Martrain Yamaha sign Dean Harrison for 2014 roads campaign

2013 British Supersport champions Martrain Yamaha, who took the title last weekend at Brands Hatch with Stuart Easton, have announced the signing of Dean Harrison for 2014 as the team look set to expand their roadracing effort.

The deal will see Harrison ride the three internationals – the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix – as well as the Southern 100 and his local Scarborough races.

Harrison, who took a win at the Southern 100 and an impressive seventh at the TT, both in the Supersport class, is one of the rising stars, and big things will be expected of the Yorkshire man working with an experienced squad like the Northern Irish based team.

Harrison said: “We had a good year on a 600 Yamaha this season, but hopefully we can do a better job on what is definitely a stronger package with the Mar-Train bike. I’ve always wanted to stick with the same bikes that I was on, so the Mar-Train deal is perfect for me as they have so much more data and experience. Yeah hopefully we can have a good season.”

Team boss Tim Martin added: “The plan for 2014 was to spread our wings a little and get involved in the International Road Racing scene. We have dabbled before but with Dean on-board and another rider secured – who we will be announcing next week – I believe we can challenge at the sharp end next season on the roads with two very exciting and talented riders. It’s all about exposure and return for our sponsors, both old and new, and the road races that we have chosen will play an important supporting role to our 2014 British Supersport campaign as defending champions.”

With Easton moving back to Superbikes with the paul Bird Kawasaki team, is believed that Martrain will announce runner-up in this year’s BSS  Championship and multiple North West 200 winner Alastair Seeley as their second rider, both to defend their title and as part of their roadracing campaign.