East Coast Racing have finalised their plans for the 2011 season and will this year be running two riders in the main British Supersport Championship. After a successful end to the season last year with Jason O'Halloran and winning the Supersport Cup Championship with Pat McDougall, Phil Reed and his East Coast Team are very much looking forward to the 2011 season.
Phil has signed two riders to compete on the ex Championship winning GNS Honda's. The first rider is 2005 British Supersport Cup Champion third in the 2010 British Superbike Evo Cup and roads specialist Gary Johnson. The 28-year-old from Broughton, Lincs, will not only be competing in the full British Supersport Championship but he will also be competing in the majority of the major international road race events including the Isle of Man TT, NW200, Ulster GP, Scarborough and Macau.
Gary is very excited about riding for East Coast Racing saying "I can't wait to get on the track with the East Coast Racing team. 2010 was a disappointment for me and I have points to prove and want to come back this year really strong and get some good results in the Supersport races and also on the roads and get everything back on track and going in the right direction. I get on really well with Phil and can't wait to get started now."
The second rider is Irish star Lee Johnston, Lee is the 2008 Superstock 600 Champion, he has had two steady years in the British Supersport Championship but is looking forward to a new challenge for 2011 with the East Coast Racing team. At only 22, the youngster still has plenty to learn and is capable of some strong results in the Supersport class.
Lee commented "2009 was a good start to my Supersport career but last year it got a little wayward when I ended up swapping teams half way through the season and missing a round. I wasn't happy and want to put that in the past. I spoke with Phil and we came to a good arrangement, the Honda's are proven and think they will suit my riding style. I'm very pleased to be part of the East Coast Racing team, I can't wait to get testing and then back racing at Brands in April!"
Team Manager and Owner Phil Reed from East Coast Construction NE is extremely excited about his 2011 plans. "2010 was a learning year for the team and we had a few riders come and go, Karl Harris and Tom Grant rode for us briefly, Jason joined us at Knockhill and his results were never out of the top six for the remainder of the year. We all wish him well for the Superstock Championships this year and thank him for helping put East Coast on the map. Pat also rode extremely well for us all year eventually winning the British Supersport Cup after some bad luck and injuries in the close of the season. I have been watching Gary on the track and on the roads and got to know him well in Macau where we managed to sort out a deal. I was pleased to speak with Lee when he called and think we've got a very good little team for our assault on the 2011 Championship. We will be going testing in March and getting the riders comfortable with the bikes and team and ready to race at Brands at the end of April."
2011 British Supersport Dates
Date/ Track22.04.2011 - 25.04.2011 Brands Hatch GP30.04.2011 - 02.05.2011 Oulton Park13.05.2011 - 15.05.2011 Croft Race Circuit28.05.2011 - 30.05.2011 Thruxton17.06.2011 - 19.06.2011 Knockhill01.07.2011 - 03.07.2011 Snetterton15.07.2011 - 17.07.2010 Oulton Park05.08.2011 - 07.08.2011 Brands Hatch GP27.08.2011 - 29.08.2011 Cadwell Park09.09.2011 - 11.09.2011 Donington Park23.09.2011 - 25.09.2011 Silverstone (Moto GP)07.10.2011 - 09.10.2011 Brands Hatch GP
International Road Racing Dates
North West 200 - 21st May
Isle of Man TT - 30th May - 10th June
Ulster GP - 10th - 13th August
Scarborough Gold Cup - 17th - 18th September
Macua GP - 17th - 20th November
