Teenager Storm Stacey to become youngest BSB debutant aged just 16
Storm Stacey will step right up from Supestock 600 to British Superbikes this season, at 16-years old becoming the youngest rider to start a BSB race
Sixteen-year old Storm Stacey will become the youngest person to start a British Superbike Championship race when he makes his debut this season with the GR Motorsport team, it has been announced.
The team – better known under its WD-40 title backing – will promote Stacey from its National Superstock 600 effort after finishing third overall in 2019 aboard a Kawasaki ZX-6R.
Requiring special dispensation from the ACU as the UK licensing authority, and the MCRCB as the series governing body, Stacey’s graduation is endorsed by organisers MSVR following a successful 1000cc testing programme over the winter period.
Taking inspiration from Ryan Vickers, who scored a handful of top ten results after making the direct transition from SSTK600 to BSB in 2019, Stacey is excited about the season ahead.
“This is really exciting for me – I am still only 16 and I am going to be riding a Superbike in BSB this year! I cannot thank the team and everyone who has supported me so far in my career enough because without them I would not have this opportunity this year.
“As a team we had looked at Superstock 1000, but after some laps to get a feel for it at both Donington Park and Jerez it felt really natural straight away and I was able to post some good times despite it being my first test.
“The team then wanted to give me this chance on the Superbike and I can’t wait to get started. The way I look at it is it will be a big learning curve but I got inspiration from Ryan Vickers, who moved from the Superstock 600 to the Superbike last year.
“It’s a more powerful bike with no traction control, but I am sure it will feel like second nature to me after the first round of tests. It will take me some time but there is no pressure on me and I love to learn the bike and understand it. That was what I did last year in the Superstock 600 class and we were fighting for the title at the final round!
“I have been getting myself in gear ready for testing and this new challenge and I am really looking forward to having this chance to prove myself on the Superbike gradually over the season.”
GR Motorsport competed with ex-MotoGP rider Claudio Corti in 2019, but it was a tough season with the Italian rider scoring only a small handful of points.
