Team boss Wylie hoping for successful 2015 race season

Having secured both the Irish and Ulster 125/Moto3 title last year with Christian Elkin, the Randalstown based Englishman is to be retained. He will ride a Triumph 675 in the Irish Supersport championship, as well as selected road races. He remains unbeaten on Wylie’s Moto3 machine.

After starting short circuit racing in 1996, Christian won the 2004 and 2005 British 125 titles. He made his Irish debut at the North West 200 in 2007, and despite never having sat on a 250 till he left the start line for practice, took a brilliant race win. His career has also seen him compete at World level, wildcarding at the British GP on three occasions. His best result was at Donington where he was 12th.

Making the move to Ireland some six years ago, he won the Irish Supersport 600 championship in 2011, beating Alistair Kirk by 6 points in the final meeting.

Christian’s plans are to compete in the Irish Supersport championship, on his Triumph 675, as well as the North West, the Ulster Grand Prix and Armoy, a circuit that has seen him taking a convincing win in the Moto3 class for the past two years.

He told me: “I’m going to do all the rounds of the Irish Supersport championship. I’m just planning on the North West, the Ulster and Armoy on the roads. I enjoy the Triumph and I want to take the opportunity to thank Bob and the rest of my personal sponsors for the chance to do something I really enjoy. Hopefully I can repay some of their faith in me this year.’

On the other hand, Kilmacrennan youngster Richard Kerr is a relative newcomer to the sport. After a seven year career and multiple championship wins in schoolboy MX, he stepped up to short circuits in 2013. On an Aprilia he won all in front of him, and then was offered a ride on Wylie’s GP125 for last year, where his all-action style got him noticed. So successful was that partnership, he finished his first two years racing with a total of six championships, and has already been the MCUI’s Young Rider of the Year.

Team boss Bob Wylie said: “I’m enjoying running the team. Christian and Richard are both two hard riders and as long as we finish the season intact I’ll be happy. My thanks to all the team sponsors, because if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be racing.”

My thanks to Team Wylie for the invite to the launch. The best of luck to all concerned.

MINIBIKES OFF

Last weekend’s minibike racing, due to be held at Aghadowey, had to be called off due to the weather. The circuit was deemed to be in a dangerous condition due to snow and ice, and with more predicted over the weekend, the decision was made during the week. My thanks to the organisers, who made contact with me to inform me.