Vent–Axia has announced that it will return its “Brand” to the 2010 British Superbike Championship, with personal sponsorship to Tommy Hill, who will ride for one of the leading teams in the series, Worx Crescent Suzuki. The “Vent-Axia Brand” will also appear on the bikes and team wear. Vent-Axia were last associated with the Championship in 2007 with the Paul Bird Stobart Honda Team, and have since then, continued its association in the World Superbike Championship with PBM and the Kawasaki Team.
Commenting on the return to BSB, Vent-Axia Managing Director, Ronnie George said “we are excited to once again be associated with British Superbikes and being the leading “British Brand” in ventilation, developing and manufacturing our products in the UK, it makes sense for us to return to British Superbikes. Tommy is someone we’ve quietly been supporting for some time and we believe our increased support to him this year will be justified as he will be a leading contender on the Worx Crescent Suzuki. Our customer base extends throughout the UK and we look forward to entertaining many of them at the various meetings throughout the year.”
Tommy has experience with the Worx Crescent Suzuki Team having substituted for an injured Sylvain Guintoli at the mid point of the 2009 season. After challenging for the podium at Mallory Park and then putting in two top-five performances at Brands Hatch he'd left the team in no doubt as to his abilities. Unfortunately with Guintoli's return to fitness there was no space in the team for Tommy to see out the year. As a result, he went on to ride for the Hydrex Honda Team, where he saw podium success in the last round of the year at Oulton Park.
Now with the change to the team's strategy for 2010, Tommy joins Yukio Kagayama in what is set to become one of BSB's most dynamic and talented teams.
Jack Valentine, Team Manager of Worx Crescent Suzuki : "It was always my aim to have a younger rider in the team so we're very pleased that we’ve managed to sign Tommy. He did a very good job for us when he stood in for Sylvain last year and I'm in no doubt Tommy fits the bill perfectly. He certainly showed what he was capable of in the few outings he got last year and so we’re looking forward to working with him in 2010 – I’m sure he’s going to be running at the sharp end every week."
Tommy Hill: "I’m over the moon. I’m very happy to be in the Worx Crescent Suzuki team. I worked with the team last year, and so for me returning to the team that I’ve already worked with is fantastic. The Suzuki GSX-R1000 is a cracking bike; to have that and a team that I want to work with is so important – that’s always good for a rider’s confidence.
My association with Vent-Axia is mega, and it’s great to be involved with the leading British Company in Ventilation, and with people who understand the sport so well.”
The Championship Kicks off on 3/4/5 April at Brands hatch in Kent, and all rounds will be televised live on British Eurosport, with highlights being shown on ITV and Eurosport the following week.