Dunlop starts renewed Carl Cox Motorsport deal with Cookstown 100 win

Michael Dunlop has delivered the perfect start to the renewed Carl Cox Motorsport deal with victory in the opening Supersport race at the Cookstown 100 event which was marred by poor weather.

15-time Isle of Man TT winner Dunlop reunites with Carl Cox after a successful partnership in 2017, and enjoyed a strong start with a win in the first SS600 race at the Orritor circuit with his new PRT-prepared Honda CBR600RR Supersport machine.

Dunlop, whose Carl Cox Motorsport backing will appear on his Supersport bikes, MD Racing BMW Superstock 1000 machines plus references to the partnership on his Tyco BMW Superbike, is thrilled to secure the deal for the 2018 road racing campaign.

“It’s fantastic to have Carl back on board for 2018, he’s a mega ambassador for us, and the team couldn’t do what they do without his support,” Dunlop said. “I’m obviously pleased to get that first win on the MD Racing SS600 and I think the bike is looking spot on in its new colours.”

Carl Cox has echoed Dunlop’s sentiments and is relishing the chance to join the 15-time TT winner back at the Isle of Man this year.

“It’s fantastic to be back supporting Michael as he looks to add to his incredible tally of 15 TT wins,” Cox said. “I first met him properly last year about five minutes before he set off down Bray Hill and then a few hours later we were standing in the winner’s enclosure having taken our first TT victory!

“I can’t wait to be back on the island this year, where hopefully we’ll secure a few more trophies.”

The MD Racing team news completes the Carl Cox Motorsport line up, with Carl also supporting seven-time world champion Tim Reeves and his passenger Mark Wilkes as the bid for glory at the 2018 Isle of Man TT.

The duo are also competing in the FIM World Sidecar Championship, where they took the series opening win at Le Mans recently.

Derek Sheils claimed victory in the Superbike class at Cookstown 100, with Dunlop winning the opening 600 race and finishing second in the bigger bike class, while James Cowton won the red-flagged Supersport Championship race before a number of crashes and poor weather halted the event.