BSB: Graeme Irwin makes switch to tarmac racing in 2019

Former British Motorcross Champion, Graeme Irwin has announced that he will compete in the British Superstock 1000 championship in 2019, riding a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR for Team 109 Kawasaki.

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A wrist injury forced Irwin to consider his future in motocross, which involves much higher impacts than track racing. “Although it feels really strange that my motocross career is finished and I have a new adventure ahead, it’s great to have such fantastic support all around me and I’m enjoying the zero-pressure attitude that everyone has.

“I want to have fun racing again and Kawasaki have allowed that to happen. At the start of the year I am expecting to be a little off pace until I find my feet, but I plan to make improvements with every race. It’s all new to me, race tracks, road bikes and knees down but I can’t wait to get racing for Team 109 Kawasaki in April.”

Graeme is the third Irwin brother to make the switch to tarmac racing, Andrew and Glen both compete in the British Superbike Championship. “Whilst I was gutted to see Graeme’s motocross career end, he has always been a highly talented and professional rider and we knew we had to get him onto a road bike,” said Glen Irwin.

“Due to my new relationship with Kawasaki UK and the recent success of the Ninja ZX-10RR, we mutually decided that Kawasaki and the Team 109 Kawasaki squad was the best combination for him to move forward. I’m very proud to be a part of Graeme’s new journey.”

Team 109 Kawasaki owner, Paul Tobin jumped at the chance to sign Graeme, “As soon as I heard that Graeme wanted to compete in the National Superstock 1000 Championship I didn’t need to think twice about it.

“All of the team are extremely excited to get his tarmac career under way and we are sure it will be as successful as his motocross career given his extremely impressive outings on a road bike so far.”

The BSB Championsip series gets underway at Silverstone between April 19-21.