GSE Racing will be back in the British Superbike Championship next season with Shane Byrne and Leon Camier aboard the Airwaves Ducati 1098R. Wrigley’s Airwaves, who have supported the team since 2005, will continue as title sponsors. Following speculation regarding the future of GSE Racing it has been announced that former British Superbike Champion Shane Byrne, who came 5th in this years championship, will be riding alongside 21 year old Leon Camier in a new look Airwaves Ducati team.
Team Manager Colin Wright is pleased that the team will be returning to the championship with two such talented riders. “We are really pleased that we will be back in the British Superbike Championship next season with our title sponsor Wrigley’s Airwaves supporting us for a fourth year. There has been a great deal of work going on behind the scenes since Brands Hatch and a lot of speculation but I am pleased to say that everything has worked out and we are looking forward to getting back on the grid in 2008. With a proven race winner such as Shane Byrne and a young up and coming talent in Leon Camier we are confident that it is going to be a very successful and enjoyable year for GSE Racing and Airwaves Ducati.”
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne brings immense experience to the team having won the BSB title on a Ducati in 2003; he then raced in MotoGP for two years before returning to the domestic championship with Suzuki in 2006, followed by Honda in 2007. He is looking forward to getting on the Ducati 1098R to compete for the BSB title with Airwaves Ducati in 2008.
“I’m delighted, it has all come about very quickly but I am really pleased and its onwards and upwards from here. It is really exciting to be racing in a team like Airwaves Ducati; the last time I was on a Ducati I was pretty successful, so if we can go some way to emulating that then I’ll be happy! Darrell Healey actually gave me my first test on a Superbike back in 1999 and I joked with him that it has taken me 8 years persuade him to give me a full time job! Now that I have that chance I want to win the British Superbike Championship in 2008 and I think I can with GSE Racing and Airwaves Ducati behind me.”
Leon Camier joins the Airwaves Ducati team from Honda for his 2nd year in the British Superbike Championship. He is a young talent who has won both the British 125GP and Supersport Championships before stepping up to the Superbike class in 2007, finishing the season in 8th. Despite his crash at Cadwell Park he is confident that he will be fit for the New Year and is keen to get on the new bike as soon as possible.
“I’m feeling really good; my injury is getting better pretty quickly and I am already doing a bit of training but I should be fully fit by December. I am really pleased to have joined GSE Racing and Airwaves Ducati, my aim is obviously to win the championship and I think I am in with a really good chance next season. When I met the team for the first time I felt really comfortable, they welcomed me in and were all really enthusiastic so I reckon it is going to be a great season and I just can’t wait to get started!”
Wrigley’s Airwaves are continuing their support of GSE Racing for a fourth year and are planning on making their sponsorship of the team central to their Airwaves Pro marketing strategy in 2008. Wrigley’s Airwaves Marketing Director Toby Baker commented;
“We are delighted to be continuing our association with GSE Racing in the British Superbike Championship in 2008. We have had a fantastic 3 years with the team and we are looking forward to more great racing next season. Airwaves Ducati will be central to Wrigley's Airwaves Pro activity next year and we are delighted to welcome in two experienced riders like Shane Byrne and Leon Camier who compliment all our brand values so well. It will be great to get to know Shane and Leon throughout what we are sure will be another successful year for the Airwaves Ducati team."
