Hawk Racing takes up factory Suzuki GSX-R1000 for 2017

Stuart Hicken's Hawk Racing team will switch to running the new Suzuki GSX-R1000 bikes for the 2017 MCE British Superbike championship as it looks to finalise its rider line-up in the coming weeks.

Having enjoyed a successful partnership with BMW, highlighted by Ryuichi Kiyonari's near-miss of the BSB title in 2014, Hawk Racing has opted to switch to Suzuki and with it picks up factory support, becoming just the fourth team in the world to receive the honour alongside the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team (SERT), the Yoshimura MotoAmerica team and the Yoshimura team for the Suzuka 8-Hour.

On top of the manufacturer switch, Hawk Racing also confirmed the re-signing of reigning National Superstock 1000 champion Taylor Mackenzie who will aim to defend his title on board the new Suzuki.

Hicken is delighted to secure factory support from Suzuki as he hopes to turn the all-new GSX-R1000 into a BSB championship contender.

"For Hawk to be working with a manufacturer that has a history of racing is very important," Hicken said. "What Suzuki has done in MotoGP in such a short space of time is impressive, and there is so much technology that has come from the GP bike to the new GSX-R1000. We have met with the project leader and I think they've done an unbelievable job with the new bike, and we're confident of putting it at the front."

Having seen an ill-tempered end to Suzuki's partnership with Martin Halsall's team, Suzuki GB marketing manager Rob Cooper is thrilled to secure an new collaboration with Hicken and feels the new GSX-R1000 has been placed in capable hands.

"We're really excited about going racing next year with the all-new GSX-R1000, especially with Hawk Racing, as the most experienced and longest standing team in the paddock," Cooper said. "2017 is a big season for us with the new bike.

"Having a two-rider superbike team capable of running at the very front next year is important, but it's also equally important for us to demonstrate the bike's ability and competitiveness in the Superstock series.

"We're really pleased to be able to welcome Taylor Mackenzie back to the Suzuki family, and with the potential that new bike possesses - with its MotoGP technology and impressive specification - we're confident that we're with the best team to maximise the performance and turn it into results."

Hawk Racing Suzuki is expected to announce its 2017 BSB rider line-up in the coming weeks.