Mackenzie steps in at Tyco BMW for Donington Park

Taylor Mackenzie will join his brother Tarran on the Bennetts British Superbike championship grid at Donington Park this weekend as stand-in at Tyco BMW.

With Richard Cooper securing the 2019 Pirelli National Superstock 1000 championship title at the last round at Oulton Park, taking an unassailable 59.5-point lead over Mackenzie with two rounds to go, the 26-year-old has been granted permission by his Bathams Racing squad to fill in at Tyco BMW for the penultimate BSB round.

Mackenzie, who previously competed for the TAS Racing team in 2013 and 2014 in the Supersport class, has been called up after Glenn Irwin split from the team while Keith Farmer remains out injured.

“I’d like to thank TAS Racing, BMW, and obviously my Bathams Racing team for allowing me to take up this opportunity,” Mackenzie said. “Donington is only ten minutes from my house and a track I love racing at, so it couldn’t have come at a better time and a better place to jump back on a Superbike.

“The all-new Tyco BMW S1000RR is similar in many areas to my Superstock bike, including the K-Tech Suspension, so that’s a good starting point. I’m really looking forward to being back with the TAS guys, as quite a lot of the personnel are the same as when I last rode for them. It should be good fun.”

“Having worked with Taylor previously and watched his progress in Superstock on the S1000RR, we are looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together in Superbike, on the all-new 2019 S1000RR,” Philip Neill, Tyco BMW Team Manager, added.

“Obviously this was a late decision and with no available testing time, our expectations are realistic. However, it is important to reinforce the ethos of BMW Motorrad and support riders currently representing the brand.

“On that basis, we are pleased to be able to provide this opportunity for Taylor. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Michael Rutter and Bathams for supporting this.”

Mackenzie made his BSB debut back in 2015 before a full campaign in 2017 with Buildbase Suzuki and a partial season in 2018 with Moto Rapido Ducati.

It sees two Mackenzies on the BSB grid with his brother Tarran Mackenzie part of the BSB Showdown top six for McAMS Yamaha.