Steve
27-11-2008, 14:24
DUNGANNON'S John Burrows is looking ahead to the 2009 road racing season with renewed vigour after securing the 2008 Relentless TAS Suzuki ridden by Michael Laverty in this year's British Superbike Championship.
The 35-year-old was left without a ride after long-term backer Hugh Murphy announced in October that he was severing his links with the sport, but every cloud has a silver lining and Burrows is optimistic the ex-TAS Suzuki Superbike will enable him to rediscover his best form on the roads next year.
He told News Letter Sport that the 1000cc GSX-R will be fitted with one of the road race-spec engines used at the international meetings this season by Cameron Donald and Bruce Anstey.
Burrows will also benefit from a first class spares package, including a back-up engine, after agreeing a deal with TAS Suzuki team principal, Philip Neill.
"I'm really pleased that Philip has offered me such a good deal," said Burrows. "It's a fantastic package and although the bike is BSB-spec, it will have one of the road race engines used by Cameron Donald or Bruce Anstey. Philip has also said that I'll receive back-up support from the team themselves, so I couldn't be more pleased with how things have worked out. It's a full blown Superbike and everyone knows how competitive it will be, so hopefully I'll be able to improve my results at the national and international meetings," he added. "I rode a Suzuki back in 2006, which was the best year I ever had on the roads, but this bike will be even better. Philip and myself go back a long way from our motocross days together and he's been really good to help me out like this. Nothing would be possible without the continued support from my personal sponsors and I want to thank them for their generosity."
The affable Co Tyrone rider will also run a 600cc Yamaha, which he purchased from William Dunlop following the North West 200 in May, in addition to his own 250cc Honda.
"All I need now is a Superstock machine for the three internationals, but there's plenty of time to get something sorted out," Burrows added. "I'm also on the lookout for a competitive bike for the Senior Classic race at the Manx GP next year. I'll be riding a 350cc Honda in the Junior Classic for Steve Caffyn again."
With a Superbike deal in place for 2009, Burrows can concentrate on the less pressing matter of deciding upon a new paint scheme for his stable of machinery and has targeted Billy Nutt's motorcycle show at the King's Hall, Belfast, in February as the launch venue for the team.
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The 35-year-old was left without a ride after long-term backer Hugh Murphy announced in October that he was severing his links with the sport, but every cloud has a silver lining and Burrows is optimistic the ex-TAS Suzuki Superbike will enable him to rediscover his best form on the roads next year.
He told News Letter Sport that the 1000cc GSX-R will be fitted with one of the road race-spec engines used at the international meetings this season by Cameron Donald and Bruce Anstey.
Burrows will also benefit from a first class spares package, including a back-up engine, after agreeing a deal with TAS Suzuki team principal, Philip Neill.
"I'm really pleased that Philip has offered me such a good deal," said Burrows. "It's a fantastic package and although the bike is BSB-spec, it will have one of the road race engines used by Cameron Donald or Bruce Anstey. Philip has also said that I'll receive back-up support from the team themselves, so I couldn't be more pleased with how things have worked out. It's a full blown Superbike and everyone knows how competitive it will be, so hopefully I'll be able to improve my results at the national and international meetings," he added. "I rode a Suzuki back in 2006, which was the best year I ever had on the roads, but this bike will be even better. Philip and myself go back a long way from our motocross days together and he's been really good to help me out like this. Nothing would be possible without the continued support from my personal sponsors and I want to thank them for their generosity."
The affable Co Tyrone rider will also run a 600cc Yamaha, which he purchased from William Dunlop following the North West 200 in May, in addition to his own 250cc Honda.
"All I need now is a Superstock machine for the three internationals, but there's plenty of time to get something sorted out," Burrows added. "I'm also on the lookout for a competitive bike for the Senior Classic race at the Manx GP next year. I'll be riding a 350cc Honda in the Junior Classic for Steve Caffyn again."
With a Superbike deal in place for 2009, Burrows can concentrate on the less pressing matter of deciding upon a new paint scheme for his stable of machinery and has targeted Billy Nutt's motorcycle show at the King's Hall, Belfast, in February as the launch venue for the team.
newsletter