Team WD-40 confirms move to BSB

Team WD-40 will progress to the British Superbike Championship class in 2014 with Barry Burrell.

24 Mar 2014

Team WD-40 has confirmed it will forge ahead with its plans to enter the MCE British Superbike Championship in the wake of Tommy Aquino's tragic death in February.

Following success at Motostar and Superstock 1000 level, the WD-40 outfit had been planning to step up to the Superbike class with young American Aquino helming its challenge. However, Aquino's death whilst riding Motocross in California would see team manager Brent Gladwin re-evaluate its plans.

Nonetheless, Team WD-40 has now announced it will go ahead and enter a single Kawasaki ZX-10R for Barry Burrell in the Superbike category, as part of a challenge that will also see it compete in the Superstock 1000 and 600 classes with Ben Young and Tarran Mackenzie respectively.

For Burrell, who rode a full BSB season in 2012 with Buildbase BMW and a handful of races with Quattro Plant Kawasaki in 2013, the chance to join the burgeoning WD-40 team was hard to resist.

"I am really excited about the chance to work with Team WD-40 as this is a great team with some big aspirations. This is only my second full season in BSB and I can't wait to get out on the grid. The crew have been working hard behind the scenes ready for this year - their first in the Superbike Championship. I know that together we can push towards achieving our goals as we have a strong base to begin the season in the best possible way."

Having been a race winner with Aquino in 2013, team manager Gladwin is thrilled to be taking his outfit into the Superbike class.

"We are a relatively young team in the British Championship paddock but with the success of 2013 behind us we have big ambitions for the future. We have taken our time to announce our completed line up and we are pleased that we can now confirm our 2014 team.

"With our three riders, we have a perfect combination of experience, determination and tenacity. Team WD-40 has a strong package with the Kawasaki and our loyal partners, so I am delighted with how we are kicking off for 2014 and we are looking forward to another great season of racing."