British Superbike News

Jason O'Halloran - SMT Honda 2009

The SMT Honda team, to be known as Sorrymate.com/SMT Honda for 2010, have signed the nine-times British Supermoto champion Christian Iddon to head their campaign for the coming season.

The team suffered a dismal 2009 season after suffering problems amid the economic crisis towards the second half of the year.  They began the opening rounds with the Australian rider Jason O’Halloran, and returned at the Mallory Park round with Michael Rutter aboard.  Later with the backing of Sorrymate.com, they managed to complete the final two rounds with Karl Harris riding and have now agreed to back the team for the year ahead.

Robin Croft said;

“With regard to rider choice, we had spoke at length to a number of senior riders in the series but each of those had their own problems.  Christian had ridden with us a few times before and considering his lack of experience he surpassed all expectations. With that in mind and with the blessing of Sorrymate.com we decided to take that route

Certainly at the beginning of the season we know things might be difficult as Christian learns to ride a Superbike but later on in the season we really believe we can be in a great position to take some good results. With Christian on the bike we also get to develop younger, fresh talent which is something as a team we have always tried to do.”

Red Viper Suzuki 2010

It has been confirmed that Aaron Zanotti will be on the grid in the 2010 British Superbike Championship for the Red Viper Spike Suzuki team in the Evo series.

In his fourth season in the BSB championship, Zanotti feels his Suzuki GSX-R1000 will be competitive in his first ever Evo series as he battles it out with the stiff competition on the tracks this year.

The newly formed team have Ady Butterworth with them this year, taking his place as Team Manager, and the two have worked well together in the past and are expecting some good results for the coming year both in the Evo Championship and the main Championship.

Ryuichi Kiyonari - HM Plant Honda 2007

Ryuichi Kiyonari is making his return to the British Superbike Championship after signing for the HM Plant Honda team to ride alongside Josh Brookes, riding in his second year in 2010.

The two riders will be aboard the CBR1000RR Fireblade while Steve Plater will ride for the team in the British Superstock Championship.

Plater will be joined by John McGuinness for the TT and NW200 competitions following Plater’s season as the TT Senior winner for 2009.

Kiyonari said;

“I’m looking forward to being back in BSB and working with the team again.  I had a happy time with them when I was here before and so I am really exciting to be back.

I don’t know what to expect as BSB is never easy but I will be giving everything to win races.”

The general manager of Honda Motorcycles Steve Martindale said;

“I’m pleased to confirm Honda’s commitment to the British Superbike Championship for 2010 and also the team’s continued relationship with HM Plant,” said Steve Martindale.  The British Superbike Championship is very strong and the high standard of rider talent and racing can be seen at every round.”

Simon Andrews - MSS Colchester Kawasaki 2009

Gary Mason, the title holder for the 2009 British Superbike Cup has signed along with Simon Andrews to ride for the MSS Colchester Kawasaki team for 2010.

Andrews has re-signed with the team for a second season said;

“Being honest I did speak to loads of teams but ultimately Nick and the guys at MSS Colchester and Kawasaki UK treated me so well and we gelled straight away, so it was a pretty straightforward decision. The only delay was due to me riding at Macau and holidaying, I find I need to switch off after the hectic BSB season but now I’m really excited about next year. We’re looking for an even better campaign and I know we can be fighting for podiums and wins this time around.

I’m excited that Gary is joining the team as we get on well and it’ll be good to have a team-mate with a similar style. I’ve never known him as hungry as he is now, but there’s no one more hungry than me. It’s going to be a good season.”

Mason, who is replacing Julian Da Costa in the team said;

“This really is an amazing opportunity for me, I’m so pumped to be at MSS Colchester for next season. They’ve done so well this year, Kawasaki are really behind them and the development plans look really good, they’re not sitting back! Nick Morgan at MSS really helped get me a Superbike ride as his support in 2000 got me noticed with my Euro Superstock win at Brands, we won by twelve seconds! This year I know it’s a great chance for me and I want to consistently fight with the front runners.”

Quay Garage Honda 2009

It has been confirmed that Tommy Bridewell has signed to ride for the reigning British Superbike Cup winners Quay Garage Honda for the 2010 season.

Gary Mason was aboard the Honda for the 2009 season, taking the victory in 18 of the 26 rounds throughout the year to claim the title for the team, while Bridewell rode for the Team NB Suzuki, winning 7 of his rounds.

Bridewell said;

“I’m delighted to be joining up with Ian [Woolacott] and the team at Quay Garage and I’m really looking forward to the season ahead.  It also helps when you know what you’re doing this side of Christmas as that way, we can focus on what we need to achieve.

As soon as it’s been decided what bikes we’ll be racing, we plan on getting some serious track time under our belts as I aim to give this my very best shot. Being from Devon, like me they all talk funny so at least we can all understand what we’re saying!”