Joey Thompson will have a factory S1-R Paton at his disposal at the Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, as well as the ‘international’ meetings at Scarborough, the North-West 200, Southern 100 and the Ulster Grand Prix in 2018.
The young rising star will ride the Supertwin machine in the Bennetts Lightweight TT Race and he will add his name to a list containing names such as Mike Hailwood, Roberto Gallina and Virginio Ferrari who have ridden the iconic Paton marque in the past.
Joey had a very impressive pure roads debut in 2017 and he will arrive next year with more experience and circuit know-how, and the rider from Yorkshire is fully aware of what it takes to become a serious roads campaigner thanks to having Team ILR owner-manager Ian Lougher, himself no stranger to the Paton name, in his corner.
Paton returned to the TT in an official capacity in 2014 to challenge the dominance of the ER-6 Kawasaki, with Olie Linsdell finishing an excellent sixth in the Lightweight TT.
The following year, Paton Motorcycles turned to Lougher to oversee their Lightweight effort in the hands of Michael Rutter, under the banner Paton/Team ILR.
Rutter and the team produced a superb display to put Paton on the podium in third, a result that absolutely delighted the Italian manufacturer, and who's to say that Joey Thompson won't grace the podium next June.
Team ILR owner-manager Ian Lougher:
"I am so pleased that we are in a position to offer Joey a potential race winning package for the Lightweight TT class. Thanks must go out to the people who have made this possible for us, Mark Coverdale and Solway Slate and Tile.”
“The Paton name is an iconic name in motorcycle racing, and Team ILR look forward to renewing our ties with the Paton factory. Joey is certainly not under any pressure from anybody to perform, as our ethos from a team perspective is ‘a happy rider is a fast rider’ so roll on 2018."
Joey Thompson:
''Well, what can I say? I am on a proven winning bike with a winning mentor... no excuses now! Seriously though I am so happy to be riding the Paton at Team ILR next season, as seeing the bike perform at the TT this year it was outstanding and to be given the opportunity to race the bike at all the international road races it gives me the opportunity to prove myself."
“It won’t be easy though, it’s a completely new bike for me as it will be completely different to the Trickbits Racing Suzuki twin I have previously rode and won on. So to be honest I have a lot of confidence on a super twin machine so let’s get 2018 underway and see what we can do.”
“Once again thanks to everyone for this opportunity as without all the support from Thompson’s, Team ILR and all my personal and team sponsors this wouldn’t be possible.''
