Relentless by TAS Suzuki is delighted to announce Josh Brookes as their first major signing for the 2011 British Superbike Championship, with the Australian set to make his first appearance in their distinctive black and white livery at a European test in early December. The 27-year-old New South Wales rider finished this season’s British Superbike Championship in second place overall, amassing five victories from 13 podiums, but will be looking to go one better in Relentless by TAS Suzuki colours in 2011. Brookes is currently at home in Australia preparing for the 2011 BSB campaign but is delighted to have secured his Relentless by TAS Suzuki deal for a full-on assault on next season’s Championship. Josh Brookes: “I’m really excited about the whole project to be honest. I obviously know the strength of the GSX-R1000 Superbike having raced alongside the guys this season in BSB, so once Philip discussed his ideas with me, I was keen to go in the Suzuki direction straight away. Everything has come together very easy and the whole thing feels really good to me. I’m also looking forward to basing myself in Northern Ireland for next season as I know the boys have a top working environment over there. I just want to do my training, get fit and focus on my racing. I’m confident I can do that with Relentless by TAS Suzuki and the end product will hopefully be the Championship.” Philip Neill – Team Manager: “Even though he was my undisputed number one choice for next season I didn’t think Josh would become available, so to say I’m excited to have secured his signature would be a bit of an understatement. I’ve admired him as a rider ever since I first watched him race and as an ex-motocross man like myself, I found it very easy to relate to him when we entered into our discussions. It has all come together very well and pretty much along the same lines as the Guy Martin deal. That’s the way I like to do business. I’m also pleased that he has decided to base himself in Northern Ireland next year close to our workshop. This will give the whole team a better chance to get to know him and I’m sure he’ll enjoy the Northern Ireland way of life.” More, from a press release issued by British Superbike Championship organizers: BSB BIG GUNS BROOKES AND HILL MAKE SENSATIONAL 2011 SIGNINGS The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship will have a dramatic new look in 2011, after top contenders Josh Brookes and Tommy Hill have today (Wednesday) confirmed they will renew their on track rivalry when they return next season to fight for the 2011 title after signing for the Relentless Suzuki and Swan Yamaha teams respectively. Australian Brookes ended the 2010 season as runner-up after securing five victories from thirteen podiums for the championship-winning HM Plant Honda team and has sensationally moved to the Relentless-backed team who will be spearheading Suzuki’s attack on the title. Hill narrowly missed out on a maiden championship crown at the final round and he moves from Suzuki to Swan Yamaha to lead their assault aboard the Yamaha R1 after the team finalised a deal to receive manufacturer support. Brookes said: “I’m really excited about the whole project. I obviously know the strength of the GSX-R1000 Superbike having raced alongside the guys this season in BSB, so once I had discussed the idea with Phillip Neill and the team, I was keen to go in the Suzuki direction. Everything has come together very easy and the whole package feels really good to me. I just want to do my training, get fit and focus on my racing so I am ready for 2011. I’m confident I can do that with Relentless by TAS Suzuki team and the end product will hopefully be the Championship title.” Hill said: “I am really buzzing about this new opportunity. I came so close to the title this season and effectively one race lost me the championship, so of course I am looking ahead to next year and I want to win the title more than ever. As soon as the season finished I was looking to 2011 and I knew that the package was going to be a big deal, especially with Yamaha’s involvement. It is an exciting new venture for me and fantastic to be reunited with Yamaha, as it is with them that I really started my career so I feel like I have unfinished business. I am now preparing for the new season and I can’t wait to get testing underway so that we arrive at the Brands Hatch opening round at Easter ready to fight for the wins.” The opening round of the 2011 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship kicks off at Brands Hatch on Easter weekend (22-25 April). Advance tickets will be on sale later this week at www.brandshatch.co.uk For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com