SUPPORT RACES Supersport leading the way

There will once again be a jam-packed support package each race weekend in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

Leading the charge after a sensational 2023 campaign will be the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship. Reigning champion Ben Currie remains on board the Ducati V2 at Oxford Products Racing Ducati, while 2015 champion Luke Stapleford jumps on the Triumph Street Triple 765 with Macadam Racing.

Perhaps the biggest story heading into the new season is the return of both four-time champion Jack Kennedy and Honda with its updated CBR600. You can find out more about this project on p26-27.

Last year’s title challenger Rhys Irwin remains with ASTRO-JJR Suzuki, while 2022 runner-up Brad Perie returns to the class with Gearlink Kawasaki.

Elsewhere, there will be a new

‘A season of unknown in Superstock’

champion in the Pirelli National Superstock Championship following Richard Kerr’s move to MotoAmerica. In fact, it’s a season of the unknown as six of the top seven riders from 2023 are no longer on the grid – Kerr, Dan Linfoot, Alastair Seeley, Billy McConnell, Lewis Rollo and Alex Olsen.

That leaves Joe Talbot as the highest-placed rider from last season – 2023’s fourth-placed finisher will be on the JR Performance Racing Honda Fireblade. Others to watch include 2022 champion Davey Todd on board the Cheshire Mouldings BMW, Josh Owens on the INCOMPETITION SENCAT Aprilia, and Nathan Harrison on the H&H Motorcycles Honda.

There are two new junior classes this year with the Pirelli National Sportbike Championship and Tracker Kawasaki British Superteen Championship [see p28-31], while the ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F 900 R Cup and R&G British Talent Cup remain on the roster. British Sidecar will be at selected rounds.