HM Plant Honda Announces 2009 British Superbike Team
HM Plant Honda 2009 British Superbike line up announced
HM Plant Honda is pleased to announce its rider line-up for the 2009 British Superbike Championship with Glen Richards and Josh Brookes competing in the Superbike class, Steve Brogan looking to retain his title in the British Superstock championship and Steve Plater aiming for the British Supersport title.
Glen Richards dominated the British Supersport category this season to take the title at the penultimate round at Silverstone. As well as claiming the British Superstock title in 2007, the Australian has plenty of experience in the Superbike class after a number of seasons on 750 and 1000cc machinery, during which time he achieved a number of podium positions.
Glen said, “I’m looking forward to the opportunity and want to give it 110%. I’m well up for this challenge and I intend to give it my all! I’ve won two championships in a row with Superstock and now Supersport, so to make it three-in-a-row is the aim and to add a Superbike title would be awesome. I’ve never had a ‘factory’ ride as such in the BSB series, so I do feel I have unfinished business in the championship and something to prove. Modern Superbikes are smaller now, much like the 600-class machines I’ve been riding. I’ve also been used to big power before, I know the tracks and I’m used to the control tyre, so I’m looking forward to 2009!”
Joining Glen in the British Superbike class will be fellow Aussie Josh Brookes. Josh is no stranger to either Honda machinery or the HM Plant Honda team having ridden in the World Supersport category on a Honda CBR600RR and also replacing the injured Steve Brogan at the final round of the British Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch, where he qualified on pole and finished in a fantastic third position.
“I’ve joined HM Plant Honda as I wanted to find a team which is a happy place to work and one with a good family, but also professional, atmosphere,” said Josh. “When I did the one-off ride at Brands, it showed me how well the team worked together and although I was only with them for a few days, it felt like I’d been with them all season. That was important. They’ve got a straight-forward and effective way of working and I like that. The HM Plant Honda CBR1000RR Fireblades have shown this season they can challenge for the title, so I think I can get the bike working well regardless of having not been to most of the tracks. The tracks themselves are quite similar to some of the ones I raced on in Australia, the only difference is the weather, but I’m good in the wet so that’s no bother either!”
Competing in the British Superstock 1000 class will be HM Plant Honda’s 2008 title champion, Steve Brogan. The 28-year-old racer from Liverpool took the series win this year with a dominant display, by winning eight of the 11 races and wrapping up the title with one round to go. Steve will not be riding in the British Supersport Championship – as he did this season – in order to concentrate on the Superstock 1000 title.
Steve said, “I’m made up to have had such a successful year by winning eight races. It was helped by being comfortable on the bike right from the start. I’ve really enjoyed the racing this year as I’ve not only won from way out front, but I’ve been battling with the other riders and that’s what I’ve enjoyed. Although I make no secret of the fact that a Superbike ride is my ultimate goal, I’m very happy to be staying with the HM Plant Honda team in the Superstock championship as I think that next year will be a good year in the class, especially with some new machines out on the grid which will only add to the racing and provide a good challenge for retaining my title.”
Glen, Josh and Brogie will each be competing on board the astounding Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, with Steve Plater fielding HM Plant Honda’s sole CBR600RR.
Steve Plater said, “I came into the British Supersport series late after the TT, but was never off the podium when I did race and champ Glen only beat me the once at Brands, so I’m proud of that! It’s great to be back with a factory team and even better to be back with Honda after five years away. It was flattering to get the call, especially after I’ve been rebuilding my career over the last few years after injury. I know the team well from my British Superbike days and while I know next year’s British Supersport series will be completely different, it’s my job to go out there and win the championship. That’s why Honda is employing me and I’m going to give 110%.”
HM Plant Honda Team Manager, Havier Beltran, said, “We’ve got a very strong rider line-up for 2009 across each of the classes. We’ve seen Glen in the paddock for many years and he’s been competitive on all sorts of machinery in all the classes he’s ridden in and 2009 will provide him with the support and equipment his talents deserve, as we know he can do well. Josh impressed when he rode for us at the final round at Brands Hatch. He’s experienced enough thanks to his time in international racing to get results and also young enough to learn with the team and learn the UK tracks. With Brogie we’ve had a fantastic year in the Superstock 1000 class and with two new machines coming into the series for 2009, we wanted our best man out there to keep the superb Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade at the top. In the Supersport class, the updated 2009 Honda CBR600RR will still be a very competitive package and Steve has shown this year that he can ride a 600 as he scored wins in this season ’s championship, despite coming into it comparatively late on. We’re looking forward to a strong and competitive 2009!”