As the recognisable figurehead of the series’ most successful team, Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM), his sheer determination and relentless drive for victory will continue to set a benchmark for those striving to reach PBM’s unprecedented level of achievement within our sport.
As an accomplished competitor himself, both on two wheels earlier in his career in motocross, and most recently four wheels competing in rallying, Paul’s unwavering passion for competition has always been clear.
Paul inaugurated the PBM Team in 1994 and first contested the 250cc British Championship, enjoying his first taste of victory winning the British 250cc title in 1999 with John McGuinness.
Typically striving for further success, Paul first debuted his PBM Team in the British Superbike Championship in 2000 with James Toseland. Just a year later, PBM claimed their first race win and the runner-up position in the title chase with the late Steve Hislop despite injury.
The PBM Team etched their name in the BSB Championship-winning history books for the first time with victory in 2002 as Steve Hislop delivered a debut title, but it was a monumental season for Paul’s team as Stuart Easton concurrently secured the British Supersport title. PBM remain the only team in the series’ history to have achieved the feat since 1996.
That season, the team also secured an incredible pole position in the World Superbike round at Donington Park. As a wildcard entry, ‘Hizzy’ and PBM set a time that would become the fastest ever lap of Donington Park by almost two seconds, an achievement that would stand for several years.
A year later and Shane 'Shakey' Byrne made it back-to-back BSB title celebrations for PBM in 2003, beginning his illustrious partnership with the team, which like Hizzy before him, was not just limited to the British Championship. At the Brands Hatch round of the World Superbike Championship that season, PBM again took on the best in the world as wildcards, with the team celebrating a double race win, their first on the world stage.
Paul’s continuous pursuit for glory within the series was unrelenting and he further cemented his PBM Team’s credentials as titans of BSB by celebrating a further four titles with Shane Byrne in 2012, 2014 and then consecutively in 2016 and 2017.
PBM accomplished another double title victory during the 2012 season, with the late Keith Farmer securing the National Superstock Championship.
Paul was responsible for launching the careers of many riders throughout the years, and equally taking a chance on some too - none more so than Scott Redding in 2019. He had endured a difficult time in MotoGP and ‘Birdy’ gave him the chance to join his team in Bennetts BSB. Redding went on to claim PBM their seventh championship title, with Josh Brookes making it a team one-two in the final standings.
A year later and Brookes made it consecutive crowns again for Paul’s Team and in celebrating the 2020 title victory, further underlined their position as formidable opponents within the British Superbike Championship.
Paul Bird and the PBM Team have also proven their tenacity on the world stage competing both in the MotoGP World Championship in the CRT category where they were a race winner within the class, and also in the Superbike World Championship, running the official Kawasaki outfit, where they also celebrated a race victory.
In addition, PBM have also added success on the roads, most notably at the NW200.
Paul was widely regarded by his rivals and those who worked with him and that is evident from the tributes shared in the days following the untimely news of his passing.
At the helm of PBM, Paul’s leadership and unyielding ambition to set the benchmark in the series has seen his team historically celebrate eight British Superbike Championship titles to date.
Paul’s untimely passing has left a void within the series and he will be greatly missed. He was an irreplaceable character who thrived on not only winning, but also being part of the paddock.
Now the PBM Team continue his legacy with their quest for a ninth British Superbike title.
