Yamaha superbike team visits Blackpool and The Fylde College to test next season’s race bike

If you’re thinking of a new career in motorsports, Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) can help you get there at full throttle.

B&FC students recently crowded into the College’s Advanced Technology Centre to watch the professionals at work when a national superbike team visited Bispham Campus to test next season’s race bikes.

The Bennetts British Superbike Championship McAMS Yamaha superbike team spent two days in the College’s world-class dyno facility, testing its YZF-R1 motorcycles ahead of the 2019 season.

And following the initial testing at B&FC, the team is off to Almeria, Spain, to continue work on the impressive machines.

Paul Higham, Operations Manager of the Advanced Technology Centre at B&FC, said: “When we say B&FC gives students the opportunity to work on industry standard equipment, we’re not kidding.

“The BSB Championship is now the most prestigious in the UK and is the feeder ground for riders on the international WSBK and Moto GP circuits.

“So for the team to want to use our world-class dyno facilities shows the professional level of equipment our students learn on to prepare them for rewarding careers in industry.”

The bikes will be ridden by Championship title contenders Jason O’Halloran and, last season’s rookie sensation, Tarran Mackenzie when the 2019 series commences in April.

The College’s motorsports department now hopes to extend its relationship with the McAMS Yamaha team to see what support students can offer throughout the season.

Matthew Pellatt, Motorsport Lecturer at B&FC, added: “This is another great opportunity for our students to experience how the skills they are developing while on their course link directly to job roles within a motorsport team.” 

B&FC delivers motorsport programmes at level 2 and 3, as well as a specific degree programme – where students work in industry standard facilities and receive quality placements to enhance the skills learnt in College.

Anyone wishing to begin working towards a new career in the automotive industry should contact the College today about programmes beginning in January and September. Call (01253) 504343 or email [email protected] for more information.