It will be another exciting year ahead for New Zealand’s Shane Richardson as he contemplates another season racing superbikes in the United Kingdom.
The Wainuiomata man has been named as an integral member of the Astro-JJR BMW team line-up for the 2021 Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championships, part of the Bennetts British Superbike Championships series.
It will be Richardson’s third year with the squad and he will be joined in the team by newcomer David Allingham. Another New Zealander, Whakatane’s Damon Rees, raced with the team this season, but he has since signed up to race for the Ashcourt Racing Team in the UK for 2021.
Allingham will be joining the ranks of the established Superstock 1000 team in 2021 following recent seasons in the Bennetts British Superbike and Quattro Group British Supersport Championships, as he aims for title glory.
Astro-JJR will also field a Junior team within the Superstock 1000 class for 2021, running alongside the main team, with Caolan Irwin progressing to the class after finishing fourth in last year’s Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championship.
Allingham said: “I am very happy to be joining Astro-JJR and I believe as a team we can achieve great things in 2021. I can’t wait to enjoy some quality time off with my family and start fresh in the new year onboard the BMW S 1000 RR beside my new team-mate Shane Richardson and good friend Caolan Irwin. I would also like to thank Stuart and James for giving me this opportunity.”
Richardson said: “I am really excited to get going again aboard the Astro JJR BMW having had some time to reset after 2020. I’m looking to get back to fighting at the front after a mediocre performance on my behalf this year. The team is more than capable of taking home a championship and I’m grateful for another opportunity to work with them as we aim for success!”
Irwin said: “I am really grateful to the Astro-JJR team for this opportunity. We had a great season in Superstock 600 in 2020 and I’m proud of the faith Stu, James and Charlotte have in me to make this deal happen. Superstock 1000 will be a big step up, but I am in a really experienced team, with a great crew and some fast team-mates, so I’m sure we will achieve great results together.”
Team Owner Stuart Tromans commented: “I have looked at David coming through for the last two years, but when he made the direct transition to the main BSB class I thought the chance had gone, but now we have this chance to work together. Within the family, team environment we feel we will bring out the best in David and I think him working with James is sure to rekindle his hunger, drive and determination to run at the front of this ultra-competitive class.
“The team will be remaining with the BMW S 1000 RR that proved a superb package in the Championship during 2020 and we will be building two new ones for Shane and David. Whilst the option was there to move to the new M model, we felt that the experience with the S Model will stand us in good stead for the season.
“As a small private team we have achieved excellent results in the past years with Alex Olsen, Shane Richardson and Rees and we look forward to the new season ahead.”
JJR’s James Jackson concluded: “I am really pleased to announce the team line up for 2021. I think it’s the perfect balance of youth, enthusiasm and experience from all three riders. We are looking forward to rolling out on track now.”
The start of the new 11-round UK season is set to start at Oulton Park in Cheshire on the May 2-3, 2021, before climaxing at the final round at Brands Hatch on October 15-17, 2021.
© Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ
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