The World Superbike Championship is to stage a race in Northern Ireland for the first time in 2019.

A new Lake Torrent Circuit, which is currently in the early stages of construction at Coalisland, County Tyrone, will be the venue for a new round of the series.

Circuit developer Manna Developments has signed a three-year deal with series rights holders Dorna WSBK Organisation to use the new 3.6km circuit which is to be built on 163 acres of reclaimed clay pits.

Manna Developments’ David Henderson said: “For the past 15 years it has been a dream of mine to build a motor racing circuit that incorporates the feel of the road with the safety of an international standard track – and also to bring the World Superbike Championship to Northern Ireland.

“Having finally identified the perfect location and achieved planning permission last year, today sees the completion of that dream and is a day that will only be topped when we see up to 30,000 spectators converge in Coalisland for the first WorldSBK racing event in Northern Ireland. They really don’t come much bigger than this.”

Daniel Carrera, WorldSBK executive director, said: “We are delighted to be adding Northern Ireland as a destination for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, Lake Torrent circuit is a fantastic project that will deliver a high-class facility for competitors and visitors.”

Northern Ireland’s Jonathan Rea, who finished runner-up to Mo Farah in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year vote, is a three-time winner of the championship and the current title holder.