Ellison and Waters powered up for 2013 MCE BSB with Milwaukee Yamaha
Shaun Muir Racing (SMR) are ready to challenge for a second MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship title after announcing their 2013 line up of James Ellison and double Australian Superbike champion Josh Waters onboard the newly-unveiled Milwaukee Yamahas.
Ellison returns to the team after competing in the 2012 MotoGP World Championship and is a proven title contender; he finished runner-up in 2009 and was in contention for the title in 2010 before a crash left him sidelined with a broken femur.
Waters is set to make his debut in the British Championship after securing his second Australian title this season. The 25-year-old first experienced the series with a visit to the Silverstone round of the Championship this year as a spectator and is now determined to secure a Showdown position in his maiden season.
The team also revealed their new livery to race fans after announcing a new title partnership with Milwaukee Tool Corporation. Milwaukee is an industry-leading manufacturer and marketer of heavy-duty, portable electric power tools and accessories.
"I am really happy to be part of this team and the championship again as I feel that I still have unfinished business. I have seen how the championship has unfolded this year and I am really looking forward to coming back. The level of competition is definitely very high and you could see that from last season, but I know this is a strong team who are hugely capable and share the same goals. I am now looking forward to testing the Milwaukee Yamaha as the technical rules have changed since I last raced in BSB, which should suit me better as I prefer riding without traction control! I know I achieved a lot this year and now I am returning focused and confident about 2013. In 2009 I was second in the championship and I then joined SMR and we would have been fighting for the title if it hadn't been for injury so I know that together we have the ability to put the Milwaukee Yamaha at the front; I am certainly not coming back to just make up the numbers!"
"I am really happy and I still can't believe I have been given this opportunity. I visited the Silverstone round this year and the championship was a big surprise to me as it is much bigger than I was expecting. I won my second Superbike title in Australia this year and I feel like that I have accomplished that goal and now I am ready for a new challenge. I am a realist and know that I am going to have to work hard at it this season but this is a huge step in the right direction for me, especially to work with a championship-winning team. I am hoping that the Showdown format will work in my favour as it gives me a chance to learn some of the tracks and I want to be in the top six. I can't wait to get started and hopefully we can do enough to be there when it counts. I want to be successful in the championship and I am dedicated to succeeding with the Milwaukee Yamaha team."
"Everyone at SMR have been working tirelessly since the end of last season to ensure that we return in the strongest possible position in 2013. We want to win back the BSB title and with the combination of James and Josh, plus an exciting new title partner with Milwaukee, I believe we have the foundations to return refreshed and ready to come out fighting. It is fantastic to have James back in the team as we know that he is a proven title contender with lots of experience. I am also pleased to welcome Josh for his debut season in the championship; he is a young, fast and upcoming Australian rider who will bring a new dynamic to the team. I want to thank everyone involved with the Milwaukee Yamaha team and now we begin to look ahead to our testing programme to ensure we are ready for the opening round of the season at Brands Hatch."
Dunlop pens road and British Supersport deal with Milwaukee Yamaha
Ballymoney's William Dunlop has signed a deal to ride on the roads and compete in the British Supersport Championship with Shaun Muir's Milwaukee Yamaha team.
The 27-year-old will contest the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix, plus all rounds of the British Supersport Championship in 2013.