2008 marks the start of a new era for the all-conquering HM Plant Honda team in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship. At a ceremony at the Sports Café in Newcastle yesterday, the 2008 team was unveiled, a team that hopes to take a clean sweep of the major British road-racing championships. In the Superbike class, HM Plant Honda has two new riders in Leon Haslam and Cal Crutchlow, a new machine in the awesome Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade and they will be using new Pirelli control tyres. All of this adds even more spice and excitement to the championship, which this year will be held over 12 rounds between April and October. Running alongside the championship will be the Supersport and Superstock series in which Steve Brogan will be aiming for success in both classes. Last season Brogan did well as a substitute in the Supersport class and was second in the Superstock series – he aims to go one better this year.
Another session is about to get underway so this the first mail shot of 2008. This year Rob will race as the 2008 North West ACU 1300cc Champion. From his impressive results at both Aintree and Three Sisters meeting in 2007, Rob was crowning the NW ACU Champion.
Following months of closed season negotiations, Kawasaki Motors UK have formalised their full line up of teams representing the manufacturer as Official or Supported teams during what is expected to be a highly competitive 2008 season.
Ducati UK and the organisers of TT2008 have joined forces to bring a taste of Italy to this year’s event. A host of famous Ducati names and historic bikes are expected on the island as Ducati bring both modern day and historical machines for visitors to enjoy as Ducati celebrate 50 years of TT involvement.
Insurance company Bennetts has been confirmed as the title sponsor for the Isle of Man TT races in 2007. They will also be the official insurance partner. The deal means that the Centenary event will be called the Isle of Man TT Races sponsored by Bennetts and will include naming rights to Manx Radio’s Radio TT broadcasts which will extensively cover this year’s festival. They also have race naming rights for the Superbike race on Saturday 2nd June.