Motorpoint aims for pole position in British Superbikes 2009

Motorpoint is planning to take British Superbikes by storm this year after teaming up with Rob Mac Racing.

The country’s leading car supermarket group has partnered up with former rider and now race team boss Rob McElnea to form Motorpoint Yamaha for the 2009 British Superbikes season. This begins in spectacular style at the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in front of tens of thousands of Superbike fans in mid-April.

Under the agreement Motorpoint becomes the principal sponsor for a two-pronged assault on the title by Chris Walker and Graeme Gowland. The pair will be riding an all-new Yamaha YZF R1 Superbike, which is currently being tested in the UK.

Fans’ favourite Chris Walker will be making a welcome return to the British Superbike scene after a number of years away. He is a four-time runner-up in the class and his years of experience at the highest level are likely to make him a pre-season favourite.

Joining him is former Virgin Mobile Cup competitor, Graeme Gowland. The 22 year-old finished fourth in British Superbikes in 2006, before going on to participate in the ultra competitive World Supersport championship.

Also racing in Motorpoint colours in British Superbikes will be 16 year-old Bruce Winfield from Derby. Bruce, the son of Motorpoint Operations Director Paul Winfield, will be the second youngest to compete in Junior Superstock 600. Run in conjunction with British Superbikes, riders in Junior Superstock can reach speeds in excess of 125mph during races.

British Superbikes is now only second to World Superbikes in terms of popularity, drawing a total TV audience of over 6.6m for the 12 rounds last year on Eurosport.

Says Gary Warren, Managing Director of Motorpoint: “We are absolutely thrilled to be involved in British Superbikes. Its profile is massive, and it is now only second to World Superbikes in terms of its popularity. We are also delighted to have Chris Walker and Graeme Gowland on-board. They are two of the most exciting riders around and I am extremely confident they will do extremely well for us.”

Adds Rob McElnea, Team Principal of Rob Mac Racing: “This is the most exciting team we have had in years, and now with Motorpoint’s backing, I believe we are all set to be a major force on the grid this season.”