FHO Racing has announced that former double National Superstock 1000 Champion Richard Cooper will join the team for 2023 as he contests the all-new BMW F 900 R Cup with Faye Ho’s BMW-backed squad.
This season will be the first time Cooper has been back full-time in the British series after a crash in 2020 at Donington Park ruled him out of the season. Cooper won the National Superstock 1000 Championship in 2011 and 2019 and alongside his racing commitments with FHO Racing this year, he will be working closely with his teammate Kate Walker in the BMW F900 R Cup, as she makes her debut in the British series.
Cooper will be in action for the first time on the BMW F 900 R at the final day of the official Bennetts British Superbike Championship test at Silverstone on March 29, with Round 1 taking place at Easter (April 7/8/9).
Cooper said: “The deal for this season came about quite late in the day, but I’m happy we managed to get something sorted and turned around quickly, where I’m able to join an established team like FHO Racing. The F 900 R Cup will be an exciting series to get stuck into, the main thing is that my input is equal to what I would be putting into a National Championship class – I’m coming into this to win races.
“The main different for me now, I guess is my outlook into racing. I want to enjoy weekends, race with a smile on my face and give something back to the younger talent coming through like Kate [Walker]. I’ve raced in various one-make series before and they’re classes I seem to excel in, which I think is down to my ability to adapt to different bikes quickly. I’d like to thank Faye and the team for this opportunity, and I’m looking forward to getting the season started.”
Team Owner Faye Ho commented: “It’s great to have Richard joining the team in the BMW F 900 R Cup; I think he’ll be a great addition to FHO Racing and especially working alongside Kate. His experience in the paddock, bike set-up and general race craft will be a huge benefit to Kate as she moves up into the British Championship.
“Richard is a former two-time Superstock champion; he’s a trusted pair of hands and we all know what he’s capable of. I believe we’re in for an exciting season with him onboard and I think he’ll keep everyone in the class on their toes.”
The newest championship on the BSB platform, the BMW F 900 R Cup will feature a unique format at each of its nine race weekends. Qualifying practice will split and set the grids for the two Heat races which will typically take place on Saturday afternoon. The first thirteen riders from each Heat race will go directly through to Sunday's Main Event - but with a twist! The six riders from the Heat race podium finishing positions will draw from a ballot for their Main Event grid position (occupying grid positions 1 - 6). For riders finishing outside of the top thirteen positions in the Heat races, they get one last chance to get into the Main Event, by virtue of the Sunday morning LCQ race.
Then its all eyes on the Main Event on Sunday afternoon at prime time, with a full field going for the Cup points in the feature race. A £75,000 prize package has recently been announced paying across the Heats, LCQ and Main races together with a brand new BMW S 1000 RR for the overall Cup winner!