Josh signs for Direct CCTV Racedays Team
Young Northern Irish motorcycle ace Josh Elliott is set to contest the 2009 German IDM 600 Supersport championship with the Direct CCTV Racedays team. Elliott comes from a season of 125cc racing in Moto GP's Red Bull Rookies and still only 14 years old at the beginning of next season, will be one of the youngest racers ever to compete in IDM Supersport.
Josh has shown that his age won't prove a barrier though as he has already got to grips with Racedays Honda CBR 600s, posting consistently fast times at recent tests in Jerez, Spain.
The 'Rookies' experience was a tough learning curve for the Fermanagh youngster and despite suffering a number of machine problems and a few crashes, never let his confidence drop. His restricted appearances on home soil during 2008 as a clubman reinforced his potential with eight wins, a second and a third out of his ten races. At Bishopscourt in June he was the youngest ever winner of a national race in Ireland, and he followed that up with a superb victory and lap record at Anglesey in Wales in September. A second place finish at the 'Sunflower Trophy' 125 race back at Bishopscourt in October rounded off his impressive brief domestic racing effort.
The news that Elliott will move so early to 600s will undoubtedly come as a shock to many in the sport and no more so than to the young lad himself.
"This is fantastic! I am so excited to be riding a Honda CBR 600 for the CCTV Racedays team." Comments Josh. "I never dreamed I would get this chance as not many fourteen year olds get to ride a 600, and am delighted that the German championship has given me a dispensation to compete there. I know I have so much to learn and really look forward to testing early next year. It will be unbelievable to have Jeremy McWilliams as my rider coach and I just can not wait to learn from him."
Gerry Bryce, team principal: "Team coach Jeremy McWilliams and I are very much looking forward to working with such a talented, committed and hardworking young rider. The IDM Supersport championship is held at some world class circuits and features a number of top international racers. With a pre-season test programme including Parkalgar, Valencia and Albacete we are confident Josh will be competitive from the off."
If all goes well through out the year, the CCTV Direct Racedays team hope young Elliott can take in some wild card rides in the European Junior Superstock class later in 2009.
It is obvious that a project such as this will come at significant cost and so far the Josh Elliott racing team are delighted that two of his 2008 sponsors, John O'Neill Racing and David Guiney (BlanchPak) have indicated that they would like to be involved in some way for 2009. Significant work lies ahead however in securing a budget to fund the project.
Ends.