YORK motorcycling is back on the podium thanks to a classic dream come true.

Team York Suzuki – assembled by one-time York tough of the track Kevin Pearson with the major backing of the York Suzuki Centre – roared to a creditable second finish thanks to Scottish rider Mark Buckley in the Post Classic Senior Grand Prix.

The star-studded event on the renowned Isle of Man TT track is for machines from a bygone age – no younger than December 1985 – but it was high-speed action all the way, especially for the York contingent who came home second.

The result thoroughly delighted team manager Pearson, whose brainchild it was to launch a new York team to tackle the four laps of the 38.1-mile long TT course.

After a healthy week of practice, in which the 33-year-old Buckley posted a best lap of 115 miles per hour to smash the existing lap record for the class, the 1,000cc Suzuki XR69 was deemed primed for the big race.

Pearson got the race plan together, delegating jobs to the eight-strong back-up team which included two other members of the racing Buckley clan.

Buckley, who runs his own OTSS Racing with whom he won the Welsh Open this year, was third after the first lap.

An horrendous accident to another rider on the second lap propelled him to just behind race leader Michael Dunlop and that was how the final placings finished.

However, while Buckley finished runner-up he had the honour of establishing a new lap record. And of the experience of riding a classic machine, the Scotsman added: “It’s a man’s bike, no question.”

Team manager Pearson was equally thrilled by the outcome of what had been more than two years in the coming together.

“It was superb to see a bike that has come from York doing so well,” he enthused.

“The main aim when we set out from York was to finish the race.

“That’s no mean feat in itself over such a demanding course and at the speeds at which Mark rode the bike.

“But to get on the podium as runner-up was fantastic.

“Now it would be even better if we can go back next year and win it.”

Pearson said that he was already drawing up plans to field another entry in the Post-Classic race, explaining how on the eve of this year’s event his team had attracted more sponsorship from Dunlop, NGK, Maxton and Tech Tyres to add to the major backing provided by the York Suzuki Centre.

If any more businesses are interested, they can phone Pearson on 07801 826279.