Buchan sticks with FS-3 Racing Kawasaki

Danny Buchan will remain with the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki squad for the 2019 Bennetts British Superbike championship.

The two-time National Superstock 1000 champion narrowly missed out on the maiden BSB Showdown place this season but having clinched multiple podium finishes he is eager to maintain this year’s momentum to continue his improvements into 2019 with the new ZX-10RR.

“I am really happy to be staying with FS-3 Racing Kawasaki for next year because we have worked so hard this year and I know that we have much more still to come,” Buchan said. “The consistency is so important for 2019, especially with so many changes in other teams; I know what we can achieve and I think it can only get better.

“I really feel that we are front-runners; it is like I have said before, you either sink or swim and I am a swimmer. We all want to be even stronger next year and with the improvements we have made working together with Kawasaki, we will be ready to roll at round one.

“We just missed out on the Showdown this year, but that has to be the goal for 2019 and to be regularly fighting for the podium. We have shown we can do it, so we need to raise the bar again and I am excited to be doing it again with a team and crew that I know.”

FS-3 Racing Kawasaki boss Nigel Snook, who promoted Buchan back into BSB this year, is delighted to see the 25-year-old continue to progress and says reaching the Showdown in 2019 is his ‘number one objective’.

“Giving Danny an opportunity to capitalise on his second Superstock title and establish himself as a superbike rider this year was a calculated risk, but one we’re delighted paid off,” Snook said.

“He had a strong and consistent first half of the season, including the two podiums at Knockhill and that brought Danny to within four points of a Showdown place.

“Danny and the team have established a close and positive relationship which should give us a head-start next season. On the technical side, we’ll have the benefit of the new engine from Kawasaki and we’re building on our close relationship with K-Tech which includes a planned three-day suspension development test in Spain in mid-November.

“Together, Danny and the team have the speed and equipment to be regular front-runners, so making next year’s Showdown is our number one objective.”

Buchan becomes the fouth rider confirmed for the 2019 BSB grid following Glenn Irwin’s switch to JG Speedfit Kawasaki, Scott Redding’s move from MotoGP to BSB with Be Wiser Ducati and Bradley Ray who sticks with the Buildbase Suzuki squad for next year.