Paul Bird protégé Keith Farmer feels fellow Northern Ireland Michael Laverty could be the ideal candidate to spearhead the Cumbrian entrepreneur’s MotoGP effort next year.
Laverty, who rode for the Samsung Honda team in the British Superbike Championship this season, has an offer to ride for Bird in the CRT class in 2013.
James Ellison rode Bird’s Aprilia on the world stage this year but the English rider hasn’t been retained in the role.
And with British Superbike champion Shane Byrne choosing to stay in BSB as he bids to become the most successful rider ever in the history of the series, Bird has cast his net further adrift in his search for a suitable replacement, with Laverty fitting the bill.
“Paul has put Michael’s name forward to Dorna and if Dorna [MotoGP promoters] doesn’t accept Laverty in the team then I’m not sure who they will run with,” Farmer said.
“Dorna are putting the money in and hopefully they will accept Laverty.
“Who else in Britain would you put in because everyone is looking big money, especially with the money factor in MotoGP.
“James Ellison was unhappy that he wasn’t kept on and was blaming Paul, but it was Dorna who weren’t happy with him and I think they felt he should have been doing better,” he added.
“But to finish as the fourth top CRT rider overall is nothing to be ashamed of and I’m not sure exactly what Dorna expect of a CRT bike.
“I know Paul seemed to be happy enough with how the first season went, but it was Dorna who didn’t want Ellison.
“I’d like to see Michael in MotoGP because it would be a great opportunity for him and he has plenty of experience.”
Laverty also has two offers to remain in BSB with Shaun Muir Racing and Honda.
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