Ben Currie secures 2015 British Superstock 600 ride
CF Motorsport have been at the forefront of the National Superstock 600cc series for a number of seasons and after winning the title in 2014 they will return to defend their crown in 2015 with Ross Twyman being joined by Australian Ben Currie. Both riders have experience in the series with Twyman taking a career best 4th position in the 2014 season finale at Brands Hatch after a season that saw him assisted by CF Motorsport as a satellite rider.
Ben Currie finished 15th overall in 2014 with a best result of 5th at Oulton Park in May and is relishing the opportunity to be part of the team next year.
Ben Currie – Superstock 600cc: “I’m so thankful for the opportunity that the Pacedayz.com European Trackdays team have given me for 2015 and I’m really looking forward to returning to the UK early next year so that testing can begin. The team have proven how competitive they are and I’m looking forward to the first race”
Ross Twyman – Superstock 600cc: “This year was my first on a 600cc after riding in the Aprilia 450 Championship run at Thundersport GB. I didn’t expect much from this year as I had just jumped on the 600 and was still getting to grips with it. We bought the bike from Craig and when we joined BSB Craig was helping us with setup etc. which was a massive help. I raced in 8 rounds out of the 12 this year and for the last two Craig offered me a place in his team and I had my two best races just missing the podium at Brands. I am really looking forward to next season with CF Motorsport as I already have a good relationship with them and I know what they are capable of. With Kyle remaining with the team it gives me the confidence to push myself even more as he has so much experience that I can learn from and my aim is to replicate what he has done this year. I want to say a big thank you to Craig and the team for giving me this opportunity.”
Craig Fitzpatrick – Team Manager: “ Looking at Ben’s results from this year I’m sure we can get him right up at the sharp end in 2015 and I am looking forward to him joining the team. We have pre-season tests scheduled in Spain, we are ready and can’t wait to get underway. Finally it goes without saying that big thanks go to all our sponsors for their continued support. I hope to repay you with some more great results next year.”
Lee Jackson steps up to Superbike with Buildbase BMW alongside Ryuichi Kiyonari
The title-contending Buildbase BMW team have announced that former Superstock 600 Champion Lee Jackson will progress to the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship with them next season. The 19-year-old will be team-mate to triple Champion Ryuichi Kiyonari.
Lincoln-based Jackson finished third in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship with the team this season, with a hard-fought win at Thruxton and a further four podium finishes. He also made three MCE BSB appearances during the 2014 season, taking an impressive top ten finish at Assen.
Jackson said: “I am really looking forward to this opportunity and also to work with Kiyo. The experience that the whole team have combined will really help me make the step forward. After two seasons in the Superstock class I know I still have a lot to learn, but I am really excited.
“I want to build my results through the season as there are so many good riders in the championship. It will be a new challenge for me, but I am going to do the best job I can for the Buildbase BMW team. I had a chance to ride the Superbike last season so it won’t all be completely new to me. I can’t wait to start testing now ready for Donington Park. I need to say a massive thanks to everyone at Buildbase BMW and my family for giving me this chance.”
Team Manager Steve Hicken commented: “We’re delighted that Lee is moving up to the Superbike class after two years with us in Superstock 1000. He is one of the brightest young talents in UK racing at the moment and we feel this is the right time for him to make the step up. The championship needs some new, young British talent and we are confident in what Lee can achieve. With Kiyo and Lee, we have a great package of experience, youth and talent. After a remarkable 2014 season, our only aim is to go one better in 2015.”
BSB KTM RC390 Cup for 13-18 year olds
Santander Consumer Finance UK has been announced as the new title sponsor of the upcoming KTM RC 390-powered race series, which will support the 2015 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship.
The Santander Consumer Finance KTM British Junior Cup will be open to riders 13-18-years old, and every rider will line up on an identical ‘Cup’ variation of the recently-launched KTM RC 390. The series gives equal opportunity and level playing field for emerging talent. The series will be promoted by MSVR across eight events incorporating 20 points-scoring races.
KTM UK already enjoys a successful relationship with Santander Consumer Finance UK – this division of the Spanish bank provides consumer finance for its network of dealers to allow its customers a broad portfolio of competitive finance for the purchase of new machines along with the option to include KTM PowerParts and PowerWear, under the ‘KTM Finance’ banner.
Paul Munns, National Sales Manager – Leisure Finance, from Santander Consumer Finance UK, said: “We’re very excited to play a part in what will no doubt be a very exciting and successful championship. Santander Consumer Finance UK already enjoys a great working relationship with KTM UK and the opportunity to work with them to help bolster future motorcycle racing talent, while helping to promote this area of the business within the best domestic motorcycle racing championship, was an opportunity that couldn’t be missed.”
In standard production form, the RC 390 is an exciting, light and practical sports bike with a 44hp, 375cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine housed in a steel trellis chassis and fitted with top-level components. The ‘Cup’ version, shown in its new race livery for the first time at Motorcycle Live in November, takes this already energetic machine and focuses it solely for track use, using a whole host of official KTM PowerParts that will also be publically available.
The fully adjustable suspension package not only allows for individual set up for each race; it is also a valuable learning tool for suspension set-ups. The bike has adjustable foot pegs and handlebar levers to create personalised ergonomics, making it ideal for young racers who are still growing.
For more information on the series visit http://www.ktm.com/gb/nationalracing/rc-cup
