British Superbike News

This weekend the British Superbike Championship gets underway at Brands Hatch with a four-day event starting on 10th through to the 13th April.

The GSE Racing team have revealed their 2009 YZF-R1 in it’s new racing livery.  The Airwave Yamaha riders Leon Camier and James Ellison are both said to be pleased with the new paint job and eager to get on the circuit.  The GSE Racing crew signed a 3-year-deal to partner Yamaha after ending their commitment with Ducati.

The Relentless Suzuki team have signed Ian Lowry to ride alongside their other rider Atsushi Watanabe for the 2009 season.  Lowry has been riding for the team in their Supersport series for the past three seasons.

The MSS Kawasaki team will be on the grid with their riders Julien Da Costa and Simon Andrews.  Andrews missed some of the recent testing after suffering a crash at Mallory Park in March.  He was blown off track by a strong gust of wind as he entered Gerrards and was hit by the bike causing severe bruising to his shoulder.  Andrews is now fit and ready for the start of the season and are pleased with the work done on their machine over the winter months.

Another Kawasaki team who will be racing against the MSS team are the riders Tristan Palmer and John Laverty, riding for the Buildbase Kawasaki team.  The team formerly known as Hawk Racing completed their sponsorship deal with Buildbase in December 2008.

Sylvain Guintoli will be aboard the Crescent Suzuki who have recently revealed that they have secured a two-year sponsorship deal with Worx, the power tool brand.  The former MotoGP rider has been very strong in testing and is aiming for no less than a double win at this Easter weekend round.

The HM Plant Honda team are aiming to be the top Honda team again this year with their Australian riders Josh Brookes and Glen Richards. This season they are facing competition with the Hydrex Honda team who have the riders Karl Harris and Stuart Easton, both showing impressive speed during testing.

Jason O’Halloran is the sole rider for the SMT Honda team after making his debut in the BSB series at Croft in 2008 where he got the team a top ten result for the first time.

The Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha team will have the riders Chris Walker and Graeme Gowland, both intending to give their team 100%.  Walker was signed by Rob McElnea after a year in WSB and was desperate to get back in front of the British Superbike crowd.

The other Rob Mac signing was that of Michael Rutter who will be riding the North West 200 Yamaha.  Rutter has shown impressive form in the 2008 season and is a favourite for this year.

Jon Kirkham will be riding the Lloyds British Jentin after a successful 2008 season in the National Superstock championship where he finished runner-up.

The STP-JHS Racing MV Augusta have the riders Chris Burns and Victor Cox. The team confirmed that last season the bike was overweight and underpowered and that the improvements to the machine will make a massive difference to the handling and performance of the bike.

The Red Viper Honda team has Aaron Zanotti and Alastair Fagan riding for them.  Zanotti will continue his season with the team alongside Fagan who competed in the British Supersport Cup in 2008 where he finished in sixth place overall.

Gary Mason will once again be riding for the Quay Garage Honda team after racing in the Daily Star British Superbike Cup in 2008 for the team.  He was given the task after James Buckingham was forced out due to injuries and showed an impressive ride.

Brian McCormack is on the MAR Racing Kawasaki and is also intending to compete in the TT with the full backing of his crew.

Tom Tunstall will be riding for the Hardinge Doodson Motorsport Honda team and will also be racing in the Daily Star Cup Championship which runs alongside BSB.

Peter Hickman is with the Ultimate Racing Yamaha team after finishing third in the 2008 National Superstock 1000 Championship.

Martin Jessopp is aboard the Riders Racing Honda, Kenny Gilbertson is on the Jx Fuelcard Kawasaki, Matt Bond is riding the Mist Suzuki and David Johnson for Team Maxxis Branson Yamaha.

(UPDATE)

According to reports Josh Brookes will not be racing this weekend after he was stopped by immigration this morning from entering the UK as his paperwork was not in order.

Steve Plater will now be replacing the Australian for this round only.