Storm Stacey set to become youngest-ever BSB rider

16-year-old Storm Stacey will become the youngest-ever Bennetts British Superbike rider as he steps up to the championship with GR Motorsport Kawasaki.

Stacey will make his BSB debut at the opening round at Silverstone aged just 16 years, 11 months and 19 days.

The youngster has surged up the ranks since finishing in third place in the British Motostar Moto3 GP championship in 2017 and 2018, as well as competing in the British Talent Cup. Stacey competed for the GR Motosport team last season in the Pirelli National Superstock 600 class and charged to third place in the standings with two wins and two additional rostrums.

Stacey has been given special dispensation for his age from the ACU to compete in BSB in 2019 having completed a successful 1000cc test programme at the end of last year.

“This is really exciting for me – I am still only 16 and I am going to be riding a Superbike in BSB this year,” Stacey said. “I cannot thank the team and everyone who has supported me so far in my career enough because without them I would not have this opportunity this year.

“As a team we had looked at Superstock 1000, but after some laps to get a feel for it at both Donington Park and Jerez it felt really natural straight away and I was able to post some good times despite it being my first test.

“The team then wanted to give me this chance on the Superbike and I can’t wait to get started. The way I look at it is it will be a big learning curve but I got inspiration from Ryan Vickers, who moved from the Superstock 600 to the Superbike last year.

“It’s a more powerful bike with no traction control, but I am sure it will feel like second nature to me after the first round of tests. It will take me some time but there is no pressure on me and I love to learn the bike and understand it. That was what I did last year in the Superstock 600 class and we were fighting for the title at the final round.

“I have been getting myself in gear ready for testing and this new challenge and I am really looking forward to having this chance to prove myself on the Superbike gradually over the season.”