MAXTON SUSPENSION TO SPONSOR GP ORIGINALS

We are pleased to announce that in 2019 we will be sponsoring the GP Originals race series.

GP Originals was created to present the sites, sounds and smells of the post classic racing series from the 1970’s and 1980’s. The championship is open to Grand Prix machines from this era, such as the Yamaha TZ350 and TZ250.

2018 was GP Originals first year of racing, attending such circuits as Donington Park, Oulton Park and Portimao. The series has 4 UK based rounds and a European round each year.

Maxton Suspension has a long history with Grand Prix race bikes from the 1970’s and 1980’s. As a company in 1971, our first project was manufacturing a complete race bikes chassis using a TZ350 engine. We carried on developing the Maxton chassis using the 350 and 250 engines for over 15 years. Winning races at a world level, with such riders as Chas Mortimer, Charlie Williams and Eddie Roberts. So when we were approached by GP Originals to help out, it seemed a ‘natural fit’ for us.

For more information on the series visit their Facebook, Instagram or Twitter page or email race@gporiginals.co.uk

SUCCESSFUL SEASON FOR JOE COLLIER OF EHA RACING IN BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP

Joe Collier’s third place overall in the National 1000cc Superstock Championship with EHA Racing aboard the In Competition prepared Aprilia RSV4 RF, and Alastair Seeley’s second place in Saturday’s British Supersport Sprint Race – rounded out a successful season for the team during the final round at Brands Hatch.

Collier took fifth place in Sunday’s rain-sodden National 1000cc Superstock race, which left him just 7.5-points adrift of second place in the championship standings. He said: “I’m disappointed that I couldn’t find the pace and grip I needed to challenge at the front today in the final race of the year but overall we’ve had a successful season. I’ve really enjoyed my time with EHA Racing and riding the Aprilia, so thanks to everyone for their support."

GLENN IRWIN CLINCHES SUPERTWINS DOUBLE AT SUNFLOWER TROPHY

Glenn Irwin was welcomed back into the Burrows Engineering Racing team for a cameo appearance at the Sunflower Trophy races at Bishopscourt in County Down at the weekend.

The event is Ireland’s premier short circuit meeting and British Superbike rider Glenn, who previously rode for John Burrows’ Dungannon-based team in 2015, made a successful return on the 650cc Kawasaki, winning both Supertwin races at the 1.8-mile circuit on Saturday.

Irwin saw off Dan Cooper and young gun Eunan McGlinchey in the opening race, with the 28-year-old capping a double after a hard-earned victory in race two – billed as the Junior Sunflower Trophy Race – beating ex-Grand Prix rider Jeremy McWilliams.

The Carrickfergus man won £400 in prize-money and in a kind-hearted gesture, Irwin and his sponsors have boosted the amount to £4,000, which they will donate to the young family of William Dunlop. William was sadly killed in a crash this year at the Skerries 100.

Saturday’s two Supertwin victories were the perfect finale to the season for the Burrows Engineering Racing team, and a fitting way to end the team’s involvement in the Supertwin class.

Team Principal – John Burrows:
“What a way to finish off our last races in the Supertwin class, with Glenn doing the double at Bishopscourt. In all, Glenn has started five races for us as a team and won four of them, with two Supertwin wins at the Sunflower in 2015 and another two at the weekend. He also finished fourth on our bike in the Supertwin race at the Ulster Grand Prix in 2015 in the wet, after setting pole. We will focus on the 1000cc and 600cc classes going forward, so this is the perfect way to sign off in the Supertwins class.

“It’s always nice to take the win though and it was one of our better wins, although any time you get a victory as a team, it always feels special in that moment. It’s hard to measure it up against other victories we have achieved as a team but it was definitely up there.

“All in all, it has been a tremendous season for the team with Davey Todd excelling at the internationals and Derek Sheils picking up some wins at the beginning of the season. Derek rounded off the road racing season with a double at Killalane, and with Glenn’s two wins at the Sunflower, it has been a great way to bring the year to a close. Hopefully we will be able to work with Glenn again in the future. He is a pleasure to work with, a true professional, and it was a fantastic gesture by him to donate £4,000 to William Dunlop’s family. Glenn and his sponsors weighed in to match his £400 prize-money that he got for winning the Supertwin races and that is just the measure of the man.

“Thanks to our team and all of our sponsors for a great season. Things are looking good for 2019 and we hope to make an announcement on our plans soon.”

Glenn Irwin:
“Fair play to John and the team because they did a fantastic job with the bike. Jeremy McWilliams was so fast in a straight line, phenomenal, but I don’t why that was! Joking aside, his bike was an absolute missile but I was able to make up ground through the corners. It was an enjoyable day and I always promised John that I would come and ride for his team again. It was nice to do that, but also it was nice to be able to donate £4,000 to William Dunlop’s young family.

“After pledging to donate my prize fund of £400 from the Sunflower Trophy races, nine of my fantastic sponsors all agreed to do likewise. Their logos were all squeezed onto John’s bikes and a huge thank you to FonaCab, Ears PLC, Silicone Engineering, BLRC, MET Healthcare, MTA Components, Rapid International, Feckin’ Irish Whiskey and Technidrive.”