Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

With Silverstone as a setting, GSE Racing announced on Tuesday, January 15 that the team has reached a new, three-year deal with HM Plant to be the headline sponsor of the GSE World Superbike team. At the event, GSE introduced HM Plant Ducati riders Neil Hodgson, James Toseland and the team’s Ducati 998RS racebikes to about 100 quests and media members.

GSE Racing’s website quoted Hodgson as saying, “I can’t wait to get going. The budget is there, thanks to HM Plant; I’m at the right age and I’m in the best team that I’ve ever been in. Mentally and physically – I’m ready.

“Last year I proved that I’m a world-class rider. World Championship racing is where I belong and now that I know all the tracks there will be no excuses. I can be World Champion.”

Young Toseland was equally optimistic, saying, “Beating Colin Edwards, Troy Bayliss and Ruben Xaus last year at Suzuka was the start of a great run for me and this year I can only see it getting better.

“I’m in the best shape that I’ve ever been in and for the first time in ages I’m starting the year without an injury. I want to see the podium a few times this year–that’s my main aim. I’m confident, I’m fit and I’m ready to go.”

HM Plant Ducati also announced secondary sponsors Axo Sport, Motorex, Suomy, Dunlop and tbc. Additional support for HM Plant Ducati will come from Alphabet, Benelli, Born to be Wild, DAF, Dread, Dixon Motors, Henderson Insurance Brokers, MCN, P&O Stena and Showtrax.

According to GSE Racing, HM Plant is the United Kingdom’s “number one independent construction supplier, specializing in the distribution of Fiat-Hitachi and Hitachi heavy machinery.”

The announcement finalizes a three-year relationship between HM Plant, GSE Racing, Ducati and Hodgson through 2004.