Burrows signs newcomer Todd as Sheils remains on board for nationals

The English rider joins Dublin rider Derek Sheils in the top Dungannon-based privateer outfit, who is entering his third term in the Cookstown colours.

Todd, from Saltburn near Middlesbrough, made his Irish roads debut this year at Skerries and turned heads with some eye-catching top-five results.

However, the former British Superstock 600 race winner really showcased his potential at Armoy, where Todd clinched the runner-up spot in the opening Supersport race behind Derek McGee before returning to the podium in the Superbike class.

Former racer Burrows has developed a reputation for giving young talent a chance in his team, with rising star Malachi Mitchell-Thomas bursting onto the pure roads scene in 2016 before a fatal crash at the North West 200 cruelly cut short a promising career.

Ballyclare’s Jamie Hamilton and Manx rider Dan Kneen also enjoyed plenty of success under Burrows’ watchful eye and the team boss is optimistic Todd can tread a similar path.

“Davey Todd first caught my eye at Skerries and then his talent stood out a mile at Armoy. He rode for us at Killalane where a slow-speed crash ruled him out of a top-three Superbike finish,” said Burrows.

“The weather robbed him of the chance to shine in the Supertwins race after impressive practice times but he had done more than enough to make me want him to join the team for 2018.

“We are a proven team when it comes to nurturing talent and I’m excited to have the chance to bring new blood through to the top level of road racing. We have done it before with the likes of Dan Kneen and we will try to make Davey just as successful but without putting undue pressure on him.”

Burrows will have support from Suzuki for 2018 and Todd will ride one of the latest generation GSX-R1000 machines in the Superbike and Superstock classes. The 22-year-old will also be provided with Supersport and Supertwins machinery and will compete at the Irish national events, in addition to making his debut at the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT.

Todd will also return to the Ulster Grand Prix, where he rode for the first time this year.

“This is the opportunity I have been waiting for and I’m very grateful to John Burrows and his team for giving me this shot,” said Todd.

“I know I’m joining a very professional team with proven competitive machinery so I’m very excited about my prospects for next season.

“In the Irish National Championships, I believe with the backing I’ll have I can be at the front on a regular basis in the Superbike, 600 and Supertwins classes.

“I’ll be a newcomer to the TT and NW200 but I’m preparing hard for those events and when I get to them I’ll aim to make progress quickly but stay safe.”

Meanwhile, Irishman Sheils will focus solely on the Superbike class on the Suzuki GSX-R1000 at the national road races as he targets the title. However, the 33-year-old will not represent the team at the internationals.

It is understood that Sheils will ride for another team at the TT next year.

Burrows said: “I’m delighted to have Derek Sheils riding for me again. Unfortunately I won’t have his services at the international meetings but he will be with us for the Irish National series and we are both fully committed to getting the number one plate back on the front of the Cookstown Burrows Engineering Suzuki on which he's had so many successes over the past two years.

“I’m confident we will have another great year with Derek and Davey and increased involvement from Suzuki as well as continued support from Cookstown.”

Sheils said he was eager to win back the Irish Superbike crown after losing his title to Derek McGee this year, when his absence from the Armoy meeting proved costly as he attended a close friend’s wedding as Best Man.

“I’m happy to have signed with Cookstown Burrows Engineering Racing for another Irish National campaign as I’ve gelled well with the team over the past couple of years and we all get on and work well together,” Sheils said.

“My aim will simply be to win as many races as possible on the big Suzuki and if I keep doing that the Superbike Championship will look after itself.”