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Filip Backlund will ride for FFX Yamaha in the last four rounds of the 2014 British Superbike Championship
08:00, 27 August 2014
updated: 08:27, 27 August 2014
Folkestone-based FFX Yamaha have brought Filip Backlund on board for the last four rounds of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship.
Ian Hutchinson left the team last week after a troubled campaign which saw him score points at just two race meetings.
Swedish rider Backlund will make his BSB debut at Donington Park over the weekend of September 6.
He's been a revelation in the National Superstock 1000 class over the past two seasons, scoring a debut race win last year at Silverstone before claiming third place in the overall standings.
This year, Backlund has been a regular podium finisher in the Superstock class, scoring five podium positions in the opening half of the season. He now turns his attentions to his first appearance in the premier Superbike class with FFX Yamaha.
Backlund said: "I’m very pleased and happy about this opportunity that FFX Yamaha has given me. The last four rounds from Donington Park will be a completely new challenge for me. I have a good base to start with as I will also be working with my SMT crew which is a big bonus as it will give me continuity and confidence from the start.
"We all know that I’m jumping on a new bike in a new class which is a challenge, but I want to be able to prove myself and show that I belong in the BSB class now. I want to thank FFX Yamaha, SMT Racing, Mats Nilsson, all my partners and other people that are supporting me during this journey."
Clive Richards, the head of marketing and advertising at FFX, said: "As title sponsors, FFX are very pleased to welcome Filip Backlund to the team. Filip has been riding very well in the Superstock 1000 series and has delivered some impressive rides in that championship.
"We are confident that his talents will translate to points in the British Superbike series as we look forward to the final rounds of our debut season."
FFX Yamaha's other rider, Andy Reid, is still fighting for the Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championship. Reid's just 12 points behind championship leader Kyle Ryde following his win at Cadwell Park last weekend.
