MSS Bathams Kawasaki have made the exciting decision to promote fast Team Green Superstock rider Danny Buchan to the blue riband MCE British Superbike Championship. Unfortunately by a cruel twist of luck, young Buchan has been ruled out of the next round after breaking a bone in his back whilst motocross training.
The nineteen year old Essex rider has ridden for the squad for three years in the Superstock 600 and 1000cc classes, making a real impact in every season he has raced. This year after a slow start with another team, Danny has returned to the team with a win and three podiums, giving him second in the National Superstock 1000 series.
The Colchester based squad have a long history of supporting young riders such as Danny, Jesse Traylor and last year’s Malaysian import Faird Badrul. They also gave Howie Mainwaring a run-out on the Superbike whilst he was riding Superstock for the team..
MSS Bathams Kawasaki Team Manager Nick Morgan explains “The plan was always to get Danny on the Superbike one day and so we’re excited to give him that chance a bit earlier than he expected. We want him to feel under no pressure so we’ve decided to give him the whole season to learn rather than just on a race to race basis.
There’s also the benefit of him having come up through the Kawasaki Team Green programme so he’s part of the family. He has Andrew Pitt mentoring him and additionally we have the grand old daddy of racing Michael Rutter with us; so he will have plenty of valuable advice when he needs it.
Obviously the timing of the crash couldn’t be worse but he’s a very good MX rider and I guess it’s good for bike fitness and giving that competitive edge away from BSB.
We’re looking forward to getting Danny out on the bike as soon as possible and giving him all the tools he needs to prove he deserves a Superbike seat”
Danny said, “OK now I’m really excited! I only got back with the team at Oulton and we immediately got the win so to be asked to ride the Superbike is a dream come true.
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Superstock and Superbike will be very different but they are at least the same original bike, I’m just going to try and make the most of this amazing opportunity.
It sucks that I’ve crashed and burned on the ‘crosser but I’m using the hyperbaric chamber in the Isle of Man and the specialist says I just need to rest for a few weeks.”
