2006

Angel Racing History

2006

The start of 2006 saw Angel Racing setting up as a 2 rider team, Rob Frost was to be joined by 125GP & 250GP rider Toby Markham, unfortunately a lack of budget due to unfullfilled promises forced Angel to find riders who could pay the substantial tyre and fuel costs (£20,000) of running their race bikes, so Rob had to look elsewhere for his 2006 ride.

Rob found his ride with Team Buff Kawasaki, Angel supported Rob by providing one of his race bikes and Frosty continued to ride carrying a Angel logo. Robs season was curtailed by a major back injury sustained at Oulton Park, putting him out of racing for a year.

Ben Castleton who had done 2 seasons in the R6 cup joined the team, then Toby Markham withdrew within a few weeks of the start of the season. Steven Neate was loaned the bike Frosty was to have ridden on the proviso he competed under the Angel Racing banner.

Ben's season started badly as he was still recovering from a major operation to reset a broken wrist, unable to do any testing before the start of the season the team were on the back foot and playing catch up. Ben's whole season was to hampered by his wrist injury and a lack of budget. The highlight of Bens season was a 3rd place podium position in the Supersport Cup Championship at Silverstone.

Steven Neate gained a few top ten race finishes for the team and a front row start for the Mondello Park race. Unfortunately this race was cancelled due to the torrential rain storms that flooded the Mondello Park circuit, so he never had the chance to prove that he could get away with and race with the front of the pack.

Angel Racing and Steven secured a "wild card" ride at the Silverstone World Supersport event, but Steven elected to ride the Eckerold Honda machines at the last minute.

Steven Neate left the team for a "no cost ride" after Round 7 at Snetterton.

Gary Johnson then joined the team for the final 4 races of the season, Gary was recovering from a serious back injury sustained earlier in the year, this meant he could not ride at his full potential, but the important thing for Angel and Gary was that he got back on a bike and started his way back to race fitness.

Gary has since gone on to what is becoming a very successful road racing career, in the Irish championships and at the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT events.

Angel also became a personal sponsor of Superbike rider Dean Ellison, a relationship which is still ongoing.