Billy McConnell will switch back to the British Supersport Championship in 2009 after penning a deal to compete with Raceways Yamaha.
McConnell finished fourth in the series last year, prompting his graduation to the Superbike series with the MSS Discovery Kawasaki team, but he has struggled for form on the tricky ZX10R.
Even so, the Aussie rider did finish as the top Kawasaki rider in the overall standings, completing the season in 12th position overall with a best result of sixth place at
Mallory Park.
Nonetheless, McConnell will race in Supersports again next season riding with the Raceways team, who finished second to Embassy Racing in this year's title race after winning three races courtesy of Hudson Kennaugh.
He will be joined in the team by Allan Jon Venter, who steps up from the Superstock series, while Ronan Quarmby remains on board for another season.
"It has been a tough year for Billy and I just feel that if he was to ride a factory-backed Yamaha in the British Supersport Championship for MAP Raceways the title could be his in 2009,” said team manager Steven Rodgers.
Meanwhile, Raceways Yamaha will have a new title sponsor in 2009 in the shape of the MAP Group. MAP sponsored Embassy Racing, who are set to withdraw from BSS, this season.
