The Santander Salt TAG Yamaha team are gearing up for the 2020 Bennetts British Superbike Championship getting underway this weekend at the teams’ home round of Donington Park.
Following on from over a 100-day break since the riders returned home from Spain back in early March, the Santander Salt TAG Racing team are ready and raring to go for the eagerly awaited 2020 Bennetts BSB campaign with a new-look line-up including double British Supersport Champion Jack Kennedy teaming up with Dan Linfoot in the superbike class.
During the lockdown the team continued to work hard, upgrading key areas on the bikes ahead of the season. Both Dan and Jack are ready to make an impressive start to a shortened, but action-packed Superbike season.
Linfoot said: “I’m really excited to be going back racing, it’s felt a long, long time since I raced in anger so I can’t wait. My plan this weekend is to get strong points, we need to start the season strongly and that is just what is on my radar. With their being no Showdown this year it means everyone will be putting it on the line and I will be doing the exact same.
“Donington wasn’t our strongest round last year, in fact we really struggled and I want to put that right. We still have work to do with the new bike, but we’re making progress and that is a positive sign.
“I just want to say how sad it will be not to have fans at the track but I know they will be supporting me from home and that does mean a lot.”
Kennedy said: "I’m more than ready to get back racing after such a long break and excited to finally get the 2020 season started. I left the official test happy with the progress we made as a team, although the day didn’t start off the best we ended it strong which is the most important thing. The new Yamaha YZF R1 is quickly starting to feel like my own and that’s a really good sign after the limited time we’ve had to ride it.
“My aim this weekend is to get some solid points on the board to start the year off strong, then build on that as the season goes on.
“It will be very strange with no fans trackside at the opening round but I’m sure we will have some exciting close racing this weekend so there’ll be plenty to cheer on from home.”
Team manager Gary Winfield commented: “It’s nice to be leaving for a race track again, it’s a really good feeling after what has happened and it’s a big credit to everyone at MSV for getting the show on the road.
“We’ve worked extremely hard over the break after testing to improve the package, the work didn’t stop for us. The new bike has given us a new lease of life, we’re ready for action and hopefully we can leave Donington with solid points for Jack and Dan.
“It won’t be the same without fans at the track, and our sponsors and guests, but I know they’ll be shouting at their TV’s in support and hopefully we can see them all soon.”