Isle of Man based Dan Kneen is revving up for a busy season in 2008 which will see him take in the full Junior British Superstock Championship. The 20 year old will be aboard his own 600cc Yamaha R6 for the 10 round championship with the majority of circuits being part of a steep learning curve for the Manxman. Having only visited Cadwell & Mallory Park previously, Dan is faced with having to learn the majority of the UK mainland circuits in 2008. However, Dan has demonstrated himself as being a very talented competitor and this will certainly be of great benefit to him as he tackles the Championship.

Speaking exclusively to PaddockGossip.com, Dan commented on the season ahead, “I must say I'm really looking forward to the Junior British Superstock Championship. I really enjoyed racing around Cadwell & Mallory and I'm keen to return to those tracks as well as taking in the others. Cadwell is as close to a road race as you'll ever get! I'm not too sure how the year will pan out in the championship but I'll give it my best shot and hopefully the results will come.”

Dan has also demonstrated a good campaign on the roads to date and hopes to add to this. After an outing at the Jurby Road Races in 2007, he made his debut on the notorious Billown Circuit at the Isle of Man Steam Packet Races finishing a credible 17^th position in the strongly contested 600cc/250cc race, being the second newcomer home.

Dan took to the Billown Circuit once again in July 2007 at the International Southern 100 Road Races where he took victory in the Senior Support Consolation and a second place in the 600cc B race. Losing out on victory in the 600cc B race by only 4 tenths of a second to fellow Manxman Tony Oates, Dan recorded a best lap of 100.6 mph which is no mean feat. A brief look at the members of the Southern 100's ton-up club puts Dan amongst some established and very successful road racers.

Dan has secured backing from Isle of Man based Duke and the Manx Sports Aid Foundation for 2008. However, due to the rising costs of racing a return to the roads in 2008 looks to be logistically and economically very difficult for Dan as his R6 machine will be kept in the UK in order to reduce costs.

Dan elaborated, “I've decided to keep the R6 in the UK during 2008 as it's not really economically feasible to bring it back to the Island repetitively during the British Championships. This therefore means its looking less likely for me to compete on the roads in 2008. I do have time on my side though and I would definitely like to explore more road races in the future, certainly on the Isle of Man and potentially some of the Irish events.

I do enjoy racing the roads, there is nothing quite like it. If an opportunity arises in the form of machinery or further sponsorship then maybe I will get the chance to consider doing the roads again in 2008.”

There is no doubt that Dan can run at the front both on the circuits and roads and with a bit of weighty backing, he has previously proved that he can be top racing pedigree.

All of us at PaddockGossip.com would like to wish Dan the very best of luck for a safe and successful 2008 season.

Dan Kneen in action at Jurby on the Isle of Man.