Former competitor, Darren Gilpin, now the new owner of the iconic Wilson Craig Race team,

along with his rider Stephen Smith, pictured with the new CBR600 Honda RR

On the first anniversary of the passing of one of Irelands most popular road race team owner, Wilson Craig, it has been announced, that the team will continue to grace the road scene, albeit with a new owner!

With the blessing of Mrs Craig, the team will be run under the guidance of Darren Gilpin, Darren has worked with Wilson for the past seven years.

With the WCR machines having been based at Darren's own workshop, it was an easy decision to make, and for road race fans, we will continue to see the iconic red and silver machines grace the road circuits.

However, for the new-look team, it will be a completely different approach, as the team will be concentrating on supporting a newcomer to the roads, who will compete in the Senior Support class, along with the Moto 3 class.

Having competed on short circuits, with the KDM Hire Cookstown 100 pencilled in for his road race debut, Antrim rider Stephen Smith is relishing the new challenge.

Stephen will have the use of two brand new Hondas, 600CBR, and 250 NSF Machines.

The late Wilson Craig started his team back in 2008, and over the years has supported many of the top road racers, names such as Keith Amor, Cameron Donald, Guy Martin, William Dunlop, Despite never achieving his ambition of winning a solo TT race, the team scored many podiums there, but also took wins at the North West 200, Ulster Grand Prix, along with many national road race wins.

Wilson did, however, share wins in the Sidecar class at the TT, where his engines were used by the Birchall brothers to win, Three TT races.

Looking ahead to getting the team back out on the track, Team Owner/ Manager, Darren Gilpin spoke of his delight of being honoured to keep the team going.

“ Having worked on the bikes at my workshop for the past number of years, it was an easy task logistically to keep things going Wilson and myself had a close relationship & he gave me many opportunities to work within racing, Including world superbike, World Endurance & with the Factory Honda roads team

For 2020 we originally planned to run Steven Smith from Antrim on the national roads & Davo Johnson at the Classic TT on a 250 Honda , but the pandemic changed a lot of plans for everyone!

Now we plan to compete tomorrow at Kirkistown & the KDM Hire Cookstown 100 next week.

We have a new cbr600rr & a moto3 Our Partners include

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