Reigning British Supersport Champion Tarran Mackenzie will make his grand prix debut at next weekend’s French Grand Prix, as the Scotsman replaces Danny Kent at Kiefer Racing for the remainder of the 2017 Moto2 World Championship.
2015 Moto3 world champion Kent sensationally departed the squad with whom he won the lightweight class crown on the eve of racing at the Circuit of the Americas, Kent citing ‘irreconcilable differences’ and the fact he felt held back by the Kiefer outfit as his reasoning.
Kent will be racing at Le Mans, the Briton making a return to the Moto3 class for a wildcard appearance with former team Red Bull KTM Ajo.
Mackenzie, who is the son of seven-times 500cc podium finisher and triple British Superbike champion Neill Mackenzie, raced in the Red Bull Rookies Cup in 2012 and 2013 before making a switch to the British Championship.
Currently in the midst of a halcyon run on the McAMS Yamaha R6 in the 2017 British Supersport series, the Scotsman winning all six races so far in his title defence, Mackenzie has expressed his delight at being given the opportunity to race in Moto2 and his gratitude to his McAMS team for their understanding.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity that Kiefer Racing has offered me in the Moto2 World Championship, and I’m looking forward to this new challenge, although it won’t be easy in this championship,” he said.
“I will always do my best to justify the confidence in me that Stefan (Kiefer, team boss) and his team have shown.
“I would also like to thank McAMS Yamaha Team and Yamaha UK for making it possible for me to realise my dream, and I will always remember our time together.”
