BSB: Bradley Perie to make Superbike debut with Lee Hardy Racing in 2023

2022 Supersport runner-up Bradley Perie will make his Bennetts British Superbike Championship debut next season after joining Lee Hardy Racing.

Perie ended his Supersport season second overall behind runaway leader Jack Kennedy, securing seven victories – one more than 2021 – and 14 podiums onboard his Yamaha R6. He’ll now move onto a Kawasaki ZX-10RR as he looks to adjust from a 600 to a 1000cc Superbike.

“I’m grateful and excited to be making my debut Superbike season with the renowned Lee Hardy Racing team, onboard the proven Kawasaki ZX-10RR along with the Team Green family,” Perie said. “It’s a dream come true so I can’t wait to get the ball rolling with the first test in 2023.”

Hardy’s team has a history of working with Superbike newcomers, handing Jake Dixon his debut in 2016, as well as taking Ryan Vickers from the Superstock 600 class to BSB in 2019. Dixon went on to finish second in 2018 before moving into the Moto2 World Championship the following year.

“I’m very excited to announce our new signing Bradley and particularly keen to secure Bradley for not only 2023 but it’s also important to retain Bradley for a second season,” Team Owner, Lee Hardy said. “This opportunity will give Bradley a stable situation to learn the Kawasaki ZX-10RR Superbike without the pressure of having to try and succeed in year one.

“Bradley is a complete rookie to the Superbike championship however he has shown me great potential and certainly is a rider that has caught my eye. It is so nice to revert back to the roots of Lee Hardy Racing and give young talent an opportunity to develop and hopefully succeed within the BSB championship.”

Hardy worked with Leon Haslam in 2022 but his return to the British Championship proved to be a difficult one. Haslam recorded just two podiums and failed to qualify for the Showdown, ending his campaign 11^th overall.

“There are many things you need to consider as a team owner when you are looking at a new venture, one thing that definitely helped me make my decision was the opening up of the Spanish testing again,” Hardy continued.

“This is a great opportunity for Bradley to throw his leg over the 2023 Kawasaki ZX-10RR and complete many laps in a relaxed environment, it’s not just about learning the bike, this will also give Bradley the chance to understand his new crew and get comfortable working with a new team.”