Official: Leon Haslam returns to BSB with Lee Hardy Racing Kawasaki

2018 BSB champion Leon Haslam will make his return to the British series after signing with Lee Hardy Racing Kawasaki.

16 Feb 2022

Leon Haslam, Czech WorldSBK, 5 August 2021
© Gold and Goose

Leon Haslam is officially back in BSB after the 2018 champion agreed to a one-year deal with Lee Hardy Racing Kawasaki.

The ‘pocket rocket’, who spent the last three seasons in WorldSBK - 2019 with Kawasaki and the last two with Honda, was linked with staying in the world championship with Puccetti Kawasaki before deciding to return to British Superbike for the first time since winning the 2018 championship.

Haslam’s deal with Lee Hardy Racing also sees him return to Kawasaki machinery, while it’s with the same team that pushed him hardest during his title winning season with now-Moto2 rider Jake Dixon.

Winner of 44 BSB races to date, Haslam’s title win with JG Speedfit Kawasaki came during his seventh season in the championship, first and only with Kawasaki.

Speaking about his return, Haslam said: "I’m super excited to be back in the British Championship and also to be back with Kawasaki, especially with the link to my Kawasaki-backed Affinity Sports Academy team.

"It’s been a tough few years racing in the world championship, so it’s going to be great back in front of my home crowd once again!

"I am really confident in the team that Lee Hardy and everyone has put together for the season and the support that we have for this year.

"I don’t think I will have it as easy as I did in 2018, but at the same time I am looking forward to the challenge and I am really confident that we can get Kawasaki back to winning ways in the British Championship."

Haslam’s official debut with the team will come at next month’s first of three pre-season tests at Snetterton (March 26-27), while the team will unveil Haslam and the 2022 bike before that - also scheduled for next month.

Ross Burridge, Head of Marketing & Racing Department at Kawasaki UK added: "It was great being part of Leon’s success in 2018 and we as Kawasaki UK are excited to see him back in the Championship this year to hopefully challenge at the front of the field again.

"It’s a tough Championship and after some time away in World Superbikes it will take some time to settle back in, but I’m sure the combination of both Leon’s and the team’s experience will put them in a great position right off the bat at round one."

Haslam’s first race back will take place at Silverstone on April (15-17) as he looks to win a second BSB championship.