un-nerved the Lincolnshire man, and having been described as awkward and stand offish at times during TT fortnight, he’d like to set the record straight.

“Never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes! Yeah I’ve probably brought a lot of it on myself doing TV and films and stuff and I admit last year I was like a fish out of water. I got to the TT and the amount of people. I was never rude to anyone, but yeah, I did feel uneasy. I didn’t mean to come across as rude or ungrateful. I just wasn’t use to the attention. But if it happens in 2012 then I’ll be ready to deal with it. I hope!”

Tomorrow I will go back to my Photo-journalism roots, with not only the notepad and dictaphone going flat out, but also the bag of Canon cameras. Martin Barr is my next victim for DBR. I wont give too much of the game away but I do love a lifestyle feature; finding out what makes people tick. And in motorsport that’s getting under the helmet and leathers [or body armour in this case] to see what is underneath.

Getting paid to write about a sport that I love is always a privilege and doing it with one of ‘our home grown stars’ is an added bonus. Martin is one of the leading contenders in this season’s British MX1 Championship with LPE Kawasaki. I’ve written about Martin on many occasions over the years but as Ireland’s undisputed number one MX rider in 2012, I think it’s time to give him the credit he deserves.

Look out for the Martin Barr ‘by Paul Lindsay’ feature coming soon in DBR