Kirkham gets NW200 Yamaha for Snetterton BSB

Jon Kirkham will race the North West 200 Yamaha this weekend at Snetterton and for the remainder of the season.

Team boss Rob McElnea said: “Jon split with his previous team (Lloyds British Jentin Yamaha) and one of his sponsors, Henderson’s Insurance, who also back us, wanted to help him.”

The North West 200 R1 has not been used since Michael Rutter left the team after the second round at Oulton.

McElnea said: “It wasn’t possible for us to do anything in time for Donington and Thruxton with the races being back to back but we have a commitment to Alastair Kennedy and he is committed to us so it was important to get the team back up to full strength.”

Kirkham – the 2008 Henderson R1 Cup Champion and National Superstock series runner-up – raced for the Rob Mac Racing team at Brands Hatch last year when he was drafted in to replace the absent Karl Harris. He finished 9th and 10th.