BSB: Bradley Perie and Rhys Irwin sign for Appleyard Macadam Yamaha

Bradley Perie and Rhys Irwin have signed for the four-time reigning Quattro Group British Supersport Champions, Appleyard Macadam Yamaha.

Perie impressed in the Supersport class this year, on a privateer Yamaha R6, securing six podiums on his way to fourth overall. Despite a maiden victory eluding him, the 21-year-old finishes second on two occasions and scored the fastest lap in race two at Snetterton.

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“This feels like a massive opportunity as we move from our older, privateer YZF-R6 to one of the best turned out examples in the World,” Perie said. “It’s my first proper team as its normally just me and dad but luckily he’ll still be there to help in the garage.

“Personally, I think the package will get me up to the front and it’s obviously such a strong team, which is important with such a competitive field next season. Big thanks to my Club 97 supporters who help keep me on the grid. I hope to repay them with some good results in 2021!”

Irwin competed in his first full-time Superstock 600 campaign, also on a Yamaha R6, securing three victories and one further podium. The 18-year-old finished runner-up to the dominant Ben Luxton, ending the year 44 points behind the Kawasaki rider.

“It felt like a good year in Superstock, but I really wanted to move up to Supersport and keep pushing myself, so this is the ideal chance to do that,” Irwin explained. “It’s nice to be noticed after all the years of hard work and coming over on the ferry from the West of Ireland every weekend.

“Robin [Appleyard] runs such a brilliant team and I’ve always followed Jack Kennedy, so I’m well aware of their quality, it will also be amazing racing against him too as he’s such a talent.”

The Appleyard Macadam Yamaha team dominated the Supersport class once again in 2020, with Rory Skinner winning 10 races on the way to the title. They also took the runner-up spot with Brad Jones, with both riders making their Superbike debuts in 2021. Skinner moves to FS-3 Kawasaki, whilst Jones joins PR Racing BMW.

“We’re always looking to bring on new talent and we get a lot of satisfaction seeing our riders progress, as Rory has with his new Superbike ride,” team owner Robin Appleyard added. “Again, this year, we’re taking a slight step back by bringing on two more young riders, one very much a rookie, but with the backing of Yamaha, we plan to take them to the front of the grids and run at the front.

“Brad and Rhys are two talented young riders with, I believe, massive potential, who’ve both done it the hard way with their dads logging up massive miles in a van each weekend, so it’s time to give them that opportunity with a bigger team.

I honestly think Brad can battle for wins and Rhys caught my attention from as early as Silverstone, and whilst very much a learning year for him, I think we can get him close to the front before long. The 2021 series is resurgent with new manufacturers and teams, with the likes of Jack (Kennedy) returning, which is just what we need to help the lads develop around good, experienced riders.”

The team is currently prepping the 2021-spec YZF-R6 machines and are also planning to launch a separate Appleyard Academy scheme, with more news to follow on this project shortly.