Manxman Mark Cringle has joined forces with Lincolnshire-based Rob McElnea Racing and is to contest the British Supersport Cup on a Rob Mac Pro-ride Yamaha R6 in 2009.
 
The 20-year-old from Douglas, Isle of Man clinched the Michelin Young Guns Championship in the Triumph TDG Cup series in 2008 in just his first venture on the mainland and is looking forward to competing against the country’s best riders in the Supersport Cup next season.
 
He will ride a full-spec R6 Yamaha Supersport machine with the backing of Rob Mac Racing’s expertise and guidance and is excited at the prospect of his new venture.
 
He said: “This will be a huge learning curve for me but I am encouraged by the fact that I contested a one-off round at Silverstone towards the end of last season on my own Slick tuned Triumph. I was really pleased to find I had completed the race in 26th place overall and would have been fifth in the Cup section.
 
“I am delighted to be teaming up with Rob Mac as he and the team have years of background knowledge and expertise and I hope to use that to my advantage. The Yamaha R6 is a proven winner and my aim for 2009 is to make it up onto the podium in the Cup section of the race and gradually make my way forward in the main championship.”
 
Rob McElnea added: “Mark has proved he is competitive as he won the Michelin Young Guns Championship in his first year of competitive racing. It’s great for me to be able to continue bringing on young lads and I am pleased to be associated with Team Cringle Racing and helping Mark progress into top-flight racing. He will reap the benefits of our experience and with our guidance should progress into the full British Supersport Championship in 2010.”
 
 Mark would like to take this opportunity to thank his supporters for their faith in him during his championship challenge of 2008 and is currently seeking some backing for his new venture. He will be riding one of the most competitive machines in the series and can offer publicity and hospitality to any potential sponsor who is willing to help him achieve his goal – especially as the series benefits from extensive live television coverage.