BSS: Irwin joins Easton at Mar-Train Yamaha

Double Irish Supersport champion Glenn Irwin will partner Stuart Easton in Northern Ireland's Mar-Train Yamaha team for 2013.

Irwin, who won the British Supersport Cup this season, completed a deal yesterday to join the experienced Scotsman on factory-supported Yamaha R6 machinery in the British Supersport class.

The 23-year-old rode a privately backed Yamaha R6 this season with technical support from Mar-Train and finished 10th overall in the championship, earning a best result of fourth at Donington Park after qualifying on the front row.

The delighted Ulsterman said: "I spoke to Tim about a deal in 2011 for this year, but it was probably a blessing in disguise having to wait another 12 months, which gave me a learning year in the class.

"I've my personal sponsors sorted and coming in to ride alongside such an experienced man as Stuart is exciting.

"I can learn so much from him on and off the track. The Yamaha is a proven bike and having ridden one this season I know I can hit the ground running."

Team chief Tim Martin has monitored Irwin's progress closely over the past few years and felt the time was right to grant the young prospect a chance to fulfil his potential.

"We've been aware of Glenn's ability for some time as he's been around our team for a few years, so we know pretty much everything about him," he said.

"He's a confident lad with a lot of raw speed and talent and if we can knock off those rough edges, then I have every confidence he can be a regular front-runner next season.

"We believe we have the best all-round package in British Supersport with the Yamaha R6 and the Mar-Train Racing team."

Irwin will continue to be supported by personal sponsors John Erwin and Graham Martin [MET Healthcare], Eddie Stevenson [Megastore247] and Michael Atkinson [Valvenet].

Mar-Train and Jack Kennedy finished as British Supersport runners-up this year in the team's rookie campaign in the championship.