Multiple champion squad returns to its roots PBM to run factory-supported Panigale Rs Glenn Irwin joins Shane Byrne in all-star line-up Ducati is delighted to announce that front-running MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship outfit Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM) will contest the 2016 season with Panigale R Superbikes. The Penrith-based team will field four-time BSB champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne alongside new signing Glenn Irwin. Ulsterman Irwin makes the step up from the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship. The 25-year-old from Carrickfergus is a triple Irish champion and former British Supersport Cup champion and currently occupies third place in this year's British Supersport title race. The team will use fully factory-supported Ducati Panigale Rs – a return to the marque with which Steve Hislop and Shane Byrne both claimed British Superbike Championships for the Italian company under the MonsterMob Ducati branding in the early 2000s. Both Byrne and Irwin will race under the Be Wiser banner following the recent association between the leading insurance brand and Paul Bird's team.The deal sees a multi-year association with the nine-times British and National champions who have also sampled victories at World Superbike and MotoGP level. Building on the success of the Ducati Panigale in BSB which has to-date scored a pole position, several front row starts and a best finish of fourth, the team will waste no time in getting up to speed as it tests in Valencia immediately after Brands Hatch. There is then heavy winter testing scheduled in preparation for a full assault on the 2016 MCE Insurance British Championship season which gets underway at Silverstone on April 10th 2016. Tim Maccabee, Managing Director, Ducati UK, said: “We are delighted to be associated with Paul Bird and his team and very excited about the 2016 MCE BSB season. Ducati has an unparalleled history in Superbike racing and this next chapter is one we are looking forward to given the success PBM have had in the sport. We have received very positive support from Ducati Corse about this project and look forward to a successful season with Shakey, Glenn and the rest of the PBM team.” Team Owner Paul Bird said: “2016 will be our 21st consecutive year in racing and we are the first team to confirm our line-up for next season, which demonstrates our intention of challenging for the MCE BSB championship. In Shakey we have the most successful rider in the history of the series and we know he'll be very competitive. Glenn is a rider I've had my eye on for a while and is a huge talent so now is the time to step up to a Superbike and I've every confidence in his ability. It's fantastic to have a reputable company like Be Wiser Insurance as our title sponsor as the brand fits perfectly with our team and it's a long-term association like most of our sponsors in the past. “It's also great to be back working with the Ducati factory which will see us reunited with the brand which gave us most of our early successes. It's an honour to be entrusted to deliver the results as a factory-backed team, which we aim to do.” Notes: Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM) are winners of over 160 races in British Superbike Championship, MotoGP CRT, World Superbike Championship, 125cc, 250cc, Supersport British Championships, Superstock National Championships, Isle of Man TT, North West 200, Daytona, Macau GP, and British domestic races. Points scorers in 125cc, 250cc and 500cc GP's, Points scorers in World Supersport, podium finishers in WSB, Superpole winners in World Superbike. They are based at Langwathby near Penrith in Cumbria. Key Successes: British Superbike Champions 2002/2003/2012/2014, British Supersport Champions 2002, British Superbike Rider's Cup Champions 2014, British 250cc Champions 1999, National Superstock 1000 Champions 2012, National Superstock 600 Champions 2011, Isle of Man TT winners 1999/2000/2015, Daytona winners 1999/2000, NW200 winners, Macau GP winners, WSB race winners, MotoGP CRT race winners. National Rally Champions 2005. Paul Bird Motorsport in the British Superbike Championship 2000 - 2015 (to Silverstone): Races Entered: 475 Pole Positions: 51 Race Wins: 72 Podiums: 99 Fastest Laps: 62 Record Laps: 27
Watch this space. Got a teaser of a conversation that there is more to be revealed. So long as I don't too drunk I will try and follow that up. Andy
I asked the question this evening and I was told that the answer is yes. Sadly being worse the wear for beer I was unable to persue the question of what next. However, tomorrow is another day and another opportunity to glean some gossip. Andy
Sad news but not unsurprising. Hopkins is a hot property at the moment which a small independant team cannot hope to afford when a works team comes knocking. What price Stuart Easton or Kyonari ? Andy
