Hawk Racing has announced that Lee Jackson will join Charlie Nesbitt in its line-up for the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

Both riders will carry the colours of title sponsor MasterMac Surfacing and race under the team name MasterMac Honda, as the team competes with the HondaCBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP machinery for a second year.

It marks a return to Hawk for Jackson, who arrives fresh from a fourth-placed finish in last season’s overall Bennetts BSB standings. He previously joined the team as a teenager in 2013, initially racing in National Superstock 1000 before progressing to his first two seasons in British Superbikes - following in the footsteps of his uncle, also called Lee Jackson, who competed in the same series for Hawk in 2003.

Speaking about the move, the 28-year-old from Lincoln said:

“For 2024 it’s all change for me as I’m swapping to Honda machinery which, after 4 years on the same bike, I’m really looking forward to. Luckily, I’ve had some laps on the bike already and I felt comfy straight away so with more laps and time, I know we will be a strong package. Coming back in the Hawk team after a few years away is great for myself as I know everyone here and we can hit the ground running straight away, putting ourselves in good order ready for Round 1.”

Meanwhile 22-year-old Nesbitt remains with the team for his second full Bennetts BSB season, after an impressive year that saw him finish as the highest placed rookie in the overall standings. The former Motostar and British GP2champion was consistently in the points, including a memorable hat-trick of podium finishes at Thruxton.

Charlie, who hails from Swindon, said:

“I’m really happy to be continuing with Hawk. We built up a good path and I’m excited to be able to continue with the project. I’m grateful to the team for the opportunity and let’s see what we can do.”

The new pairing will be backed by one of the most experienced teams in the paddock, as family-run Hawk Racing enters its 26th season in the championship.

Steve Hicken, team manager, said:

“We’re very excited to bring Charlie and Lee together. Lee is one of the most consistent and experienced riders in Bennetts BSB but still only 28 and with lots of ambition, while Charlie is one of the hottest prospects around and has the potential to take another big step forward this year.

“There’ll be tough competition as always but we think this is a really strong line-up and, with the support of the whole team, look forward to them both having a successful season.”

The team’s 2024 campaign is being backed by title sponsor MasterMacSurfacing, which has broadened its involvement with Hawk after a successful first season of sponsorship. Both bikes will carry an all-new MasterMac Honda livery which will be revealed in due course.

Steve said:

“We’ve built a great relationship with MasterMac and we’re delighted to have them as title sponsor for the new season. Our sponsors are vital to enabling us to compete in what is widely regarded as one of the best and highest profile domestic series in the world, and we’re hugely grateful for their support.”

Roger James, Managing Director of MasterMac Surfacing, said:

“I’m delighted to see MasterMac Surfacing will again be the title sponsor for the Hawk Racing Team. After a great first year with Charlie on theMasterMac Honda, we are now fully engaged with this fantastic competitive sport.

“With Lee joining the team we had no choice but to fully back the whole team as title sponsor. I truly believe that Steve and his team will be able to bring some trophies to the cabinet with this magnificent set up for 2024, and I wish them all the best and look forward to the season ahead.”

The Bennetts BSB season begins with its first ever Spanish round at Circuito de Navarra from 20-21 April, before the teams and riders return for a further ten rounds at circuits across the UK.