News 2004
Bumper grids await Virgin Mobile Yamaha R6 Action
10/03/2004
Virgin Mobile’s R6 Cup makes a welcome return to the British Superbike Championship this month (28 March, Silverstone). As it enters its second year of competition with a bumper grid of 30 competitors the organisers are delighted that Virgin Mobile will continue its association with the series as the headline sponsor.
The one-make series, which found huge popularity in its inaugural year, will once again support the UK’s headline motorcycling championship at 12 of its meetings, and will also enjoy live Sky TV coverage for a second year.
The series, for riders between 16 and 22 years of age, was developed in a bid to find future motor racing stars and give up-and-coming superbike riders a platform from which to launch their motor racing careers.
The winner of the championship will claim the coveted prize of a place in the 2005 Virgin Mobile Samsung British Superbike squad, an honour that last year went to 19-year-old Tommy Hill, who this year takes his place in the senior team alongside Steve Plater and Gary Mason.
Virgin Mobile’s brand director, James Kydd, said: “Last year the Virgin Mobile R6 Cup was a fantastic success. It produced some nail-biting racing and captured the imagination of both riders and fans. It showcased some of the best young talent in the UK and provided others with a brilliant platform to start their racing careers. We are delighted to be a part of this fantastic project for a second year. Riders competing in the R6 Cup are the UK’s stars of the future; their spirit and determination have proven to be a huge hit with motorsport fans and our customers alike. I’m looking forward to this year’s season being even more thrilling than last year, and we wish all 30 riders the very best of luck for 2004.”
The series organiser Rob McElnea is equally delighted with the bumper grids and the continued involvement of Virgin Mobile. McElnea said: “I think everyone was thrilled with the extent of the R6 Cup’s success last year, and that has resulted in a full grid for 2004. I have no doubt that we are in for yet another brilliant season, which will provide the fans and the riders with more white-knuckle moments and some top-class racing. I’m certain that a fantastic season lies ahead.”
Bravo TV will be showing `Natural Born Racers’, a documentary series about the R6 Cup and its competitors, during March.
