Devitt RC Express Racing have confirmed their expansion to a two-man team for next year’s road racing season after signing Alan Bonner.
Bonner joins Ivan Lintin at the team, which is run by the father and son duo of Roy and Ben Constable, following a successful couple of years at the Isle of Man TT.
Bonner made his TT debut in 2014, winning two bronze replicas in the supersport races, and excelled at this year’s event as he became the fastest-ever rider from Southern Ireland around the Mountain Course – taking the title away from the late Martin Finnegan.
He won two silver replicas at this year’s TT after finishing 15th in the Senior race and 18th in the superstock race, before picking up a bronze replica in the first superbike race.
Bonner suffered serious injuries in a crash at the Ulster Grand Prix but he has fully recovered and is now looking forward to next year.
Bonner said: “I’m delighted to be joining Devitt RC Express Racing for 2016. I’ve admired the team for years and have seen the commitment they have to their riders. They have a very professional set up and some of the best technical people in the sport working within their team.
“I can’t thank them enough or their sponsors for this opportunity especially Mann Camping. I’d also like to thank all my personal sponsors for supporting me and am looking forward to getting out to Spain with them in early March to start testing.”
Devitt RC Express Racing have been successful since their debut in 2012, celebrating their first TT podium in 2014 with Dean Harrison’s second place finish in the superstock race.
They had their first victory a few days later when Harrison won the Lightweight TT – a title that they retained in 2015 with Lintin.
Ben Constable added: “I’m really pleased to have Alan on board for the internationals in 2016. Alan has shown great pace this year at the TT becoming the fastest Southern Irishman ever to lap the Mountain Course and was running inside the top 10 in qualifying at the Ulster GP in Superstock, just before his accident.
“With more of a team infrastructure behind him we firmly believe there is a lot more to come from him. His first outing on the ZX10R will be in Spain in March and we can’t wait to get going.”