FIVE years of high-calibre racing on the world-fabled TT circuit on the Isle of Man brought more success for an all-York team.

Team Suzuki York, which is headed by former rider and still ardent enthusiast Kevin Pearson, swept to third place in the Classic TT Race.

Rider Russ Mountford piloted the Suzuki F1 machine around the three laps of the fabled circuit. While he finished behind winner James Hillier on a Kawasaki and Bruce Ansty on a Yamaha, Mountford posted the fastest lap of 120.88 miles an hour.

Said team manager Pearson: “It’s an all-York team - besides Russ - and is backed by businesses in and around the city.

“Most of the team have raced ourselves and while we might be a bit long in the tooth to race now we are all thrilled to be still involved in such a prestigious meeting as the TT Classic.

“It’s a brilliant meeting with full TT status and it’s just such a buzz for the two weeks you are there preparing and then competing.

“It’s brilliantly organised and for the York Suzuki Centre team to finish third in what is the Blue Riband race of the Classic meeting is brilliant.”

The Suzuki bike superbly piloted by Mountford will be on show at the York Suzuki Centre for the next ten days added Pearson, who also paid tribute to the mechanics team of Gary Cartlidge, Paul Watson, Craig Brookes and George Cerc.

Among the York team backers were the Old Ebor Inn, Max SE holiday bookings, Putoline, York Suzuki Centre, York Digital Images, C and A Brack, Maxton Suspension, Tech Tyres, Michael Seward MPS Racing, Smart R Seat and Northmoor Engineering.