Raceways save the day: Iconic Yamaha team support Brad Ray in 2025 title fight
Raceways Yamaha, amongst the chaos, the familiar set of faces who graced the BSB paddock for many years. They come out of retirement for one last battle to the chequered flag. It would be the perfect story line with Raceways, wouldn’t it?
That’s right, Steve Rodgers and the Raceways Yamaha team have packed their bags!
They are returning to the Bennetts British Superbike paddock for one final time. Their bid is to add another British championship trophy to their collection.
The announcement comes just moments after the breaking news revealed that the original OMG Racing team boss Alan Gardner had managed to secure a last minute title sponsor. Nitrous Competitions came onboard to form OMG Nitrous Competitions Racing.
The revived unit would see current British champion Kyle Ryde onboard his Yamaha R1 as a sole rider team. This is where the Raceways legacy has extended a lifeline to save Brad’s 2025 season.
Ray, the 2022 British Superbike Champion, won the championship with OMG Racing when their title sponsor was Rich Energy. Brad has spent the last 2x seasons with the Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK team, competing in the majority of the European rounds. Fans were delighted to see Brad back on home soil. He was ready and raring to sink his teeth back into the championship he made his mark on.
“I am super happy and grateful to Steve Rodgers and Yamaha Motor UK for putting together this opportunity for me at the very last minute, it has been a bit of a whirlwind!” Ray said to britishsuperbike.com
Ray also said:
“Obviously it has been a very difficult couple of weeks and there has been a lot of uncertainty. However, when Steve rang me with the opportunity I couldn’t say no. It’s as close as we could be to the original plan for the year – remaining with Yamaha on an R1 in BSB, which is amazing. I can’t wait to get the 2025 season started as soon as possible. I aim to be back fighting for wins up the front.”
Fans are delighted to see Brad return with such a prestigious team. It was the team that had no idea 2x weeks ago they’d be where they are now! Raceways are one of the most successful British Superbike teams in recent history. Their riders have won championships, such as Tarran Mackenzie in 2021, who is currently competing in the WorldSSP Championship.
“It was never really my plan to return to racing, but following what has happened with OMG it was a huge shame to see the riders facing 2025 without a ride. We came close to signing Brad as McAMS Yamaha back in the day. So, when it became clear we could do something to get him on the grid this year, I couldn’t quite resist the opportunity,” said Steve Rodgers.
Steve Rodgers, Team Owner, said to britishsuperbike.com:
“Thanks to Stuart Higgs and the team at MSV, plus the guys at Yamaha Motor UK for helping us make it happen. It’s not a simple task setting up a BSB team in a couple of weeks. However, the Raceways team will give it a go!”