Virgin Media Yamaha will make the long journey south from Team headquarters in Scunthorpe to Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire to contest the second round of the 2008 British Supersport Championship, this weekend (18-20 April).
After the frustrations of the opening round at Brands Hatch two weeks ago, BJ Toal and Nick Medd will be hoping for more favourable weather condidtions in order to finally mount their respective 2008 campaigns.
As the 2007 Virgin Media Cup Champion, BJ Toal has taken the step up to the competitive Supersport category in his stride. The Omagh-based rider is relishing the challenges ahead of him and has already proved that he can cut the mustard with more seasoned riders with a string of impressive lap times under his belt from the opening exchanges in Free Practice and Qualifying at Brands Hatch.
Nick Medd, returning to the British Championships after an enforced absence last term, has set himself a number of personal goals to achieve during the opening rounds and looks on course to achieve the desired results as he finally makes his competitive return to the British stage at Thruxton.
Nick will be running under the race number 525 this season - the Virgin TV Channel for Eurosport, that will be screening live coverage of the 18-lap shoot-out this Sunday, 20 April.
BJ Toal: "I'm really looking forward to this weekend since we never got to race at Brands. Thruxton is one of my favourite circuits and I hope to have a good weekend for myself and the team."
Nick Medd: "I'm looking forward to getting back on the bike and building my confidence up every time I go out Time on the bike is the biggest factor for me at the moment. My aim is still to score points to get my season off to a good start."
Rob McElnea, Team Principal:"The Virgin Media Supersport riders start their season off this weekend at Thruxton, a notoriously fast circuit that suits our Yamaha's perfectly! For BJ the 2008 season is a meteoric learning curve - from winning the Virgin Media Cup in 2007 on completely standard machines with junior inexperienced riders, to his new contract to pilot the factory Yamaha Supersport bikes in probably the most fiercest fought championship in the series is a huge task, but he is well up for it and enjoying every bit of his prize. I think his smooth style will really suit this track and I am sure he will have his famous big grin on Sunday night. Nick Medd is in a similar position as he has missed a year with injury and has to catch up with the pace of this class, again he is really enjoying the team spirit and is looking forward to the thrill of Thruxton."
British Eurosport Live TV Broadcast Window, 12.30 - 16.30 (Sunday 20th April)
