From Red Bull Yamaha WCM:

McCOY BACK FOR BRITISH GP WHILE HOPKINS ENJOYS A

HOME AWAY FROM HOME GP

Garry McCoy is back on his Red Bull Yamaha for the British Grand Prix this weekend fit and eager to battle it out with the best of them at Donington Park in the English Midlands. McCoy, who is now in his 4th Season with the Red Bull Yamaha Team has confirmed his contract for the 2003 Season with the Red Bull Team and is pleased to be able to return to racing, knowing that all is in place for next season.

“It’s a good feeling going to Donington knowing I haven’t got to think about switching teams for next year especially as Red Bull have treated me so well, so it would be pretty silly not to continue and build on our past success together.” he said.

McCoy tested the YZR500 2 stroke at Mallory Park on Tuesday to re-acquaint himself with the bike, but prior to that outing its been 8 weeks since the 30 year old Australian rode the Yamaha at Fridays Qualifying Session at Le Mans.

“It was really wet during the testing session on Tuesday at Mallory Park and I only got in about 8 laps or so. The rain was constant and I ended up losing it on the coming-in lap when I was off the racing line where it was real slippery. I used the session mainly to get comfortable in my leathers and on the bike again so now I can have a productive first practice session on Friday at Donington.

“I felt good back on the bike and I had no pain in my leg, I’m walking normally now and feeling fit and strong again. I’ve got my fitness level back up to my pre-season testing level and I’m feeling really strong now.

“As for racing at Donington, well I’ve never really had a good race here so I’m hoping things will be better for me this year. I didn’t race at the British GP last year because of my wrist break and before that in 2000, I qualified on the front row in 3rd position but we had major tyre problems for the race and I finished out of the points. Prior to that in ’99 I had a huge highsider on Craner Curve, a massive get off that was, it was only my second race on the bike. So I’m due for a good race here this weekend.”

John Hopkins – His Home Away from Home GP at Donington

The 19 -year-old American rookie who scored his best result of the Season in Assen in 7th position, is aiming for another Top 10 finish this weekend. “Hopper” who was born in the USA to English parents is treating this weekend like a home away from home GP.

“This weekend is sort of like a home GP for me, my parents are from London they grew up in the Acton area and moved to the US in their mid 20s, so we’ve got lots of relatives here in the UK. This weekend I’ve got about 30 or so English relatives coming to the race, cousins, uncles and aunts plus my Mom and my immediate family from the US are here so it will be good a weekend for me.

“With my family here supporting me its another reason to go out and do as good as I can. I want to have a good result here; it’s been my goal for some time now. So until there’s a race in the US, this is the closest I can get to a home race.

“It’s really good to have Garry back and fit so I guess he’ll be in top form pretty quickly. I hope its close racing between us this weekend.”