BSB: Max Cook to make Superbike debut with Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Racing Kawasaki in 2023

2022 Junior Superstock Champion Max Cook will make the jump into the Bennetts British Superbike Championship next season after joining Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Racing Kawasaki.

The 19-year-old joins Lee Jackson at the official Kawasaki outfit after a dominating display in the junior category this season. Cook won nine races, whilst securing a total of 11 podiums, eight poles and five all-time lap records. He ended 2022 50 points clear of runner-up, Franco Bourne.  

• Pick up the November 30 issue of MCN for an exclusive interview with Max Cook.

Cook takes the seat vacated by Rory Skinner following his move to the Moto2 World Championship, with the duo having gone through very similar paths to the premier British class. It continues the team’s goal to help give young riders a chance and help them to make progress both on and off the track.

“This is a dream come true for me,” Cook said. “Firstly, I would like to thank Nigel and Darren for supporting me for six years and now, to finally be their rider is so surreal! Nigel has supported me throughout my years at Red Bull Rookies Cup, Moto3 Junior World Championship and most recently, winning the Junior Superstock 600 championship, so he knows what I can do on a bike.

“Of course, this is a big step for me, but I feel like I am totally ready for the challenge and looking forward to showing people what I can do. To have Lee Jackson as my teammate is amazing. We all know he is very fast, and he is someone that I have always looked up to, so I can’t wait to soak up his knowledge. I have already had a taste for the Superbike in early October, and I’m very excited to give it the beans in a proper run out in winter testing!”

Like Skinner before him, Cook has raced in the British Talent Cup, Red Bull Rookies and CEV Junior Moto3 World Championship, whilst both riders are Aprilia Superteen winners. Cook won the open class MotoStar British Moto3 title in 2017 – the category which became the Talent Cup the following year.

Cook spent the last two years in the Junior Superstock Championship following his return from the GP paddock.

“We’ve been supporting Max for six years and have been really impressed with his progress,” Snook said. “He’s served his apprenticeship winning the BSB Moto3 championship in 2017, then progressing through the British Talent Cup, Red Bull Rookies and the Junior World Championship. His talent really shone through this year as he dominated the Junior Superstock Championship and made a very impressive Supersport debut at the final round at Brands Hatch.

“As a team, we pride ourselves on actively supporting young talented riders, so the decision to promote Max to ride alongside Lee Jackson fitted perfectly with our philosophy. As a front running BSB team, it’s easy to overlook a long-term development plan in return for instant results. We believe every team in the paddock has the responsibility to nurture young talent to keep British riders at the forefront of world racing and show everyone that the British Superbike Championship is the strongest domestic championship in the world.”

FS-3 Racing has put together a comprehensive winter testing programme designed to help Cook get to grips with the 1,000cc Ninja ZX-10RR, whilst he’s also undertaking an extensive fitness programme over the off-season to ensure that he will be ready for the demands of the Superbike class.

“Just coming up to his 20th birthday, Max will certainly have his work cut out getting used to the raw power of a Superbike, but we’ve got a full testing plan in place for him over the winter, and he’s very excited to get going,” Snook added. “Based on his previous experience, we don’t think it will be too long before he surprises a few people.’’

Cook is the second rider to be handed by BSB debut by a Kawasaki-run team. 2022 British Supersport runner Bradley Perie will also make the step into the Superbike class after linking-up with Lee Hardy Racing.

Pick up the November 30 issue of MCN for an exclusive interview with Max Cook.