Bridewell joins Penz13.com BMW for Suzuka return

MCE British Superbike racer Tommy Bridewell will return to this year’s Suzuka 8 hour race, after signing a deal to link up with the factory-supported Penz13.com BMW team.

Bridewell, who rode the famous race last year on the second of the Yamaha Austria machines, brings experience of the conditions of both track and conditions to the team as he lines up alongside Suzuka rookies Markus Reiterberger and Bastien Mackels.

Speaking from Japan, where the team completed this week’s official test ahead of the race later this month, Bridewell says he’s relishing the opportunity despite poor weather for the two-day event.

“I am really proud to be asked from BMW and the penz13 team to join them this year at the Suzuka 8 Hour. I really enjoyed the whole event before and the track is brilliant. We have a strong team and I feel good on the bike already.

“It has been a good test, although the weather hasn’t been the best as it was raining a lot but we still managed to get in about 30 dry laps. The bike feels really strong and I already feel really comfortable on it. I managed to be faster today than my best time already and I think it would put us in the top ten so that was a positive start. I know with a new tyre I could go a second faster without a problem so I think for the race we can have a good result.”

Team boss Rico Penzkoffer, a former Endurance World Championship front-runner and Isle of Man TT racer himself, added that having Bridewell’s experience in the team will be useful come the race.

“We are all very excited to go to Suzuka with our team for the first time. I have raced there in the past and know how special this event is, especially for the Japanese fans, who consider this one as the most important race of the year. With it being the first time our team is going to race the Suzuka 8 hours – a long dream of all of us – there was no question about joining the official pre-test there.

Markus and Bastien will have to learn the track, so this is a welcome opportunity for them and we are sure Tommy’s experience will be crucial to them to get the preparations right for the race later in July.”