Platform Hire Ltd will take on a new challenge this year in the Pirelli National Superstock Championship, after acquiring the Morello Racing team ahead of the 2021 season and have announced the signing of double champion Keith Farmer for their debut title bid.

Platform Hire Ltd, a nationwide specialist in the hire and sales of powered access equipment, has featured within the Bennetts British Superbike Championship paddock since 2016 when they first supported Aaron Zanotti, a partnership that lasted for three years.

Their association within the series continued with Danny Buchan for two seasons and most recently with 2015 Moto3 World Champion Danny Kent, who continues to be supported for his 2021 campaign in Bennetts BSB with the Buildbase Suzuki team by Platform Hire Ltd.

This year now marks a new challenge for the Worcestershire Company after acquiring Morello Racing, who have previously celebrated two Championship victories in the Superstock class as Farmer returns to the grid in a bid to secure a third title in the series.

The team will also be fielding an entry in the HEL Performance British Junior Supersport Championship with the rider to be announced in due course.

Farmer said:

“I am really excited to be part of this; Dave at Platform Hire took over the Morello team and threw me a lifeline when it was looking like I might not even race this season, so this is absolutely mega as Morello Racing was who I had originally signed with for 2021.

“To have a full attack in Superstock is going to be brilliant on the all-new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR, so I am looking forward to enjoying riding again! These past two years have been tough, but in Superstock, I seem to have a good pedigree with two titles previously. The last time I raced a Kawasaki in Superstock I won the title in 2012 with Birdy so hopefully I can do the same again with a new team.”

Dave Williams, Owner of Platform Hire Ltd commented:

“Myself and Mandy are very excited about this new project as we have been supporting riders within the BSB paddock for many years.  We have a huge passion for motorsport and we decided that we wanted a fresh and exciting new approach in the way that we market Platform Hire.

“It was through our relationship with Danny [Kent] which led to our introduction with Morello Racing last year when we were welcomed into the team and we were most impressed by the professional outfit and set up.  When it was announced that they were not going to be racing and the team was for sale, negotiations swiftly got underway as we could think of no better team that we would want to become the proud new owners of.

“We have long had aspirations to have our own team and with the deal complete, we have every intention to continue the success of Morello Racing under the new banner of Platform Hire Racing.  Although the name will change, the main key factor remains the same - Chris Sayle of Tracktec remains onboard looking after all the technical aspects for the team.  We were highly impressed by Chris and we feel he is a true asset to have working alongside us.

“Finally, a big thanks must go out to Steve Buckenham of Morello for entrusting in us to take the team onto its next chapter and we hope we can make him proud. We are excited to take on the challenge and can’t wait to get started.”