Performance Technical Racing (PTR) is the organisation behind the highly successful Parkalgar Honda team that won 12 races and scored 29 podiums between 2008-2011, finishing runner-up in the Championship in 2009 and 2010.

There are five riders in the team and they will operate under three different team names:

Bogdanka PTR Honda will run with the UK’s super-fast Sam Lowes and South Africa’s promising young star Mathew Scholtz.

In addition, Polish rider Pawel Szkopek – on a PTR supplied bike – will compete for Bogdanka Honda PTR, giving the Polish coal giant three bikes on the 2012 grid.

PTR Honda will feature hot American talent Patrick ‘PJ’ Jacobsen and the experienced South African Ronan Quarmby.

Riders PTR Honda will compete with former British Superbike star Martin Jessopp from the UK.

PTR Team Manager Simon Buckmaster:

“PTR goes into 2012 with its strongest ever line-up of riders with all of them capable of top 10 finishes in the World Supersport Championship, there is no weak point. After missing out on the World Championship in 2009 and 2010, this is our best chance to win the title with one of our riders.

“We are delighted to continue our association with Bogdanka Racing after a promising 2011 when it scored two podium finishes. Sam Lowes and Mathew Scholtz will make a young but formidable pairing in our garage. In addition Pawel Szkopek will remain on a PTR race bike and he should be a regular points scorer.

“Ronan Quarmby and PJ on the PTR Honda team will create an exciting combination. Ronan has youth, experience and speed on his side while PJ is new to the series but comes with high expectations.

“Riders PTR Honda will be represented by BSB and Macau star Martin Jessopp. He’s got the speed and talent to make an impact on the World Supersport Championship.

“All our riders will receive exactly the same machinery and support. PTR operates an open-book policy where all riders share and learn from information, data and technical assistance. It means all have the same opportunity to perform on one of the best World Supersport race bikes in the world.”

The new look PTR approach to the World Supersport Championship comes after Parkalgar withdrew its title support for the team due to financial pressures in the current economic climate.

PTR remains close friends with the Parkalgar circuit. Buckmaster said:

“It is a real shame that Parkalgar has been forced to step back from a full season of racing in 2012. The international economic climate is very tough but we will remain friends with the circuit and I do hope we can work together in some capacity again in the future. On behalf of PTR I’d like to thank Parkalgar for its support for the past four years – they have been a big part of the World Supersport Championship and will be missed.”

The three PTR teams will be at Almeria in Spain on 19th-20th January for a pre-season test before travelling to Phillip Island in Australia for a further test ahead of the opening round of the Championship at the same circuit on February 26th.


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