The Ducati 848 Challenge returns for 2012, featuring at rounds of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship with 25 riders already signed up for the forthcoming season ahead of the opening round at Brands Hatch over the Easter weekend.
Ducati Manchester's Robbie Brown who finished third last season, returns for 2012 and is one of the Championship favourites along with Darren Fry (JHP Racing/Ducati Coventry) who is hoping to return to the form that took him to the title in 2010. However, they face stiff competition from riders switching to the Challenge including Marty Nutt (NUTTTravel.com), Ed Smith (Ultim8 Racing) and Max Hunt (OHLINS @ P & H Motorcycles). Former British 250 champion Woolsey Coulter returns to racing and will be joined by 2011 MRO Stock1000 champion Byron Beckett, ex-TTC rider Nicky Wilson (NWR), along with Sean Neary (Motocorse) and Ryan Myler (Close Print Ducati).
The Challenge also sees a group of up and coming young riders eager to make their mark in the paddock lining up on the grid. James White, (Team After Dark) the 2011 Thunderbike champion will seek to use his experience of racing a Ducati (his 2011 title was achieved on a 749) while James Folkard, 20, (Win43.com) will be stepping up as last year's Aprillia RRV450 champion. Sam Coventry (Moto Rapido) joins the series from the Spanish CEV Stock Extreme Championship, Ryan Gibson, 17, (Fast Frame UK) comes from North Gloucestershire 600 class while Kasey Wyatt, 18, (GBmoto Racing) moves up from the highly competitive Aprilia Superteens.
Other riders returning to the fray include Stuart Poyser (P & H Motorcycles), Mark Cheetham (Hunt Pie Machines), Ricky Holden (Holden Racing), Jamie Poole (Moto Rapido), Aaron Brown (Ladybirds Ducati) and Barry Poll and Dan Cruickshank (both Pumpkin Patch Racing). Another returnee, Steve Jordan, will be joined this year by his wife, Sarah Jordan (both Global Robots/Steve Jordan Motorcycles), no doubt creating the first husband and wife team in the BSB paddock to ever race against each other!
The Ducati 848 Challenge will again consist of eight rounds and sixteen races, including six MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship rounds, as well as the now traditional two overseas rounds. The series kicks off at the BSB opener at Brands Hatch before visiting Assen, Snetterton 300, Misano and the famous World Ducati Week, Oulton Park, Cadwell Park, Donington Park and finally Ducati UK's home circuit, Silverstone.
For more information visit www.ducati848challenge.com[1]
The 2012 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship kicks off at Brands Hatch over Easter weekend (6/7/8/9 April). Don't forget you can purchase your tickets in advance by booking online at www.brandshatch.co.uk[2] or by calling 0843 453 9000.
Last updated: Tuesday, January 31, 2012
References
- ^ www.ducati848challenge.com (www.ducati848challenge.com)
- ^ www.brandshatch.co.uk (www.brandshatch.co.uk)
FG_AUTHORS: MSV - BSB
