BSB: Suzuki release statement following series departure

Ahead of the new season, Suzuki has confirmed its withdrawal from the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

The confirmation follows Hawk Racing’s switch from the GSX-R1000R to the Honda Fireblade after spending the last six seasons as the factory Suzuki team.

This latest departure from racing follows Suzuki’s decision to quit MotoGP at the end of 2022, as well as their exit from the Endurance World Championship as an official entry. Yoshimura SERT will continue to race the GSX-1000R.

On the road, Suzuki GB’s Director of Motorcycles, Paul de Lusignan confirmed to MCN in November that the GSX-R1000 will be discontinued in Europe as it does not meet Euro5 emissions regulations.

Suzuki’s official statement reads:

“Aligning with its global racing strategy – which saw the termination of its MotoGP project as well as a scaling back of factory support in the Endurance World Championship – and the departure of the current GSX-R1000R model from European markets, Suzuki has suspended its official involvement in the premier domestic Superbike series.

“Over the past six seasons – in partnership with Hawk Racing – the Suzuki GSX-R1000R has won Superbike and Superstock races with the likes of Bradley Ray, Richard Cooper, Sylvain Guintoli, Kyle Ryde, Gino Rea, Tim Neave, Billy McConnell, and Charlie Nesbitt behind the ‘bars. And in 2019 Cooper also helped steer Suzuki and Hawk Racing to the National Superstock 1000 Championship title.

“There has also been success on the roads, with Cooper taking podium finishes at the North West 200, while Michael Dunlop raced the GSX-R to victory in the 2017 Senior TT, the bike’s first appearance at the prestigious Isle of Man TT races.

“Suzuki would like to thank the riders and fans for their support, and especially Steve and Stuart Hicken and everyone at Hawk Racing for their hard work and dedication over the last six years, without which none of those historic results would not have been possible. Everyone at Suzuki wishes the team well for the future.

“Suzuki will continue to support racers campaigning GSX-R machinery at all levels of racing via its Race Parts Programme.”