Ben McConnachie, son of ex GP racer Ian McConnachie has had his 2008 season rescued by Repli-Cast UK Racing and will be competing in the Relentless British 125GP Championship.
Following the team's previous rider Alec Wright's decision to no longer race, McConnachie was chosen from numerous riders to take the seat. The five times Junior Trials rider took to road racing part way through 2006 and was left without a ride when his previous team stopped running.
He said: “In the early stages I was trials riding, and when I was about 13 I think. whilst still competing in the British trials my dad allowed me do the Ron Haslam school. Then my mind was set on racing, but my dad didn't let me at first, it took about two years until he did”
“I also tried the red bull rookie test at the end of last year in France and Germany and got through to the third round, but unfortunately was only a reserve rider. I got a wild card ride at Le Mans, Mugello and Donington, at Donington I was up to 12th but then slipped off.”
This weekend's British round at Oulton Park was only the sixteen year olds second time on the bike after his debut at Mallory, unfortunately ending with a DNF all are stunned with his progress. He said: “I am learning all the time on the bike, but what I've seen so far is it handles totally different to any Honda I've rode before.”
“Its a special bike, it's really is good. And once I've really got on top of it, my confidence will be up and hopefully be challenging those at the top. In my eyes this is the best team in the paddock, the bike is competitive, for me to join this team after struggling at the beginning of the year is a dream come true.”
Ian McConnachie
Ian, who prior to Scott Reading's Donington success earlier this year, was the last Briton to win a grand prix back in 1986 at Silverstone on a 80cc. He said: “I am very happy, things were not looking very good for us just after the start of this season, the team we were with packed up.”
“We did get offer of the red bull rookies, that looked good but his confidence wasn't really high. And that wasn't the place to build confidence up, it is a competitive series, but we really enjoyed it. I can't thank Gary [Dawson] enough.”
“Ben's confidence was knocked with everything that happened and Gary said I understand Ben's not riding up to his full potential I don't care where he finishes. I just want to get him on a bike and get him on the track. And that has just bought Ben on so much. Without him we wouldn't be here, what he has done for Alec [Wright] and for other riders is fantastic.”
Gary Dawson – Team Manager of Repli-Cast UK Racing
Regarding his new recruit Gary said: “I have had my eye on him a while, we're like a family us 125 group and we've all got our own views on riders. I thought he was a talented rider, but led the wrong way. I saw him at Albacete in Spain and he was most definitely the best Brit there.”
“Also you can have a good rider, but if you don't have the attitude off track it's sometimes pointless. They've got to be well mannered, know how to approach and be willing to talk to people, which Ben does. He's progressed every time he's gone out on the track and not just by the end of the weekend, but on each and every lap he's gone faster.”
For more information and to follow Ben McConnachie's developing career log on to www.replicastuk.com.