BSB: PBM Racing Ducati confirm 2024 grid spot with Glenn Irwin

After months of speculation it has been confirmed that PBM will be on the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship grid.

Despite claiming an unprecedented ninth BSB title last season, the team’s future was unclear following the death of the team’s owner Paul Bird last September. It’s been a difficult off-season, but the team will continue in the hands of Paul’s children, Jordan and Frank Bird.

• Pick up a copy of this week’s MCN for an exclusive interview with Jordan Bird.

The team will officially transition from Paul Bird Motorsport to PBM Racing Team and will run as a one-rider effort with Glenn Irwin, who remains on the Ducati V4 R. The Northern Irishman lost out to former teammate Tommy Bridewell in last year’s title fight by just half-a-point.

“We are delighted to confirm that the PBM team will be back on the grid this season,” Jordan and Frank said. “It has obviously been a real emotional rollercoaster for us and we are so proud of what the whole team achieved last year, ending the season on a high with a one-two in the standings.

“The PBM team remain fully committed to the championship and after a lot of uncertainty over the last few months we are delighted that Glenn returns as we begin the next chapter for PBM. He has a long-standing history with the team – from making his Superbike debut, to a first podium and his first race win in the championship. We hope that together we can add a Championship title to that this season!

“We want to take this opportunity to thank our partners and fans for their continued support and we are now looking forward to the future of PBM and keeping Dad’s memory alive.”

Whilst he lost out on the title, Irwin won more races than anybody else in BSB last season (10). 2024 marks the second season of his second stint with PBM, having previously been with the team between 2016 and 2018. Irwin made his debut with and secured his maiden podium and victory with the team.

“For the people reading this it must be a relief as I have been inundated with messages from fans asking me about what I am doing this season, which has been really nice, and I am so grateful for their support,” Irwin said.

“It might sound like a cliché, but there was never really anywhere else I wanted to be, despite interest from elsewhere when there was some uncertainty, my heart and attention was always to remain with PBM.

“To touch on last year, we had an amazing season working together, and after four years apart we came back together, and I think in that time I have grown up and matured. The team went through a lot last year, but it was also an amazing year, and the championship was one of the most exciting in history and I am extremely grateful to have been a part of that. It didn’t work out in my favour as such, but it doesn’t take any of the sweetness away from it because we had great success.

“I believe and full expect myself to be fighting for the championship from the off, but we also have to understand some changes and we will have to adapt. It certainly isn’t just a case of roll the dice like last year, we have a lot of work to do and I think it is important that we are not complacent. We do our work, and then I think we can certainly be in for a lot of race wins and success ahead.

“I started my Superbike career with PBM and as much as it is a new era with Jordan and Frank as my bosses now, I will never separate the first part of the PBM chapter to this one. I had my first pole position, first podium and first win with the team, but there are a few things I want to achieve. First off, it is to win the British Superbike Championship and secondly to retain it, they are the two things I want to achieve with PBM.”

Should Irwin go all the way this season it will be PBM’s 10^th title. Under Paul Bird’s leadership, the team have celebrated:

• 9 Titles
• 138 Wins
• 175 Race Podiums
• 98 Pole Positions

PBM are expected to make a further announcement regarding a title sponsor, as well as the new livery, prior to the official two-day pre-season test at Donington Park on April 6-7.

Pick up a copy of this week’s MCN for an exclusive interview with Jordan Bird.