BURSTALL-based motorcycle road-racer Paul Eagle represented Great Britain alongside 14 fellow countrymen at the Trans Pacific Cup held at Phillip Island in Australia on January 27 and 28.

BURSTALL-based motorcycle road-racer Paul Eagle represented Great Britain alongside 14 fellow countrymen at the Trans Pacific Cup held at Phillip Island in Australia on January 27 and 28.

For a second year, the Australian side were crowned champions with Team GB in second followed by the New Zealanders.

“The bike performed well during Thursday's practice sessions,” said Eagle, ”but on Friday we encountered both carburation and ignition problems simultaneously, which made fault-finding a complete nightmare.

“Then during the races the suspension began wallowing around the corners, making it unrideable. I pulled in during the last race - I didn't want another crash like I did last year.

“I am completely gutted. We were feeling confident knowing that the bikes hadn't got stranded on a broken down container ship, like they did last year, and I was determined to make amends.”

The rules of the annual event govern each country to race according to the rules set out in their own domestic championship.

Eagle said: “The rules need to be changed for next year's event.

“The Aussie's are allowed to run slick tyres, methanol and 4-valve heads which means they can race Suzuki GSX1100's, giving them more power and an extra 15mph top speed.

“That's quite an unfair advantage.”

Eagle again compete in the CRMC's Post-Classic Championship aboard his 1984 P&M Kawasaki during the 2007 season.