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 MARK CASTLE - MAG SPORT RACING 2007
Mark Castle returns to MAG Sport for another year.
Mark has been part of MAG Sport since 2002 and upholds the road racing slant of MAG Sport, racing between the hedges, at the NW 200 and MANX GP.
Mark has been putting his knowledge of racing on the TT course back into the sport through the Mike Hailwood Foundation.
The Foundation supports newcomers to the Manx Grand Prix by sponsoring trips to the Isle of Man, these trips give the selected newcomers an opportunity to get an insight into the TT mountain course, before venturing out onto it at the event itself.
Mark Castle - Aims for Manx Grand Prix Glory - 2007
Article from RealRoadRacing.com - www.realroadracing.com
After finishing runner-up in this year’s Ultra-Lightweight Manx Grand Prix, Cheshire’s Mark Castle is going all out for MGP glory in 2007 when he also hopes to make a return to the North West 200. In what promises to be a busy year for the 29-year old, Castle is also planning to have outings at Aberdare Park and selected MRO races, as well as continuing to compete in the ACU British Supermono Championship.
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Picture: Pete Jones RealRoadRacing.com |
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2006 was a very successful season for Mark, which kicked off with his debut at the North West 200. Riding the Castle Racing/KS Performance RVF400 Honda, he came home 13th in the combined 125cc/400cc race, the eighth 400cc machine to cross the line. He also raced the Rampisham Garage Yamaha XTZ686 Supermono in selected rounds of the Supermono series (see www.supermononewsletter.co.uk) but the main aim was always the Manx Grand Prix.
Mark missed the 2005 event as his son Jack was born a week before the meeting was due to get underway but he returned this year with his trusty RVF400 as well as the Pro Superbikes/KS Performance Yamaha R6. It was his first time on a 600 since the corresponding race in 2004 but it certainly didn’t show as he finished in an excellent 5th place, also setting a personal best lap of 115.895mph. This set him up nicely for the Ultra Lightweight race and at half race distance, Mark found himself with a ten second lead over Alan Oversby. However, a slow pit stop saw him 17 seconds in arrears and try as he might he was unable to reclaim the lead and he had to settle for second place at the chequered flag, his first ever MGP podium. He did, however, have the consolation of taking the Pam Cannell Trophy for the fastest lap of the race, at 107.155mph.
Speaking to RealRoadRacing.Com Mark said: “I really wanted to win this year’s Ultra Lightweight race so that I could move up to the TT but the slow pit stop prevented that from happening so I’ll be back again in ’07 to try again – I don’t want to turn my back on the MGP without winning a race!”
“After lapping and finishing well on a standard 600, I’m hoping to acquire a tuned bike, which, if it was available for the likes of the NW200, Aberdare Park, MRO rounds etc, would benefit me greatly before heading to the Manx. I’d definitely like to get on the MGP podium in the Junior race. There’s not much more that can be done to my RVF but I need to squeeze a bit more power out of her to get that elusive win at the Manx and a podium at the NW200.”
“I’ve also had a fantastic offer from Astro Kawasaki, who run Kenny Gilbertson in the British Superstock series, to ride their 05 ZX10 at the North West 200. I’ve never ridden a 1000cc machine before so the plan is to get some testing in beforehand although I’m still looking for some extra financial support to be able run all of the bikes. Any help would be gratefully received and professionally handled.”
Mark is extremely grateful the continued support and assistance received from Kev Spurr of KS Performance, MAG Sport (www.magsport.com), Brian Wyles of Rampisham Garage Racing Team, Richardson’s Honda, Congleton and the Mike Hailwood Foundation, for whom he organises trips and provides tuition to MGP Newcomers.
Everyone at RealRoadRacing.Com would like to wish Mark and his team all the very best for the 2007 season.
Article link Here
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