BSB: Santander Salt TAG Racing withdraw from 2020 season to focus on 2021 with Dan Linfoot agreeing a new deal

Santander Salt TAG Racing have confirmed today that they have withdrawn from the 2020 Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

The team were hampered by technical and chatter problems at the opening two race meetings of the year at Donington and Snetterton. Jack Kennedy retired from three of the six races, securing a season best of 13^th on two occasions.

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Meanwhile, Dan Linfoot finished 14th in the opening race of the year but retired in the two remaining races at Donington. Linfoot’s side of the garage then withdrew from the meeting at Snetterton before any racing had taken place.

Today’s team statement reads:

“The team can confirm that after a challenging start to the shortened 2020 campaign that they will not be running both Dan and Jack Kennedy for the remainder of the season due to continual chatter issues, allowing the team to focus on building a highly competitive package for the 2021 series.”

The team will now turn their attention to the 2021 BSB season and have already agreed a new deal with Linfoot. Santander Salt TAG Racing confirmed in their statement today that they’re working on a new project for 2021, with Linfoot, who mutually agreed to withdraw from this campaign, pleased to have signed for a third year.

“I’m delighted to be able to stay with the team for a third year, although this may come as a surprise to many after our withdrawal for the rest of this season but I love working with the team and I’m excited for what the future has in store for us,” Linfoot explained.

“Due to our withdrawal for the remainder of this season this naturally led to a conversation regarding 2021 where both I and the team were pleased to agree to compete in Bennetts BSB again next season with a different package under neath me.

“They’ve been behind me all through the tough times and actively encouraged me to go and race with another team for the remainder for this season, which I am extremely grateful for and looking forward to being at the front again. I’m also fully behind the team’s decision to withdraw for the remainder of the season, and I’m confident that next season we can be back to be where we all know I and the team can be.

“It’s nice to know what I will be doing next season but at this point my main focus is on coming back in 2021 a stronger rider and showing what we can do together.”

The team have also confirmed that they’ve made an offer to Kennedy for 2021 and that talks are currently ongoing with the double British Supersport champion. Whilst Linfoot may yet appear with another team this year, it’s not currently known what Kennedy’s plans are for the remainder of the season.

“We’re really, really pleased to sign Dan once again for 2021 and to agree it so early on I feel is a real statement of intent from us,” team boss Gary Winfield added. “Throughout the issues over the last 18 months Dan has remained incredibly professional and continued to do his job with the upmost integrity.

“We’re close to announcing what our new vision for 2021 will be, we’ve spent plenty of time planning it and we’re confident we can once again prove plenty of people wrong, much like we have done in the past. Finally, I need to thank all of our sponsors and partners who have respected our decision to pull out of the Superbike class this year, but rest assured we’ll be back stronger in 2021.”

Meanwhile, the team have confirmed that Shaun Winfield and Liam Delves will continue to compete in the remaining rounds of the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 and 600 Championship’s respectively. Shaun Winfield has also signed a new deal for the 2021 Superstock 1000 campaign.