It was Tainton himself who announced the news, posting an image on Facebook of a trick, retro styled GSX-R 1000 with the racing number of 52 – but did not initially disclose the owner.
The Suzuki guru could only hold his excitement for a mere three hours before a further image showed Craggill pictured with the bike, and the two-time ASBK champion known as ‘Mad Eyes’ then confirmed the news.
“It’s all going to depend on how my times are in testing if I race or not, I need to find out if my body can still cope with riding a superbike. The big motivator for me is not to win races, but actually try and reclaim some fitness and work life balance.”
Since retirement from racing at the end of 2007, Craggill has built a successful facilities management and commercial construction business, something that has been taking up more of his time than he would like. His only racing appearance since then has been at the 2016 Island Classic aboard a TZ750.
“It’s ironic that I’m turning to high speed motorcycle racing to try and get my health and fitness back to where I want it, but I’m really looking forward to the challenge. When I was tossing up which bike to choose, the Suzuki seemed like a natural choice…I raced a Suzuki in America and I thought Phil is the best man to prepare it!”
If he does make the grid in 2018, Craggill will wrest the title of oldest competitor from 90s sparring partner Troy Bayliss, who recently announced his racing comeback aboard the DesmoSport Ducati 1299 Panigale R Final Edition.
The possible addition of Craggill gives ASBK fans yet another reason to salivate in anticipation of the 2018 season, with riders taking to the Phillip Island track on January 30-31 for the first official pre-season test.
