After another brilliant year in 2010, Ryan Farquhar (Thursday) launched his KMR Kawasaki team for the forthcoming 2011 season where he will again be contesting the three International road races and the majority of the National road races. As has been mooted for some time, Farquhar, the most successful rider in Irish National road race history, will also run a second rider this year with Adrian Archibald, another legend in Northern Ireland, joining the squad on a Super Twin machine. Farquhar will run under the KMR Kawasaki banner for the third successive year and has taken delivery of two of the all-new ZX-10R Kawasaki machines, one for the Superstock class and one to be run to Evo-spec rules for the Superbike races, which he hopes will enable him to add to his International tally of wins, especially having come so close in 2010 when he finished 2nd in the Superstock TT. He again has the use of two 600cc machines for the Supersport class whilst he’ll once more campaign a full season on the ER6 Super Twin. Having expressed his desire to run a 2nd rider during 2011, a number of discussions since took place and it’s regular rival Archibald that has secured the ride with the duo relishing the prospect of working together and giving the fledgling Super Twin class an even bigger boost. All machines under the KMR Kawasaki stable will be campaigned in the customary red and black colours with the exception of Ryan’s Superstock machine which will be run in traditional Kawasaki green. For 2011, Ryan is delighted to welcome a number of new sponsors to the team, notably Manx Gas and BA Components. Manx Gas supply gas for both domestic and commercial purposes across the Isle of Man and the Island-wide provision includes central heating, fires, cookers, tumble driers, lighting, barbecues and many other appliances. Established in 1990 and operating from Cookstown, County Tyrone, BA Components has grown steadily to become a major manufacturer of kitchen and bedroom door accessories in the UK and Irish furniture components industry. In addition, Dawson Engineering (Portadown), Manx Telecom, Donaghy Motorhomes (Letterkenny), Arrow Exhausts and Furygan Leathers are also new sponsors for KMR Kawasaki in 2011 which should further add to the presence of what is one of the most professional teams within the sport. Naturally, the three International road races – the Isle of Man TT, North West 200 and Ulster GP – will be Ryan’s main focus but in what promises to be another busy year he’ll also contest the Southern 100, all races at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough, the Manx Grand Prix and the majority of the Irish National road races. He also hopes to run a couple of riders at the Manx GP in September. Speaking about his year ahead, Ryan commented: “I’m delighted the new season is almost upon us and it’s great to have everything in place for, hopefully, another strong year. I’ve been fortunate enough to retain my loyal sponsors from 2010 whilst it’s great to welcome so many new ones on board, particularly Manx Gas, BA Components and Dawson Engineering. The last two seasons have been superb and we’re in a great position to challenge for even more race wins this year. I’ve got fantastic support behind me, probably more than ever before, and the success at the International races will be the main aim, particularly the TT.” “Kawasaki have again helped tremendously and wanted me to run a 2nd rider this season and, after discussions didn’t work out with another rider, I spoke to Adrian. I wanted to run someone who I knew I could rely on, works hard and puts in 100% effort and commitment. Adrian fits that bill and is the perfect man for the job. We go back a long way and have the utmost respect for each other so I’m really looking forward to it. It can only be good for the class.” New team-mate Archibald commented; “It’s going to be a very interesting year for me and I’m really looking forward to working with Ryan and his team. We spoke about working together a while ago and we’ve always been friends so it’s something that can only be good for the sport and, obviously, for the Super Twin class. It’s a new class for me but I’ve liked what I’ve seen so, all being well, I’ll be able to run at the front and gain more publicity for Ryan’s team. He’s always been very professional so I think we can have a good season together. I’m still as hungry for success as I’ve always been so I’m very excited about 2011 and can’t wait for the first race.” Michael Johnstone, Kawasaki UK’s Sales and Marketing Manager added; “We’re very excited about Ryan working with Kawasaki again, especially with the launch of the new ZX-10R. We very much hope he can continue his recent run of success, particularly at the Internationals where the Kawasaki in Superstock trim will be the bike to beat. Bringing in Adrian is a great move and to have a rider of such stature in the team is superb and we’re delighted that he and Ryan will be working together in 2011, further increasing our presence in the Super Twin class. We’ve had an excellent working relationship with Ryan for some years now and we’re proud to be associated with him and his team once more so we’re all eagerly looking forward to the 2011 season.” The first outing for the team and both riders will be the Ian Watson Spring National road races to be held at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough on Sunday 17th April.