Swan to back SMR title bid

Shaun Muir Racing will enter the 2010 MCE British Superbike Championship with a new title sponsor after inking a deal with Swan.

In a deal that will see the team, formerly known as Hydrex Honda, become rebranded as Swan Honda, the leading filter and rolling paper manufacturer is upping its involvement in the series having provided backing for the BSB championship over the past two years.

The team will run two Honda Fireblades in 2010, with Stuart Easton confirmed on one, while a second rider is due to be announced soon.

The Scot, who finished third overall with two wins and 14 podiums in his maiden season with SMR, is currently the highest placed '09 rider returning to BSB. With new backing and investment, Easton is confident he will enter 2010 as a title favourite.

"It is great news for me to remain with the team for a second consecutive season and after such a positive end to 2009 I am definitely going to be pushing harder than ever this year," he said. "We proved how competitive we were last season and we are only going to come back stronger, with an improved package and even more determined to fight for the championship.

"I want to get the best results I possibly can as I want to win the championship for myself, the team and our new sponsor Swan. I know we have a good starting point for our first pre-season test and we have the speed and consistency to succeed. We will definitely be arriving at Brands Hatch ready to go out and win."

Shaun Muir was also delighted to get an exciting new sponsor on board at a time when several teams, most notably champions GSE Racing, are struggling to get backing.

"We have had a roller coaster few months, and finally agreeing the partnership with a high profile and iconic brand such as Swan is fantastic news for our team. Stuart was our number one target for this year and fully deserves his chance with us for a second term.

"We have identified the areas with the current bike where we can make major improvements and hope to give both our riders a much improved package from that which we finished the 2009 season with.

"We hope to soon complete the signing of our second rider and confirm Swan Honda as serious title challengers for the 2010 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship."

The Swan Honda team will be officially launched this weekend.