FFX YAMAHA SET FOR ON TRACK DEBUT WITH PRE-SEASON TESTING IN SPAIN
The 2014 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship season starts on track this week for the FFX Yamaha team as Ian Hutchinson and Andy Reid begin their pre-season preparations at Cartagena in Spain.
The team unveiled the 2014 Superbike at the FFX Tool Show last month and are now eager to get their season underway on circuit alongside several of the MCE BSB contenders as they prepare for their debut season. Hutchinson will be back onboard the Yamaha for the first time since his incredible Macau GP race win last November as the record-breaking TT race winner gets set for his first full MCE BSB campaign.
Northern Ireland’s Reid joins Hutchinson at Cartagena as the young protagonist gears up for his debut with the FFX Yamaha team as they aim to start the Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championship in the strongest possible position next month.
Hutchinson said: “I am looking forward to the track time, because I obviously haven’t ridden since Macau and I miss it. The time in Spain will give us a great opportunity to work together for the first time this season and give us a real idea of where we are and what we need to achieve before the first round at Brands Hatch. Personally, I am feeling a lot stronger than I did when I won at Macau so I can’t wait to get back into it. I visited the workshop last week and everything is looking good; we are ready to go!”
Reid said: “I am pretty excited to get cracking now as I haven’t ridden a bike since the end of last season and I am busting to just get out there and get on with the job. I am interested to see how the Superstock bike feels compared to what I have previously ridden as it will be all new to me but I am going to just take it step by step. I have ridden at Cartagena before, so that is a start although it did end up with an injury, but I can’t wait as it will be a completely new experience all round.”
Team Principal Gary Ekerold concluded: “Following the successful launch of the team at an FFX Tools event recently we are now ready to begin the season on track and for Hutchy, Andy and the whole team this is where the Championship really starts. As a new team there will be a lot for us to learn, but we start our preparations for our first campaign in the best possible position which will only be strengthened with the time on track in Spain.”
More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki Press Office:
After a day of preparation, meeting new team members and enjoying a bit of Spanish sunshine, Tyco Suzuki British Superbike new recruits John Hopkins and Josh Waters are fired-up and ready for the opening test of 2014 at Cartagena in Spain tomorrow morning.
The American and Australian stars joined their Scottish team-mate Taylor Mackenzie trackside today for some GSX-R male bonding and all three are looking forward to some on-track action tomorrow at the 2.17-mile circuit.
Said Hopkins: “Yeah it’s good to be here and meet my new team and I’m looking forward to my first track action tomorrow on the Tyco Suzuki.”
Waters, who travelled-in with his new team-mates last night, added: “I’ve tried my bike out for size today and had some fun with the guys; it’s now time to get some miles in and I can’t wait to get started.”
Mackenzie, who is now in his second season with Tyco Suzuki, was the first rider at the Cartagena circuit at 8am this morning; even though he had 24 hours to wait to get on track. He said: “I’ve got butterflies already. I’ve been waiting all winter to get back on my GSX-R600. The season can’t come quick-enough for me. I’ve spent some time with John and Josh today and they are two good guys. It’s going to be a fun year with the Tyco Suzuki guys.”
More news to follow after tomorrow’s opening day…