Courtsey of Michael Pearson Racing
Co-Londonderry building contractor Ivan Morrell is no stranger to the Irish Road Race scene, and his latest involvement between the hedges with Ballygowan rider Michael Pearson in 2010, is one that he is hoping, will produce something good, with Morrell already preparing the ex-Kenny Harker Kawasaki for its assault in the Irish Road Race Championships.
The quietly spoken Aghadowey man who cut his teeth under the umbrella of the Marshal's Association some years ago, has been successful with top riders such as Adrian Archibald, Guy Martin and more recently an impressive success rate with 2009 NGK Enkalon rider of the year, Ryan Farquhar.
Speaking about his involvement with Michael Pearson, Morrell said that his change from full time mechanic to sponsor, has came about because of his work commitments.
Ivan Morrell: "Its a big change for me. Firstly I must make it clear that I have not split from Ryan. Should Ryan need my help at race meetings, whether it be in the paddock or the pit lane, I will be there to help him along. My reason for a change of direction is simply down to the time away that a busy weekends racing was taking from my business, and as a one man operation, I just needed to be around my jobs that little bit more. Being away at race meetings, maybe from Friday to the early hours of a Sunday morning was very difficult to do, and with upwards of three weeks at the like of the TT, was just to much.
I decided to buy Kenny Harkers Kawasaki Superstock machine, with the intention of possibly putting a rider on it in 2010. I had spent abit of time around Michael Pearson and the lads that helped him in 2009, and I just liked the way they went about their racing and offered Michael a run out on the bike at Kirkistown last month. If Michael did not like the bike, then she could have sat in my garage all year if needed be...I wanted that bike and that was it. Michael took to the bike like a duck to water and he was very happy to ride it for me next year, so as the saying goes, the story continues.
I really hope that something good will come from it, and now I will be able to take it a bit easier. I will not be involved on the hands on approach in the racing, just there for advise, as Michael has a good team around him who know there stuff. Like I said earlier, I will still be their for Ryan when he needs me, its just that I don't have the same time to be there all the time. I suppose this is my way of staying in touch with the sport that I love.
