Triumph Motorcycles has announced the nine finalists of its 2012 Young Guns initiative, which aims to develop aspiring racing talent in the UK. Over the next six months, the nine riders will undergo intensive mentoring and assessment sessions, culminating in the overall winner benefiting from a factory-supported place within the respected Triumph Triple Challenge series in 2013.
Last year’s Young Guns winner, Chrissy Rouse, is currently performing well in the Triumph Triple Challenge, ranking 9th in the elite category after four rounds at Brands Hatch, Thruxton, Oulton Park and Snetterton.
Guy Masters, general manager of Triumph UK, said: “The Young Guns initiative received a great response when it was launched in 2011, and the calibre of the applicants was outstanding. The judging panel faced an equally tough job to whittle the entries down and select the nine Triumph Young Guns for 2012.”
The nine Triumph Young Guns for 2012 are:
- Josh Daley, Age = 16, Current Championship = Thundersport GB, Location =Wigan
- Adam Cross, Age = 16, Current Championship =BEMSEE Junior Cup, Location =Preston
- Josh Hill, Age = 17, Current Championship =Thundersport Superstock 600, Location = Retford (Notts)
- Cameron Lee, Age = 16, Current Championship = Aprilia Superteens, Location = Whitwick (Leics)
- Sam Thompson, Age = 17, Current Championship = Thundersport GB, Location = Bournemouth
- Luke Buckingham, Age = 16, Current Championship = Thundersport Superstock 600, Location = Horncastle
- Russell Brown, Age = 16, Current Championship = Aprilia RV450, Location = Strathaven
- Tom Oliver, Age = 17, Current Championship = Aprilia Superteens, Location = Colchester
- Charlie King, Age = 15, Current Championship = BEMSEE Minitwins, Location = Great Yarmouth
As part of the selection process and mentoring, a number of tailored training sessions will take place over the year, focusing on issues such as personal fitness, racecraft and bike set up. The scheme will culminate in October, where the three chosen finalists will go ‘head-to-head’ on the track on identical Triumph 675 Daytonas. The overall winner of Triumph Young Guns 2012 will be chosen based on their conduct over the year and their performance during the final.
Guy Masters continued: “We were absolutely delighted by the quality of entries we had again for our Young Guns initiative. We had entrants from every corner of bike racing, regardless of championship or make of bike, and the final nine are a diverse group.
“The idea behind Young Guns is to recognise and develop aspiring UK racing talent. We’re already impressed by the passion and professionalism the nine chosen riders have shown and we are looking forward to seeing how they develop over the next few months.”
