Reigning Pirelli National Superstock 1000cc Champions Morello Racing will launch a three-pronged attack on the 2016 series having announced the signings of Ben Godfrey, Fraser Rogers and Croatian Tedy Basic.
The Norwich-based team won this year’s Championship in fine style with Josh Elliott leading the series from the second round onwards, taking five wins and 11 podiums in total, and they’ll now defend their title with a trio of 2016 Kawasaki ZX-10R machines.
“We’re delighted to welcome all three riders to the team and are already looking forward to getting back out on track towards the end of January for pre-season testing,” Team Owner Steve Buckenham said.
“We’re under no illusions that defending our title will be straightforward but with three, young and hungry riders we’re confident that we’ll be able to run at the front again especially with the all-new Kawasaki ZX-10R machine being such a formidable machine.”
“Running a Superbike alongside our Superstock effort in 2015 was very challenging so we’ve decided to concentrate all our efforts on the Superstock 1000cc class in 2016 and give the riders everything they need. Ben and Fraser have already shown their capabilities and have the potential to go a long way whilst Tedy has impressed me greatly with his eagerness to come to the UK and challenge so we’ll all very excited about the season ahead.”
20-year old Godfrey, who finished tenth overall in the 2014 Pirelli National Superstock 600cc Championship, made the step up to the 1000cc class this year scoring points on five occasions.
“I’m mega happy to be joining such a high-profile team and with Morello Racing having won the Championship this year, it’s the ideal platform for me to build upon what I’ve learnt in 2015 and push for wins and podiums next year,” said Godfrey.
“Stepping up from the 600cc class to the 1000cc class was a big learning curve for me this year but I made good progress throughout and ended the year strongly so I’m looking forward to continuing that form in 2016 right from the word go.”
Former Aprilia Superteen, CEV Moto 3 contender and World Supersport Championship rider Rogers joins the team with a wealth of experience despite his young age and impressed greatly when he competed in the Championship for the final three races of 2015.
Riding for the ILR Kawasaki team, he showed both his maturity and talent adapting quickly to the bigger machine and putting himself back on the map with a strong 12th place finish at Silverstone in just his second ride on the Kawasaki.
“First things first, I want to say a massive thank you to Steve at Morello Racing for giving me this opportunity,” added Rogers. “I feel I adapted well to the 1000cc machine at the end of this season with very little track time and with some winter testing and a strong team behind me I’m sure we can have a strong year together.”
The third member of the team is 24-year old Basic with the Croatian rider having contested the Italian and European 600cc Championships in recent years, scoring points in the latter in both 2012 and 2013.
Despite never having competed in the UK before, he’s already shown his desire and commitment by visiting the team and some of the circuits as he starts his preparations in earnest.
