Parkes set for MCE BSB return at Snetterton with ePayMe Yamaha
The ePayMe Yamaha team has announced Australian Broc Parkes will make his return to the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship for Snetterton next weekend (July 8/9/10), deputising for John Hopkins who is sidelined by injury.
The team celebrated their best result of their debut season last weekend at Knockhill when Hopkins claimed a fourth place in the opening race, but a crash in race two put the American out of contention of a podium finish. Hopkins sustained a broken and dislocated right collarbone and broken ribs in the crash and will be working closely with his specialist to ensure a speedy return to the championship.
Former MCE BSB podium finisher Parkes joins the team for Snetterton, bringing experience of the YZF-R1 from competing in the championship last season and also links to the Yamaha factory as part of their World Endurance Championship line-up.
Twice a runner-up in the World Supersport Championship, Parkes is now relishing a return to the series, he said: “I am actually really excited about this opportunity. You never want to see another rider out through injury, but it will be great working with Tommy [Hill] as we were team-mates in the World Supersport Championship before.
“I know the Yamaha from last season and also in the World Endurance Championship, so this is a perfect chance to return to BSB. Last year didn’t work out for various reasons, but I am coming back feeling like I have a point to prove. I want to show I can be up there but at the same time I know how tough this championship is and I need to be realistic as the other guys have tested at Snetterton recently and have some rounds already under their belts.
“I have been training really hard ready for when an opportunity like this came along and I want to show that I can be up there and I intend on doing the best job I possibly can for the ePayMe Yamaha team.”
Team owner Tommy Hill commented: “We are obviously gutted as a team to see John out through injury as before the crash he had been showing such great form. We had shown glimmers of form in the opening rounds and then at Knockhill everything was coming together and we really knew that we could score the results we know we are capable of and potentially still fight for the top six as it is so unpredictable and changing all the time. We now have to wait for John to see the specialist to work out when he will be able to return.
“As a team we are committed to having two riders on track and it was important to find a rider who already has experience of the Yamaha, the Pirelli tyres and the circuit and Broc has all of this, plus links with Yamaha and also our partner Monster Energy.
“Broc had a tough season last year but he is definitely driven to come back and prove himself within this championship. The team are excited to work with Broc and collectively achieve the best results we can with such short notice.”