BSB Oulton Park: Brayden Elliot set for debut with DAO Racing Kawasaki

Brayden Elliot will make this Bennetts British Superbike Championship debut with DAO Racing Kawasaki this weekend at Oulton Park.

Elliot graduates from the team’s Pirelli National Superstock Championship efforts following the departure of Dean Harrison. The team announced earlier in the year that Harrison would leave at the end of the season, however, the partnership has now come to a premature end.

Elliot joined DAO Racing ahead of the 2023 season having impressed on Honda machinery the year prior. In 2022, Elliot finished fourth overall with one win and four podiums onboard the Fireblade.

The Aussie sits 11^th in the standings after the opening 12 races of 2023, taking a best result of seventh at Snetterton.

“The first thing is, I’m massively thankful for the opportunity from Sommai, Clarissa, Jonny and the whole team,” Elliot said. “It’s something I’ve been working towards my whole life, especially being based in England for the last seven years, this has been the whole motivation.

“I’m very thankful and proud to finally have this opportunity. Also, I’m under no illusion that I’m moving into one of the toughest championships in the world, but with manageable, realistic targets and expectations between myself and the team, we can make progress and approach this in the best way possible.”

Harrison also missed the previous BSB round at Cadwell Park, opting to take part in the Manx Grand Prix instead. Whilst the 2019 Senior TT race winner’s future is yet to be confirmed, rumours within the paddock have linked Harrison with a potential move to Honda.

“Sadly, all good things must come to an end,” DAO Racing Team Manager, Jonny Bagnall said. “As a team, we are all sad to be seeing Dean leave. We’ve had a fantastic eight years working together, and we would like to thank him for his service and for all of the success we have had together. We wish him the best of luck for what comes next, and we are excited for what the future has in store for DAO Racing.

“With Brayden having been part of the team since the beginning of the season, with the Superbike seat now being available it only makes sense to progress him into that and see how he performs. It’ll give us a full indication of how he takes to a Superbike and with him not contending for the Superstock Championship, it seems a sensible choice.

“We like how he works, his feedback is really great, so we are looking forward to seeing what he can learn from both sides in the Superbike class.”