The Movuno.com Halsall Racing team is ready for its return to the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, as the 2018 season kicks-off at Donington Park this Easter weekend.
With Tommy Bridewell back on board and the brand new Suzuki GSX-R1000 in its arsenal, the team is set for what promises to be its most exciting year to date, as it returns to Superbike action following a year in Supersport in 2017.
While Bridewell spearheads the team’s BSB assault, the squad is joined by Kent’s Tom Ward, who will also race a Suzuki in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship.
It marks a return to a great partnership for team owner Martin Halsall, who welcomes back Bridewell for a third time.
The Bolton entrepreneur has also recruited the team of leading Italian mechanics - who have previously worked with Both Halsall and Bridewell, who they both trusts implicitly – to work with his already strong squad.
“This is probably the most excited I’ve ever been before a season, I’m really excited to be back in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship with Tommy back on board of a Suzuki,” he said.
“I’ve always felt we had unfinished business with the Suzuki, and we’ve been very pleased with how the bike has been during our pre-season tests in Spain. Everyone has been working so hard to get the bike as ready as we can.
“We’ve got the old band back together, and this year we’ve got Tom coming through on the Superstock bike too, which is another exciting prospect. I’m looking forward to working with another young rider and helping him progress and I truly believe 2018 could be our most successful season to date.”
Bridewell admits he is feeling confident ahead of the opening round, and is keen to get going. “I’m very eager to get the season underway this weekend,” he said. “We had a positive test in Spain earlier this month, and even last week’s test at Donington Park proved quite productive for us.
“Martin has been fantastic in giving me everything I’ve asked for, and having the Italians around is such a huge factor for me. The passion they have for the job is just hard to find anywhere else, and coupled with the work we’re doing with Chris from K-Tech, I feel like we’re in a really good place.
“My aim for the weekend is to get two strong points finishes. If I can get the results I want I’ll be very happy and we can move on into the rest of the season moving in the right direction.”
Newcomer Ward is stepping up to 1000cc power after a strong 2017 in the British Supersport series. After getting used to the bigger bike at the Spain and Donington tests, he is now looking forward to the opening round.
“I’m mega excited to get back on the big girl this weekend at Donington Park,” he said. “We had a positive test last Tuesday on the Movuno.com Halsall Racing Suzuki and despite the cold and wet, we managed to get a good base setting to start FP1 with.
“I’m still getting to grips with the bike as I’ve only ridden it twice, so I’m not expecting to set the world on fire but I’m definitely feeling more comfortable on it.
“My aim is to come away from the weekend with some points and some more useful data to help us move forward to the next round.”
The Movuno.com Halsall Racing team has a busy weekend ahead, with free practice on Saturday, qualifying and the first Pirelli National Superstock 1000 races on Easter Sunday, followed by the second Superstock race and two Bennetts British Superbike races on Easter Monday.