Marino, Laverty to Splitlath Redmond
Splitlath Redmond Racing has announced a bold new rider line-up for the 2012 MCE British Superbike Championship, signing 2011 World Supersport front runner Florian Marino and John Laverty to its team.
The team, which made its BSB debut in 2010, endured a troubled campaign in 2011 with the Aprilia RSV-4, but having acquired additional backing from former Olympic competitor Derek Redmond over the winter, it will start afresh in 2012 with a revised team set-up and an ambitious new rider pairing
Marino's arrival on the British racing scene comes after a successful tenure in Europe, the Frenchman finishing runner-up in the 2010 FIM Superstock 600 series before stepping up to the World Supersport Championship with multiple champions Ten Kate Honda. Despite his rookie status, Marino established himself as a front runner on the way to eighth in the overall standings.
"I am proud to come and ride in such a high level internationally recognised championship as the BSB", he said. "I will approach this challenge with humility, take my time and above all finish the races thinking that each time I'll do better until I win.
"Regarding my new team, I'm bringing with me the knowledge I've gained during my WSS experience and I won't disappoint them. I appreciate the opportunity they're giving me to ride in the BSB Championship knowing that I'm young and I'll be learning a new class, a new bike and new tracks."
Laverty, meanwhile, is embarking on his return to BSB racing after missing much of the 2011 season due to a serious injury sustained in an accident at Oulton Park.
"I'm delighted to have signed to race for Splitlath Redmond this season, and it's brilliant that John Dimbylow and Derek Redmond have given me this opportunity," said Laverty, who began the 2011 season with Buildbase BMW.
"When I first spoke to them last year I was quite taken aback that they wanted to sign me up given the injuries and the season I'd had. For me it was something special that they looked beyond last year and saw that it's not all about the past season.
"Once I knew I had a ride in place it gave me a little bit more of a target to work towards. The recovery has been going well with lots of physiotherapy, trips to see my osteopath and Derek has been helping out with some training advice - he's a man who knows about injuries to the lower legs so it's nice to bounce ideas around with him.
"I imagine it will be a slow start to the season for me, but I will become stronger as it goes on and by the end of it we should be firing on all cylinders. Splitlath Redmond is a brand new team with a whole new crew so that works in my favour. We are all working towards the same goal - that is to grow over the season so by the end we really can be mixing it at the sharp end."
Set to continue with the Aprilia RSV-4, Splitlath Redmond are hoping the decision to adopt EVO-influenced regulations for 2012 will aid their cause following its successful performance in the sub-category in 2010.
Indeed, as well as its encouraging rider line-up, Splitlath Redmond have also lured former HM Plant and BMW WSBK crew chief Tom Larson, as well as PTR Honda's Mark 'Brains' Woodage to its midst for 2012.
"This season we have signed two of the most talented riders around and have hand-picked an amazing crew to power them on the stunning Aprilia RSV4," said team principal John Dimbylow. "John's results speak for themself and we're delighted to have signed him. With Florian we know we've got one of biggest up and coming stars on the world racing scene today.
"Splitlath Redmond is a new team with new riders and some very highly respected new crew mem bers and we really believe this is going to be our season. We all want the same thing and everyone is working hard to achieve this goal together."
