Mar-Train Yamaha graduates to 2023 BSB grid with BritishSSP champ Jack Kennedy

British Supersport Champions Mar-Train and its 2022 title-winner Jack Kennedy will graduate to the British Superbike Championship (BSB) next season, it has been confirmed.

The Irishman was recently confirmed as the most successful BritishSSP Championship rider of all-time after wrapping up a fourth title in five years last time out at Snetterton.

In a crushing display of dominance, the Irishman clinched the title with three rounds and six races still in hand following 13 wins and three second place results in 16 races.

Now both Kennedy and Mar-Train will attempt to replicate that success on the Superbike stage after securing a supply of the Yamaha R1, the dominant force in BSB this year.

“I am really excited to be back in the Superbike Championship and extremely grateful to Mar-Train Yamaha Racing for giving me this opportunity with support from Yamaha Motor UK.

“I have really gelled with the Mar-Train Yamaha Racing team this season. I love the atmosphere and I know there’s no corners cut when it comes to Tim and Sonya, so I know I’m going to get the best package possible to compete towards the front.

“To have support from Yamaha Motor UK and Raceways/McAMS Yamaha is amazing as we know that we’re not making the jump to the premier class alone and that we will have the best possible support when it comes to putting the right package together and getting the bike right for race weekends.

“Having had two previous attempts at establishing myself in the top division, I am determined to make the most of this opportunity on championship-winning machinery and find my feet in the Superbike class. I feel like this is my time to shine in the British Superbike Championship.

“I can’t wait to get going and really looking forward to the winter so I can get stuck into my training to be the best I can be both physically and mentally in 2023.”

The deal marks another stab at BSB for Kennedy, who has made intermittent appearances over the years amid his BSB success.

His last appearance in the Superbike class came in 2020 during a part-season campaign with both TAG Yamaha and RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki, while he has also previously raced with WD-40 Kawasaki.