2011 Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT winners Ryan Farquhar and Adrian Archibald have joined forces for the 2011 road racing season, competing on Kawasaki motorcycles.
And Farquhar of Dungannon has targeted the 2011 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy as his “main aim” this year.
Ryan Farquhar says: “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.”
The comments came at the launch of his KMR Racing team for this year, where Farquhar also announced Archibald would join the squad on a Super Twin machine.
Multiple Duke Road Race Rankings winner Farquhar confirmed he will contest the three major International road races and majority of National road races in 2011 under the KMR Kawasaki banner.
It is the team’s third successive year and Farquhar has recently 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.
He came very close to adding to his two TT victories in 2010 when he ran Ian Hutchinson close in the Royal London 360 Superstock race, finishing runner-up by the slim margin of just over 1 second. In the blue riband Senior TT Farquhar secured another stunning second place, just 30 seconds down on the Hutchy, the winner of all five solo TT races in 2010.
Farquhar once more has the use of two 600cc machines for the Supersport class and he’ll again campaign a full season on the ER6 Super Twin.
For several months it has been rumoured Farquhar intended to run a second roads rider in 2011 and, after a number of discussions, it is 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.
Archibald is three-times TT winner, including two Senior victories, and a regular top 10 finisher.
All machines under the KMR Kawasaki stable will be campaigned in the customary red and black colours with the exception of Farquhar’s Superstock machine, which will be run in traditional Kawasaki green.
The success of KMR Racing has attracted several new sponsors to the team for 2011, 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, which should further add to the presence of what is one of the most professional teams within the sport.
Farquhar confirmed his main focus will be on the TT, along with the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix, but he is in for yet another busy with plans to 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 MGP in September.
Ryan Farquhar says: “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.
“Kawasaki have again helped tremendously and wanted me to run a second 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.”
Adrian Archibald says: “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): “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. 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.”