After months of behind the scenes preparation and the completion of a successful winter testing schedule, Rob Mac Racing is ready to embark its challenge in an historical era on the 2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch this weekend, 4-6 April.
Sheffield based rider, Karl Harris spearheads the senior Rob Mac Racing squad in a one-man Superbike team.
For the triple British Supersport champion, 2008 will be the first time that Karl has raced a Yamaha and the pre-season tests have provided an excellent platform for the rider to gel with the Yamaha YZF-R1 and his new team.
With the close season news that Pirelli would become the single make tyre supplier, Rob Mac Racing has been able to draw upon useful data gathered over the previous few seasons as the Italian tyre manufacturers predominant force within BSB.
The new regulations have put an end to the disparity of allocated rubber within the paddock
Karl Harris:
"I love Brands, it's a great track. I've worked really hard on my fitness over the winter and testing has gone mega. The last test at Croft has given us a good balance to find our footing with the others and was a good test of our progress so far. I feel really confident on the bike and for the coming weekend and just want to let my riding do the talking."
Rob McElnea, Team Principal:
"The 2008 BSB championship is without doubt going to be the best for many years, Pirelli tyres for all, new engine rules and a crop of young gun's barging around at the front you could not ask for more! My team has a real air of anticipation around it, we have raced the 2008 spec engine at the end of 2007 and the development since has been outstanding.
Karl Harris will be back to his 'Hardman' ways, the confidence my team and the Yamaha will give him as well as the knowledge that the guy next to him has exactly the same rubber is motivation enough. His no nonsense attitude to getting the job done is inspiring for all my guys, we are all ready and itching to get to battle."
British Supersport
Joe Dickinson lines up at Brands Hatch, Kent this weekend as one of the outside favourites to what has become one of the most fircely contested championships in recent seasons.
Supported once again by Truck Links, Joe now has the opportunity to showcase his talent on a hugely competitive and proven bike. He will be running the exact same specification as BJ Toal and Nick Medd onboard the Virgin Media livery Yamaha YZF-R6.
Truck Links have now been involved in racing for over a decade, initailly supporting Jago Chapman and Steve Plater under the banner of CABB Racing. The team had the honour of sporting the first ever Repsol paint scheme in the UK in 97' with Karl Harris onboard the Repsol Honda in the Supersport Championship.
More recent years has seen Truck Links branching out into personal rider support, discovering the young talent of Joe Dickinson in 2006.
Joe Dickinson:
"Brands is a great track. I've got more confidence coming in to this season due to the team set-up. The bike is really good, I've only done a few days testing but I feel really good already. Leyton Haigh has come across from the main team to help Pete and myself in the garage, and the relationship is building well."
Steve Bright, MD, Truck Links:
"Firstly, lets hope it doesn't snow this weekend, it has done in the past and wasn't much fun!. We are really looking forward to a great weekend of racing to start off the 08' season.The new single make tyre rule will really sort out who's who and offer up some really close racing. I'd like to wish everyone well and a safe weekends racing."
Rob McElnea:
"Joe Dickinson I believe has a serious chance of lifting the 2008 Supersport Championship, Joe has been the nearly man on a privately supported team with his Dad and Steve Bright form Truck Links helping out, he has now landed himself with the help of Truck Links a full factory ride with my team and we cannot wait to see him on our bike! The tough job will be calming him down, he has a real fire inside and again a great team member running alongside Karl on the Superbike."
Live British Eurosport2 broadcast window - Sunday 6 April 13.15-15.15
