By The Boyce Precision Engineering/Russell Racing squad will expand to a two-rider squad, for May’s fonaCAB/Nicholl Oils North West 200.
International roads alumni set to race high-spec YZF R6 Yamaha’s are triple TT winner Dean Harrison and BSB race winner, former National Superstock 1000 Champion Richard Cooper.
Speaking recently about upcoming middleweight class competition around the illustrious Triangle course, third quickest NW200 racer in history Cooper, stated:
“I had a great week at the North West 200 last year, probably the best week of my racing life and the event is at the top of my calendar now.
Last year was only my third time there but I like the challenge of riding a series of different bikes in the wet and the dry.”
“I rode the BPE Yamaha for the first time at the final round of the British championship at Brands Hatch, finishing second and third.
Then I had two wins on the R6 at the Sunflower meeting and I knew the bike was the business. At Brands I was running at the front with Lee Johnston who is winning TTs and North West 200 races so I think I now have the package to do the same at the North West.”
New team-mate, Bradford ace Harrison, has been on the lookout for suitable 600cc machinery, post suitors DAO Racing’s decision to opt out of the always ultra-competitive Supersport class.
Commenting about the latest 2023 roads scene update, 2019 Senior TT victor Harrison who will lead his new 600cc machine suitors TT Races challenge, stated:
“I rode the BPE Yamaha during a test at Cartagena in Spain and did my fastest ever 600c time around there on it.
The R6 doesn’t move about as much as the Kawasaki and on paper it should be quicker which will provide an advantage.”
BPE/Russell Racing Team Manager Alister Russell, who worked last year with 16 times TT winner Ian Hutchinson, commented:
“It was a positive start for the new team with Ian and we hope to build on that in 2023 with Dean and Richard on the roads and short circuits.
It is great to have two top class riders, both proven winners, on board for 2023.
Richard proved the potential of the Yamaha during the final round of the British Supersport championship at Brands and with Dean joining him in the squad we now have two riders who should be fighting for podiums this year.
It is a big thing for the team to have riders of their calibre. We will do selected rounds of the British championship and a lot more racing this time around than we did last year.”
Quotes courtesy of Stephen Davison
Photo courtesy of Stephen Davison
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
