MOTO RAPIDO DUCATI TO REMAIN IN SUPERSTOCK FOR 2010
 
Moto Rapido Ducati have taken the decision to remain in the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 series for 2010 after plans to run Scott Smart in the new British Superbike Evo class encountered financial problems.

The move has been determined after a proposed title sponsor pulled out at the 11th hour. It has left the squad with no option but to run Smart and team-mate Leon Hunt in the litre-class but team boss Steve Moore is still upbeat about their chances this year.

Moto Rapido Ducati have completed their full rider line-up for the 2010 with the signing of Brighton youngster Leon Hunt who will race in the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 class. The 21-year old, who has moved up from the Superstock 600 series where he stood on the podium in 2009, will join Scott Smart in the Winchester-based squad. Smart will contest the MCE British Superbike Championship in the new Evo Superbike class.

Leon explains:

“I am very happy to be joining the Moto Rapido Ducati team for 2010. The Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship was an obvious next step for me on the way to British Superbikes which is where I want to be in the not-to-distant future”.

“I wanted to be in professional team this year and having someone as experienced as Scott Smart in the same garage will help me to learn the bigger bike a lot faster. The first test is in a couple of weeks and I can’t wait to get out there.”

Team boss Steve Moore added:

“We are delighted to have secured a young rider of Leon’s talent to step into Scott’s shoes in the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship. This will be a steep learning curve for him but a lot of the development work Scott undertook last season with the bike should help Leon right from the word go. It is going to be a tough class this year, but we have every confidence in Leon’s abilities.”

Moto Rapido Ducati will make a step up to the MCE British Superbike Championship next season with a two-rider team.

Current racer Scott Smart will return to the main class after a successful year in the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 series and will campaign a Superbike under the new Evo rules. An as-yet-unnamed second man will join him in the squad.

Team manager Steve Moore said: “We had a good year in Superstock and learned a lot about the Ducati, so that has put us in good stead for the jump up to the Superbike class with the Evo rules.

Moto Rapido Ducati’s Scott Smart grabbed second place in today’s Metzeler National Superstock 1000 race at Croft this afternoon after a difficult weekend which saw technical problems rule him out of most of practice and qualifying.

The team suffered big problems through the whole weekend with the 1198S breaking an oil cooler in first qualifying practice, leaving Smart with only 20 laps to get the bike dialed in for the 15-lap race.