Clarke joins Draper

Kirton racer Aaron Clarke has teamed up with fellow Lincolnshire rider Tommy Philp to contest the 2016 British Supersport and National Superstock 600 championships.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th Mar 2016, 05:12 BST
Updated 30th Mar 2016, 07:01 BST
Aaron Clarke.Aaron Clarke.
Aaron Clarke.

The two 20-year-olds are both set to commence their challenge at Silverstone on April 10.

One of Clarke’s sponsors, Paul Draper of Drapervent, was keen to extend his involvement in the team and subsequently the firm have now become title sponsors.

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The team will race under the name of Draper Racing and will run two Yamaha R6 machines.

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Tom Philp.Tom Philp.
Tom Philp.

Tommy will contest the British Supersport championship while Aaron will continue in the National Superstock 600 class for a third season.

Despite missing half of the 2014 season due to injuries sustained in a crash at Knockhill, Clarke made steady progress in his class last year and, with a switch to Yamaha for 2016, is looking to make further improvement as he gets to grips with his new steed.

He said: “The bike is handling pretty well and I am already lapping as fast as last year despite the cold conditions at the weekend.

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“I have to thank Drapervent for their support and for becoming title sponsors for our team.

Tom Philp.Tom Philp.
Tom Philp.

“I also welcome Tommy into the team, I am sure we will work well together.”

The son of former sidecar racer Bill Philp, Tommy was Bemsee MRO Superstock 600 champion in 2014.

He also raced in the National Superstock 600 series before moving up to the 
British Supersport Evo class last season.

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He is in the process of moving with his family to East Kirkby after living in Slough, Berkshire, all his life.

He will contest the full British Supersport championship for Draper Racing this year and he said: “I am delighted to join Draper Racing and my thanks go to Paul Draper and also Aaron and his family who have given me this opportunity.

“The British Supersport championship is very competitive but I am sure I will be able to bring some good results back to the team this year.”

Both riders were testing at Cadwell last weekend.

They now move on to the two official BSB test days at Silverstone and Donington on March 29 and 31, when they will make the final adjustments to their bikes prior to the first round of the series which takes place at Silverstone over the weekend of April 9-10.

Related topics:Lincolnshire