Richard Cooper has signed a deal to race the all-new GSX-R1000 in the British Superstock series, while Taylor Mackenzie has been confirmed as Bennetts Suzuki’s second rider the British Superbike class for 2017, lining up alongside former World Superbike champion Sylvain Guintoli.
Mackenzie had already signed to ride for*Hawk Racing in the new-look Bennetts Suzuki team for 2017, but without confirmation on which class he would be competing in. But after winning the national Superstock title this year, Mackenzie will step up to the Superbike class, where he hopes he can learn from his experienced teammate.
He said, “I’m over the moon to be stepping up to the Superbike class in 2017 with Bennetts Suzuki and Hawk Racing. I couldn’t have asked for a better 2016 and I learnt a lot during the year so I feel like now is the perfect opportunity to move up to BSB.
“I’m also very excited to ride alongside Sylvain Guintoli next year as he has a lot of success and experience that I’m sure I can learn from. I really can’t wait to get going now, Christmas has come early for me.”
Bennetts Suzuki will also be contesting the Superstock class*with another former champion, with Richard Cooper racing the new machine in the super-competitive series.
Cooper won*the championship in 2011, and the Superbike race winner said ahead of the 2017 season, “I’m really excited to go racing next year for lots of reasons. Firstly, being involved with the new Bennetts Suzuki team is something that really appealed to me; I know how important it will be to the manufacturer to fight for the Superstock championship in 2017 and with the new format of races it should work in my favour.
“I’ve proved I can win races in any championship and Hawk Racing has won this title twice before; once with Taylor last year and I won it back in 2011 for the team,*so I know I’ve got the best team around to do the job.
“I’m under no illusion, it will not be easy next year as there is already a long list of ex-Superbike*riders and already well established Superstock riders ready for the fight, but the one advantage I have is the new GSX-R1000, which looks very good on paper and I’m sure will be even better in real life. I’m sure we will be a winning combination.”
Steve Hicken, Bennetts Suzuki team manager, added, “Sylvain, Taylor and Richard are all top riders, and between them they’ve a wealth of knowledge and experience of racing at different levels.
“We’re delighted to retain the services of Taylor after he had such a successful year, dominating the stock class. We were very keen that our 2017 plans should have a solid mix of experience and young British talent which I believe we now have in a perfect combination.
“We are fully committed to racing, as are the riders and together with the factory support from Suzuki I feel that we can challenge for both championships next year.”
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Mackenzie had already signed to ride for*Hawk Racing in the new-look Bennetts Suzuki team for 2017, but without confirmation on which class he would be competing in. But after winning the national Superstock title this year, Mackenzie will step up to the Superbike class, where he hopes he can learn from his experienced teammate.
He said, “I’m over the moon to be stepping up to the Superbike class in 2017 with Bennetts Suzuki and Hawk Racing. I couldn’t have asked for a better 2016 and I learnt a lot during the year so I feel like now is the perfect opportunity to move up to BSB.
“I’m also very excited to ride alongside Sylvain Guintoli next year as he has a lot of success and experience that I’m sure I can learn from. I really can’t wait to get going now, Christmas has come early for me.”
Bennetts Suzuki will also be contesting the Superstock class*with another former champion, with Richard Cooper racing the new machine in the super-competitive series.Cooper won*the championship in 2011, and the Superbike race winner said ahead of the 2017 season, “I’m really excited to go racing next year for lots of reasons. Firstly, being involved with the new Bennetts Suzuki team is something that really appealed to me; I know how important it will be to the manufacturer to fight for the Superstock championship in 2017 and with the new format of races it should work in my favour.
“I’ve proved I can win races in any championship and Hawk Racing has won this title twice before; once with Taylor last year and I won it back in 2011 for the team,*so I know I’ve got the best team around to do the job.
“I’m under no illusion, it will not be easy next year as there is already a long list of ex-Superbike*riders and already well established Superstock riders ready for the fight, but the one advantage I have is the new GSX-R1000, which looks very good on paper and I’m sure will be even better in real life. I’m sure we will be a winning combination.”
Steve Hicken, Bennetts Suzuki team manager, added, “Sylvain, Taylor and Richard are all top riders, and between them they’ve a wealth of knowledge and experience of racing at different levels.
“We’re delighted to retain the services of Taylor after he had such a successful year, dominating the stock class. We were very keen that our 2017 plans should have a solid mix of experience and young British talent which I believe we now have in a perfect combination.
“We are fully committed to racing, as are the riders and together with the factory support from Suzuki I feel that we can challenge for both championships next year.”
More...