WSB: Jonathan Rea Sports Personality of the Year petition gathers momentum

A petition for three-time World Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea to be shortlisted for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award has been signed by more than 6000 supporters.

Started by Rea’s sponsor, insurance firm Carole Nash, the petition has gained 6,638 signatures this week after the Ulsterman stormed to a historic third consecutive title in the Superbike World Championship at Magny Cours at the weekend.

Nobody in history has won three WSB titles back-to-back, and with Rea signed to remain with Kawasaki for at least another year more records could well come his way as he establishes his position in the record books.

Clinching the title with his 50^th career win, Rea is now just nine wins away from Carl Fogarty’s all-time WSB win record and another title next year will see him draw level with the greatest WSB racer in history.

The last motorcycle star to be nominated for the BBC’s SPOTY was James Toseland when he won his second world title in 2007.

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“Jonathan Rea has made history already by clinching his third successive World Superbike title yet has never been shortlisted for BBC Sports Personality of the Year,” the petition reads. “We are proud to call him Carole Nash’s dedicated brand ambassador and we recognise Jonathan’s exceptional triumphs as a dominating force in Superbike championships. His 50th career win is nothing short of historic. We are now calling for this to be recognised on at least a national scale by the BBC, to be included with his sporting peers in what has been a fantastic year for British sport.

“His work to raise the profile of the sport alongside being a fantastic role model for the next generation of World Superbike champions should no longer be over-looked.”

You can sign the petition here. 

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