Krystal Racing Space Air head to Brands Hatch this weekend to open their account in the 2007 Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Championship. And with team riders Lee Jackson and Paul Veazey feeling confident after pre-season testing, the Chesterfield-based outfit will be hunting victory when Monday afternoon's season-opener gets underway.
For 2007 the team are sticking with Yamahas, and will run the brand new YZF-R1. Both riders have been testing the new machine in the last two months and believe it is more than capable of being a championship-winning bike which will be running at the front from the word go.
Jackson (22) has returned for a full-season with the team which took him to championship glory in 2005. The 32-year-old from Lincoln suffered a difficult 2006 where he was unable to defend his title, and this year winning it back is his only objective.
"Last year is forgotten about and all that matters now is getting back out there on a Yamaha and getting a fantastic start to the season," he said. "The grid this year is pretty impressive and boasts some big names but none of them worry me. I've won this title once and I'm going out there now to win it back, for me and for the whole team. There is absolutely no reason why I can't end the season as champion for the second time, and that is my goal for the year.
"I've had some testing on the new bike and I really do like it. As soon as I took it out for the first time I felt comfortable with it, so that has given me a great confidence boost ahead of the season. Brands GP circuit was the track where I took the title at the end of 2005, and I finished the race third here last year so my history here is good. I'm looking to build on all of that to take the win this weekend."
Meanwhile team newcomer Veazey (33) is looking forward to his first race on the Yamaha. The 20-year-old from Middlesbrough comes to Krystal after two years onboard a Kawasaki, and has already showed good form in testing.
"I love the bike, it's totally different to anything I've ridden before but it is a nice machine and it feels really good," he said. "I've really enjoyed testing. It took a little bit of getting used to, but my lap times have been faster every time I've gone out, so I'm looking forward to actually getting out and racing with it.
"I'm really looking forward to this season. I've been working hard on training through the winter so I'm fitter than ever and raring to go. I'm sure with the new Yamaha and the experience of all the team at Krystal Racing Space Air that it will be by best season yet."
Team Owner Tony Astle is confident that both his riders can go well around the 2.6mile Kent circuit. "What we have with Lee and Paul is a smashing pair of riders and we're expecting great things from them both," he said.
"Lee brings talent and experience to the team whereas young Paul is still in the learning process, so I think they are going to go really well together. Lee is going all out to win back his championship this year. He knows he can do it, we all know he can do it, so we'll be going out there to win from the start."
And as an extra twist to Krystal's 2007 season, the team will once again have a 'satellite' runner, this time in the form of Gary Jackson - Lee's older brother - who made a late decision to contest the National Superstock Cup. Gary, 35, also of Lincoln will run his own Newell Plumbing sponsored Yamaha from the Krystal awning, and will run in the same colours as the team's other two bikes.
Gary's main priority will be working as Lee's mechanic, however he intends to contest the whole season. "My plan is to race all year but obviously Lee's bike is my number one concern," he said. "After working with Lee for the last few years I've been itching to get back to racing myself, and I just decided what the hell, I'll do it. Looking after Lee is still my main job, but I'm pretty excited about getting back out there myself to see if I can give the younger lads something to worry about. It's going to be a bit of fun, if nothing else."
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