OMG Racing will become the official Yamaha team in British Superbikes from the start of the 2024 season, following the withdrawal of the current Raceways Motorcycles-run McAMS Yamaha team at the end of 2023.
The OMG Racing team can likely put its new deal down to its recent success in the series over the past couple of seasons.
This year’s race wins from Ryan Vickers and Kyle Ryde have come in the season after Bradley Ray won the BSB title with OMG in 2022, the team's first year with Yamaha machinery. For Ray, it meant a move to Motoxracing in WorldSBK, while, for OMG, it was an important piece in their case for becoming Yamaha’s official BSB team.
Another important element was the recent announcement of Raceways Motorcycles’ withdrawal from BSB at the end of 2023 after 30 years of racing.
Raceways has run the McAMS Yamaha team in BSB since 2017, racking up over 100 podiums, 42 wins, and the 2021 BSB title with Tarran Mackenzie.
OMG therefore has big boots to fill, but the title of Ray in 2022 proves their credentials to do so.
Being Yamaha’s official team means OMG will also have responsibilities outside of their own outfit, providing - alongside Yamaha UK - technical support to Mar-Train Racing, which will remain in BSB next year with a one-bike team (and presumably with Jack Kennedy as the rider).
Alan Gardner, OMG Racing Team Owner, said: “I feel honoured that OMG Racing have been chosen by Yamaha to be their supported team in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, and I would like to publicly thank them for showing their faith in us. Winning the Championship in our very first year with Yamaha in 2022 was a dream come true for both me and every member of OMG - a dream that we all hope to replicate very soon.
“The hard work and dedication of every member of OMG Racing is what makes us who we are, and to see that ethos being recognised by Yamaha is verification that we are doing things right. Our first ever race as a team in 2018 seems like only yesterday! From such humble beginnings, such a short time ago, to now be carrying the flag for Yamaha so to speak, makes me so proud of what my team have achieved.
“Steve Rodgers, Raceways Yamaha and McAMS have set the bar high, and we intend to keep it that way. On behalf of myself and everyone at OMG along with, I’m sure, the entire Yamaha family, we would like to wish Steve Rodgers a wonderful retirement from racing, but sincerely hope to see him at many races in the future.”
Matt Taylerson - Divisional Manager, Marketing - at Yamaha Motor UK, said: “When Steve Rodgers informed us that he wanted to take a step back at the end of the 2023 season, OMG Racing were the obvious successor given their performance since switching to the R1 in 2022.
“We need to thank Steve and everyone at McAMS Yamaha for what they’ve done for the Yamaha brand over the last seven years, they’ve done a tremendous job at taking the R1 to the top and laying the foundations for OMG to take on the baton as the official team.
“Alan and Paul at OMG run a professional effort and have represented Yamaha incredibly well over the last two seasons, so we look forward to what we can achieve together as they become the official blue team for 2024 and beyond.”
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