Talented Yorkshire rider Ian Armstrong is delighted to announce his exciting road racing programme for the forthcoming 2007 season. The Sowerby Bridge rider's season will once again focus on the Isle of Man TT Races where he has established himself as one of the top privateers. Rarely out of the top 12 in recent years, Armstrong was running as high as 7th place in both the Superbike and Senior races in 2006 before problems at the pit stops dropped him down the order slightly but he still recorded his best ever lap with a speed of 123.859mph making him the 23rd fastest rider ever around the Mountain Course.
For the first time though he now has a full stable of competitive machinery, which he hopes will enable him to have his best ever season of road racing not just at the TT but at all of the other road meetings he plans to contest.
In the Superbike class, he will continue to have the support of regular sponsor Canteen Smithy Engineering and his Yamaha R1 is currently undergoing a full rebuild to bring it up to a much higher spec, and replace many of the standard parts. Having already lapped close to 124mph and won silver replicas, Ian will be aiming for top ten finishes at the very least.
In a tremendous coup for Ian, he has just finalized a deal for the Supersport class with Clive Padgett of Padgett's of Batley who will supply him with one of the teams ultra competitive 2006 British Championship 600cc Honda's at the TT. The bike will be entered under and run in Padgett's colours, like those of John McGuinness, and comes fully prepared in top spec. The machine will be maintained by former Team Roberts Moto GP chief mechanic Howard Gregory who was part of Kenny Roberts' team for almost 20 years including being Wayne Rainey's mechanic when he won his three world titles between 1990 and 1992. Gregory, who also worked for Ron Haslam in the early 1980's, will be on the Island for the full fortnight and this is a tremendous opportunity for Ian having never had a really competitive Junior machine until now.
In addition, Ian will also be riding for the Suzuki main dealer Powersport Bikes of Bradford in the Superstock class, riding an all-new GSXR1000 K7. Powersport technicians will prepare the bike for Ian to race at all of this year's major road races and regular updates will be available at www.powersport.co.uk
Speaking about the season ahead, Ian said:
"For the first time in my career I have competitive machinery for all of the
classes and I can't wait for the new season to start. Thanks to the support of Canteen Smithy Engineering, I am able to complete the development of what's been a brilliant Superbike machine, whilst to have the use of a Padgett's 600cc Honda is a massive opportunity for my TT ambitions and I fully intend to make sure I make the best use of it."
"Finally, I am thrilled with the fantastic offer of the Superstock machine and with the level of professionalism evident at Powersport, I know we will have a first rate machine capable of top honours. I have to say a massive thank you to everyone who is involved with my 2007 road racing season and I'm looking forward to hopefully reaping the benefits this year."
In addition to the Isle of Man TT Races, Ian will contest the other three International road race meetings, the North West 200, Ulster Grand Prix and the Southern 100.
In what promises to be a busy year for the amiable Armstrong, he will also compete at the three Oliver's Mount, Scarborough meetings as well as taking in selected rounds of the British Superstock Championship. With all the machinery now in place, Ian is hopeful of attracting additional support to help out with running costs and if anyone is interested in joining the team please email ian@armstrongracing.fsnet.co.uk
Phil Wain
Freelance PR