Hawk Racing has announced their line-up for the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship with Lee Jackson joining Charlie Nesbitt and the team maintaining their title partnership with MasterMac Surfacing as they compete with the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP for a second season. 2024 will mark Hawk Racing’s 26th season in the Championship.
Jackson joining the MasterMac Honda team marks his return to Hawk Racing after finishing in fourth place in the 2023 title fight, originally racing together in the Pirelli National Superstock Championship when he joined the team in 2013 before making his BSB debut.
Meanwhile 22-year-old Nesbitt remains with the team for his second full Bennetts BSB season, after an impressive debut Superbike campaign, finishing as the highest placed rookie in the overall standings. The former Motostar and British GP2 champion was consistently in the points, including a memorable hat trick of podium finishes at Thruxton.
Jackson said: “For 2024 it’s all change for me as I’m swapping to Honda machinery which, after four years on the same bike, I’m really looking forward to. Luckily, I’ve had some laps on the bike already and I felt comfy straight away so with more laps and time, I know we will be a strong package. Coming back to the Hawk team after a few years away is great for myself as I know everyone here and we can hit the ground running straight away, putting ourselves in good order ready for round one.”
Nesbitt said: “I’m really happy to be continuing with Hawk. We built up a good path and I’m excited to be able to continue with the project. I’m grateful to the team for the opportunity and let’s see what we can do.”
Team Manager Steve Hicken commented: “We’re very excited to bring Charlie and Lee together. Lee is one of the most consistent and experienced riders in Bennetts BSB, but still only 28 and with lots of ambition, while Charlie is one of the hottest prospects around and has the potential to take another big step forward this year.
“There’ll be tough competition as always but we think this is a really strong line-up and, with the support of the whole team, look forward to them both having a successful season.
“We’ve built a great relationship with MasterMac and we’re delighted to have them as title sponsor for the new season. Our sponsors are vital to enabling us to compete in what is widely regarded as one of the best and highest profile domestic series in the world, and we’re hugely grateful for their support.”
Roger James, Managing Director of MasterMac Surfacing, concluded: “I’m delighted to see MasterMac Surfacing will again be the title sponsor for the Hawk Racing Team. After a great first year with Charlie on the MasterMac Honda, we are now fully engaged with this fantastic competitive sport.
“With Lee joining the team we had no choice but to fully back the whole team as title sponsor. I truly believe that Steve and his team will be able to bring some trophies to the cabinet with this magnificent set up for 2024, and I wish them all the best and look forward to the season ahead.”
The all-new MasterMac Honda livery will be revealed in due course ahead of the opening round of the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Circuito de Navarra on April 20 – 21.