BSB: Jack Kennedy and Mar-Train Yamaha to swap Supersport for Superbike in 2023

Four-time Quattro British Supersport Champion Jack Kennedy will move up into the Bennetts British Superbike Championship next season.

Current team Mar-Train Yamaha will make the switch from Supersport to Superbike with their rider, and will receive full factory support from Yamaha Motor UK, Steve Rodgers’ McAMS team and Rodgers’ Raceways Motorcycles GYTR Pro Shop.

• In this week’s MCN you’ll find an exclusive interview with Jack Kennedy about his 2023 BSB move.

The deal is similar to that agreed by Yamaha and the Rich Energy OMG Racing team prior to the 2022 season, a partnership which has seen OMG become Showdown Title Fighters with championship leader Bradley Ray and Kyle Ryde.

Kennedy became the first-ever rider to win four Supersport titles after winning both races at Snetterton earlier this month, moving clear of the late Karl Harris in the record books. Kennedy has dominated in 2022, winning 13 of the 16 races held so far.

“I am really excited to be back in the British Superbike Championship and extremely grateful to Mar-Train Yamaha Racing for giving me this opportunity with support from Yamaha Motor UK,” Kennedy said.

“I have really gelled with the Mar-Train YamahaRacing team this season. I love the atmosphere and I know there’s no corners cut when it comes to Tim and Sonya, so I know I’m going to get the best package possible to compete towards the front.”

It’s Kennedy’s third attempt at cracking the Superbike class after previously racing for Team WD-40 Kawasaki in 2015 and then TAG Racing Yamaha in 2020, both of which were tough campaigns.

“Having had two previous attempts at establishing myself in the top division, I am determined to make the most of this opportunity on Championship winning machinery and find my feet in the Superbike class,” Kennedy added. “I feel like this is my time to shine in the British Superbike Championship.”

Kennedy’s fourth Supersport crown in five seasons was the Mar-Train team’s second title in that class having previously winning the top prize with Stuart Easton in 2013. The team’s move into the top class means that, as things stand, there will be five Yamaha R1s on the 2023 grid.

Team owner, Tim Martin added: “Mar-Train Yamaha Racing has a longstanding relationship with Yamaha, and we’re delighted the Championship winning manufacturer is throwing their weight behind our Superbike effort.

“Yamaha Motor UK will provide factory parts and upgrades throughout the season with Raceways Motorcycles/McAMS Yamaha, who we have worked with since 2012, offering invaluable technical support in terms of bike setup at each race weekend

“We are under no illusion that this is a huge step up for Mar-Train Yamaha Racing and Jack, but one that we feel we are ready to take. Jack has nothing left to prove in the Supersport series and deserves a crack at establishing himself in the top division with front-running Superbike machinery and that’s what we want to collectively deliver next season. We are excited and ready for the challenge!”

In this week’s MCN you’ll find an exclusive interview with Jack Kennedy about his 2023 BSB move.