New BSB Team Launched - GBMoto
There’s a new team in the British SuperBike paddock this season. GB Moto have launched a five year battle plan, with the ultimate goal – to win the main BSB title. The first move is an attack on the Superstock 1000 class, headed up by riders Tristan Palmer and David Johnson in what the team are going to treat as a learning year.
The plan is to progress to the headline BSB class in the second or third year of their campaign, but the decision on the exact timing of this move will depend on the what changes are made to the rules and regulations relating to the EVO class over the next year.
Team boss, Mark Smith-Halvorsen expects the new team to produce front-running bikes and riders from the off. How? Well, team GB Moto have had significant success in the field of endurance racing, winning the UK title three times between 2003 and 2008 and Mark himself has also competed in the World Endurance Championship. A couple of years on, and several people from those successful endurance days are joining the new Superbike team of the same name, and Mark believes the team’s commercial experience, passion for the sport and their understanding of the organisation skills needed to win endurance races will be of paramount importance. As he explains, “we understand the fundamentals – we know what you need to get right, away from the track as well as on track – the equipment, spares, people and bikes, and the discipline that is vital at world championship level.”
The team have opted for Honda CBR1000Rs because the bikes presented an “easy-to-use” package, according to Mark. The Fireblade may not be the obvious choice for the Superstock class this season after the BMWs outshone almost every other bike last year, but with the contacts the team has and the resulting knowledge and experience of working with this bike, he knew he’d get great support and good quality information, and so the Honda became the logical option.
But the team is under no illusion that it’s going to be easy. Mark sees the opposition coming from Jason O’Halloran on the HM Plant Superstock 1000, the Padgett’s team and “anyone on the BMW or the new Kawasaki”. So a structured Spring testing schedule kicks in now, with testing at Cartegna and a Superstock support race at the Donington World Superbike round in March, well before the first BSB event.
With the support of currency firm Global FX, GB Moto seem to be in a good position – and they are certainly keen to get into the BSB paddock and show what they are made of – it will interesting to see how their five year plan unfolds.