Taylor and Tarran Mackenzie are well on track to make 2012 another step forward in their racing careers. Dad Niall released this statement as to what the two Knockhill backed riders are aiming to achieve this year.
“Hello everyone!
Our racing plans for 2012 are pretty much finalised now so I’d like to give everyone an update. With Taylor growing taller by the weekend throughout 2011, by the Autumn, we realised no matter what options were available in the 2012 Moto 3 World Championship, his height was going to give him a serious disadvantage. With this in mind we decided a move to the 600cc class in the UK would be the best arena to hone new skills on a bigger four stroke machine.
Just before Christmas we finalised a deal to ride in the British Supersport Championship with Mar Train Yamaha. I believe the Mar Train staff and machinery will match the best in the paddock so we are all looking forward to the March test at Almeria in Spain. His team mate Jack Kennedy is a front runner in this class so we feel everything is in place to give Taylor the best chance in his debut season in Supersport. Taylor is making good use of the winter doing the usual fitness training but he has also passed his bike test, launched his ‘mysquares’ website campaign and is working for Moto Direct and Superbike Mag.
This year Tarran will ride for the Redline KTM Team in the 125cc British Championship. This is also a new team but will be managed by RS Racing, the championship winners over the past two seasons. He is also one of 11 new riders chosen from around the world to race in the 2012 Red Bull Rookies Cup. This is an 8 round series run at the European rounds of Moto GP starting at Jerez in May.
(www.redbullrookiescup.com) Taz arrived at a landmark in his life last week as he now weighs a portly 40.3 kilos! He has also grown a few centimetres so should be in good shape when he starts testing next month. I’ll keep you posted on our testing dates for both boys.
Everyone at Knockhill wishes them the best of luck in their racing plans.