Seton Tuning Yamaha has today (Thursday) confirmed their 2012 line up for the British Supersport and Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championships ahead of the season opener at Brands Hatch this Easter weekend (6-9 April).

After a successful 2011 campaign, team owner Phil Seton has announced an extended rider line-up for this year which includes Sam Warren for a second consecutive season, spearheading the team's efforts in the British Supersport Championship. Warren proved himself as a true front-runner last term, securing a race win at Knockhill and four podiums to close out the season as the highest placed Yamaha rider in the Supersport class.

Warren said: "Our preparation for the season is going very well. Having already been to Spain back in December, and working through a specific problem we had with the bike, I feel we're making very good progress. The aim for us is to now get on as many UK tracks as possible to confirm our settings and also test a few other parts we have coming along. Like most riders I'm really looking forward to racing on the Assen circuit. I just hope that our lack of track time won't hamper our chances at the track, although I'm confident in the ability of the team to find the 'sweet' spot for bike settings very quickly. I've never been this ready for a season this early so it can't come soon enough for me!"

In the Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championship Ben Burke will be joined by fellow Australian Mark Wilkinson and South African based rider Bjorn Estment. Burke finished the season in fifth overall and is now looking to capitalise on experience gained last time out in order to launch a strong challenge on the title this time round.

Burke said: "I'm happy to be signing for Bike Interceptor Yamaha by Seton for 2012. I've had a really enjoyable year with the team, we've got on well and worked hard to develop the bike and get good results. We'll benefit next season from having learned the tracks this year, and will be looking to move forward with the team in 2012."

The team has also found two replacement riders for Australian Andy Lawson who remains sidelined for the foreseeable future as he continues to recover from successful yet complex and delicate surgery. He undergoes a minimum period of 18 months recuperation before the steel rod supports can be removed from his rebuilt ribcage and as a result Mark Wilkinson and Bjorn Estment will now partner Burke for a three-pronged team assault on the Superstock 600 crown.

Both new riders bring a wealth of experience with them from their respective domestic championships. Wilkinson closed out 2011 with third in the Australian Superstock 600 championship whilst Estment competed as a 'wild card' in the final three rounds of the 2011 season, culminated in a strong fifth place at Brands Hatch.

Estment said: "I am thrilled to have signed for Seton Tuning Yamaha. When I took part in 3 wild card rides last year I had the opportunity to see what the team was all about. My two team-mates can only help me benefit in gaining track knowledge and experience. As far as the season goes I am an extremely competitive person and look forward to taking on the challenge and racking up the championship points, ultimately, to be in the hunt for the number one plate and hopefully pick up a couple of cracking results along the way."

Wilkinson added: "I am really excited to make the move overseas with Phil and Seton Tuning Yamaha. They are very professional in their approach to racing and I believe they will provide me with everything I need to make the successful move from Australia. The Superstock class looks to be really competitive over there and I am looking forward to riding the new tracks. I have to thank Phil and the team for their support and I am pumped for the challenges of the season."

Team Manager Phil Seton concluded: "I'm really excited about 2012. We have a really strong line-up that is capable of making a strong challenge on both titles. Sam has already tested well during the close season in Spain and last weekend at Snetterton. Sam showed last season that he is more than worthy of a top five slot and with adjustments made over the winter will be in contention from the off.

"Ben worked very hard last season and had his rewards at Brands Hatch with a win and a second either end of the year. This time out, he's got the added advantage of circuit knowledge, so we expect to see great things from him. For Bjorn and Mark, it is great to have them both on board but it will be a steep learning curve. I've been impressed with what I've seen of both of them so far and know that they will prove to be great assets to the team.

"Andy is recovering well back home in Australia, and the team wishes him a full and speedy recovery. We hope to see him back in the UK under the Seton Tuning Yamaha banner in the near future."

References

1. ^{^} www.brandshatch.co.uk (www.brandshatch.co.uk)