H-D, KTM Launch BSB Support Classes

The Henderson Harley-Davidson XR1200 Trophy and the KTM RC8 Super Cup will run as support classes to the 2009 British Superbike Championship. Harley-Davidson and KTM officially announced their respective racing series Nov. 27 at the Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show at the Birmingham NEC in Birmingham, England.

The Henderson Harley-Davidson XR1200 Trophy will be held over ten races at nine BSB events. The series will field a mix of experienced riders and young racing talents all riding the new XR1200.

Harley-Davidson U.K. will rely on its 35-member dealer network to help equip full grids for each race.

We believe that we have put together an extremely exciting and attractive proposition with the Henderson Harley-Davidson XR1200 Trophy, says Greg Willis, Harley-Davidson UK and Ireland marketing manager. It gives us a fantastic opportunity to showcase the bikes performance credentials to a wider audience and adds further variety to the existing British Superbike Championship line-up.

KTMs new support class, the RC8 Super Cup will replace the manufacturers existing series, the Super Duke Battle.

We are really looking forward to 2009 and we now have the RC8 Superbike that will feature in our one-make series, says Shaun Sisterson, managing director of KTM UK. We have run the Super Duke for the past two seasons and we have now become a Superbike class that will support the British Superbike Championship.

For a £10,995 ($16,886) entrance fee, each racer will compete on KTM RC8 with race bodywork, Akrapovic exhaust, Marchesini wheels and GB Racing engine covers. Entrants can keep the bike after the season is complete.