2013-12-09 09:17:19.2
Eddie will kick off his 2009 season a week earlier than expected as it was today revealed that he will partner Essex TT’s Kieran McCullough and Steel London’s Lee Clackett for a one-off appearance in the Open Endurance Championship this Sunday.
This will be Eddie’s second appearance in a round of the Open Championship, having competed at Clay Pigeon last year for IMSD Racing, where he qualified on the front row and lead for most of his first stint before problems befell the team.
Speaking today, Eddie said he was hoping to improve on that impressive form this coming weekend but was also using the event for some useful practice.
“I’m really looking forward to the race. Obviously I’m delighted to be driving alongside such accomplished names. Both Kieran and Lee are awesomely quick and are two of the best drivers in the Prems and it will be an honour to be racing in the same team as them.
“I think it’s fair to say that we are going to be one of the strongest line-ups on the grid and will be going there to win but it is also going to be a good laugh and is being used to blow the cobwebs off in preparation for the start of the Prems the following week. I definitely need all the practice I can get because I haven’t driven since the end of last year. I just hope I can remember how to drive!
“A big thanks to the guys for allowing me to drive with them. It will be good to see how drivers in the top teams operate and I hope I don’t let them down.”
Eddie will get back behind the wheel tomorrow (Friday) for a shakedown test at Rye House before travelling down to Buckmore for the Sunday event.
“I will be going down to Buckmore early because Marc [Laukam] is testing in the morning and I want to go and say hello and do the good team mate bit before racing myself in the afternoon. It will be a good day.”
There is still some concern over Eddie’s fitness as he admitted that his ribs are not fully recovered.
“I still get the occasional twinge and I can’t put too much pressure on my left side for too long because it starts aching. Either the ribs are not fully healed or I am just getting old. I guess I will find out tomorrow how good they are. If they are not right, I will just have to buy lots of pain killers again!”
