Former British Champion Billy McConnell leads OMG Racing’s Superstock 1000 title charge
OMG Racing Suzuki are excited to announce that they will continue in the National Superstock 1000 championship in 2019 with 2018 runner-up, Billy McConnell. The 32-year-old was a championship contender right the way through 2018, just being pipped by Keith Farmer at the final round. The OMG Racing Suzuki team had an exciting season battling with Billy McConnell in 2018 and look to form a formidable line-up for the forthcoming season; a line-up that will be hard to conquer.
McConnell is a rider who comes to the OMG Racing Suzuki team with vast amounts of experience across all classes of British racing. In 2006, he debuted in British Superbikes with numerous top tens, whilst a year later in 2007, he moved to British Supersport and finished 4th with two race wins. A return to Superbike action in 2008 saw him achieve his first top six result at BSB level and subsequently finished the season in 12th place.
2009 saw McConnell return to British Supersport and with much anticipation, taking three wins and the runner-up spot in the championship. He stayed in the class for 2010 and finished 5th, taking two wins. In 2011, 2012 and 2013, the charismatic and popular Australian finished 3rd on all three occasions, accumulating ten further victories across the seasons.
However, luck changed in 2014, when McConnell, after years of hard graft and narrowly missing out on championship success, took the crown for Smith’s Racing Triumph in British Supersport, after a season long battle with Alastair Seeley and Graeme Gowland. McConnell then carried his success up to British Superbikes with the team, where he and they achieved their first British Superbike podium. 2016 saw him switch machinery and have some strong rides – including a top four at Snetterton – whilst an injury hit 2017 curtailed his Showdown charge. McConnell was back with a point to prove in 2018 and took a stunning five victories aboard the Buildbase Suzuki on his National Superstock 1000 debut.
Now with OMG Racing Suzuki, he and the team believe that they can go on to achieve great things together and fight right at the forefront of the National Superstock 1000 pack.
#BillyMcConnell
“I’m really excited to be signing for OMG Racing to contest the National Superstock 1000 championship. Last year I came runner up and this year I’m looking to go one step better with OMG. It’s nice to be reunited with my old teammate Luke Mossey and people that I’ve worked with before who have all got the same passion to move forward and get results.
“I feel that OMG is the perfect fit for me to be able to challenge for the championship next year. It’s my second year on a Suzuki and I’m returning to a more familiar suspension set up which I’ve been using throughout most of my time in the UK, so I feel I’ll settle in fast.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to all of my personal sponsors for their continued support. Bring on the new season!”
The ‘M’ in ‘OMG’ – Greg McPhail – is also delighted with the signing of McConnell, who is a fan’s favourite within the British Superbike racing paddock. OMG Racing Suzuki will look to begin the 2019 National Superstock 1000 championship in the only way they know how.
OMG Racing, Greg McPhail
“The owners of OMG are extremely excited to announce that Billy McConnell will be joining our team, riding our Superstock 1000 bike in 2019. We believe that Billy is one of the most naturally talented riders in the paddock and by combining that ability with the genius of the crew around him, he’s certain to be the rider to beat. We can’t wait for the 2019 season to get underway so we can get back to having fun and winning races!”
Team principal Paul Curran is also excited at the prospect of working with Billy McConnell in 2019, with both parties experienced in winning races with Suzuki. It promises to be an exciting line-up across the board for 2019 and OMG Racing.
Paul Curran, Team Principal
“I’ve known Billy personally for many years, so I’m looking forward to working with him professionally within the OMG race team on our Superstock 1000 Bike. He’s a very talented rider and he has proved that over his career. He obviously came very close to the title last year and we’re working hard to ensure we can put him at the sharp end of the grid next season and look to go one better.
“We look forward to lots of celebrations and successes with Billy over the 2019 season and It will be fantastic for Team OMG to be working with him.”
With OMG Racing now preparing for the 2019 championship charge with testing, you can follow the team’s progress in the build up to their second season across all their social media channels!