MOTORPOINT BRITISH SUPERSPORT CONTENDERS SET FOR SEASON OPENER
The Motorpoint British Supersport Championship gets underway at Brands Hatch this Easter weekend (18-21 April) with former champion Alastair Seeley heading a field of 31 riders representing five nations lining up for the season opener.
Seeley is targeting another title after switching to the 2013 championship-winning Mar-Train Yamaha team and is eager to launch his campaign with victories at the Kent circuit after a positive pre-season testing programme.
Seeley said: “I think we proved at the recent test that we have the pace at Mar-Train Racing for the season ahead. I’m up for it and so are the team; it’s just a matter of getting in amongst the rest of boys now and get stuck in at Brands Hatch. Our goal is obviously to win the championship, but I don’t let the pressure affect me as I’ve been in this position before. As long as we all give our best during the season there’s nothing more anyone can ask. It’s time now to do the talking on the track. I can’t wait to get started this weekend and I know the rest of the team are up for it.”
Gearlink Kawasaki are ready to take on their Mar-Train Yamaha rivals with a new line-up for 2014 of Glen Irwin and reigning Superstock 600 champion Luke Hedger, with the team determined to go one better after narrowly missing out on the title last season.
Former title-winners Smiths Racing Triumph though had to relinquish their title crown last season and with consistent race victors Billy McConnell and Graeme Gowland the team are confident they can wrestle the title back.
The 2014 season sees the Prodigy’s Keith Flint make their British Championship debut and Team Traction Control line up for the opening round with American James Rispoli keen to make an impression whilst Steve Mercer lines up in the new Evo class.
Luke Mossey and Luke Stapleford in the Profile/Techcare Racing team have proved they intend on being in contention from the start of the season with the pair setting an impressive pace in pre-season testing and Daniel Cooper will also be ready to put on a show for the Tsingtao WK Kawasaki team.
Tyco Suzuki are another former title-winning team and having retained Taylor Mackenzie will be targeting his first podium in the Championship this weekend at Brands Hatch.
Appleyard Macadam Racing Yamaha’s Jake Dixon and Bjorn Estment plus 777RR Motorsports Finnish contender Juha Kallio and Luke Jones are also aiming for a strong start to their seasons.
The Evo class is set to be equally closely fought with riders including David Allingham, Tim Hastings, Sam Coventry and Josh Corner all set to be in contention.
The Motorpoint British Supersport Championship races will both be broadcast live and in HD this season on British Eurosport.
For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com