Laverty joins Hill at SMR Yamaha

MICHAEL Laverty will join Tommy Hill at SMR Racing for the 2011 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, the team has announced.

Laverty moves to the team after finishing fourth in this year’s BSB championship standings and the former British Supersport champion is now determined to make an impact on the Yamaha in a bid to secure a maiden title in the Superbike class.

Laverty said: “I am really excited about the season ahead and joining the Swan Yamaha team alongside Tommy and I know we can definitely push each other all the way for the championship. I have had a good year and now I believe that I can take another step forward and fight for the 2011 BSB title with the support that the team have in place for next season.

"I am also in a unique situation where my brother Eugene is riding for the factory Yamaha team in the World Superbike Championship so the aim is for us both to end the year with success for them in our respective championships. We have already been planning ahead and the team are working on a strong testing programme to begin at the start of next year, which will be the foundations we need to be ready for the opening round at Brands Hatch. I am really looking forward to the Easter weekend now and I think winter will go a lot faster knowing that I am going to be riding for one of the strongest teams in the BSB paddock.”

Team Manager Shaun Muir said: “It is an exiting time for the whole team and the prospect of Michael joining Tommy in the Swan Yamaha garage next season shows that we intend to come back even stronger next year. We truly believe that we have signed two of the brightest prospects in BSB who will both be ready to come out fighting for the championship. The combination of their desire to win, which has been evident from both riders this season, and the switch to Yamaha machinery should make for a winning combination at Swan Yamaha.”