Rob Mac Racing Team History

Rob McElnea was introduced to everything two-wheeled at the tender age of six by his dad. Initially an off-road rider, Rob started competing in Trails competitions in his teenage years, racking up two finishes in the notorious Scott trail. When his dad rekindled his own road-racing career in the mid 70’s, Rob tagged along to support him and see what it was all about. As soon as he tuned 16, Rob started club racing, competing alongside his father on a 400cc Honda, with his dad chasing him down onboard an 850cc Honda.

With over thirty years of racing heritage to draw experience from, Rob McElnea has truly earned his stripes. In 1982 he turned semi–professional and only a year later was to start a two–year spell of domination onboard the works Heron Suzuki. Claiming 2nd in the World F1 Championship, 2nd in the British Championships and a hat-trick of wins at the Isle of Man TT – winning the Classic twice and the Senior once.

His natural talent and hard work secured him works factory rides with Heron Suzuki, Marlboro Agostini Yamaha, Pepsi Suzuki, and Cabin Honda in the Grand Prix Championships. Latterly he won the British title with Loctite Yamaha in 1991. Rob hung up his riding boots in 1993, forced to retire through a leg injury.

Making the instant transition from racer to Race Manager for Yamaha, Rob has now had over 15 years experience of running and managing one of the most prominent race teams in the British Championship. Securing the Virgin Sponsorship after Cadbury’s changed their marketing strategy, Rob has maintained the longest running sponsor partnership in the British Championships.

The mastermind of the highly successful Virgin Media Cup, Rob has dedicated the past five years to this youth development programme that has fast-tracked some of the hottest young talent riding in the British and World Championships to date.

Demands of the modern British Superbike Championship led Rob to launch a British Supersport team in 2006, comprising of the two previous Virgin Mobile/Media Cup champions – Billy McConnell and Tom Grant. The new prize for the Cup champion was to be a place in the newly created Supersport team, a prize that BJ Toal is worthy of claiming as his for 2008.

Success in the British Championships had led Rob to develop his own range of race bikes under the Pro Ride banner. Competitors can choose from either a British Superbike-spec Yamaha YZF-R1 or British Supersport-spec Yamaha YZF-R6, with excellent back-up service from Rob’s experienced team of mechanics.

Rob McElnea continues to bring new concepts to motorcycle racing, announcing the inception of the Henderson R1 Cup for 2008; a single make series running slick tyres and race set-up. The mouth-watering of former Superbike riders mixing it with new young talent will no doubt provide us with some of the most thrilling racing action in the UK over the coming season.

Rob McElnea History Timeline