Rutter makes Stobart Honda switch.
Following the news that he wasn't being retained by HM Plant Honda for the 2006 British Superbike Championship campaign, the Stobart Motorsport team has announced that Michael Rutter is to form part of its rider line-up for the new season.
Rutter, who finished third to Gregorio Lavilla and Ryuichi Kiyonari in the 2005 championship standings, will join Michael Laverty in a two man assault on the BSB title and will also compete in the International North West 200 and the 2006 Macau Grand Prix for Paul Bird's team.
Following the news that he wasn't being retained by HM Plant Honda for the 2006 British Superbike Championship campaign, the Stobart Motorsport team has announced that Michael Rutter is to form part of its rider line-up for the new season.
Rutter, who finished third to Gregorio Lavilla and Ryuichi Kiyonari in the 2005 championship standings, will join Michael Laverty in a two man assault on the BSB title and will also compete in the International North West 200 and the 2006 Macau Grand Prix for Paul Bird's team.
"I'm very pleased to be joining the Stobart Motorsport team as they made it very clear that they really wanted me from the start," Rutter said. "I was in the fortunate position of having a number of lucrative offers for 2006 but I have chosen to go with Birdy as I think that's where I have the best chance of winning.
"The team is well up for it and so am I and I can't wait to start testing."
Both Rutter and Laverty will ride Honda Fireblades for The Mob, Vent-Axia and VK Vodka Kick backed team and team owner Bird said he was delighted to have secured the services of the 32-year-old for the new season.
"This is fantastic news for us as we've tried many times before to sign Michael and for various reasons, it has never happened," he said. "We've never looked forward to working with anyone so much before and we know Michael will do a good job for us.
"These are exciting times for Stobart Motorsport and signing Michael is the icing on the cake."
