In a sensational u-turn Ryan Farquhar and Keith Amor will both come out of retirement to contest the 2014 Lightweight TT as team-mates.
Backed by SGS International, the former rivals will race on identical KMR 650cc ER6 Kawasakis in the three-lap race scheduled to take place before the Senior but the duo have no plans to race in any other events that week.
The pairing enjoyed some terrific battles in the Irish Road Racing Championship between 2007 and 2011, Farquhar publicly stating that his biggest rival in his career was the Scot, and whilst the racing was always hard but fair, they always maintained the utmost respect for each other.
It will be Amor’s first time on a Lightweight machine and the duo lining up in identical colours for the first time is set to be a tremendous sight around the Mountain Course.
“When I decided to retire, one of the main reasons was to spend more time with my family but running the team last year, that didn’t happen as I was still away as many weekends as when I was racing. I always said to Jamie (Hamilton) that I wouldn’t stand in his way if he got a better offer and when that happened, I kept my word," said Farquhar.
"It allowed me to look at the alternatives and I definitely wanted to stay within the sport so, having spoken to my family, I had the idea of running Keith and myself at the TT. I sent Keith a couple of messages and he said he was up for it straightaway and it didn’t take long for everything else to fall into place.”
“It may shock a few people but it’s something we both want to do 100%. This isn’t a full-scale comeback for either of us though and the plan is just for the TT where I’ll also be running Joe Faragher. I always said the Supertwin bike was my favourite and Keith was my biggest and most respected rival so what better way to return than with us all togetherIt’s really exciting for all of us and its put KMR Kawasaki in one of its strongest positions. I’ve been able to put some excellent deals in place and I’m delighted to welcome Brian McGrath and SGS International on board whilst it’s great to have retained many of my loyal sponsors including Manx Gas, Andy Faragher of A&J Groundworks, Winfield Gears and BA Components.”
Amor added: “Ryan and I being team-mates is one of those things that I thought would never happen but as soon as he put the idea to me a couple of weeks ago I was sold. It’s simply too good an opportunity to turn down. It’s fair to say we were fierce rivals when we were racing and traded paint week in week but we always had the utmost respect for each other and always had a bit of banter over a glass of wine at the end of the day so I’m really excited about being his team-mate, particularly at the TT, and part of KMR Kawasaki.”
“I’d never even sat on a twin until I went over to Ryan’s last week and it was nice to spend time with him and the family and the one thing he stressed is that he just wants us both to have fun and enjoy ourselves; there’s no pressure on either of us. He’s more than very good at what he does and I know, having seen it at close hand, what a perfectionist he is. No-one puts together a better bike than Ryan and I consider myself lucky to be riding a KMR Kawasaki. It’s a unique opportunity and we’re both really looking forward to having some fun.”
