M.A.R. launch major British Superbike Cup campaign

Superbike Cup
By Stuart Williams
March 21 2006

M.A.R., managed by former Superbike Cup Champion Malcolm Ashley, has announced that they will be running one of the largest privateer squads in the Superbike Cup and Superstock Cup championships this season.

The three rider team will incorporate Lancashire rider Michael Howarth, who will be contesting the Superbike Cup, with Richard Marchant and Paul Shoesmith entered in the Superstock Cup. The trio are all riding Kawasaki ZX-10Rs.

The team were out in force at the official British Superbike test at Snetterton over the weekend, with Michael Howarth testing on Saturday, and Richard Marchant running in all six sessions over the two days. Paul Shoesmith didn’t attend, but tested at Oulton Park earlier in the week, as well as Mallory Park.

Former Great Britain Under 21s rugby player Michael Howarth made steady progress in the early Superbike sessions on the Saturday, improving his times by nearly two seconds between sessions - before a coming together with one of the Hawk Kawasaki riders resulted in a major off which ended his weekend. The team are hopeful that he will be fully fit for the season opener at Brands Hatch later this week.

Richard Marchant, from Essex, has impressed with his ability to make the leap from 125cc to the 1000cc Superbike Cup this season, and had an excellent test earlier in the year at Jeréz, in Spain. He also made steady progress at the Norfolk circuit, knocking almost eight seconds off his time over the two days. His goal is top ten finishes in the Superstock Cup.

Team boss Ashley, who has now retired from racing to concentrate full-time on managing the large squad, said that the philosophy of M.A.R. was to provide an environment in which up and coming riders could hone their racecraft before progressing to the Superbike championship.

“We are a privateer team first and foremost, and we see our role is to foster young talent and progress with them through to Superbikes. In effect, we are acting as a launch pad for riders that have come from MRO or the 125cc class, who want to progress their careers. The team have selected three very promising riders, and we will be working with them to first meet and then exceed the goals they have set themselves.”

The 2006 British Superbike Championship season gets underway for the M.A.R. team this weekend at the Brands Hatch circuit in Kent.