Danny Kent and Gino Rea spearhead Buildbase Suzuki BSB line-up

BUILDBASE Suzuki has just announced its rider line-up for the 2021 BSB season, with Danny Kent and Gino Rea taking the reins of the GSX-R1000R. The well-known pair will be backed up by Tim Neave who will compete in Superstock 1000 for the Mallory Park-based outfit.

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Kent has already spent a year acclimatising to the 1000cc machines and UK tracks after running in Superstock 1000 last year previously. That was more of a bedding-in period for the Wiltshire rider, who has spent most of his career racing internationally on Grand Prix machinery.

Speaking of the opportunity with the Buildbase team, Kent said:

“I’m really motivated and happy to be joining the Buildbase Suzuki team and I’m looking forward to riding the superbike. I think a lot of people will know that my career has had both the highest highs and the lowest lows in recent years, with 2019 being a particularly low point, so I’m really grateful to Steve and Stuart [Hicken – team manager and owner] for this opportunity.

“Last year I was able to take a step back and I had a good season in Superstock 1000, where I could spend more time learning how to get the best out of a 1000cc machine and prove to people I could still race a bike, and obviously I won at the last round. Moving to a superbike, I think my GP experience could mean I’ll manage quite well as I’m used to a stiffer chassis setup, racing swingarms, slicks, things like that, but I also know I still have a lot of learning to do; getting used to just the speed of the bikes, and some UK tracks I’ve either not been to or not raced at since 2007.

“But I also know I’m joining a team with a lot of experience and a proven record of winning races and championships. I’m setting expectations high: I’d like to be in the Showdown at the end of the year, so hopefully we can have a good winter and find a good direction with the bike setup, and I’m excited to get started.”

Rounding up Buildbase’s Grand Prix-spec line-up is Rea, who raced in Moto2 between 2012 and 2014. Rea has secured his place with the Leicestershire team after joining them partway through the 2020 season and racing near the front on the GSX-R1000R and ending with the best finish of fourth place.

Rea said:

“I’m really excited to be staying with Buildbase Suzuki for 2021. Hawk Racing is one of the oldest and most experienced teams in BSB and I’ve had a lot of respect for everyone involved since stepping into the championship, so I’m very thankful to Steve and Stuart for the opportunity to race for them again.

“After joining them last year and seeing the progress we made, which resulted in leading my first BSB race with them, it’s the perfect scenario to continue together and build on our hard work from last season. Steve and Stuart are so passionate about their racing which makes it nice and a refreshing environment to be in. I’m looking forward to getting my head down and working hard to build on our results from 2020 and give the team the results they deserve.”

Buildbase Suzuki team manager, Steve Hicken, commented:

“I think we’re going to have one of the most talented rider lineups on the grid this season. As a world champion at Grand Prix level Danny’s ability is beyond question, and while he’s still relatively new to big capacity production bikes we saw him win in Superstock last year, and I think he’ll be able to adapt to the superbike very quickly and will be very exciting to watch.

“We’re also really pleased to be continuing with Tim this season after a positive 2020. Tim’s got bags of natural ability on a bike and we saw him really start to shine last year with a win and a lap record to add to his CV. We’ve made the GSX-R a superstock championship-winner, and hopefully, we can put together another challenge this year.”

The 2021 BSB season is scheduled to kick off on the 29th April at Oulton Park. For more information, head to: britishsuperbike.com