Lyons set to take ‘Stock’ in 2022

JAMIE Lyons has made the move up to the Pirelli National Junior Superstock Championship after spending three seasons in the Honda British Talent Cup.

The 17-year-old excelled in his third BTC campaign, finishing a stunning fourth overall in the series after claiming a maiden win at Silverstone during the British MotoGP weekend, and he also claimed a podium at the same venue and at Thruxton during a memorable season that he finished as the top privateer.

What made the Omagh Academy pupil’s achievement all the more remarkable was the fact that he was much taller and therefore significantly heavier than his rivals, who were able to make the most of their lightweight machines.

But Lyons didn’t let his bike’s subsequent performance disadvantage stand in his way, regularly battling at the front of the pack round after round and he was the only competitor to finish every race and he did so in the top 10.

However, having done all that he realistically can in that class and having outgrown his Moto3 bike, Lyons Racing has decided to take the next logical step by moving into the Pirelli National Junior Superstock Championship onboard his Yamaha R6.

To be able to compete in the series, Lyons is delighted to welcome back long-term sponsor, C&M Motorsport Sales, as well as ToolTec and new backer, Lyons Transport, who are based on Omagh’s Crevenagh Road.

The move will see the Omagh lad race on a 600cc machine that is much more suitable to his height in an ultra competitive class that has 39 entries for what is going to be a cut-throat series. And while Lyons will be a rookie in the class, he has a little bit of experience on the bike, having raced and won and podiumed in the Ulster Championship Cup races last season during a couple of free weeks in the BTC calendar.

Obviously, with the Junior Superstock Championship having so many competitors, many of whom have more experience on 600cc machinery than Lyons, he will initially be trying to find his feet before setting any targets.

And the youngster will be up against several familiar faces, with his close friend Owen Jenner also involved along with a few former junior rivals, including Killyman’s Cameron Dawson, the reigning British Junior Supersport champion and Aughnacloy’s Andrew Smyth, the latter of whom is back for a second season in the series on his MPW Kawasaki.