By Yamaha’s YZF R1M machine, has had it’s fair to say an up and down first two years of pure road racing competition.
Launched in 2014, Mar Train Racing where selected by Yamaha UK to lead the marques, entry into action at the International road races.
The 2015 season saw Dean Harrison head the teams challenge, the Bradford based rider endured overall a challenging season, but there was positive moments, which included going the entire Scarborough Gold Cup meeting unbeaten.
Following his golden weekend at Scarborough, Dean soon elected to take on pastures new with Silicone Engineering Racing, this left Mar Train Racing on the lookout for a suitable replacement.
This was soon found, when Manxman Dan Kneen joined Yamaha UK’s official roads outfit.
Early success this year at the Tandragee 100, was then soon counter punched by misfortune, with Dan forced to miss the North West 200 and TT Races due to a broken arm, sustained in a mountain bike incident.
Since returning to roads competition at the Southern 100, the 2014 Irish road race Superbike champion, has gone on a run of great form.
Podium finishes during the Southern 100, where backed up by third place in the Superstock race at the MCE Insurance Ulster Grand Prix, plus another international podium recently in the Steve Henshaw International Gold Cup, at Oliver’s Mount.
Overall in the last two years, Mar Train Racing have wrapped up many a notable feat with the YZF R1M Yamaha.
Although it not be at present, the machine to be on for example around the Mountain Course, it’s a bike which is tipped by bigger things in the future.
In my opinion what is needed for the YZF R1M to move up a level, is for the finer details to be found, that will allow it to make that next step, to push the current pace setting S1000RR BMW’s.
It’s not yet known as to whether Yamaha will have an official roads presence next year, although it seems likely that Mar Train Racing will once again lead the iconic marque’s challenge.
Words by Stevie Rial
