BSB: Tommy Hill confirms team won't continue in 2017

Updated: 06 December 2016

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Tommy Hill has confirmed to MCN that his team will not be on the MCE British Superbike grid in 2017.

The former British Champion was left searching for backing after title sponsor ePayMe decided to part company with the team at the end of a difficult 2016 season.

Despite flashes of pace throughout the year, a mid-season injury meant John Hopkins was unable to make a mark on the former championship-winning YZF-R1 until the final round at Brands Hatch with two second places.

Having been working to secure the funding to continue next year since the final round at Brands Hatch, Hill has now decided to call it a day as preparations for the 2017 season draw ever closer.

“Unfortunately, we won’t be continuing next year,” said Hill. “That’s not through the lack of trying. I’ve spent the last three months busting my balls to try and do everything I can to get a title sponsor to secure the team’s future.

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“There were a few options but not anything with enough funding and I don’t want to go into the season without enough to complete the whole year.”

To try and cut costs, Hill had even considered scaling down the effort to a one-man team with the potential of signing 2015 British Superbike Champion Josh Brookes.

“After assessing our options, we were looking to run a one rider team and spent the last four weeks trying to secure the budget, but that would still cost £360k to do the job right.

“BSB is an amazing championship and has a huge following, it’s a great spectacle for businesses to be involved with but unfortunately there aren’t too many sponsors around at the minute. It is what it is, now there will be a new chapter for Tommy Hill!

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By Oli Rushby

Former sports reporter covering British Superbikes, World Superbikes and road racing