Bryan Staring will contend aboard his Kawasaki Motors Australia backed Ninja ZX-10R in the 2018 Australian Superbike Championship under the Kawasaki BCperformance Racing Team banner.

Following a stint on the world stage in the WSBK Superstock class, Staring returned home to Australian racing in 2017. Having acclimatised himself to domestic racing and gearing up with the elite Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Staring is poised to reclaim his Australian Superbike Champion status in 2018.

“I’m wrapped to be racing with the Kawasaki BCperformance Racing Team for 2018. Kelvin Reilly displayed his professionalism throughout 2017, showing that both BCperformance and Kawasaki are very competitive,” commented Staring. “Since 2011, I have gained a lot of experience with the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R across many different championships around the world and I look forward to partnering with Kawasaki again to take on the ASBK championship with the BCperformance team.”

The 29 year old from WA, has made his mark in Australian motorcycle racing with titles including the 2009 Australian Supersport Champion and the 2010 Australian Superbike Champion.

Arguably the most successful rookie in the Superbike class this year, Kyle Buckley has re-signed with the team for the upcoming season.

“I’m extremely excited to be able to race the Ninja ZX-10R for another year with Kawasaki BCperformance. 2017 wasn’t a year of great luck for me and I am very thankful to Kelvin and Kawasaki Motors for keeping their faith in me,” commented the modest 21 year old from Queensland. “I feel that with this year’s experience, I will be able to get the ball rolling straight away and I can’t wait for the first test!”

Bryan Staring joins BCperformance in 2018 for ASBK

Bryan Staring joins BCperformance in 2018 for ASBK

Team Manager, Kelvin Reilly has been campaigning with Kawasaki machinery in Australia since 2012. Having since tucked away 3 Australian titles, Kelvin draws from years of experience as a rider in the British Superbike championship where he was lining up with the likes of now Kawasaki World Superbike champions, Tom Sykes and Jonathan Rea.

“With a big thanks to Kawasaki Motors Australia, I am looking forward to another year in the 2018 ASBK championship and I am really pleased to have Bryan Staring on our Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R for the 2018 season,” Kelvin commented. “Bryan showed good speed this year in the Australian Superbike Championship and I believe with his experience we will be a real title threat from the start. Kyle Buckley stays for a second season in the Superbike class and during the first 3 rounds last season he showed great potential by being consistent and top rookie until a leg injury mid-season that put an end to his progress. I’m looking forward to watching his development during his 2nd year on a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.”

“With both riders we have a really positive pairing for 2018 and a mixture of experience and youth. I would like to thank Robbie Bugden for his efforts during the past 2 seasons and I wish him all the best with his next move, although I’m pretty sure we will be seeing him in our pit garage during 2018! It’s a pleasure to be working with the same team of mechanics, the great team behind Kawasaki Motors Australia and our sponsors including Iceberg Enterprises, Landscapesupplies.com.au, Outdoor Fabrications, BAM Engineering, Ficeda and we can’t forget the rest,”

Robert Walker and Kelvin Reilly

Robert Walker and Kelvin Reilly

Kawasaki Motors Australia National Sales and Marketing Manager, Robert Walker showed great enthusiasm about the renewed team partnership and addition of Starring, saying, “Obviously there is a significant history between Bryan Staring and Kawasaki so we trust that he will settle in and kick some goals with the Kawasaki BCperformance Racing Team next year,”

“Kyle Buckley has been a strong contender as well so we are glad to be backing him through the team which will be our largest supported effort in the ASBK Championship. The combination of a proficient racing team and top level riders makes the perfect recipe for success in 2018,” Robert commented.

The team will set the pace at round 1 of the 2018 Australian Superbike Championship, which will take place at Phillip Island, Victoria in support of the first 2018 World Superbike Championship round on 22nd February 2018.

2018 ASBK Calendar

  • Pre-Season Official ASBK Test – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC January 30 – 31
  • Round 1- WSBK, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit VIC February 22 – 25
  • Round 2- Wakefield Park Raceway, Goulburn NSW March 16 – 18
  • Round 3- The Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend, SA April 19 – 22
  • Round 4- Hidden Valley Raceway, Darwin NT June 28 – 1 July
  • Round 5- Morgan Park Raceway, Warwick QLD August 17 – 19
  • Round 6- Winton Motor Raceway, Benalla, VIC September 7 – 8
  • Round 7- Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC October 12 – 14
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