BSB: Max Cook returns to the UK for Superstock 600 debut

Max Cook will make his debut in the Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championship this season with support from FS-3 Kawasaki.

The 18-year-old has spent the last three years in the Grand Prix paddock, racing in the Red Bull Rookies and the Junior World Championship. Highlights from his time abroad include a Rookies podium at the Sachsenring and a best finish of fifth place at Aragon in the Junior World Championship Moto3 class.

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Cook also finished third in the British Talent Cup in 2018 after securing three victories and a total of nine podiums. It was hoped that Cook’s efforts over the last few years would provide him with the opportunity to enter the Moto3 world championship this year, however no viable options were on the table.

As a result, Cook returns to the UK and will ride a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R prepared by Nick Morgan at MSS Performance, in the base that Morgan has created with Mark Smith-Halvorsen. He’ll also receive support from Nigel Snook’s BSB team throughout the year.

“I am so excited to be back competing in the UK with FS-3 Racing,” Cook said. “I will have some great people behind me and cannot thank Nigel [Snook] enough for the opportunity. I am really looking forward to racing a bigger bike after a number of years campaigning Moto3 bikes.

“Having an MSS Performance 600 Kawasaki prepared by Nick Morgan and benefitting from his technical input at the tracks means I will have no excuses. I am sure my experience racing in Europe will enable me to adapt quickly to a new bike in a very competitive class. It is good to know I will be back on familiar circuits competing for wins in 2021. I can’t wait to get going.”

Cook will be on standby as the FS-3 Kawasaki’s reserve superbike rider if required during the season. Team boss Snook has supported Cook’s efforts for a number of years now and will also be helping Cook’s younger brother James in the Honda British Talent Cup this upcoming season – on the Wilson Racing Honda.

“We have followed Max closely and supported his progress over the past four seasons, so when the opportunity arose, we were more than happy to support his return to the British Championship,” Snook added.

“For the past three years he has been competing against the fastest young riders in the world. With Nick Morgan preparing the bike and providing technical support, we know Max will have a competitive bike. There is no doubt in my mind that he has the right attitude and skills to make a real impact on the Superstock 600 Championship.”

Cook has also enjoyed success in the UK, winning the Aprilia Superteen Championship in 2015 after winning six out of nine rounds. He was also the 2017 Motostar Moto3 standard class champion, winning 17 of 24 races and breaking six lap records.