Kennedy, Mackenzie in BSB bid with Team WD-40
Ireland's Jack Kennedy will contest the MCE British Superbike Championship with Team WD-40 this season in a two-rider line-up with young gun Taylor Mackenzie.
The pair will make their debuts in the series and Dublin man Kennedy returns to the British championship paddock to ride a Kawasaki ZX-10R after two seasons in World Supersport, when he'll be reunited with his former crew chief Andy Jamison.
Kennedy, who narrowly missed out on the British Supersport title in 2012 with Northern Ireland team Mar-Train Racing, said: "I've have had one off rides on Superbikes before and really enjoyed the experience.
"I have been looking closely at the transition into a full time Superbike career, and it was the chance to join Team WD-40 in BSB that really excited me the most because I know with what they have there we can have a real crack at it.
"I'm even more excited about the team they've got in place, with my old crew chief Andy Jamison and even my old team-mate Taylor - it'll be just like the old days!" he added.
"I know how good Andy is and that we work well together makes everything easier, because we don't have to start fresh."
Kennedy has set himself a goal of challenging for the Showdown places this year and hopes to be battling for rostrum finishes in the Sheffield-based GR Motorsport outfit.
"We all know there is such a huge worldwide following of BSB, and I am looking forward to getting back out in front of those big British crowds again," he said.
"The level of competition in BSB is very strong; if you look at the list of riders it shows the depth of field and I am excited to be a part of it. I couldn't be more confident than I am now for joining this team with their package and crew.
"Every rider in BSB focuses on being in the Showdown and that is the same for me. I want to be pushing for the top six and then we can go hell-for-leather in the last three rounds!" Kennedy said.
"We want to be fighting for podiums - we are certainly not there to make up the numbers."
Mackenzie, who claimed his maiden rostrum finish in the British Supersport class last year on the Tyco Suzuki, joins his brother Tarran in Brent Gladwin's team, who will contest the National Superstock 600 series alongside Joe Irving in the Stauff Connect Academy livery.
Mackenzie said: "I am over the moon to be making my British Superbike debut for Team WD40 this season.
"It's a massive opportunity for me to step up to the Superbike class at the age of 21 so I really can't thank Brent Gladwin and Geoff Crust enough for putting their faith in me.
"It's also good to have my old team-mate Jack Kennedy back in the garage next to me we worked well together before and are good friends too. I have ridden big bikes a couple of times and really enjoyed it," he added.
"I've got a steep learning curve ahead of me but I can't wait for the challenge ahead."
Shoolboy motocrosser Sam Atkinson will also complete the 2015 season under the team's colours in the British Youth National Championship as part of the Stauff Connect Academy development programme.
