Magnum Motorsport Brief History Magnum Motorsport was formed in an 'off the cuff' telephone conversation between ex-Superbike rider John Pugh and ex motorcycle Trials champion Dave Worthington. John and Dave both played for the same football team and knowing that Dave had received sponsorship during his Trials riding career John asked Dave if he wanted to set up a motorcycle team with John as the rider. Magnum Motorsport was formed in June 2000, taking part in a handful of Superstock races at the tail end of that season. Due to work commitments, John was forced to step down but Dave had now got the bug. In 2001 Magnum signed Tristan Palmer and bought the ex-2000 championship winning PAGE 3 Yamaha of Dave Jefferies. The season started well with Tristan regularly qualifying and finishing in the Top 10, but a sponsor failing to honour a deal, an engine blow up and a crash that destroyed the bike meant funds were low. With no money on the horizon Magnum had to release Tristan and look for a rider who could bring some funding with him. In stepped Kelvin Reilly. Kelvin soon became one of the team helping Magnum become established within the British Superstock paddock. Kelvin stayed with Magnum for another three seasons. In 2002 staying with Yamaha, Magnum ran two riders with Rhys Boyd joining Kelvin. Switching to Suzuki in 2003 Kelvin was joined by Gary May and in 2004 (Kelvin's best season to date) he was joined by Nathan Flanagan on Ducati 999 machines. 2005 saw many changes. Kelvin was in demand from larger teams Kelvin left and Nathan retired from the Sport and return to Trials and Enduro events. With some backing but no riders Magnum was approached to run the Buildbase-backed Luke Quigley/ Andy Tinsley team. It was a difficult season for the team, Luke started the season in the Supersport championship but was poached by a Superbike team mid-season and Andy was forced to retire from racing mid-season. For the latter part of the season Matt Llewellyn took the Supersport ride and helped the team immensely with his speed and knowledge (to which the team were extremely grateful). Andy's seat was filled by Ulsterman John Laverty. John stayed with the team for 2006 and Tristan Palmer returned from the Superbike class for an assault on the British Superstock championship. With the backing of Buildbase the team qualified on the front row twelve times from thirteen races, but numerous crashes saw the team miss out on the individual championship but consolation was found in being the top team in 2006.