It is my pleasure to introduce the Duke Road Race Rankings for 2014. With 26 rounds counting towards the overall title this year I think it is fair to say road racing, despite some of the ups and downs of recent years, is in rude good health.
I think it is also fair to say that we’re in for some very interesting racing, with the recent news of reigning champion Michael Dunlop’s move to factory supported BMW machinery. It’s 75 years since the last BMW solo win at the TT, and 56 years since the factory last supported a top rider – my father in 1958. Dad and I wish Michael great success on the high-tech BMW and look forward to awesome speeds at the TT and other circuits.
Winning’s not going to come easy, though, as amongst others he’ll be facing stiff opposition from brother William who has signed a deal with a local (to him) outfit you may have heard of, TAS Suzuki.
The famous blue and white bikes will also be piloted by TV star, and part-time racer, Guy Martin who was on spectacular form in the latter part of 2013. Between him, Michael and William they put on some spectacular racing (highlights of which, I must add, are in our splendid DVDs of the S100, UGP and Scarborough races) and I’m sure we can expect even more fireworks this season.
Bradford’s Dean Harrison was well in the mix last year and thanks, in part, to some brilliant results on the SuperTwins he secured a solid second place above fellow youngster Jamie Hamilton. These pair will be well worth watching again in 2014, especially if we see a repeat of their sensational battle at the Southern 100 – the future of Road Racing is in safe hands with them.
We have to tip our hats to a pair of racers who have proved stalwarts of the scene for many years but who took their final bows at the end of last season. Chris Palmer and Ian Lougher have given fans many hundreds of hours of great entertainment across their long and successful careers and I’m sure you’ll all join me in wishing them happy and long retirements.
We must also welcome back into the fold two riders whose retirements didn’t prove to be so long: Ryan Farquhar and Keith Amor. Both have taken a non-racing role in the last couple of years but circumstances change, and the lure of the roads has proved too much. No doubt we’ll be seeing plenty of them this year.
It only remains for me to wish all competitors a safe and successful season - remember to keep it shiny side up - and to wish all the fans a happy year on the hedges. May the best rider win!
Peter Duke