European Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Wayne Tessels will join fellow Dutchman Nigel Walraven in a new two-rider ‘Team Suzuki Europe’ squad contesting the 2015 European Superstock 1000 Championship aboard GSX-R1000 Suzukis.
Team Suzuki Europe has been set-up by Hoegee Suzuki Performance in conjunction with Suzuki Nimag, Suzuki International Europe and SMC and with added support from Yoshimura Japan.
Hoegee Performance owner Marc Hoegee – a former long-time Suzuki MotoGP team member – will co-manage the operation alongside Oscar Walraven as Suzuki’s sole team in the eight-round series that kicks-off at Aragon in Spain on April 12th.
Said Hoegee: “We are incredibly proud that we can take up this new challenge and we will build up this season step by step. The knowledge and experience from all those involved will surely contribute to this. The team and its partners are extremely motivated to take-up the battle in this competitive class and will do everything to compose a good package so we can make maximum use of the GSX-R1000.”
The team’s Suzuki GSX-R1000s will be built with support from Suzuki, Yoshimura, K-Tech, TRW/ Lucas, Tsubaki, Pirelli and Hoegee Suzuki Performance. There are also still some ongoing discussions with new potential partners that will be announced shortly.
Wayne Tessels:
“I’m very glad to take this next step in my career! After co-operating for three successful seasons with Suzuki, Yoshimura and Hoegee Suzuki Performance, it’s amazing to be able to continue this. After taking the vice championship last season, I’m looking forward to this step. Seeing the input from Suzuki, Yoshimura and all the other partners, I am sure that we’re competitive. I’d like to thank every sponsor and partner for the effort and faith!”
Nigel Walraven:
“I’m excited to make the step to the FIM Cup Superstock 1000 this season, but mostly because of the way it goes. The collaboration with Wayne and his team has been great for several seasons and therefore I’m very pleased to take on this adventure together with the support from a big group of loyal sponsors. I’m also sure that we can bring each other to a higher level when talking about riding, since Wayne knows the race tracks well and I know the Suzuki GSX- R1000 well which means we can take advantage of each other’s knowledge. The Suzuki GSX- R1000 is a fast and reliable motor and in combination with the big group of loyal sponsors we will take this chance to make some great results.”