Two-time Bennetts British Superbike Champion Josh Brookes will join Peter Hickman at FHO Racing BMW for an assault on the 2023 Championship.
This cuts a stay of four years at the PBM Ducati team for Brookes, who enjoyed a number race victories with the Cumbrian outfit after joining in 2019, culminating in taking the 2020 Bennetts BSB crown.
But since then, it has been a struggle for the Australian, who has failed to take victory in two seasons with the Italian giant, taking to the podium just a handful of times.
2022 has been a year to forget for the ‘BadBoy’, having failed to cement his spot in the all-important ‘Showdown’ for the first time in his career, he is also yet to taste champagne, but all that being said he’s motivated ahead of a fresh challenge with a new team.
“I’m really excited about joining the FHO Racing team for 2023,” said Brookes. “It’s probably one of the worst-kept secrets in the paddock but now it’s out there, I can finally start looking ahead to next season with genuine excitement.
“Each year in BSB my target has been to race for wins and improve and I know the FHO Racing team offers me the best opportunity to do that. Faye and Peter have already demonstrated the potential of the team and I feel that’s only going to grow further next season.
“I would like to thank Faye for giving me this opportunity. I can head into the off-season knowing that I’m set for a really positive 2023. The ingredients are all there to go fast and win races and this is what motivates me to keep racing.”
Hickman returns to the squad for a third year, and is treated like part of the furniture within the team. It was almost expected for him to rejoin with Ho’s team again, mainly down to his Isle of Man TT exploits this year, taking three wins on board the Gas Garage by FHO Racing BMW.
And the BikeSocial ambassador expressed that he ‘wouldn’t want to be anywhere else’ than with the FHO Racing team.
“I’m delighted to be able to say I’m staying with FHO Racing for a third season,” Pete said. “This year has been a bit tough at times but we have found form towards the end of the year and hopefully we can carry that into next year.
“It’s always vital for me that I’m with a team I know well and can trust, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere other than back here with the FHO family. I believe there is a lot more we can achieve together and the BSB title is definitely something I still have my eye on.
“Naturally, I’m very grateful to Faye for her continued support and I’m confident that next year we can build on our success so far and grow the team’s silverware collection as we go.”
There were many rumors mid-season that Faye Ho would be leaving the British paddock and moving to the World stage, but those rumors were clearly false with Ho stating that her ambitions firmly lay in the Bennetts BSB paddock.
Team Owner, Faye Ho, added, “It is very exciting for me to be able to reveal our two Bennetts British Superbike riders for next year. Of course, we are thrilled to be welcoming back Peter for a third season but we are also very excited that Josh will be joining us.
“With two titles under his belt, Josh is one of the best riders in the championship and I am very happy that he will become part of the FHO family in 2023.
“I believe we have signed two of the strongest, most capable and most successful riders on the grid for next year’s BSB campaign and signing two big names like this is just the next step in the FHO story.
“There have all sorts of rumours and I know a lot of people thought I was going to take my team to World Superbikes, but as you can see, FHO Racing is very much staying here in the British Superbike Championship where we belong and we will be aiming for big success next year.”
This strong line-up for the 2023 Bennetts BSB campaign does leave us all wondering if we’ll see the pair roaring down Bray Hill onboard the all new BMW M1000RR in June next year, because after all, Hickman and Brookes around the Mountain course could be a formidable force.
