Hudson Kennaugh released by Virgin Yamaha

Virgin Yamaha have released South African Hudson Kennaugh from his BSB contract  to allow him to return to the National Superstock championship with the Raceways Yamaha team.

Kennaugh joined the Virgin team at Oulton Park, as a replacement for James Haydon but has failed to live up to expectations, scoring just 14 points in eight races.

Virgin team boss Rob McElnea said: “It’s been difficult for Hudson, coming into BSB mid-way through the season when most of his rivals had the winter build-up of testing to get up to speed. With that in mind, he’s done a good job. He’s not crashed and not done anything stupid but bringing him in so late has had a negative effect on him.

“At least if we release him now he can go back with Raceways and there’s still a chance he might be able to clinch the National Superstock title and we’re doing this with a view to possibly giving him a try-out again in the winter.”

Kennaugh goes to Oulton Park this weekend lying third in the Superstock series on 81 points, 54 points behind championship leader Glen Richards.