Porter signs for McAdoo

Irish 600 champion Raymond Porter will race McAdoo Kawasakis this year in Ireland and in the major road races.

At the relatively young age of 28, Raymond is well-established as a leading contender on the roads, having won races at the North West 200 in 2005. He also scored podium finishes in subsequent North West and Ulster Grand Prix races.

At Dundrod last August Porter became the fastest Irish rider in road racing when he lapped the course at 130.51mph, just 0.49s off the world record lap set by Ian Hutchinson on the McAdoo Kawasaki ZX-10R. McAdoo Kawasaki had a successful season in 2006 with Yorkshireman Ian Hutchinson and after he moved to HM Plant Honda for 2007, the search was on for a top class replacement.

A team spokesman said: “We are absolutely delighted the search has ended with a rider of Raymond’s calibre.

“We feel he has yet to reach his full potential due to various injuries etc. and are confident that the combination of McAdoo Kawasaki Racing and Raymond Porter will prove to be a major force in 2007.”