Shaun Muir Racing
 | |
| 2016 name |
Milwaukee BMW Motorrad Racing Team WSB |
|---|---|
| Base | Guisborough, Cleveland, England |
| Team principal/s |
Shaun Muir Mick Shanley |
| Race riders |
Josh Brookes Karel Abraham |
| Motorcycle | BMW S1000RR |
| Tyres | Pirelli |
| Riders' Championships |
2 Tommy Hill (2011) Josh Brookes (2015) |
Shaun Muir Racing (or SMR) was the championship winning team for the 2011 British Superbike Championship with rider Tommy Hill, and again in 2015 with rider Josh Brookes. SMR is an international race team based in Guisborough, Cleveland in the north-east of England. The team is owned by Shaun Muir, a former International Superbike Racer.
Shaun Muir Racing began in 2002, moving into the British Superbike Championship in 2004 under the Hydrex Honda banner, staying with Honda until 2011 when they switched to Yamaha machinery going on to win their first title. From 2013-2015, the team used the name Milwaukee Yamaha, reflecting the name of its major sponsor, Milwaukee Tools.
During 2015, SMR acted as a Yamaha factory development agent, working to develop the cross-plane R1 engined machines in advance of an anticipated return to World Superbike racing in 2016.[1]
In an online interview in November 2015, rider Josh Brookes commented that Muir could not make a statement regarding the team's plans for 2016 until the contract with Yamaha had ended in December.[2] In early December, Shaun Muir confirmed his move to BMW S1000RR machinery and World Superbikes.
World Superbikes 2016 season
For 2016, Shaun Muir Racing confirmed a new arrangement with BMW factory motorsport to participate in World Superbikes, initially via a one-year contract with a second-year option, as a semi-factory supported team, again backed by key-sponsor Milwaukee Tools for three years. Muir further confirmed his disappointment that Yamaha had not responded as expected with an offer of machinery for 2016 World Superbikes as far back as June/July 2015, and that he anticipated better interaction with the BMW factory. The 2015 BSB champion rider Josh Brookes will be retained, joined by Czech rider Karel Abraham.[3][4]
British Superbikes 2015 season
During 2015, SMR acted as a Yamaha factory development agent in conjunction with Yamaha Europe and their German research and development base, using the British Superbike season to progress the machines in advance of an anticipated return to World Superbike racing in 2016. The alliance provided the team with the latest engine improvements, with manager Mick Shanley making regular trips to the base of engine tuner Marcus Eschenbacher.[1]
For 2015, the team logo was uniquely changed from the previous version, by adding the official Yamaha crossed tuning-fork logo, together with the additional legend "Official Team BSB".
British Superbikes 2013-2014 season
During the 2013 and 2014 seasons, SMR worked with major sponsor Milwaukee Tools and race-modified Yamaha R1 machines purchased over-the-counter. The team logo for 2013 and 2014 was historically significant, using the name Milwaukee Yamaha Racing, until changes were made for the 2015 season by adding the official Yamaha tuning-fork logo with added legend unique for 2015, changing the appearance to Milwaukee Yamaha Racing, Official Team BSB.
Riders present and past
As Milwaukee BMW
Current 2016
Josh Brookes
Karel Abraham
As Milwaukee Yamaha
Previous 2015
Josh Brookes #25
Broc Parkes #2 (first part of season)
Jakub Smrž #96 (selected races, end of season)
Previous 2014
Josh Brookes #3
Tommy Bridewell #46
Ian Hutchinson[5][6]
Previous 2013
James Ellison #77
Josh Waters #21 (replaced by Tommy Bridewell for last three rounds)
Past
As Hydrex Honda
Kieran Clarke #74 (2005)
Steve Plater #4 (2005)
Gary Mason #5 (2006)
Glen Richards #75 (2006)
Dean Thomas #12 (Replacement for Mason 2006)
Stuart Easton #3 (2009)
Karl Harris #5 (2009)
Tommy Hill #33 (Replacement for Harris 2009)
Guy Martin #9
As Bike Animal Honda
Leon Camier #2 (2007)
Ian Hutchinson #2 (Replacement for Camier 2007)
James Ellison #7 (2008)
Guy Martin #15 (2008)
As Swan Honda
James Ellison #2 (2010)
Stuart Easton #3 (2010)
As Swan Yamaha
Michael Laverty #7 (2011)
Tommy Hill #33/#1 (2011/2012)
Noriyuki Haga #41 (2012)[5]
Road Racing
Guy Martin, William Dunlop, and Conor Cummins have represented the team on the roads at North West 200, Isle of Man TT, Macau Grand Prix, Kells and Isle of Man Southern 100 on the Superbike, Supersport and Superstock machines.[5]
British Super Bike Championship
After the departure of James Ellison in 2008 to GSE racing Airwaves Yamaha Team, Karl Harris was taken on to race alongside Stuart Easton to compete for the BSB championship in 2009.
Easton finished third place in the Championship, whilst Harris was dropped due to poor performances, his place being taken for the last three rounds by Tommy Hill.[5]
References
- 1 2 Milwaukee Yamaha take step closer to World Superbikes Bike Sport News 12 February 2015, Retrieved 5 October 2015
- ↑ Catching Up: Josh Brookes Cycleonline, Alex Gobert, 4 November 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015
- ↑ Milwaukee BMW boss Muir explains World Superbike shift Bike Sport News, 1 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2015
- ↑ Abraham and Brookes join WorldSBK with BMW, World SBK.com, 2 December 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2015
- 1 2 3 4 Milwaukee Yamaha Official site, Riders for 2014, Retrieved 2013-11-25
- ↑ Wiltshire Gazette and Herald. "Bridewell stays with Milwaukee for 2014" Retrieved 2013-11-25