Folkestone based FFX Yamaha team are ready for their MCE British Superbike Championship debut this weekend at Brands Hatch.
There is no tougher baptism of fire for a team’s first race to come at its home track but with TT legend Ian Hutchinson on board their Yamaha they are more than equipped to do well. The team will also be running Andy Reid in the Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championship.
Hutchinson launches his first full season campaign in the Superbike class as he bids to add success at British Championship level to his record-breaking road racing achievements, including winning five Isle of Man TT races in a week. Hutchinson’s return to racing this weekend marks an incredible comeback from injury, overcoming a badly broken tibia and fibula which required 30 operations.
Hutchinson said: “I am looking forward to getting the Brands Hatch weekend started. At Snetterton we had a breakthrough with direction with the FFX Yamaha and prior to that I had three years of not racing but after the extra day we had testing at the last test and I have been feeling more comfortable and confident on the Superbike.
“The build up to my racing return has been how I expected it to be really, when it comes to the races and being up at the sharp end then I am sure it will be a lot harder, but I know I have it in me to be successful so I just have to keep learning and taking steps forward.”
“I love riding the Superbike and at Brands Hatch I am going to work away, get in amongst the other riders and learn their ways. Now we have had the pre-season tests I am not apprehensive about getting back out and I am really looking forward to getting back into the races again. The Indy circuit is such a fast lap that you can quickly go from a disastrous to a brilliant lap so we know we need to be consistent throughout the weekend and get on with the job ahead of us.”
Reid meanwhile is gearing up for his debut in the Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championship with FFX Yamaha after a successful pre-season build up with the team. The Northern Irish rider is ready to make the step up from the British Motostar Championship, where he claimed three race victories
He said: “It’s exciting to be finally getting ready for the first round of the season. I think before pre-season testing the step up was a bit daunting but straight away in testing that disappeared and I feel really chilled out, more than I have in previous seasons!”
“I feel like I have got used to the R6 well in the tests and with a great team working together we have the essentials there to have a good start to the season at Brands Hatch.”
“The final test at Snetterton went really well and I was surprised at how easily the lap times were able to come without having to push. I feel we are in a good position ready for Brands Hatch and I am ready to get started with the FFX Yamaha team.”