It’s all change in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship as three of the major players confirm their riders for the 2008 campaign which looks all set to be the best ever with an intriguing mix of youth and experience chasing the honours. Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne is fully geared to regain the crown that he won back in 2003 as he links up with the Airwaves Ducati team aboard one of their all-new 1098R machines in the new look action which permits the 1200cc twins into the action.
“The last time I was on a Ducati I was pretty successful,” said Byrne who after winning the title moved into MotoGP for two years before returning to domestic action riding first for Suzuki and then Honda. “I’m delighted to be with them and it is exciting to be riding with this team and I want to win the title again.”
Joining him in the team will be former Supersport Champion Leon Camier who made a positive start to last term, catching the eye with strong rides, but who is currently recovering from leg injuries suffered in a heavy crash during the Cadwell Park round.
He expects to be riding again next month and is promising to push his more experienced team-mate, Byrne, all of the way. “My aims in obviously to win the championship and I think I am in with a really good chance next season – I reckon it is going to be a great season and I just can’t wait to get started.”
Those sentiments are echoed by Leon Haslam who has switched from the Ducati ranks to spearhead the HM Plant Honda bid to retain the title they have held twice with Ryuichi Kiyonari. The 24 year old Derbyshire rider has been second and third in those years, and now he reckons it is time to take the ‘number one’ plate.
“I’m so excited to be back with Honda on the new Fireblade. Honda is a very big part of my family’s history and the new bike looks like a winner straight out of the crate. I just can’t wait for the next season to get started,” enthused Haslam.
He too faces in-team challenges with the Supersport Champion of 2006 Cal Crutchlow ready to press for honours after a strong first season in Superbikes with Suzuki.
“I think in my first season of BSB I’ve done myself proud and enjoyed it immensely – moving to HM Plant Honda is a fantastic opportunity and is step towards winning the title which has always been my aim,” said the young Coventry rider. “I was a winner with Honda in Supersport, and have only had a year away to it is good to be coming home.”
His move to Honda opened the way for Tom Sykes, who in his ‘rookie’ year took a pole and five top three finishes, to sign for Rizla Suzuki: “I’m hoping for a good season and we should hit the ground running at the first round at Brands Hatch – through the 2007 season I was consistent with picking up podium finishes and I want to carry that on. I need to win races and finish consistently on the podium.”
Sykes will have the twice Japanese Superbike Champion Atsushi Watanabe as his team-mate, and British Superbike Championship Series Director Stuart Higgs says these announcements are only the start.
"We know that MSS Kawasaki will shortly be making an announcement of a two rider team and there will be news very shortly from Hydrex Honda and Hawk, with Rob McElnea close to confirming his riders for the Yamaha attack on the title."
“The championship is moving from strength to strength with some excellent young riders certain to be involved in the title chase and I can’t recall such a dramatic period of rider transfers,” added Higgs.“ These rider and team changes together with the prospect of the new technical platform and the single tyre supplier have completely re-energised the championship. The only disappointment to me is that Paul Bird has opted to move into the World Superbike series with, I understand, a single rider entry and I wish the team good luck with this project.”
The 2008 Championship will be decided over twelve double race rounds: - April 6th - Brands Hatch (GP)
- April 20th - Thruxton
- May 5th - Oulton Park *
- May 26th - Donington Park (GP) *
- June 15th - Snetterton
- June 29th - Mallory Park
- July 20th - Oulton Park
- August 10th - Knockhill
- August 25th - Cadwell Park *
- September 14th - Croft
- September 28th - Silverstone (International)
- October 12th - Brands Hatch (Indy)
*Bank Holiday Monday raceday
