SMT add backing to Reeves' 2013 race effort

SMT Racing are to expand their involvement to the Sidecar class in 2013 as they have announced they will be backing quadruple World Sidecar Champion Tim Reeves at the Isle of Man TT Races and in the Eastern Airways British F1 Championship.

Reeves, who won the World Sidecar Championship for the fourth time in 2012, will line up with 7-times TT winner Dan Sayle in the chair on the Island whilst his short circuit campaign will see him reunited with brother Tristan who partnered him to their first two World Championship seasons in 2005 and 2006, after Ashley Hawes stepped down due to personal commitments away from the sport.

As well as his World Championship success, Reeves is also a three-time British Champion and three-time podium finisher at the TT and he’s sure to line up as one of the pre-season favourites for both, particularly now he has the considerable backing of Robin Croft’s team.

The Lancashire businessman, who has 2012 TT Privateer’s Champion Dan Stewart already signed to his highly professional squad, makes his first move into the world of Sidecar sponsorship but having already excelled in the British Superbike Championship, the expertise and knowledge his hard working team have to offer, along with their considerable technical back up, will mean Reeves goes into this year’s TT and British Championship better prepared and supported than ever before..

Talking about the new venture, team owner Croft commented; “After our efforts to secure the season-long budget required for British Superbikes proved too difficult, I immediately turned our attention to the roads. It’s something the whole team enjoys and having arranged a good deal with Dan Stewart, Tim and I have subsequently come to an arrangement for the Sidecar class too. Tim was part of our team at Macau last year and I was immediately impressed with his drive and attitude so, after a few phone calls talk place, backing him for the full season seemed the right thing to do.”

“His enthusiasm for the TT matches mine and expanding our TT involvement will mean we have an even greater presence both on and off the track. We have the infrastructure all in place so it also made sense to extend the deal to cover the British F1 Sidecar Championship and the Southern 100, an event where we’ll be making our team debut. We’ve got the facilities to have a real good go at both the roads and British Championship plus it’s our first time in the Sidecar class so it gives us fresh impetus and drive to succeed. I’m really looking forward to our three-wheel season and I believe we have all the ingredients in place to make it a highly successful season.”

Reeves added; “I really enjoyed working with Robin’s team at Macau and when I got the phone call asking if I’d like to be part of the squad for the entire 2013 season, I was truly honoured. It’s a privilege to be driving for Robin and having a BSB team of such stature involved is not only good for the Sidecar class but also for my long-term sponsors, particularly the Haith’s, Dave Hudspeth Carpets, H&S Contractors, DFDS and The Relocator. They’re a hugely professional outfit and having such tremendous back up and support means I’ve got all the tools to do the job in hand this season. "

"It’s a shame Ashley’s had to step down but after our highly successful past it’s great to have Tris back on board whilst everyone knows passengers don’t come any better than Dan Sayle when it comes to the TT. I’ve put my World Championship targets on hold for this season in a firm bid to go all out for success at the TT, Southern 100 and British Championship and with the new deal in place with Robin, I believe I can achieve just that. Finally, I’d just like to say a massive thank you to Gunther and Jutta Reuschling for their valued support over the last five years and wish them all the very best for the future.”

By Phil Wain

Image by Mark Walters