HAVING seen his first season in the British Superbike Championship end in disappointing circumstances, Trowbridge rider Victor Cox is turning to the Isle of Man TT to reignite his love for the sport.

The 29-year-old was handed the opportunity last year to ride for Morello Racing Kawasaki but his rookie campaign came to an abrupt end after just three rounds of the championship.

Cox, who has failed to secure a ride in the British Superbike Championship for the coming season, will be riding for former racer Mick Charnock in the T C Racing team on a Honda 1000cc RR Fireblade in the six-lap RST superbike TT, four-lap RL360 Superstock TT and six-lap Pokerstars Senior TT, and is looking forward to the unique challenge of racing on the 37.73 mile public road circuit “I have raced in the British Championships on the circuit for the last however many years and I haven’t actually done any road racing but I have always wanted to put my full commitment into that,” he told the Wiltshire Times.

“Last year I didn’t have a great season with the team I was riding for in the British Superbikes and this year, as of now, I don’t have anything in place for the British Championships.

“My main aim this year is to enjoy the TT. There is so much to learn and it is such a long course and you really have to respect it.

“I just want to come back with a smile on my face and enjoy my experience as a newcomer to the Isle of Man TT. It is something I am really excited about and I am looking forward to a new challenge.”

Cox will head to the Isle of Man for Saturday, May 28, when practice will begin, with his final event on Friday, June 10, and he is keen to put last year firmly in the rear view mirror.

“Racing has always been and still is a huge part of my life and I have sacrificed a lot to do that but the way it has gone now in the British Championship, you need a lot of sponsorship and financial backing behind you to get into a good team and on good machinery,” he added.

“It becomes harder and harder to get each year.

“I didn’t have a good experience last year so the main thing for myself now is just to get the excitement back in riding a motorcycle.”