Danny Webb, one of the UK’s leading 125cc Grand Prix and Moto 3 contenders, will make his real road racing debut at the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, riding for KMR Kawasaki.
The Kent youngster will contest the Dainese Superbike, RL360º Superstock, bikesocial.co.uk Lightweight and PokerStars Senior TT Races and will benefit from the expert Mountain Course knowledge and support of KMR team manager and owner Ryan Farquhar.
The 22-year old has long been considered one of the countries brightest prospects, a claim supported by his seven years of Grand Prix level competition. He achieved an impressive twenty top-ten finishes in the 125cc and Moto 3 divisions, arguably one of the most competitive classes in motorcycle racing.
Riding for the highly experienced Molenaar/De Graaf, Andalucia Cajasol and Ambrogio Racing teams, Webb achieved a best finish of fifth at the 2008 Portuguese GP, with his best Championship standing coming in the 2010 season when he took 10th overall with 93 points.
Having led races on a number of occasions, Webb was also chosen to spearhead the Indian manufacturer Mahindra’s first ever assault on the GP trail in 2011. Indeed, he gave them first ever pole position at the Valencia GP.
The Tunbridge Wells rider hails from a racing family with father Jimmy enjoying a successful career as a sidecar passenger and his elder brother James was a front runner in both the Virgin Mobile R6 Cup and British Supersport Championships, competing in the latter as team-mate to 20-times TT winner John McGuinness at Padgetts Racing.
Having left the Moto 3 arena midway through the 2013 season, Webb turned his attention to the World Supersport Championship, competing in a number of races for PTR Racing, who not only played an instrumental part in the success of Michael Dunlop at the 2013 TT Races but also took Eugene Laverty and Sam Lowes to numerous wins and podiums on the World stage. Webb soon proved his talent on the 600cc machine too, scoring a best position of 11th at the final round in Spain.
Speaking about his TT debut, Danny commented: “I’m a big TT fan. I’ve already been to the event and I have always said that I wanted to do it one day. It’s something that has been going through my mind more and more of late, and the opportunity came along to work with Ryan Farquhar who puts out some of the best bikes on the grid, so I simply couldn’t say no.”
He continued: “It’s going to be a big change for me after years in the Grand Prix paddock, but it is something I am really looking forward to. I don’t see this being a one off thing either and I know it will take me many years to really learn my way around but for now I just can’t wait to get out there and make my debut.”
More, from a press release issued by KMR Kawasaki:
KMR Kawasaki
Former GP ace Webb to make TT debut with KMR Kawasaki
Danny Webb, one of the UK’s former leading 125cc Grand Prix and Moto 3 contenders is set to make his debut at the 2014 Isle of Man TT races riding for KMR Kawasaki. Riding in identical SGS International livery to team manager Ryan Farquhar and Keith Amor, the Kent youngster will contest the Superbike, Senior, Superstock and Lightweight TT races and is sure to benefit from the expert knowledge and support of three-time TT winner Farquhar.
The 22-year old has long been considered one of the countries brightest prospects, a claim more than supported by his seven years of competing at Grand Prix level where he took a mightily impressive twenty top-ten finishes in the 125cc and Moto 3 divisions, arguably, one of the most competitive classes around. Webb achieved a best finish of fifth at the 2008 Portuguese GP, with his best Championship standing coming in the 2010 season when he took 10th overall with 93 points. Having led races on a number of occasions, Webb was also chosen to spearhead the Indian manufacturer Mahindra’s first ever assault on the GP trail in 2011. Indeed, he gave them first ever pole position at Valencian GP.
Midway through the 2013 season, Webb turned his attention to the Supersport 600cc division, competing in a number of World Championship races for PTR Racing, who not only played an instrumental part in the success of Michael Dunlop at the 2013 TT races but also took Eugene Laverty and Sam Lowes to numerous wins and podiums on the World stage. Webb soon proved his talent on the 600cc machine too, scoring a best position of 11th at the final round in Spain, which was just his fourth outing on the machine.
The Tunbridge Wells rider hails from a racing family with father Jimmy having enjoyed a successful career as a sidecar passenger whilst his elder brother James was a front runner in both the Virgin Mobile R6 Cup and British Supersport Championships, competing as team-mate to 20-times TT winner John McGuinness at Padgetts Racing in the latter.
Speaking about his TT debut, Danny commented: “I’m a big TT fan. I’ve already been to the event and I have always said that I wanted to do it one day. It’s something that has been going through my mind more and more of late, and the opportunity came along to work with Ryan Farquhar who puts out some of the best bikes on the grid, so I simply couldn’t say no. It’s going to be a big change for me after years in the Grand Prix paddock, but it is something I am really looking forward to. I don’t see this being a one off thing either and I know it will take me many years to really learn my way around but for now I just can’t wait to get out there and make my debut.”
Team owner Farquhar added; “I first met Danny at a charity function at the Valencian GP in 2011 and he said then that he always wanted to race at the TT. I told him that if there was anything I could do to help him to give me a call and once Paul Phillips mentioned Danny’s name, I made a few phone calls and soon put everything into place. He’s an extremely talented rider, someone who I have a lot of time for, and he’s got a wise head on his shoulders. He knows all about the TT and wants to do it for all the right reasons so we’ll do everything we can at KMR Kawasaki to help him serve his apprenticeship and establish himself as a top flight road racer.”