The Adelaide Masters Series continues to impress prior to its opening event of 2011, with further star riders, additional sponsors, UK teams and factory backed machinery, all being announced over the last few days.
The latest additions to the line-up include reigning champion Marshall Neill who returns to defend his title on the 2011 Aprilia Factory APRC that he will campaign in British Superstock. Neill will ride for GR Motorsport, the official Aprilia UK team, and his return to Mondello is sure to prove very popular with fans following his performances last season.
Joining GR Aprilia in crossing the water will be Team Colin Appleyard Macadam Racing who will run hugely popular Dubliner Jack Kennedy on his British Supersport Championship Yamaha. Kennedy is one of the country's biggest rising motorcycle stars and he will come to Mondello Park hot on the heels of his World Championship début at Donington.
The third overseas team will be the BMW outfit of Isle of Man resident Gavin Hunt who will also appear at Mondello fresh from a World Superstock outing at Donington. Further UK teams are currently in discussion to join the grid and the upsurge in interest has been greatly assisted by the addition of two new sponsors, Irish Ferries and Failte Ireland (the Irish Tourist Board), who join Adelaide Insurance Services, Bridgestone, Relentless and Safety Direct in backing the growing championship.
Those riders that do travel will find some tough opposition in the form of Brian McCormack's TAG Honda, Michael Dunlop with the Street Sweep Kawasaki, Mark Pollock riding for Kingsbury Packaging and Derek Shiels Amigo's Honda. Throw in the ever quick Jonny Buckley, Mark Johnston and Kirk Jamison, and road racers such as Ronan Pentony, Andy Farrell and Emlyn Hughes and this championship will have more strength in depth than ever seen before in an Irish Championship.
The four event Adelaide Masters Series is set to hit its biggest ever audience this season with TV coverage on UTV and Satellite channels, an expected increase in race day spectators and greater media exposure, including regular coverage of the series in Ireland’s most popular daily paper the Irish Independent. Spectators will also be able to keep up to date through the Mondello Park web site and by signing up to the circuit’s free email and text alert service. For further information on the Adelaide Masters Series see
www.mondellopark.ie/adelaidemasters.
