BSB star Simon Andrews confirms plans for TT debut in 2011
Wednesday 16 February 2011
TT
Short circuit regular Simon Andrews has been confirmed as the latest high profile newcomer aiming to make their Isle of Man TT debut in 2011.
The 26-year-old plans to ride an ex-Jentin BMW S1000RR Superstock for Paul Shoesmith’s Ice Valley BMW team. He intends to compete in the Dainese Superbike, Royal London 360 Superstock and PokerStars Senior TT races.
Andrews, from Evesham, has a number of notable performances at the Macau Grand Prix under his belt. He was the fastest newcomer in 2009, finishing 7th, and was pipped for a podium slot in last year’s race around the Asian street circuit.
He made his debut in 1999, aged 16, in the New Era Club Championship. By 2002 was a fully fledged competitor in the British Supersport Championship and took four top 10 finishes, improving to third overall in the 2005 season.
Andrews made his Superbike championship debut in 2006, running concurrently in both British Superbike and Supersport championships, and in 2008 he finished eighth in the championship.
In 2009 he was the official Kawasaki rider in the British Superbike Championship, regularly finishing in the top three, and also raced as a ‘wild card’ in that year’s Superbike World Championship round at Donington, finishing in the top 10.
Last year Andrews replace the injured Chris Vermeulen at the Valencia round of the World Championship. He finished 18th in race one, but crashed heavily into the pit wall during race two.
Looking forward to his TT debut, Andrews said:
“I went to the TT in 1997 with my father and just thought it was a great atmosphere.”
“It’s like nothing else and I thought then, this is something I need to tick off the list. Motorcycling opens so many doors and you need to take the opportunities when they are there.”
TT rider liaison officer Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle added:
“This is a real coup for the TT as Simon has a great track record on circuits and his proven road racing experience at Macau will also stand him in good stead. He’s one of the most talented British riders at the moment and we’re really excited at the prospect of him racing on the Isle of Man.”
In a separate deal Andrews will also ride Kawasaki’s new ZX-10R for PR Racing in the 2011 BSB Evo class.