EBR Buells to race in World Superbikes in 2014

Badged as 'Team Hero EBR,' the addition of Erik Buell Racing (EBR) brings to eight the number of manufacturers lining up on the world's leading production bike grid. The innovative American will be join Italian icon, MV Agusta, as newcomers - joining established world superbike manufacturers Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda, BMW, Aprilia and Ducati.

"Having eight manufacturers committed is exciting news," said Fergus Cameron, managing director of the Phillip Island circuit. "World supers delivers production bike racing that is spectacular and truly reflective of the bikes we ride on the road."

With backing from the India's Hero Motor Corp, the country's largest motorcycle company, Team Hero EBR will be a two rider squad, consisting of Geoff May and Aaron Yates, running the new 2014-spec EBR 1190RX. Both riders make the move to WSBK after a number of successful seasons in the AMA Superbike series in the USA.

May, who is an accomplished AMA rider, has ridden the EBR machine in the US for the past two seasons claiming a podium finish at the Sonoma Raceway circuit in 2012 on his way to 5th position in the rider classification that year, and 9th in 2013. Yates, who has over 20 years racing experience, joined the squad for their 2013 AMA campaign finishing a respectable 8th overall in the final standings.

The team will be run by Claudio Quintarelli, Team Owner, and Giulio Bardi, Team Manager, both proud to field the first American motorcycle to contest the World Championship with two American riders.

"More than three decades of racing, engineering, and manufacturing experience goes into every EBR motorcycle" said Erik Buell, Founder, EBR Motorcycles.

"The EBR 1190RX has some very unique engineering technology, and how to optimize this for each race series is something that takes time to learn. With the winter testing ban, we will have to wait and see where we are in terms of current pace and performance.

"Nobody is expecting podiums, but we will be hard at work, learning and improving. We are confident EBR will bring a fun and exciting story to the series, and know the results will come."

Tickets for the 2014 eni FIM Superbike World Championship, QBE Round, Phillip Island, 21 - 23 February are on sale now. For further info go to www.worldsbk.com.au or call the hotline on 1 300 728 007.

Image: courtesy of IRPR