BSB: Roger Marshall joins McAMS Yamaha as rider coach and bLU cRU ambassador

Roger Marshall will join the McAMS Yamaha team for the 2021 Bennetts British Superbike season in the role of rider coach and ambassador for Yamaha’s bLU cRU programme in the Junior Supersport class. 

Marshall dominated the British championships in the seventies and eighties, becoming an 11-time champion in the process. He also finished second to Joey Dunlop in the 1984 F1 World Championship and made multiple Grand Prix appearances. He’s also an Isle of Man TT podium finisher.

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Since hanging up his leathers Marshall has been mentoring and helping riders in various championships, working with names such as Wayne Gardner, Robin Appleyard and Roger Burnett. More recently, Marshall has worked with two-time BSB champion Josh Brookes, Joe Francis and Tom Neave.

The new role at McAMS Yamaha will see Marshall supporting and mentoring riders competing in the Yamaha bLU cRU R3 Challenge within the Junior Supersport class. Marshall will run various race craft workshops, lead tracks walks, spot for riders and simply provide support and advice throughout each race meeting. 

He will also provide support and spot for McAMS Yamaha’s BSB riders, Jason O’Halloran and Tarran Mackenzie.

“Ever since I stopped racing, I have always dedicated time to working with young riders, looking to help them achieve their goals of getting to the top as I felt I had a lot more to give the sport,” Marshall admitted. “Almost all of the riders I have worked with in the past have gone on to win championships at various levels. It is not work for me; it is a passion. I know the ins and outs of racing, what to do to be successful and of course what not to do! 

“Every young racer’s goal is to get to the world stage and to do that you have to work at it from a very early age, the Yamaha bLU cRU Challenge offers the opportunity to do just that.”

For the last 11 seasons Marshall has been the Riders’ Representative on the BSB Race Direction panel. He would meet with the Race Director, the MCRCB Delegate and the Judicial Clerk of the Course when needed over the course of a race weekend. Together, they are responsible, in the first instance, for disciplinary decisions, imposition of penalties and the adjudication of protests.

“I would like to sincerely thank Roger for his contribution and service on the BSB race direction panel,” Series Director Stuart Higgs added. “His experience and insight proved invaluable in dealing with sometimes highly contentious on-track judicial matters.

“I am pleased that his knowledge will be retained within the paddock and in particular nurturing a new generation of riders.”

MSVR has appointed Eddie Roberts as the new Riders Representative on the BSB Race Direction panel.