Paul Bird Motorsport, which won its third British Superbike title with Shane Byrne on Sunday, is to remain in
BSB next season, alongside its planned
MotoGP expansion.
The new PBM
MotoGP outfit, which has been running James Ellison on Aprilia CRT machinery this year, is aiming to field two riders in 2013 - with team principal Paul Bird previously suggesting they might have to quit
BSB to concentrate fully on grand prix.
But after seeing Byrne wrap up the 2012
BSB crown, and Keith Farmer the Superstock 1000 title, Bird said:
"This is our best championship win to date and to win both the British Superbike Championship and the Superstock 1000 Championship, we have also won most races which is testament to the team who have done a brilliant job.
"It's also good to secure Kawasaki's first
BSB title for 20 years.
"Considering the pressure Shakey was under he rode exceptionally well and to go out and win the final race when he didn't need to was simply amazing.
"These are exciting times for the team and we would love to retain Shakey's services next year, whether it be in
MotoGP or BSB, as we will be contesting both championships again."
Byrne has long been linked with a return to
MotoGP as part of the 2013 PBM line-up, but the Englishman stated on Sunday that he is also interested in trying for a record fourth
BSB crown.
Byrne won the 2003
BSB title with PBM, then the 2008 crown with GSE, using Ducati machinery.