New bike and a new season for ‘Ballyhooly Bullet’
‘Ballyhooly Bullet’ Jamie Collins will be taking to 2022 on a new bike, a 2022 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Stock bike to challenge for the Superbike cup class.
It was the team’s intention to purchase a new R6 Yamaha and compete in the Mondello Masters Supersport class as well as taking the USBK and some BSB rounds. However, a shortage of the new Yamaha’s took the team in a different direction as it appeared that they may have to wait until June for the new bike.
After discussions with the 19 times TT winner Michael Dunlop, the change of direction was confirmed and the team decided to purchase the Suzuki. Michael has prepared the new bike and it has been delivered in time for Jamie to go testing in Spain at the start of March, in preparation for the new season.
“I am excited and delighted to have Michael Dunlop prepare my new bike for this season, and you couldn’t have a better and more experienced bike builder on your side,” Jamie said.
This will be the first time that Jamie has had the opportunity to go pre-season testing outside Ireland, and the Spanish test will help him get to grips with the new Suzuki.
“I am looking forward to testing it in Spain in March, and getting back home, where we will start off the season at Bishopscourt on Easter Saturday, and then the following weekend in Mondello for the start of the Masters.
“We had to make the change from the original plan late in 2021, and having the advice of Michael on our side was the clincher in going for the Suzuki,” Jamie added.
SUCCESSFUL 2021 - NOW LOOKING FORWARD...
Team Principal Danny Breen said that the team is ‘delighted’ to be working with Michael Dunlop.
“We are delighted to be working with the vastly experienced Michael Dunlop, and his work and preparation on the new Suzuki is top class, and we just can’t wait to get going in Spain in a few weeks time, and we are also looking forward to the start of the new season,” he said.
Having seen double success last season, Jamie clinched both the Mondello Masters Supersport Cup and the USBK Cup title, in a season that also saw him venture to the final round of the BSB at Brands Hatch, where he scored points in both races in the Supersport races.
The team is delighted to have a number of new sponsors on board, and these will be announced in the coming weeks when everything is finalised.
Jamie said that he ‘can’t wait’ to announce the new sponsor and is also ‘delighted’ to welcome back a number of old sponsors for this season.
“The bike is totally naked at the minute in preparation for testing, but it will be ready with the help of Luke at Unlimited Industries, before the season kicks off in April,” he said.
The sentiment was shared by team captain Danny Breen who said: “We are also excited to have secured new sponsors, and after Jamie’s success last year, it is heartening to have attracted new companies to support Jamie for his challenge that lies ahead”.
We wish the Ballyhooly Bullet well!