In a ground breaking agreement reached in the last few days, the 2015 season will see a top-class F1 Sidecar crew line up as part of a high profile MCE British Superbike team. 2011 British Superbike Champion Tommy Hill has teamed up with experienced Be Wiser Kawasaki team owner Alan Greig, to launch a concerted attack on the 2015 BSB title. His two riders are a blend of experience and youth, with 2014 top six finisher Chris Walker lining up alongside 2014 National Superstock Champion Danny Buchan, just half his age.
The Team WPS/Assured Office Solutions Kawasaki pairing of Ricky Stevens and Ryan Charlwood, who have earned a reputation as being one of the fastest, and most promising crews on the British F1 Sidecar grid, will run in the full team colours of the Be Wiser squad.
All nine rounds of the Eastern Airways British F1 series run with the BSB championship, and attract all the benefits that the live Eurosport coverage and the dedicated Motors TV slot bring. The additional advantages to the team sponsors in terms of branding and exposure are enormous. F1 sidecar racing in the UK is at its strongest for two decades, with full grids at every round, and a level of professionalism matching, and in many cases exceeding, that of its solo counterparts.
Over recent seasons, the F1 sidecar paddock has attracted much interest from top BSB teams and riders, all of whom have recognised the benefits of representation in this rapidly growing sector of motorcycle racing. Improved race time slots have given large trackside audiences the chance to see first-hand the spectacle of high-speed three-wheeled action from the best crews in the world. 2015 will see still further growth in this area, as former and current world champions will mix it with the domestic regulars at certain rounds.
Team WPS/Assured Office Solutions team principles Wayne Stevens and Stuart Wakley are both delighted with this new venture.
Wayne Stevens - "This alliance is fantastic news for the sport of F1 Sidecar racing and equally for the BSB Be Wiser Kawasaki team. I am confident we can enhance the profile of the Be Wiser Team, as well as giving their guests and supporters an "added value experience."
Stuart Wakely - "As you can imagine, this did not happen overnight. We put in a lot of work, and had many discussions before everyone accepted the mutual benefits. It is terrific news for our team and its young riders. I am confident we now have the platform to challenge for the British F1 Sidecar title. We are very proud to be associated with such a high-profile BSB team for the coming season.
Roger Body, RKB-F1 promoter and organiser was equally upbeat. - "We have been working towards this type of merger for many seasons now. This association will further enforce the value to BSB teams of having a wider presence both in the paddock and on-track. I cannot overstate the advantages".
Tommy Hill - Be Wiser Kawasaki Team Manager - "I suppose we are deciding to take the lead in having an alliance between two completely different championships and types of machinery. I have seen the Sidecar paddock grow in stature and grow in professionalism over the years. It really caught my eye last year, wondering why there is no connection between the MCE British Superbike class and the Sidecar Championship. With AOS (Assured Office Solutions) agreeing to be a team partner for 2015, this allows us to join forces with the WPS AOS Sidecar race team, which is great news, and also gives another spectacle for our team partners too."
Alan Grieg - Be Wiser Kawasaki Team Owner - "I am thrilled to bits to have this association with a Sidecar team. I have followed the sport since the heydays of Webster and Hewitt. Hopefully other MCE British Superbike teams will follow our example, which will help promote the sport and in turn offer so many mutual benefits to all concerned."
