The team have every confidence in Guernsey-based rider Bernie Price

JERSEY Harley-Davidson have put the finishing touches to the bike they will run for Guernsey-based rider Bernie Price in the 2010 Harley-Davidson XR1200 Trophy.

The XR1200 Trophy, which is officially supported by Harley-Davidson UK and Ireland, is designed to attract a varied mix of Clubman, Superbike and Superstock contenders as well as younger stars looking to develop their racing skills.

The series is run as one of the support classes for the British Superbike Championship and kicks off at Oulton Park in Cheshire this weekend. All the races will be shown on British Eurosport, with the first being broadcast on Monday afternoon.

Team manager Owen Lewis said: ‘People don’t usually associate Harley-Davidson with racing, but Harley-Davidson and Harris Performance have taken the standard XR1200 motorcycle and made it better suited for racing. And the result is a stunning piece of kit – I can’t wait to see 30 plus bikes thundering into the first corner at Oulton Park!’

The Jersey team are one of almost 30 entrants in the series, which includes other Harley-Davidson dealerships as well as individual competitors and established racers including former GP winner Jeremy McWilliams, and GP and BSB rider Sean Emmett.

Jersey Harley-Davidson managing director Geoff Habin said: ‘I believe that the high profile of the series will be good for both ourselves and the Channel Islands’.

Bernie Price began Circuit Racing in 2000 with the aim of competing on the legendary Isle of Man TT mountain course. Starting in Formula 600 and progressing to ProBike (1000 cc) machines, he gained his national licence in 2005.

Later that year he competed in the Manx Grand Prix, winning a coveted race replica trophy. After a two-year break he was drawn back to racing by the new Thundersport GB Streetfighter Class, finishing third in the A Championship. He believes that the upright riding style of the Streetfighter will have prepared him well for the transition to the Harley Davidson XR1200.

Owen Lewis said: ‘This is a top championship as part of the premier motorcycle race series in the UK. In Bernie we have a rider who has considerable experience with large-capacity machines and will ride the XR1200 with confidence.’