Westmoreland, Kirkham to Buildbase BMW

Buildbase BMW has confirmed an all-new rider line-up for the 2013 MCE British Superbike Championship with the signing of James Westmoreland and Jon Kirkham.

Westmoreland will embark on his third season of British Superbike racing after stints with Motorpoint Yamaha and WFR Honda, the 24-year-old notching up 19 top ten finishes with the latter on the way to securing the 2012 BSB Riders' Cup for the best-placed non-Title Showdown rider.

With WFR Honda having announced its withdrawal from the series, Westmoreland was delighted to pin down a ride as he looks to break his podium duck on the BMW S1000RR.

"I'm really happy to part of the Buildbase BMW team with official BMW support to challenge for the 2013 Championship. I have known the team for a number of years and now is the correct time to work together and I think we can put together a strong season.

"Obviously I need to adapt to the bike, as it is very different to the Honda but I cannot wait to get going. I have tested the bike and instantly I felt comfortable and can't wait to progress. I am really motivated to repay Stuart and Steve Hicken's faith in me and bring some silverware home for the team, the sponsors, myself, and to secure BMW's first podium would be very special."

Kirkham, meanwhile, comes to Buildbase BMW after a season with the factory-supported Samsung Honda team, a tenure that yielded a second career win at Brands Hatch, but less success elsewhere.

Nonetheless, the switch to Buildbase marks a return to the BMW S1000RR machinery that carried Kirkham to the 2010 National Superstock 1000 Championship.

"I am glad to have been able to announce that I will be with the Buildbase BMW team in 2013 already and I am really excited about 2013 already," he said. "I want to make improvements and be back where we need to be next season and I am really looking forward to being back on a BMW after winning the Superstock Championship on the S1000RR in 2010. All I can say is roll on 2013 as I can't wait to get started!"

With Lee Jackson progressing to Superstock 1000 with the team, Buildbase BMW's Stuart Hicken was delighted with his new rider line-up.

"We are feeling very positive about 2013 and are really looking forward to working with our new riders. James Westmoreland has shown he is a fast, crafted rider and I have admired him for some time so to be able to sign him was great for the team, especially as he came so close to the Showdown this season.

"JK impressed me with his desire to ride with the team and with his experience of the BMW he will make it a strong line up in our garage. We feel that the BMW is capable of running at the front and aiming for podium finishes so we want to hit the ground running next year.

"We also have Lee Jackson joining the team and he has really shown such great potential and we want to progress him as a young, upcoming British talent."

Buildbase BMW entered Barry Burrell and Dan Linfoot at the start of the 2012 season, though the latter was replaced by Peter Hickman five rounds into the year. Burrell went on to secure Buildbase's best BMW result with a run to fourth place at the BSB season finale at Brands Hatch.