Tarran Mackenzie to make belated WorldSBK debut at Donington Park

McAMS Yamaha have confirmed Tarran Mackenzie will make his belated WorldSBK Championship debut at Donington Park next month as a wild-card.

The reigning British Superbike Champion was originally scheduled to make his first WorldSBK appearance at Assen, Round 2 of the season, when an accident during pre-season testing forced him out of it and the opening two BSB rounds.

Now back to full strength, Mackenzie will go ahead and make his debut on home soil at Donington Park instead aboard a McAMS Yamaha R1 upgraded to WorldSBK specification.

"I am very excited to finally make my debut in the Superbike World Championship at Donington. It feels like it's been a long time coming and I was obviously disappointed when we couldn't do Assen. 

“Donington is a special track for me as it's only 10 minutes down the road from home, I've had some great success there in BSB so I am looking forward to getting out on a World Superbike-spec R1 and seeing what both myself and the McAMS Yamaha team can achieve. 

“Obviously there is a lot to learn with the engine and electronics, but I know the chassis well as my BSB bike is very similar. The level in World Championship is really high and I'm looking forward to getting out on track and giving it our all. 

“I have to say a huge thanks to Steve and the McAMS Yamaha team, as well as Andrea and everyone at Yamaha Racing for making this possible.”

Mackenzie was long tipped for a move into WorldSBK this season after winning the 2021 BSB Championship with Team Go Eleven. But when the Italian outfit decided against a switch from Ducati to Yamaha machinery, the deal fell through.

It is understood Mackenzie - who will set to make three WorldSBK wild-card outings - is being lined up for a graduation to WorldSBK in 2023, potentially with GRT Yamaha or Motoxracing Yamaha.