Official: Tarran Mackenzie to make WorldSBK debut at Assen

Mackenzie will get to ride a WorldSBK-Spec R1 for the first time as his hopes of becoming a full-time World Championship rider in 2023 begin. 

The McAMS Yamaha rider recently made his return to competitive action, following an accident in January that left him with a broken leg. 

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A ten-time BSB race winner during his 2021 championship winning season, Mackenzie will also wildcard at Donington Park in July.

Speaking about the news, Mackenzie added: "I am very excited to make my debut in the WorldSBK championship at Assen and it will be quite special to do it with my McAMS Yamaha team as I've been with them for the last five years and together, we have come a long way.” 

"Obviously there is a lot for me to learn with the engine and electronics, but I know the chassis well as my BSB bike is very similar.

"Assen is a circuit I love riding, the first time I rode a superbike there in 2018 I finished on the podium. 

"The level in World Championship is really high and I'm looking forward to getting out on track and giving it our all. 

"I have to say a huge thanks to Steve and the McAMS Yamaha team, as well as Andrea and everyone at Yamaha Racing for making this possible."

Mackenzie won’t be alone in making his WorldSBK debut, as the second round of the season will mark McAMS’ world championship debut. 

It’s also been confirmed that the well-established Yamaha outfit will have full support from the current world champions Pata Yamaha.

Andrea Dosoli, Yamaha Motor Europe Road Racing Manager, said: "We have enjoyed a long and fruitful working relationship with the McAMS team and their two riders, with a real two-way collaboration bringing benefits for all.”

"We are delighted to see Tarran and McAMS step up onto the world stage in Assen, as this fits perfectly with Yamaha’s racing philosophy of offering opportunities to the best riders and teams worldwide."

Although it’s a first venture into WorldSBK for the McAMS Yamaha team in its current form, Raceways Motorcycles had several wildcard showings in the World Supersport Championship between 2000-2010.

"We are looking forward to taking the McAMS Yamaha team to the world stage in our first Superbike wildcard appearance at Assen later this month," said McAMS Yamaha Team Principal, Steve Rodgers.

"Raceways have supported Tarran since his very early days of racing and we’ve seen him rise through the ranks, to the point where he won us the British Superbike Championship in 2021. 

"His dream is to continue his progression, so we are delighted to be able to give him the opportunity to make his World Superbike debut."

With Mackenzie’s 'dream' of competing in WorldSBK now official, here’s what the Scottish-born rider had to say when talking to Crash.net last December: "WorldSBK is the target. I’m only 26; there are some who are younger who are racing there already, but there’s also older guys that race in Superbikes, so I feel there’s still time yet and I want to first come back and prove a point next season by winning the BSB title with number one plate. 

"But I also want to push on and try to move the goal post out a little bit more in WorldSBK. My hope and aim is to be there in 2023."

With Yamaha winning all four major championships in 2021, it means WorldSBK will have the unusual scenario of both its world champion Toprak Razgatlioglu and British champion Mackenzie competing in the same series, while also representing the same manufacturer. 

The 2022 British Superbike championship gets underway on April 15-17.