BSB: Leon Haslam launches ROKiT Haslam Racing BMW ahead of 2024 season

Leon Haslam has confirmed his spot on the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship grid with the new ROKiT Haslam Racing team.

The 2018 champion will continue to race the BMW M1000 RR that took him to fifth overall in last year’s championship, with the ‘Pocket Rocket’ being one of the most consistent riders in BSB.

Haslam recorded 10 podiums but failed to win a race onboard the BMW. Haslam was mathematically involved in the title fight heading into the final round, but would have been much closer to the PBM duo of Tommy Bridewell and Glenn Irwin had he not suffered a mechanical problem at Donington Park.

Despite six DNFs throughout the year, Haslam still ended his campaign as the first BMW rider in the standings. The nearest M1000 RR rider to him was Josh Brookes with seventh, with Peter Hickman next best down in 12^th.

“Last year was last minute, with a lot of new elements to get to grips with, so to be so close to the championship and top BMW in the class was amazing,” Haslam said. “With the learnings we gained, new product this year and additional support from ROKiT and BMW we’re even more motivated going into 2024.

“It’s really exciting to be working directly with Jonathan Kendrick and ROKiT under the newly- formed ROKiT Haslam Racing and great to see the effort that BMW is putting in to racing worldwide. We’re super excited to get the season underway and look forward to challenging for the title in 2024.”

ROKiT co-founder, Jonathan Kendrick, added: “With the help of ‘Rocket Ron’ and ‘Pocket Rocket’ Leon, we’ve learned a great deal during our first year in 2023 as title partner of the ROKiT BMW Motorrad teams in both BSB and WSB.

“So to welcome ‘The Rockets’ to the ROKiT family is perfectly timed to maximise results this year, including the launch of our new range of ROKiT-branded motorcycle products, equipment and accessories, as well as our new e-mopeds, planned for later this year.”

The first pre-season BSB test of 2024 takes place at Donington Park on April 6-7, with a three-day test scheduled to take place at Navarra during race week (April 16-19) for the season opener at the Spanish circuit.