Billy McConnell joins new BSB Superbike Pathway class in 2024

Bilby again with the large boys in BSB

The C&L Fairburn Properties/Jackson Racing group will step as much as the all-new British Superbike Championship Pathway-specification class in 2024 with a two-man group led by present rider Billy McConnell. He’ll be joined by new signing Jaimie van Sikkelerus who makes the transfer from the British Supersport Championship.

Since becoming a member of in 2022, Chris Fairburn’s group have shortly established themselves as probably the most skilled within the paddock and can transfer to the premier BSB class with Honda Fireblade equipment ready by Jackson Racing and constructed to the brand new Pathway specification technical rules being launched subsequent yr.

McConnell will enter his third yr with the group and return to the BSB class he final competed in on a full-time foundation in 2016. With 120 BSB races beneath his belt, the Australian first contested the sequence in 2006 when he rode for Virgin Yamaha, having gained the Virgin Cell Yamaha R6 Cup the earlier yr, and has subsequently ridden for MSS Kawasaki (2008), Smiths Racing BMW (2015) and FS-3 Racing Kawasaki (2016) in addition to having a one-off outing for OMG Racing Suzuki 4 years in the past.

The 36-year outdated’s finest season got here in 2008 when he completed twelfth general for Nick Morgan’s MSS Kawasaki group while his finest race consequence was taken in 2015 when he completed third behind Josh Brookes and Peter Hickman at Cadwell Park on the Smiths Racing BMW. In complete, the Adelaide resident has recorded 29 high ten finishes in BSB.

The 2014 British Supersport Champion will now make the transfer again to BSB after one other profitable season within the Pirelli Nationwide Superstock sequence the place he’s taken first and third at Thruxton in addition to extra high three finishes at Silverstone, Snetterton, Manufacturers Hatch and, most lately, Donington Park.

Billy McConnell

“I’m actually trying ahead to getting again into BSB and the brand new Pathway guidelines are a approach of getting again onto the grid. It’s been just a few years since I rode in BSB, however I’ve at all times needed to get again and blend it up with the highest guys once more. With 15 extra races within the season, we’ll get a stack extra monitor time and it’s good to get every thing finalised earlier than heading into winter. I’m transferring again to BSB with a very good group so I can’t wait to get caught in and see what we are able to do.”

Dutchman van Sikkelerus, in the meantime, joins the group after impressing within the British Supersport Championship. The 26-year outdated made his debut within the middleweight division in 2021 the place, after taking a podium end at Donington Park, he completed tenth general.

He improved to fifth general final yr after taking 5 podiums, which included a maiden victory at Donington, and at the moment lies in sixth general on this yr’s championship standings after one other victory on the MPM Routz Racing Yamaha at Donington.

Jaimie van Sikkelerus

“I’m very excited to work along with the C&L Fairburn Properties/Jackson Racing group within the new BSB Pathway class! Lots of issues will change for me subsequent yr – new group, new bike, new class – however after 3 years in Supersport with our non-public group, it’s the correct second. I’m very motivated and can be taught loads and I’m delighted to remain within the British Championship due to the occasion, the high-level racing and the large crowds. Due to that, I’m extraordinarily grateful to Chris Fairburn and the group, in addition to my private sponsors, for giving me this chance. I can’t wait to leap into the brand new 2024 season!”

Chris Fairburn – Workforce Proprietor

“It’s been a whirlwind 18 months which began after we went from being certainly one of Billy’s private sponsors to organising our personal group firstly of 2022 and now transferring into the premier British Superbike Championship class. I’d wish to assume we’ve shortly develop into one of many main, {most professional} groups within the Superstock class and transferring into the Superbike class has at all times been on my thoughts.

“It’s one thing I knew I needed to occur at some stage and the brand new Pathway-specification rules have fast-forwarded the decision-making course of. It makes excellent sense for us to make the transfer now and with three races and extra monitor time each weekend, we’ll have the ability to maximise our potential and present what we are able to do. With Billy, we now have the best rider and with all his expertise I’m present he’ll proceed to indicate his expertise while additionally being the proper foil for Jaimie. He’s impressed enormously within the Supersport class and deserves his alternative in BSB; we’re positive he’ll make his mark.”