Rizla Suzuki signs Haydon.

Rizla Suzuki has today confirmed that James Haydon - who rode in place of the injured John Reynolds earlier this year - will return to the team on a full time basis, following the departure of Scott Smart.

The 30-year old Andorra resident raced for Rizla at Oulton and Mondello while substituting for JR and, prior to that, took five Superbike race wins for Crescent Suzuki in 1998 and 1999.

It was at Oulton on 2 May that Haydon recorded the team's best result of the season so far with a fourth place finish. That impressive performance matched to a professional approach meant that he was first choice to join the team following the departure of Smart.

"I am honoured to have been asked to join Rizla Suzuki and want nothing more than to repay that faith in me with race wins," said James, who began the 2005 BSB season with Airwaves Ducati. "Racing for the team for two rounds earlier in the year really whetted my appetite. The approach of the team to racing is so professional and positive - I really enjoyed myself and this is a dream come true.

"I have missed too many rounds to challenge for the title in 2005, but I have been tasked with winning as many races and scoring as many podiums as possible in the second half of the season. That's my only aim now and with a bike as good as the Rizla Suzuki, I can't wait to get started," he added.

Haydon joins the team immediately at Donington Park for a two-day test on the 14-16 June, where he will reacquaint himself with the GSX-R1000 and spend time working on his set-up in readiness for the races. He will be joined by JR at the test and is looking forward to working with the champion.

"This is a great opportunity for my long term career and I don't intend to let anything get in my way," continued Haydon. "JR and I have been team-mates before and we bring the best out in each other on track and I am looking forward to us motivating each other to go faster and win races. This is my dream team and I am the happiest man in Superbikes! Roll on the test at Donington!"

"It was a pleasure working with James earlier in the season and we are delighted to have him on board," added Rizla Suzuki team manager Robert Wicks. "His talent is beyond question and he has already shown what he can do with very little practice on the Rizla Suzuki.

"With the next test under his belt he will be able to go to the seventh round of the championship at Knockhill - where he won a race and took a second place in 2004 - ready to challenge at the front for race wins.

"With James in the team and a revitalised and fit JR returning to racing, I think this is the turning point of the season for Rizla Suzuki. There is a tangible optimism in the team now and it is only a matter of time before everyone's hard work is rewarded with podium results," he concluded.