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Uel Duncan Racing sign Scots ace Les Shand for ’06

Road racing
By Phil Wain
December 13 2005
Uel Duncan Racing are delighted to announce that they have signed 28-year-old Scotsman Les Shand for the forthcoming 2006 season.
Fresh from a superb third place podium finish at the Macau Grand Prix, Shand will join fellow new signing Cameron Donald in the team on newly acquired Honda machinery, thus ensuring that the privateer team will have one of the strongest line-ups in the paddock.

The deal will see Shand use the ex-Karl Harris Superbike, and the ex-Eugene Laverty 600cc Honda at the three International Road Races; The North West 200, The Isle of Man TT Races, and the Ulster Grand Prix. Having already made a favourable impression at the former two events, Shand will experience the Dundrod circuit for the first time, an experience he is already looking forward to. In addition he will also contest selected British Superstock Championship meetings on a Fireblade machine, the series in which he finished sixth overall in 2005.

Speaking about the deal, a delighted Shand said, “I’m absolutely chuffed to bits to be joining Uel’s team. We got talking at the end of the season about working together, so to have it all come together is brilliant. The team have purchased some of the best machinery possible, and with Honda UK support as well, I can’t believe that this opportunity has come my way. Having seen at close quarters the way the team performs, it’s clear that they are one of the most professional teams in the paddock - and more than capable of challenging the factory teams.”

“The International meetings will be my main aim, and having taken some strong finishes in 2005, I’m confident that Uel’s team will give me the best chance of improving upon those results. Obviously, I’ll have a lot of learning to do at Dundrod, whilst it will only be my second year at the TT, but I’m confident that Uel’s team will give me a great chance of success, and the 2006 season can’t come quick enough for me.”

Team principal Uel Duncan is naturally delighted to have signed the Scots ace and, speaking about his new signing, said, “I’m delighted to welcome Les to our team, and am sure we can give him the support he needs to further his road racing achievements. He’s already taken two top four places at the North West 200, and to lap at over 120mph at his first TT was very special, so it will be great to see him line up on a full blown Superbike and in our colours. There’ll be no pressure on him, and I’m sure we can give him the support and team environment he needs in order to succeed. W ith Cameron Donald also on board for 2006, the whole team is already excited about the prospects for the year ahead, and it’s terrific for everyone concerned with the team to be able to secure the services of two of the most exciting riders within the sport.”

The team, which will retain all the personal sponsors from 2005, including Robinson Concrete, Wilson Craig, Tullyally Car Breakers, and McNair Tools, have also been talking to a third, young rider for the 600cc class, and an announcement is expected to be made in the forthcoming weeks.

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