BSB: OMG Racing to become official factory Yamaha team in 2024

OMG Racing will become the factory Yamaha team in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship next season following Steve Rodgers’ decision to step back from racing.

The McAMS Yamaha boss’ decision to retire from the paddock was confirmed last week, meaning that the championship loses one of its most successful entities. However, OMG Racing will now become the official Yamaha team after signing a multi-year contract, with the deal including technical support from Yamaha Motor Racing Europe.

The Cannock-based team joined the Yamaha Racing family in 2022 with support from Rodgers’ Raceway Motorcycles and McAMS Yamaha team. Armed with the title-winning Yamaha R1, the team secured the title with Bradley Ray, who won nine races and claimed a total of 23 podiums.

The team’s success continues in 2023, with Kyle Ryde sitting third in the standings with four victories so far. Teammate Ryan Vickers clinched his maiden win at Brands Hatch last month.

“I feel honoured that OMG Racing have been chosen by Yamaha to be their supported team and I’d like to publicly thank them for showing their faith in us,” OMG Racing Team Owner, Alan Gardner said.

“Winning the championship in our very first year with Yamaha in 2022 was a dream come true both for me and every member of OMG – a dream that we all hope to replicate very soon.

“The hard work and dedication of every member of OMG Racing is what makes us who we are, and to see that ethos being recognised by Yamaha is verification that we are doing things right.”

OMG Racing joined the BSB paddock with Suzuki machinery in 2018, before switching to BMW in 2020. Josh Elliot clinched the team’s maiden win at Silverstone in 2019, whilst Ray and Ryde later podiumed onboard the BMW.

“Our first ever race as a team in 2018 seems like only yesterday,” Gardner added. “From such humble beginnings, such a short time ago, to now be carrying the flag for Yamaha so to speak, makes me so proud of what my team have achieved.”

The outgoing McAMS Yamaha team have, as things stand, celebrated 42 BSB race wins and collected a further 107 podiums. Tarran Mackenzie won the 2021 title with the team, a season which saw McAMS Yamaha secure the Triple Crown. Rodgers’ team became the official Yamaha BSB team in 2017.  

“Steve Rodgers, Raceways Yamaha and McAMS have set the bar high, and we intend to keep it that way,” Gardner said. “On behalf of myself and everyone at OMG along with, I’m sure, the entire Yamaha family, we would like to wish Steve Rodgers a wonderful retirement from racing, but sincerely hope to see him at many races in the future.”

It’s also been confirmed that Mar-Train Racing, currently running Jack Kennedy, will remain as a single bike team with technical support from OMG Racing and Yamaha Motor UK in 2024.