Virgin Media Optoma Loans Yamaha heads to Brands Hatch in Kent this weekend, 7 - 9 April, to battle for top honours at the inaugural round of the 2007 Bennetts British Superbike Championship. The 2.6-mile Brands Hatch GP circuit will play host to the first round of, arguably, the best domestic racing Championship in the world.
The Team closed its pre-season programme in style with a national media launch at Bar Red in London's trendy Soho last night. Packed with media and team partners Tommy Hill's Superbike provided the centrepiece to the basement bar, guarded by the very capable Virgin Media Police!
After a successful winter test programme the team are looking forward to a great season ahead of them. Superbike riders Tommy Hill and James Haydon are hoping for a strong start to their campaigns. The all-new Virgin Media Yamaha Supersport team are confident to continue at the top of the timesheets after the official test at Snetterton. Virgin Media Junior team rider, Sam Burman is keen to get out on track on-board her number 13 machine in the British 125cc Championship.
2007 also sees the Virgin Media Cup grid packed with fresh new talent from around the world. The 27 strong entry list includes Yaron Salinger from Israel and Dane Hellyer from South Africa, along with cup regulars BJ Toal, Midge Smart and Ross Connolly.
Rob McElnea, Team Owner: "It's going to be a huge year for the whole team. Tommy is coming out of his ‘apprenticeship' to prove himself as one of the top runners in the highly competitive BSB championship. James is back with the team and will be a great asset and influence for our younger riders with his proven race experience. Billy and Tom continue to impress me with their raw talent, we have high hopes for both of them in Supersport this year.
Then of course, we have the Virgin Media Cup, a packed grid with some strong new entrants, along with some more established riders coming back for another crack at the cherished and unique prize of a place in our Supersport team for 2008.
Sam Burman is another example of our commitment to youth development. She's only 17 and I have no doubt she will embrace this opportunity in the Virgin Media Junior team to shine in the ultra competitive 125 class.
So as you can see we have a busy but exciting time ahead of us, with all but one of our 32 riders under the age of 25, and three Virgin Media Cup winners in the main team, I have a feeling I will be more like a father than a team manager!"
To coincide with the onset of the new season, and the Team's re-branding, the new Virgin Media Racing website is now live. Full of rider profiles, news, results, latest images and competitions. Log on to
www.virginmediaracing.com to get your racing fix.
Proceedings kick off with Free Practice on Saturday, followed by Qualifying on Sunday, before the main race events take over on bank holiday Easter Monday.
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