A multiple Irish superbike champion is hoping that a significant change in tyre choice will keep the memory of a close friend and selfless fundraiser alive, who tragically died last year.
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\n![\"Brian](\"http:\/\/www.tyretrade.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Brian-McCormack.jpg\")
\nBrian McCormack, an 11-time bike racing champion, is switching to Bridgestone tyres for the first time, after Aidan Lynam \u2013 who died in an accident during a charity bike ride for Down Syndrome Ireland last May \u2013 had pushed him to make the decision for many months.<\/p>\n
The 32 year-old Waterford star has raised eyebrows in the two-wheel world for changing a winning formula which has served him well for years, but he has now opted for the world\u2019s largest tyre manufacturer\u2019s BATTLAX V02 Slicks and is backing his ability to make the change work.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cAidan was pushing for me to get in touch with Bridgestone for a long time as he was raving about the product. He actually introduced me to the company at a track day in Mondello Park and I\u2019ve been in touch with Bridgestone for some time since then.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to make the change now. The decision certainly makes me think of Aidan. He was a special man and raised so much money for Down Syndrome Ireland. He talked so highly of Bridgestone from his experiences and I\u2019d like to follow him by making the change. Aidan always told me how Bridgestone is a very loyal company and they look after their customers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to honour Aidan and prove he was right. I should have moved to Bridgestone before now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brian is a perennial challenger in the superbike, superstock and supersport series and he is confident he can make the VR02s work for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI spoke to Jeremy McWilliams (former MotoGP star from Ulster) who rides on Bridgestone tyres and he gave me the nod. The feedback was great and I don\u2019t see any reason why I can\u2019t be as successful \u2013 if not more so \u2013 this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was at a bike show in Cork recently and people were asking me why I\u2019ve made this decision. But why not? Why do we have to stick with a certain brand if I can see another company offering me a fantastic product and so much support off the track.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe margins between success and failure are so slender, but if a quality tyre can save you half a second a lap over 12 laps, then you are in a strong position to do well. Jeremy said he felt so much more confident on the Bridgestone tyres and that is an important factor too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bridgestone\u2019s product manager Gary Hartshorne said: \u201cAidan introduced me to Brian at a track day and we were keen to support him. It was about getting the right product to suit his set-up, which we believe we have now achieved that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means a lot to us to be so closely involved with such a talented rider as Brian. He\u2019s a winner of multiple titles and races and we\u2019ll be supporting him throughout the season. We have a good feeling about the future and we wish him all the very best.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A multiple Irish superbike champion is hoping that a significant change in tyre choice will keep the memory of a close friend and selfless fundraiser alive, who tragically died last year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13868,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[649,20,654,7,653,1],"tags":[761],"class_list":["post-13870","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brands","category-bridgestone","category-irish-news","category-motorcycle-tyres","category-motorsport","category-news","tag-bridgestone-battlax"],"yoast_head":"\n