Suzuki International Europe has signed 26-year-old Briton Barry Burrell to race the team's GSX-R1000 in the German IDM Superbike Championship that kicks-off next weekend at Lausitzring.
Burrell replaces Martin Bauer in Team HPC-Power Suzuki Racing after the German announced his shock retirement from racing which left team owner Denis Hertrampf without a leading rider just days before the opening round.
Burrell - a regular top-10 finisher in the 2012 British Superbike Championship with a season-best fourth position at the Brands Hatch final round - will test the team's GSX-R1000 this week in preparation for Lausitzring.
Said Suzuki International Europe Sport Marketing Manager Thomas Hannecke: "It's regrettable that we have lost Martin Bauer for the Superbike IDM season, although I'm convinced Barry Burrell will be a powerful replacement."
Barry Burrell Race History:
Date of Birth: 14/ 08/ 1986
Nickname: Bazza
Home Town: Bishop Auckland, Country Durham.
Marital Status: Single
First Win: Silverstone, 2001.
2012: Became a regular top 10 finisher in the new-look MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship with Buildbase BMW. In just his second year on a Superbike, Burrell started to break into the top five as the season drew to a close, narrowly missing-out on the podium when he crossed the line fourth at the final round at Brands Hatch.
2011: Finished third in his rookie Mirror.co.uk British Superbike Evo Championship season, taking two wins and nine podiums on board the Buildbase BMW.
2010: Contested the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship after signing a deal with the Buildbase Kawasaki team, finishing the season seventh.
2009: In his third year in the European FIM Superstock Cup, Burrell finished the season 15th.
2008: European Superstock FIM Cup with MS Racing, ending the year 12th.
2007: Made his 1000cc debut with MS Racing on a Honda CBR1000RR.
2006: European Superstock 600 Championship with MS Racing, finishing 13th.
2005: Signed with Czech Republic squad MS Racing to contest the European Superstock 600 Championship.
2004: BMW Boxer Cup series, ending the year third in the Under 21s Challenge and fifth overall.
2003: Stepped up to the BMW Boxer Cup series scoring a season best fifth place and ending the year a respectable 11th.
2002: Winner of the BEMSEE Nationwide Production 125 Cup, second in the MRO Superteen Challenge.
2001: Made his racing debut in the MRO Superteen Championship, finishing an impressive 12th.
