IAN HUTCHINSON has signed to ride for the Swan Yamaha British Superbike team, joining reigning champion Tommy Hill.
The eight-time Isle of Man TT winner was offered the ride after setting impressive laptimes whilst testing at Donington Park before returning to competitive racing at Macau, following the horrific crash that almost saw him lose his leg at the end of 2010.
The Yorkshireman finished third in the Macau street race and will do his first full season in British Superbikes with Swan Yamaha on the factory-supported YZF-R1. He said: “I am so excited to have been given this opportunity by Shaun. He has shown a lot of faith in me during my recovery and operations. Macau was a make or break race for me in terms of my own head, so it was great to stand on the podium.
“Full fitness is now the first priority. I have been training hard in Australia and the warmer temperatures make it easier on my leg, that’s for sure. This is the most exciting thing to happen to me in my career so far, so I am going for it full bore.”
After winning the BSB championship at final round in thrilling fashion, Hill has decided to defend his title with the Swan Yamaha squad. He said: “Winning the 2011 British Superbike title was the high point of my career so far. It felt incredible to cross that line and know I had finally done the thing I had set out to achieve all those years ago. It hasn’t been an easy path but I finally done it,” said the Lingfield man.
“That title put me in a great position to talk further with other BSB teams for 2012 but I wanted to run two seasons in the same team to achieve some consistency. It will not be an easy title to defend in 2012 but having the same people around me should smooth out the path.
“It’s a new bike with new rules, so it’s going to be interesting. I am delighted that SMR and Swan Yamaha wanted me be back in the team, and having Ian Hutchinson as a team mate, will be good as well as hopefully carrying some success through out, with the TT and BSB.”
Swan Yamaha will also make their first appearance in the British Superstock category running Ducati 848 Challenge rider, Wesley Pearce.
The first round of the British Superbike championship kicks off on Easter Bank Holiday weekend at Brands Hatch. Click the link for the 2012 British Superbike calendar.
