TAS Racing has announced Danny Kent will join Rory Skinner in a two-rider team for the 2026 ZYN British Superbike Championship, with a change of manufacturer to Yamaha for the forthcoming campaign.
The Northern Irish team extend their association with Cheshire Mouldings for a third season in the Championship, with continued support and enthusiasm as the team look forward to welcoming their staff and guests at each round of the season whilst delivering on track in their stunning new livery.
Kent joins the team as a proven race winner already with Yamaha in BSB, as the 2015 Moto3 World Champion bids to add the BSB title to his achievements. Skinner meanwhile lines up for his third year with the team, scoring race wins in previous seasons together.
TAS Racing is not new to Yamaha: their return to racing in 1999 was with Ian Lougher campaigning the iconic Yamaha R71. Team principal Philip Neill opened his racing account on a Yamaha YZ80, and his father Hector’s introduction to racing sponsorship, was purchasing a TZ250, back in the halcyon days of two-stroke competition.
The team also welcome a host of new sponsors over the coming weeks, but 2026 will see a return to TAS Racing for a firm favourite, Michael Laverty. A former rider with the team and a well-known figure in two-wheel competition globally, he will bring his MLAV Racing brand under the TAS awning, as a welcome partner for 2026.
Kent said: “I’m very pleased and honoured to be riding for Cheshire Mouldings Yamaha. Firstly, I would like to say a massive thank you to TAS Racing, Cheshire Mouldings and everyone involved for giving me this opportunity, and although it’s a new team for me, this will be my third year on a Yamaha. I will be working again with Chris Anderson (Spanner) as my crew chief – so the goal is to continue how we finished 2025, and that’s winning races.”
Skinner said: “I’m really excited to be starting year three with the TAS Racing team, so thanks to everyone for having me onboard for another year. Obviously, another change of manufacturer for us moving to Yamaha, but I’m very motivated for the championship, as I think it’s going to be our best opportunity yet to flourish.
“I can’t wait now to get testing on the Cheshire Mouldings Yamaha; it will be an exciting year and great to have Danny in the team. That’s a new dynamic for me at TAS, having a team-mate, but I think it will be good for both of us. The goal for us both is to be competitive at the front, and we can no doubt push each other on to bigger and better things.”
Team Principal Philip Neill commented: “It is absolutely fantastic to announce another year with Cheshire Mouldings as our title partner. You couldn’t wish for more enthusiastic partners in John and Jacquie, and the company now being a part of the Summit Timber Group further strengthens the brand.
“We are back to a two-rider Superbike team, so it’s great to have secured this once again with two accomplished riders in Danny and Rory. The switch to Yamaha machinery is exciting but not as new as you might think. We started our 27 year journey as TAS Racing running a Yamaha in our return to racing; to further add to this, my first proper race bike was a Yamaha YZ80 and my Father Hector’s first endeavours in the road racing world was with a Yamaha TZ, so you might say we are returning to where we started.
“Last but certainly not least, it really is great to confirm MLAV Racing as a partner for 2026. Michael and I have worked on this idea for a very long time and after spending many happy years working together in different forms, I’m excited at what this relationship will bring to the future of the team.”