All new BSB team with Kirkham on board.

An all new British Superbike team, Scuderia Stellare, will have its maiden outing at Oulton Park this weekend fielding Jon Kirkham on a GSX-R Suzuki.

The aim of the team is to foster young talent both on and off the track, helping develop riders and team personnel. The team, whose name literally translates as 'team star', has entered into a ground-breaking partnership with the University of Naples that will see the development of various experimental components and other engineering initiatives for their Suzuki GSX-Rs, plus several of the team's personnel have also been sourced from the University.

Team spokesperson Chris Johnson said, "The idea of the team is to provide opportunities not just for young riders such as Jon but engineers as well. Scuderia Stellare obviously has strong Italian connections hence the link with the University of Naples. We are very excited about the future possibilities of this type of partnership."

The initial stage in the development of the Scuderia Stellare team got underway at the start of the current season but a number of factors have only come together over the last few weeks which have brought the project to fruition. Several top teams have provided crucial support that enabled the team to make the Oulton Park grid as Johnson explains.

"While the groundwork for Scuderia Stellare was already in place a number of things have come together in the last few weeks which have allowed us to green-light the project. We just couldn't have pulled it all together between Thruxton and Oulton Park without the help of several top teams and the series organisers. On behalf of Jon and the team we can't thank them enough."

Jon Kirkham has made the switch from Jentin Racing to Scuderia Stellare and is thrilled about being involved in the new venture. "Following the Thruxton round Jentin Racing and I took the decision to pursue other options for the remainder of the season and we have parted on amicable terms," he said, "This new opportunity with Scuderia Stellare is very exciting and I am grateful that all concerned have put their faith in me."