Ryan Farquhar and Keith Amor to return to racing at Isle of Man TT
- Published
Ryan Farquhar and Keith Amor are to come out of retirement to compete as KMR Kawasaki team-mates in the Supertwins class at the Isle of Man TT.
Farquhar will make his limited return to racing after announcing in September 2012 that he was quitting the sport.
Falkirk man Amor hung up his leathers in January 2012 after suffering a serious shoulder injury at the TT.
"I just want to go and enjoy myself on the bike I like best. I'm not putting any pressure on myself," said Farquhar.
Farquhar called time on his road racing career after the death of his uncle, Trevor Ferguson, at the 2012 Manx Grand Prix, but will now take in the Lightweight class on the Isle of Man in June.
The 37-year-old was the winner of the inaugural TT race for Supertwins last year.
"After a stressful year in 2013, I had a good long think about it and sat down and had a chat with my wife Karen about the best way forward," said the Dungannon man.
"I was in a position where I was again going to sponsor young Jamie Hamilton, whom I've supported on the roads for the last few years, but things have moved on and he got a better deal than I could offer him.
"I would love another crack at the TT and I thought if I'm making a bit of a comeback why not ask Keith Amor, one of the toughest rivals I've ever had, to join me.
"Everything has just fallen into place and the main thing for me is that my family is behind me.
"Being a team manager was the most stressful thing I have ever done so I'm looking forward to getting the leathers on again.
"I'll not be chasing any more wins - I've won enough races in my career so I'll ride at a pace I'm happy with."
Amor admitted that he had been "itching to get back on a bike competitively", adding that it was a "no-brainer" to team up with his old road racing rival.
"I received a phone-call from Ryan asking if I fancied doing something with him and to be honest I was pretty shocked. It wasn't something I saw coming at all.
"I retired because of injury but I'm feeling a lot stronger and a lot better now.
"If you're going to do any one you have to do the big one and the TT is pretty much the 'be-all and end-all' for me.
"I've been handed the chance to race round there again on a competitive bike with Ryan as a team-mate and I can't wait.
"Ryan and I had a fierce rivalry on the Irish roads - we pretty much went at it hammer and tongs and we swapped paint a few times.
"As far as the TT is concerned, it's the only place I've never won a race, although I've been close a few times."
Farquhar has indicated that he may also consider a return to the North West 200 if terms can be agreed with the organisers.
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