Rutter secures place with Rob Mac
Added on Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Rutter and North West 200 will remain in BSB.
Michael Rutter will feature in the British Superbikes Championship next season as North West 200 team up with Rob Mac Racing for 2009.
Following the decision by Ducati to pull out of BSB for the coming season, doubts had been cast over the future of both Rutter and NW200 for next season before Rob Mac came in with the offer of a Yamaha R1 and the opportunity to challenge former World Supersport rider Chris Walker under the Rob Mac banner.
Under the arrangement, both Walker and former Virgin Mobile Cup rider Graeme Gowland will ride under blue, Motorpoint branded R1’s whilst Rutter will continue to use NW200’s distinct red and white livery.
Former MotoGP 125 and 250cc rider Dan Linfoot will join Rutter in the NW200 garage as he looks to challenge for the British Supersport.
Speaking after the announcement, Rutter said: “I am delighted to be able to continue my association with the North West 200 and I am confident that we will be able to work very well with Rob Mac Racing. The news on the R1 coming out of World Superbike testing is very positive, and I am looking forward to throwing my leg over the bike in February.”
Alistair Kennedy, head of the NW200 team was also hopeful of the team’s prospects, both on and off the track.
“It is all about getting the best positioning for the North West brand on the grid and we believe that in pairing up with Rob Mac racing we will be giving Michael the best chance to win on the roads as well as the short circuits,” he claimed.
Rob McElnea, Team Principal of Rob Mac Racing added: “This is the most excited my team have been for many years, the brand new R1 has us all fired up and now to be able to announce our new rider line up really sets up a nice Christmas!
“Chris Walker and Michael Rutter will be both very serious title contenders, their experience and consistency will prove to be the major part to our success and at the same time help develop our young riders.
“It has been a very tricky time of late to put this team together and I really want to thank all of our partners new and old for lifting the spirits of my team and giving me a chance to put this show on the road.
