MSS Discovery Kawasaki will concentrate its efforts exclusively on the British Superbike Championship this season - and has promoted 2007 Supersport rider Stuart Easton to ride ZX-10R machinery alongside new signing Billy McConnell.
After a tough baptism in the Superbike class with Michael Rutter in 2007, MSS - a regular BSS frontrunner - will expand to a two-rider BSB team in 2008 and end its Supersport effort.
"For 2008 we intend to build upon our work from this year," said team owner Nick Morgan. "It was a tough baptism of fire in the British Superbike class for us all, but we've learned so much and we're going to take that forward next year. We have decided to streamline our operation to running in the Superbike class only as we feel this doesn't dilute our effort and shows our sponsors that we're committed to
the premier class in the UK.
"We're very excited, as we've got two very hungry, young, but very experienced riders in Stuart and Billy and an awesome new bike from Kawasaki, which we're already working on. Stuart impressed us last year on the Superbike, so we really wanted to give him a proper chance on the big bike this year. We were all gutted when he injured himself testing a Kawasaki France Superbike in August, but we're pleased to see he's almost fully recovered and revved up for next season.
"With Billy we've all seen him grow and mature since he took the Virgin R6 Cup back in 2005. He didn't disgrace himself on the Superbike in 2006 but has really come on in Supersport last year, so I feel he's ready to make the return to the top class with us and Kawasaki," Morgan added.
Despite a serious heel injury, Easton, the 2002 British Supersport champion, still finished tenth in the 2007 series - and also made several BSB outings after Rutter was injured, scoring eight premier-class points.
