Tweet
International North West 200 sponsors Kennedy Group and JHP Ducati Racing
– Coventry have launched an exciting and unique new motorbike racing partnership which will see North West 200 branded bikes competing in all twelve British Superbike rounds in addition to the International North West 200 on May 17th 2008.
Two Ducati SBK RS08 Superbike machines will be made available by the Bologna based Ducati factory, with eleven times North West 200 winner and speed trap record breaker Michael Rutter on board the new machinery. The package will also include two Ducati1098R Superstock machines ridden by local Toomebridge rider John Laverty and supported by JHP Racing’s 2007 title sponsor - Buildbase and run under the new BUILDBASENW200 banner.
Mervyn Whyte MBE, NW200 Clerk of Course, said: “I’m delighted with this brand new initiative. It’s the icing on the cake for our event and will dramatically raise the North West 200’s profile throughout the new 2008 season and beyond. This is a tremendous boost for the North West 200 and will give the event a massive following within the British Superbike audience, throughout Europe and indeed the world.”
“We also believe it will increase the long stay (4/5 night) visitors to the NW 200 region during Race Week and will provide an additional boost to the Northern Ireland economy of approximately £4 - £5 million realising a 45% increase on current figures.”
The complete package undertaken by the Kennedy Group will cost a staggering £750,000 and represents a highly significant financial input by the North West 200 title sponsor. The partnership will help position the North West 200 as the premier road racing spectacle in the world and will ensure the continued attendance of BSB’s top manufacturers and teams.
It is also anticipated that the introduction of the new team will greatly increase the North West 200 web site traffic (www.northwest200.org) and is designed to promote and reflect an increase in global awareness of Ireland’s largest outdoor sporting event. The whole package is set to be a win-win situation for British Superbike racing and the North West 200 alike.
JH Performance Racing has a Ducati heritage second to none and is owned by the legendary engine tuner John Hackett and managed by his good friend and race team partner Ken Foley. JHP has been instrumental in the career success of many household names in Superbike racing such as Bayliss, Hodgson, Hislop, Haslam, Byrne, Smart, Easton and indeed Michael Rutter himself.
Commenting on the new partnership, JHP Team owner John Hackett said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved with the Team and I’m really looking forward to working with Michael (Rutter) again. In my opinion he is still one of the best riders out there and one of the very few naturally talented smooth racers whose style will suit the Ducati perfectly”.
Team Manager Ken Foley added: “To be in BSB is a dream come true for the JHP Team and it has always been our ambition to work with Michael Rutter and John Laverty. It really just doesn’t get any better! Also, to be involved and develop this new project with Alistair Kennedy and Mervyn Whyte MBE is very exciting and is undoubtedly a coup for our team. We’re all looking forward to next year, when we can seriously compete and contest British Superbikes, Superstocks and the North West 200, which we believe to be the best road race in the world”
The team which will be known as “North West 200 Ducati” is currently in talks with other high profile sponsors, details of which will be announced during the coming few weeks. It is scheduled to take delivery of all the race machinery early in the new year and will then be testing in earnest prior to the first round of the BSB championship at Brands Hatch in April next year. “Therefore with competitive equipment from Ducati and two highly competent riders in Rutter and Laverty, 2008 bodes well for the North West 200 Ducati race team” concluded Mervyn Whyte.
FONTE
– Coventry have launched an exciting and unique new motorbike racing partnership which will see North West 200 branded bikes competing in all twelve British Superbike rounds in addition to the International North West 200 on May 17th 2008.
Two Ducati SBK RS08 Superbike machines will be made available by the Bologna based Ducati factory, with eleven times North West 200 winner and speed trap record breaker Michael Rutter on board the new machinery. The package will also include two Ducati1098R Superstock machines ridden by local Toomebridge rider John Laverty and supported by JHP Racing’s 2007 title sponsor - Buildbase and run under the new BUILDBASENW200 banner.
Mervyn Whyte MBE, NW200 Clerk of Course, said: “I’m delighted with this brand new initiative. It’s the icing on the cake for our event and will dramatically raise the North West 200’s profile throughout the new 2008 season and beyond. This is a tremendous boost for the North West 200 and will give the event a massive following within the British Superbike audience, throughout Europe and indeed the world.”
“We also believe it will increase the long stay (4/5 night) visitors to the NW 200 region during Race Week and will provide an additional boost to the Northern Ireland economy of approximately £4 - £5 million realising a 45% increase on current figures.”
The complete package undertaken by the Kennedy Group will cost a staggering £750,000 and represents a highly significant financial input by the North West 200 title sponsor. The partnership will help position the North West 200 as the premier road racing spectacle in the world and will ensure the continued attendance of BSB’s top manufacturers and teams.
It is also anticipated that the introduction of the new team will greatly increase the North West 200 web site traffic (www.northwest200.org) and is designed to promote and reflect an increase in global awareness of Ireland’s largest outdoor sporting event. The whole package is set to be a win-win situation for British Superbike racing and the North West 200 alike.
JH Performance Racing has a Ducati heritage second to none and is owned by the legendary engine tuner John Hackett and managed by his good friend and race team partner Ken Foley. JHP has been instrumental in the career success of many household names in Superbike racing such as Bayliss, Hodgson, Hislop, Haslam, Byrne, Smart, Easton and indeed Michael Rutter himself.
Commenting on the new partnership, JHP Team owner John Hackett said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved with the Team and I’m really looking forward to working with Michael (Rutter) again. In my opinion he is still one of the best riders out there and one of the very few naturally talented smooth racers whose style will suit the Ducati perfectly”.
Team Manager Ken Foley added: “To be in BSB is a dream come true for the JHP Team and it has always been our ambition to work with Michael Rutter and John Laverty. It really just doesn’t get any better! Also, to be involved and develop this new project with Alistair Kennedy and Mervyn Whyte MBE is very exciting and is undoubtedly a coup for our team. We’re all looking forward to next year, when we can seriously compete and contest British Superbikes, Superstocks and the North West 200, which we believe to be the best road race in the world”
The team which will be known as “North West 200 Ducati” is currently in talks with other high profile sponsors, details of which will be announced during the coming few weeks. It is scheduled to take delivery of all the race machinery early in the new year and will then be testing in earnest prior to the first round of the BSB championship at Brands Hatch in April next year. “Therefore with competitive equipment from Ducati and two highly competent riders in Rutter and Laverty, 2008 bodes well for the North West 200 Ducati race team” concluded Mervyn Whyte.
FONTE
Comment