Padgetts Honda 2012 BSB Rider Line-up: Photo Credit - MCN/Pacemaker
Padgetts Racing, one of the world's finest private teams, will field a two rider line-up in the 2012 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship. The former 500cc & 250cc Grand Prix outfit will field Italian Luca Scassa and Ireland's Ian Lowry on a pair of Honda Fireblades, adding more big names to an already star-studded line-up for the new season.
Scassa will make his BSB debut after previously racing in the World Supersport Championship. “The Rocker” took three victories on his way to fifth in the championship last year and is hopeful that the British Superbike Championship will prove a springboard to future success.
“I am very happy about joining BSB, I am looking forward to this new experience and now I can't wait to join the championship. I know some of the tracks already, but of all of them I am most looking forward to Cadwell Park; I have seen the photos of Josh Brookes and I really want to go there! I had the chance to race in WSB and WSS but I am not very old and I like to do something different. I think racing in BSB will give me a better chance in the future; we have seen it in the past with riders like John Hopkins and Jonathan Rea. I have raced with Shakey, Hill and Haga before; they are all strong, fast riders and there are many of those in BSB.”
Padgetts join the likes of Honda Racing, Team WFR and GBmoto Racing on the CBR1000RR machine for 2012 and with the experience in the ranks, Scassa expects his team to give him a competitive package.
“I came and met the team recently and it was great; they have lots of history in racing and I knew this before I spoke to Clive. They have a lot of experience and I feel happy with the team. I have never ridden a Honda before so it will be interesting for me the first time we test, but it is one of the best bikes to race and I think it will be very good with the rules in BSB. I think at the moment in my career I feel that I am near the top of my riding style and if I can find a good feeling with the Padgetts Honda then we should have good results”.
Teammate Lowry switched between BMW and Kawasaki equipment last year and is delighted to have secured a place with Padgetts for 2012.
“It is great for me to be back in BSB and I feel this will be a good season for me. The Padgetts team have a huge amount of experience with a proven track record and also the enthusiasm to match. I need to show everyone my true potential this season and this is a great opportunity for me. It is good to be with Honda this year as with the rule changes I think it will be a fantastic package; in past seasons I have always been envious of how good the chassis is straight out of the crate and it should lend itself well to the new regulations. It should throw up a few surprises and I am really up for the new challenge.”
Team Owner Clive Padgett admitted the new low-cost regulations enticed his team into entering BSB and is excited by the rider line-up he has assembled.
“Everyone in the Padgetts race team are really looking forward to being back racing in the premier class. The decision to move into Superbike was prompted by the new rules and we will continue to race in the Metzeler National Superstock Championship alongside BSB. We are really excited about working with Ian and Luca. Ian has shown massive promise in the past and we would like to reignite that this year, whilst we have followed Luca's career for several seasons and he has a real passion for racing. This line up and our return to Superbike was meant to be and we are all ready to get things started!”
