Aussie assault on BSB in 2009!

Australian stars Glen Richards and Josh Brookes will race in HM Plant Honda colours in the British Superbike Championship next season.

Glen Richards dominated the British Supersport category this season to take the title at the penultimate round at Silverstone. As well as claiming the British Superstock title in 2007, the Australian has plenty of experience in the Superbike class after a number of seasons on 750 and 1000cc machinery, during which time he achieved a number of podium positions.

Glen said, "I'm looking forward to the opportunity and want to give it 110%. I'm well up for this challenge and I intend to give it my all! I've won two championships in a row with Superstock and now Supersport, so to make it three-in-a-row is the aim and to add a Superbike title would be awesome. I've never had a 'factory' ride as such in the BSB series, so I do feel I have unfinished business in the championship and something to prove. Modern Superbikes are smaller now, much like the 600-class machines I've been riding. I've also been used to big power before, I know the tracks and I'm used to the control tyre, so I'm looking forward to 2009!"

Joining Glen in the British Superbike class will be fellow Aussie Josh Brookes. Josh is no stranger to either Honda machinery or the HM Plant Honda team having ridden in the World Supersport category on a Honda CBR600RR and also replacing the injured Steve Brogan at the final round of the British Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch, where he qualified on pole and finished in a fantastic third position.

"I've joined HM Plant Honda as I wanted to find a team which is a happy place to work and one with a good family, but also professional, atmosphere," said Josh. "When I did the one-off ride at Brands, it showed me how well the team worked together and although I was only with them for a few days, it felt like I'd been with them all season. That was important. They've got a straight-forward and effective way of working and I like that. The HM Plant Honda CBR1000RR Fireblades have shown this season they can challenge for the title, so I think I can get the bike working well regardless of having not been to most of the tracks. The tracks themselves are quite similar to some of the ones I raced on in Australia, the only difference is the weather, but I'm good in the wet so that's no bother either!"

HM Plant Honda Team Manager, Havier Beltran, said, "We've seen Glen in the paddock for many years and he's been competitive on all sorts of machinery in all the classes he's ridden in and 2009 will provide him with the support and equipment his talents deserve, as we know he can do well. Josh impressed when he rode for us at the final round at Brands Hatch. He's experienced enough thanks to his time in international racing to get results and also young enough to learn with the team and learn the UK tracks. We're looking forward to a strong and competitive 2009!"