Two-time British Superbike Champion (BSB) Josh Brookes has been confirmed alongside Peter Hickman in the FHO Racing team for the 2023 season.
One of the series’ most experienced and decorated racers, Brookes is one of only three BSB champions still actively competing in the national series having clinched title successes in 2015 with Shaun Muir Racing’s Milwaukee Yamaha team and again in 2020 with Paul Bird Motorsport Ducati.
Now, after four seasons aboard the Ducati Panigale V4 R, the 39-year old embarks on a fresh challenge for next season with the ambitious FHO Racing team aboard its BMW M 1000 RR alongside Hickman, who has re-signed for a third season.
With 54 race wins and 147 podiums to his name since making his BSB debut in 2009, while Brookes has suffered a notable slide in form over the past couple of seasons, he is confident he can bounce back towards the front with FHO Racing.
“I’m really excited about joining the FHO Racing team for 2023. It’s probably one of the worst-kept secrets in the paddock but now it’s out there, I can finally start looking ahead to next season with genuine excitement.
“Each year in BSB my target has been to race for wins and improve and I know the FHO Racing team offers me the best opportunity to do that. Faye and Peter have already demonstrated the potential of the team and I feel that’s only going to grow further next season.
“I would like to thank Faye for giving me this opportunity. I can head into the off-season knowing that I’m set for a really positive 2023. The ingredients are all there to go fast and win races and this is what motivates me to keep racing.”
In addition to his two BSB titles, Brookes has also finished runner-up on four occasions (2010, 2012, 2017, 2019). However, a lacklustre 2022 campaign on the MCE Ducati has resulted in Brookes missing the Title Showdown for the first time in 13 attempts.
While this will be the first time ex-Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Ducati rider Brookes has thrown his leg over a BMW in BSB, he did race a BMW S 1000 RR with Shaun Muir Racing in the WorldSBK Championship for a single season in 2016.
While the communication from FHO Racing doesn’t allude to anything beyond BSB, Brookes’ signing will likely raise speculation of his deal including a potential road racing campaign alongside nine-time Isle of Man TT winner Hickman.
The Aussie has a handful of eye-catching results under his belt at the TT and North West 200, but his move to PBM Ducati limited his outings on the roads thereafter.
