SMT Honda signs 2010 rider, sponsor

SMT Honda will have a new look for the 2010 British Superbike season after signing a new rider and title sponsor.

The team will now be known as Sorrymate.com / SMT Honda and will field reigning British Supermoto champion Christian Iddon.

Having originally begun the 2009 season with Aussie Jason O'Halloran, SMT achieved unfortunately succumbed to the difficult economic climate in the second half of the year.

Nevertheless, SMT returned to the BSB paddock with Michael Rutter at Mallory Park with the help of HMG Construction and was then later joined by Sorrymate.com which allowed Karl 'Bomber' Harris to take up the ride for the final two rounds of the series.

"First of all it's fantastic to welcome on board a new sponsor in the form of Sorrymate.com. They knew the team already having offered their support towards the latter stages of the '09 season and now they have come on board fully for 2010," confirmed team owner Robin Croft.

The final piece in the puzzle was then to find a rider and, after lengthy negotiations with a number of experienced names, the final decision came down to the surprise addition of nine times British Supermoto champion Iddon.

"With regard to rider choice, we had spoke at length to a number of senior riders in the series but each of those had their own problems," explained Croft. "Christian had ridden with us a few times before and considering his lack of experience he surpassed all expectations. With that in mind and with the blessing of Sorrymate.com we decided to take that route

"Certainly at the beginning of the season we know things might be difficult as Christian learns to ride a Superbike but later on in the season we really believe we can be in a great position to take some good results. With Christian on the bike we also get to develop younger, fresh talent which is something as a team we have always tried to do."

Iddon added: "This is an unbelievable opportunity for me and I'm really grateful to Sorrymate.com and to SMT for taking me on this season. It's great to see a team of such stature willing to give me this opportunity and I hope I can re-pay their faith in me'

"This will be a huge season. I don't think anyone has ever made such a jump before and the British Superbike championship is regarded as the best national series in the World so I am under no illusions as to the task in hand. That said, I know just how great the team and bike is and with their full support I hope we can pull a few surprises along the way."

The first round of the MCE British Superbike Series kicks off at Brands Hatch Indy on April 5.