Young finds new Triumph BSS backer

TAG Racing will field a new-look two-man Triumph team in British Supersport in conjunction with Paul Young Racing and Hinckley-based Triumph Motorcycles.

Young will again challenge for British Supersport honours on a Triumph Daytona 675 triple while Peter Ward will chase the Supersport Cup title on a similar machine.

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The new set-up will combine the infrastructure of the recently conceived TAG Racing with the knowledge and experience that Paul Young Racing has gained from three years of competing in the series on the 675.

Young said: “Ever since I found out last year’s team would not continue I have been exploring every possible avenue to try and continue Triumph’s success of 2008 and I’m absolutely delighted we’ve found a new home with TAG.

“It’s a great opportunity for all concerned and I’m really excited about the year ahead.”

Young is a full-time test rider for the Triumph factory and the man responsible for first bringing the 675cc triple to the track while Ward has several seasons’ experience in the Superstock 1000 ranks, which included winning the Cup title in 2005 when he was last a team-mate of Young.

Further enhancing the team’s relationship with the factory, a number of their mechanics, who will be under the charge of former Hawk and Hydrex mechanic Lee Machin, are Triumph employees.

The South Derbyshire-located squad is also able to call on the expertise of Triumph development staff, and from last year’s British Championship winning team of which Young played a formative and key role.

Complimenting their Supersport effort, the team is also focussed on the future and the development of young talent, and will be running Shaun Winfield in the 2009 British 125GP Championship. He will also enter a number of selected Superstock 600 races on a Triumph later in the year once he turns 16, while 12-year-olds Gary Winfield and Wayne Ryan will both be competing in the Thundersport GB-organised Superteen series.

TAG Racing’s Rob Winfield added “We originally formed TAG to run Shaun in the 125’s and Gary and Wayne in the Superteens, but we were also looking for a way to raise the team’s profile.

“Initially, we were thinking of adding a National Superstock 600 rider but teaming up (with Young) is the perfect solution for all of us and it has all come together very quickly with the emphasis very much on team as everyone involved has an equal input!”

Triumph Motorcycles are equally enthusiastic about the new TAG Triumph team. Andrea Friggi, Marketing Manager at Triumph Motorcycles, commented: “Through his previous race experience Paul Young has played a key part in developing the new Daytona 675 and we’re delighted to see him back on the grid this year.”