Young Australian Lachlan Epis will make his debut as a full-time racer in the Bennetts British Superbike Championships next year.
A popular visitor when he raced in New Zealand during the Suzuki International series last year and during the New Zealand Superbike Championships at the start of this year, the 21-year-old Epis has now signed a new deal with NP Motorcycles Lextek BMW, the team that he made his BSB debut with at the final round of the 2020 season at Brands Hatch.
Since leaving Australia Epis has competed in the CEV and European Superstock 600 championships, as well as the World Supersport Championship.
“After standing in for the team at the final round of the Championship at Brands Hatch this year, I’m excited to be joining the NP Motorcycles Lextek BMW for a full season in 2021,” Epis said. “I’m looking forward to training here in Australia before flying to England in March to start testing again with my guys.
“The goal will be to get comfortable on the bike and in the championship and start working away to the fight for the midfield and keep moving forward. I can’t wait to get going!”
Team owner Nigel Pearson also revealed that he plans to expand the team to a two-rider outfit in 2021, with more news to be revealed in the coming weeks.
“We are excited to see where he [Epis] can come in this very competitive championship with more experience in the series next year,” Pearson added. “His appearance in the final races of the season this year opened his eyes to how hard this championship is, but he is relishing the challenge.”
The 2021 season is scheduled to get underway at Oulton Park on the first weekend in May after a series of tests on British circuits throughout April. Currently, 11 rounds appear on the 2021 calendar.
Epis will certainly have at least one friend on the UK race tracks … Whakatane’s Damon Rees raced the Superstock 1000 class in the BSB series this year and has plans to return and race there again in the New Year.
Rees impressed with podium finishes this year in his first appearances at Donington Park, as well as regularly achieving top-10 finishes.
Rees eventually finished eighth overall in the championship during this rookie season, despite missing the last round at Brands Hatch due to injury.
© Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ
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