UK1 Racing announces line-up, GP plans.

UK1 Racing has announced the signing of Christian Elkin and Tommy Bridewell (top pic) for the 2004 British 125cc Championship - and confirmed it has Dorna's support in its future aim of becoming a Grand Prix team.

Elkin is returning to Britain after a successful season in the Spanish 125cc Championship, where he finished as highest placed Brit. Christian was runner up in the 2002 British Championship (lower pic) taking four wins, nine podiums, four pole positions and the lap record at Rockingham.

Bridewell rode in the British 125cc Championship last season and broke a string of records at the tender age of 14, on his way to 4th overall in the championship. Both riders are members of the ACU Academy and can count on the expertise of legendary ex-racer Ron Haslam, who remains with the team to help develop bike and riders.

But while the main focus of the team is winning the British championship, the team also places a significant emphasis on the education of young people about motorcycle racing and the career opportunities within the industry.

With the support of the East Midlands Development Agency and in partnership with West Notts College, UK1 will be running a number of projects to inspire and encourage young people to become involved in every aspect of motorcycle racing from engineering, to photography and hospitality.

"I am so pleased that this has all come together," said team principal Kevin Newton. "We have been working on this project for 18 months behind the scenes and because of the number of people and organisations involved; at times it didn't look like it was going to happen.

"Our aim for this season is to win the British Championship and gain experience that will stand us in good stead as we work towards our ultimate goal of becoming a competitive, British, Grand Prix team," he declared.

Helping UK1 Racing in its GP quest are none other than MotoGP organisers Dorna:

"To have competitive representatives at the top of the ladder you need to start working from the bottom," explained Dorna's Oscar Gollardo. "We can only offer our congratulations to projects such as 'UK1 to MotoGP' helping to discover and develop the skills of young riders. They can count on Dorna's support."

UK1 Racing start their British Championship campaign on March 28th, at Silverstone.