PBM 'second team' to run BMW or Ducati?
Paul Bird Motorsport has been approached by a handful of manufacturers to supply to his proposed 'second team' in the MCE British Superbike Championship, says Michael Laverty.
The outfit currently competes in BSB and MotoGP, but its withdrawal from the latter has given rise to speculation that he will double up his efforts in the former.
Interestingly, however, Paul Bird has signalled a desire to enter it as an affiliated, but otherwise different entry, with the team comprising of its current MotoGP personnel and utilising a different bike to that of the current Rapid Solicitors-sponsored Kawasaki effort.
Indeed, Michael Laverty - who competes with PBM in MotoGP and has been approached to be part of the team's BSB structure in 2015 - says there has been interest from several manufacturers, notably Ducati and BMW.
"When Paul told us he was stopping GP, he immediately offered a spot for myself and Broc in BSB, so that was really nice to offer security," he told Crash.net. "That is still a bit vague in some areas, but he wants the GP team to run one manufacturer and his BSB team to run another manufacturer.
"I think he has had interest from a few, like BMW and Ducati, so I think he is keen to have two separate teams and identities."
Indeed, Laverty praised Paul Bird for such an approach, saying it is great for the championship and for those in the team.
"It's good for the sport," he added. "He is creating jobs for mechanics and riders alike. It would be a big undertaking but he is a big fish in BSB and he puts a lot of money into it."
After a period in World Superbikes, PBM returned to BSB in 2012 and immediately won the title with Shane Byrne on a Kawasaki. The BSB veteran finished runner-up to Alex Lowes in 2013, but is favourite to notch up a record-breaking fourth title in 2014.