Brookes signs for Relentless Suzuki

Josh Brookes has signed to ride for the Relentless by TAS Suzuki team in BSB next year.

The charismatic 27-year-old Aussie, who finished runner-up in BSB this year, had been expected to stay with HM Plant Honda.  But with the Louth-based Honda team still delaying in confirmation of their 2011 line-up, TAS team owner Philip Neill pitched an offer to Brookes.  

“I’m really excited about the deal and feel like I’ve got a lot of energy and motivation from making the move to the Relentless by TAS team,” said Brookes. “I’ve seen how their Suzukis perform on track and I’m well aware of how professional the TAS team. I felt like the Honda thing had run its course. It wasn’t that anything went wrong, it was just the right time to make a move.” 

For Neill, signing a world-class rider at the same time the team has increased Suzuki support, is major coup and he said: “I’m absolutely pumped to have signed Josh.

I’m looking forward to this season more than any other. Josh is a world level rider and signing a rider of his calibre is a big step forward for Relentless by TAS Suzuki as a team.

“And I think in Josh we’ve got the biggest character in BSB as well as the biggest character in road racing – having signed Guy Martin recently.

There’s no word yet on the second rider for the team. Relentless by TAS Suzuki’s 2010 rider Michael Laverty stalled on signing a contract and is believed to be in negotiation with Swan Yamaha and the Crescent Suzuki team as well as TAS.