Brookes, Mackenzie form McAMS Yamaha squad for 2018

2015 British Superbike champion Josh Brookes and 2016 British Supersport champion Tarran Mackenzie have been confirmed as the McAMS Yamaha rider line-up for 2018 in BSB.

Brookes, who returned to the series last year after a season in World Superbikes, ended 2017 runner-up in the riders’ standings to champion Shane Byrne and is only BSB rider other than Byrne to win the title since 2013.

Mackenzie began last season defending his British Supersport crown for McAMS Yamaha but left the series midway through to switch to the Moto2 World Championship with Kiefer Racing. After a promising but ultimately frustrating partial campaign, Mackenzie returns to the national championship for his Superbike debut with the factory-supported Yamaha squad.

Brookes is relishing the step up to factory support with Yamaha, having clinched the 2015 BSB title with the Japanese manufacturer and is confident of producing a championship tilt again.

“We did a good job last season with TAG Racing, coming second in the championship, but I know that everyone moves forward and I felt that this was the progression needed,” Brookes said. “The McAMS Yamaha team has the development from the factory and has connections with the World Superbike team who have improved in certain areas which then filter down to BSB - that will have a big impact on what I can potentially achieve this year. I also have Stewart Winton as my crew chief, so we are working together again for the fourth season. I believe he is a fundamental part of my success.

“I would like to win the championship again and then try and defend a title, as a rider of course I would like to run the number one plate. I am still really motivated and I look forward to every race, it doesn’t feel like I have had nine years in BSB; I am still happy and want to race as much as when I first arrived.

“I know when I first started racing I was four years old and Dad lied about my age so I could go in my first race, at that point I didn’t realise or anticipate my career, it was just a fun thing I did with my family. I aspired to make a career in racing and I haven’t achieved all my goals; I believe I have the ability, but at the same time I have far exceeded what people would have thought I would have done in my career already, but there is still more to come.”