Ulster’s Mar-Train Racing team are in the market for a top road racer to spearhead a new project next year after opting to withdraw from the British Supersport Championship.

A statement issued on Friday morning said the current British champions had taken the decision to leave the series in 2015 with Yamaha committing its budget to the development of the new YZF-R1 Superbike, which is due to be launched early next year.

The team won the title last season with Scottish rider Stuart Easton after finishing as runners-up at the first attempt in 2012, when Jack Kennedy narrowly missed out on the championship at the final round.

The announcement means that Carrick’s Alastair Seeley will be looking for a new ride in 2015 if he opts to remain in the class.

Seeley is currently third in the points table and has won six times this year, but is 55 points behind Billy McConnell with two rounds remaining.

The statement said:

“Mar-Train Racing would like to thank everyone for their support, including Yamaha Motor UK, for assisting with a terrific motorcycle in the iconic Yamaha R6.

“With the Japanese manufacturer concentrating its efforts, both in terms of budget and development, on its all-new 1000cc machine to be launched early next year, it made our decision that little bit easier to take a break from British championship competition.”

Team owner Tim Martin told the News Letter he could run two riders next year as Mar-Train places a bigger emphasis on the road racing scene, when a number of National races may be added to the team’s schedule.

English star Dean Harrison rode the team’s 600cc Yamaha this season at the North West 200, Isle of Man TT, Southern 100, Ulster Grand Prix and Scarborough events with great success and Martin is already in talks with the Bradford rider over next year.

“We’re in discussions with Dean for 2015 and we are hopeful that is going to happen again, but we are in talks with other riders as well,” he said.

“The likes of Dean has taken a step forward this season and rather than being surprised that he’s done well, it’s more that you’ve expected him to do well because he’s got that talent.

“John Burrows has done a great job with Dan Kneen this year and Dan’s another rider who falls into that category,” he added.

“You’ve also got Derek McGee who has come through this year and then you have the likes of Ivan Lintin, who has got stronger. You’ve a few guys there who could develop into the next big thing.

“It should all sort itself out over the next six to eight weeks and we’ll have a better idea of who’s going where.”

In May, Seeley claimed Mar-Train’s first international wins with a double in the Supersport and Superstock races at the North West 200.



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