Optimum Bikes Racing will make their debut in the Pirelli National Superstock Championship next season, signing South African Brent Harran to line up on the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.
Optimum Bikes, a used bike dealership based in Yorkshire, has been supporting riders in the paddock in previous seasons, and now take the step up to lining up with their own team in the Superstock class.
Harran said: “I'm ecstatic that everything has come together the way that it has for 2022 and I can't wait to get cracking with the new team and bike next year now.
“Optimum Bikes have been a sponsor of mine since my first season here in the UK in 2019 and I'm thrilled to be involved in a new project with them now running their own team in the championship. 2021 was a good introductory year into the championship for me with a few solid results along the way, so I'm looking forward to going into 2022 with a bit of experience under my belt for the first time since I've been over here.
“We have managed to get a good team around us and I am looking especially forward to working with a crew chief as experienced and well respected as Alec Tague. The new Honda definitely seems like a good package, which was evident with Tom Neave winning the championship this year, so I can't wait to get back to the UK after a short holiday in South Africa and get cracking with the new team and bike so that we can see what we can do.
“I've got to say a massive thanks to Ian Wright from Optimum Bikes for putting his faith in me and for giving me the opportunity to get out there and continue striving to achieve the goals that I came here to achieve. Another massive thanks needs to go out to Stuart Everard from Everquip Garage Equipment, who has also been a major role player in my career here this far. Also thanks to Apex Motorcycles and Optimum Vehicles who have joined our 2022 campaign, their support is much appreciated. I'm extremely fortunate to be associated with them all and I hope that I can give everyone something to shout about in 2022.”
Team Owner Ian Wright commented: “Having the right people will be key to success and making our step into the Superstock class one to watch. It is such a competitive class and one of the best championships in the world, so we are under no illusion it’s going to be tough, but we are well up for the challenge.
“We have Alec Tague as our crew chief and his knowledge and work ethic will not only get the best out of the machine, but also out of the rider and team. Dan Linfoot will be in our side of the garage as a mentor and in an advisory role for Brent as most of the circuits are still very new to him, that knowledge will be key to helping Brent get the very best results.
“Brent has one year under his belt in the Superstock class from last year and showed a lot of promise. We believe that 2022 is the year for him to shine and with a fantastic team around him, I am sure we can be fighting at the sharp end.”