Bournemouth Kawasaki bag JG Speedfit as title sponsor

Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing has unveiled its 2017 racing livery and new title sponsorship of JG Speedfit Kawasaki, while the team hires experienced hand Jack Valentine as team manager.

After its former team GBmoto Racing withdrew from all racing commitments, JG Speedfit has followed Leon Haslam to the Bournemouth Kawasaki squad for 2017 and the new livery will be run in the MCE British Superbike championship, the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT.

As well as the new livery and title sponsor, Bournemouth Kawasaki welcomes Valentine as team manager, while also retaining last year's British Sidecar champions Ricky Stevens and Ryan Charlwood.

Speaking at the official announcement at Motorcycle Live at Birmingham's NEC, team owner Pete Extance is thrilled to secure JG Speedfit, Valentine and Stevens/Charlwood for a defence of its British sidecar title.

"We are delighted to welcome JG Speedfit onboard as our title sponsor for 2017," Extance said. "JG Speedfit's investment, along with Kawasaki UK, has allowed us to put in place our most competitive team line-up for the British Superbike Championship, British Sidecar Championship, North West 200 and Isle of Man TT.

"We are also delighted that Ricky Stevens and Ryan Charlwood will once again lead our attack on the 2016 British Sidecar Championship and I know they are already working extremely hard as they embark on the challenge of securing a hat trick of championships.

"2017 is going to be hectic and I have taken the decision to employ the massively experienced Jack Valentine as team manager to look after all aspects of racing and I look forward to working with Jack in 2017. I strongly believe we have the riders, support staff and sponsors in place to make it a hugely successful year."

JG Speedfit Bournemouth Kawasaki has already announced Leon Haslam and Luke Mossey as its 2017 rider line-up in BSB, with James Hillier leading the team's charge on the roads.