BSS: New backer, full grid.

The British Supersport Championship will not only boast a capacity field in 2008, but will also be sponsored by the world's largest specialist motorcycle and motorsport lubricants provider, Fuchs-Silkolene, it was revealed on Tuesday.

The positive announcement, which coincides with the release of a 43-strong official entry list, also confirmed that Fuchs-Silkolene will becomes the official oil and lubricants partner to the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, which revealed its own entry on Monday.

"This is an exciting time for Fuchs-Silkolene and we look forward to the forthcoming race season and our sponsorship of the British Supersport Championship," sales and marketing director Russell Kenyon commented, "The continuing investment in the Silkolene range, and this announcement of our new sponsorship deal, will further demonstrate our commitment, and show how Fuchs-Silkolene continues to be at the forefront of the motorcycle lubricants industry."

For the first time, official works-backed teams from five of the world's leading motorcycle manufacturers - Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha - will grace the Supersport field, which should continue to produce exciting racing again this season.

Ian Lowry, runner-up to team-mate Michael Laverty last year, is back with the Relentless Suzuki team for 2008 and is regarded by many as the pre-season favourite for the crown, although the Padgetts Honda team, with the experienced John McGuinness and highly-talented James Webb, expect to have something to say about that prediction.

Steve Brogan should also feature in the equation, riding for HM Plant Honda, while the Gearlink Kawasaki duo of Steven Neate and former Superbike Cup winner Chris Martin have been fast in testing. BJ Toal, the Virgin Media Cup winner of last year, rides for the Virgin Yamaha team alongside Nick Medd, while South African Hudson Kennaugh rides the Raceways-backed Yamaha R6 with team-mate Ronan Quarmby.

The entry of factory-backed Triumphs adds further interest to the capacity grid, the Hinckley-based manufacturer fielding a twin-pronged Australian attack featuring Triumph test rider Paul Young and reigning Superstock champion Glen Richards.

Adding further depth and quality to the entry, wildcard appearances are expected from World Supersport regular Craig Jones, riding the Parkalgar Honda.

The complete full-season line-up is as follows:

2. Ian Lowry Relentless Suzuki by TAS Suzuki 600
3. Hudson Kennaugh Raceways Yamaha Yamaha 600
4. John McGuinness Padgetts Batley Ltd Honda 600
5. Steven Neate Gearlink Kawasaki Kawasaki 600
6. James Webb Padgetts Motorcycles Honda 600
16. Craig Sproston CS Racing Honda 600
17. Steve Brogan HM Plant Honda Honda 600
18. Pete Spalding Linxcel-Seton Tuning Yamaha 600
19. Marshall Neill Marshall Neill Racing Suzuki 600*
20. Daniel Cooper Centurion Racing Honda 600*
21. David Hallett TCG Motorsport Triumph 675*
25. Dennis Hobbs Centurion Racing Honda 600
26. Chris Martin Gearlink Kawasaki Kawasaki 600
27. James Westmoreland Centurion Racing Honda 600
28. Andy Weymouth Linxcel-Seton Tuning Yamaha 600*
31. Sam Owens Premier Motorsport Honda 600
33. Aaron Walker TJW Racing Honda 600
34. Ronan Quarmby Raceways Yamaha Yamaha 600
36. BJ Toal Virgin Media Yamaha Yamaha 600
37. James Hillier Kawasaki 600
41. Ben Taylor M&B Motorsport Honda 600*
43. Patrick McDougall Beowulf Racing Yamaha 600*
44. Alastair Fagan Buff JHS Racing Triumph 675*
45. Glen Richards Map Embassy Racing Triumph 675
48. Joe Dickenson Trucklinks Yamaha Yamaha 600
49. Brendan Clarke Buff JHS Racing Triumph 675
50. Ben Handley AZ1 Racing Honda 600*
51. Matt Whitham Matt Whitham Racing Honda 600*
54. Jack Groves Kingswood Moto-Sport Yamaha 600*
55. Ashley Beech Colin Appleyard / Macadam Racing Yamaha 600
58. Conor O'Brien Arkwood Honda Honda 600
67. Glynn Thomas GLT Racing Honda 600*
74. Dean Hipwell CDH Racing Yamaha 600*
75. Craig Fitzpatrick BLDS Yamaha 600*
76. Ross Walter Interserve Racing Triumph 675*
77. Marty Nutt Nutt Travel/T+G Yamaha 600
78. Alan O'Connor Team MFC Racing Honda 600*
84. Richard Harrison Harrison Bros Racing Yamaha 600*
85. Jonathan Harrison Harrison Bros Racing Yamaha 600*
93. Lee Chisnall LC Racing Kawasaki 600*
94. Ben Wylie Wylie & Holland Racing Yamaha 600
96. Paul Young Map Embassy Racing Triumph 675
525. Nick Medd Virgin Media Yamaha Yamaha 600

[* denotes British Supersport Cup entrant]