Pr1mo and Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing have joined forces for the 2012 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship as they become the seventh Elite team to be confirmed, with the newly amalgamated squad confirming their line up of Chris Walker and James Hillier.

Team owners Danny Cheevers (Pr1mo Racing) and Pete Extance (Bournemouth Kawasaki) are now looking to build on their debut seasons and combine their efforts as they target a position in the Showdown in 2012. Walker remains one of the most experienced riders on the BSB grid and as he continues his relationship with Kawasaki he admits he isn't there just to make up the numbers, whilst Hillier is aiming to build on his debut season, scoring some promising results including fourth place at Brands Hatch.

Walker said:

"It has been exciting that the team has come together and we have been accepted to be part of BSB next season with the new rules and the Elite team status. For Danny and Pete to join forces is great as they have some big plans and it is fantastic to be able to be back on the BSB grid next year. For me it is brilliant to be with the same team for a second consecutive season as we know what we need to build on and how we can make improvements. I am familiar with the team and the Kawasaki and the new rules I think will suit riders like me who have raced Superbikes for over a decade; hopefully that experience will close the gap. I was desperate to be back in BSB next season and we want to be pushing for the top six in the Showdown as that is my ambition for the year ahead. We had some top five finishes last year and we will be more prepared next season so hopefully we can achieve that goal. The team and the machine have the potential and I can't wait to get started now."


Hiller added:

"I am really looking forward to next season and working alongside Chris as a two man team. Last season was my first full year and as a one rider team it does make it more difficult, whereas in 2012 we will be able to work together and I can learn from him and his experience. Everyone knows it is hard racing in BSB but everyone in the team will be determined and giving one hundred percent. We have some data now from last year so we have a better starting point and with the new rules I don't think we will now be a million miles away. For me I want to have a consistent season and score top ten finishes and I think the team's hard work is invaluable in order to achieve this."

Extance said:

"2012 brings a whole new dimension to the BSB Championship and for a small team like Bournemouth Kawasaki it is a fantastic opportunity to be involved. The new rules dictate a two rider team is needed and we have joined forces with Danny Cheevers' Pr1mo Kawasaki Racing and will be joined by the hugely popular Chris Walker and his crew chief Ray Stringer who between them have worked wonders with the new ZX10R in 2011. We are happy to retain James Hillier in 2012 and James knows the task ahead of him to ensure BSB status and help his road racing career too. The whole Bournemouth Kawasaki team is really happy to have the knowledge and set-up available to them from such established technicians and Chris himself will really help push James up the grid."


Cheevers concluded:

"We have worked really hard in 2011 to make a competitive machine out of the new ZX10R and we made huge steps towards the end of the season. This progress, along with retaining Chris Walker on the bike gives us real continuity and we relish the opportunity to work with Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing as a joint team and combine all our skills to make Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki a real contender under the new rules. 2012 will be a good year for all of us and with the knowledge we can take from last season we will certainly be looking to hit the ground running at Brands Hatch in April. We see no reason why a Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki bike can't be challenging for a position in the Showdown."

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