Keith Flint's TTC team steps up to BSB with Ellison, Laverty
Keith Flint's Team Traction Control has confirmed it will move up to the MCE British Superbike championship with James Ellison and Michael Laverty under the title banner McAMS Yamaha.
Having enjoyed success in the British Supersport championship as well as on the road racing scene, Team Traction Control is stepping up to BSB in 2017 with experienced hands of Ellison and Laverty on board the Yamaha YZF-R1.
After Ellison's former team GBmoto Racing withdrew from all racing commitments at the end of the 2016 season, he is delighted to secure his place on the BSB grid and reunites him with the Japanese manufacturer for the first time since 2013 when he competed for Shaun Muir Racing.
As a result, an all-new team will join the BSB grid in 2017 as McAMS Yamaha with Ellison joined by Michael Laverty, who also has experience with the Japanese manufacturer.
"This is a new challenge for me. I have raced with Kawasaki for three years and now to return to Yamaha is something I am really excited about it," Ellison said. "I feel that the Yamaha suits my style and we finished second together in the 2009 season so we have good memories to build on.
"We all know how strong the series is so I had to go for what I thought was a championship-winning package and I strongly believe that the TTC Team with the might of Yamaha behind them is exactly what I need to deliver the title."
"It is perfect that McAMS have increased their presence in the championship and are spreading awareness of just how beneficial it is to the average road user and dealers alike. They have personally supported me for three years and we are looking forward to celebrating more success together in 2017."
Laverty, who leaves Tyco BMW after two seasons having missed out on the BSB Showdown in 2016, is convinced the latest model of the R1 will suit his riding style having found the BMW a difficult beast to tame. The Northern Irish rider last compete with Yamaha in 2011, also for Shaun Muir Racing in BSB.
"I'm really excited to be joining the McAMS Yamaha team for the 2017 season," Laverty said. "The R1 is a fantastic motorcycle, it's a bike built for the race track in many ways! I have very fond memories of my previous tenure on Yamaha machinery in 2011, the DNA of the R1, both in terms of power delivery and chassis performance suit a smooth rider, something that is well aligned to my natural riding style.
"I will have a great team in my corner; working with PJ (Pete Jennings) as my crew chief again is great as we worked together at Swan Yamaha in 2011 so the plan is to pick up where we left off making the transition as seamless as possible.
"We want to be aiming for that level from the start of the season; I am looking forward to the change and as a team we will be doing everything possible over the winter to come out and hit the ground running to fight for podiums from the opening round."
The new-look McAMS Yamaha squad will also contest British Supersport with 2016 champion Tarran Mackenzie who will bid to defend his title on the new Yamaha R6.
