BSB: 28-strong entry list confirmed for 2018
The entry list for the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship reveals 28 of the world’s finest riders will go head over what is set to be 12 action-packed rounds.
Heading the grid will be 2017 and six time British Superbike Champion, Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne who will be out to make it seven this year, but it won’t be easy for the 84-time race winner with his Ducati Panigale V-Twin in its final year of development.
Leon Haslam will look to bounce back from his heart-breaking crash in the final round of 2017 to finally rid himself of the title of BSB’s perennial bridesmaid as he remains with the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team.
Aussie Josh Brookes will be keen to repeat his 2015 title success as he moves into the factory-backed McAMS Yamaha squad this year. Brookes finished second on the completely private, small-family run TAG Yamaha in 2017, but he’ll be looking to go one better when the 2018 season gets underway in just over a month’s time.
2017 marked a real rise of the young gun, led by Jake Dixon and Luke Mossey who both achieved their debut victories as they looked to become title fighters last year. They’ll be back for more, as will 2017 rookie of the year Bradley Ray who will be keen to secure his first Bennetts BSB race win this season.
Six full-time rookies will feature on the grid this year, including former World Supersport race winner Gino Rea, Kyle Ryde, double European Superstock Champion Sylvain Barrier, Tarran Mackenzie, Carl Phillips and Mason Law.
Honda Racing’s Dan Linfoot and Jason O’Halloran will be hoping for improvements found with the CBR1000RR Fireblade during winter will pay off for them, while Tyco BMW will also be hoping to step up with Christian Iddon and Michael Laverty.
2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship Entry List
|
Be Wiser Ducati |
Shane Byrne |
Great Britain |
67 |
|
Be Wiser Ducati |
Glenn Irwin |
Great Britain |
2 |
|
Buildbase Suzuki |
Richard Cooper |
Great Britain |
47 |
|
Buildbase Suzuki |
Bradley Ray |
Great Britain |
28 |
|
CF Motorsport Yamaha |
Kyle Ryde |
Great Britain |
77 |
|
FS3 Racing Kawasaki |
Danny Buchan |
Great Britain |
83 |
|
Gearlink Kawasaki |
Carl Phillips |
Great Britain |
32 |
|
Honda Racing |
Dan Linfoot |
Great Britain |
4 |
|
Honda Racing |
Jason O’Halloran |
Australia |
22 |
|
JG Speedfit Kawasaki |
Leon Haslam |
Great Britain |
91 |
|
JG Speedfit Kawasaki |
Luke Mossey |
Great Britain |
12 |
|
McAMS Yamaha |
Josh Brookes |
Australia |
25 |
|
McAMS Yamaha |
Tarran Mackenzie |
Great Britain |
95 |
|
Moto Rapido Racing Ducati |
Taylor Mackenzie |
Great Britain |
24 |
|
Movuno.com Halsall Racing Suzuki |
Tommy Bridewell |
Great Britain |
46 |
|
OMG Racing Suzuki |
Gino Rea |
Great Britain |
44 |
|
Platform Hire Yamaha |
Aaron Zanotti |
Great Britain |
64 |
|
PR Racing Lloyd & Jones Bowker BMW |
Jakub Smrz |
Czech Republic |
96 |
|
RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki |
Jake Dixon |
Great Britain |
27 |
|
Ridersmotorcycles.com BMW |
Martin Jessopp |
Great Britain |
40 |
|
Silicone Engineering Racing Kawasaki |
Dean Harrison |
Great Britain |
5 |
|
Smiths Racing BMW |
Peter Hickman |
Great Britain |
60 |
|
Smiths Racing BMW |
Sylvain Barrier |
France |
20 |
|
TAG Racing Yamaha |
James Ellison |
Great Britain |
11 |
|
TAG Racing Yamaha |
Shaun Winfield |
Great Britain |
8 |
|
Tyco BMW |
Michael Laverty |
Great Britain |
7 |
|
Tyco BMW |
Christian Iddon |
Great Britain |
21 |
|
WD40 Kawasaki |
Mason Law |
Great Britain |
55 |
Check out this week’s MCN for a full look at the 2018 Bennetts BSB grid!
