A TARPORLEY hotel with motor racing pedigree is keeping a Duddon motorbike racer’s ambitions on track this season.
Barbara McCall, owner of the Crown Hotel, is sponsoring 25-year-old Mike Edwards as he competes in this year’s British Superbike series.
The race ace, making a return to the series following a year off last season, is competing in the National Superstock 1,000 category on a Honda Fireblade.
Mike was presented with the sponsored race team wear by Barbara’s son-in-law Duncan Angus.
Duncan and wife Kelly, who are also sponsoring Mike via their company Riverside Party Productions, previously had roles with the McLaren Formula One team.
Duncan was race team chef while Kelly worked in hospitality.
Outside of his racing venture, Mike works as a gardener for Timpsons of Sandymere.
Mike is supported by his family and brother James has taken a year out from racing himself to be team manager of Edwards Racing, to help Mike throughout the season.
The season has seen mixed fortunes so far for Mike, as the category faces one its biggest ever fields.
His first round at the Brands Hatch circuit in Kent was not a good start after he was knocked off his bike, which left the machine quite heavily damaged, while in Thruxton he was one of 15 racers to just miss out on qualifying for the race.
This weekend, however, will see Mike race on his home track at Oulton Park for the third round of the championship.
Mike said: “Racing motorbikes is expensive and I would like to thank my sponsors for helping me in many ways.
“If anyone would like to sponsor me, email edwards.87@hotmail.co.uk.”
