Having won a record fourth MCE British Superbike Championship last season Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne has been awarded a further accolade.

Shakey has been presented with the much converted Torrens Trophy attending the Royal Automobile Club’s premises in Pall Mall to collect the award along with team boss Paul Bird, for whom he will defend his title again this season.

Byrne is the most successful rider in MCE BSB history with 61 race victories to his name and continues the successful association with the Torrens Trophy for the PBM Team whose previous riders James Toseland and 2013 recipient Tom Sykes are also previous winners.

The Torrens Trophy was first awarded in 1978 in memory of Arthur Bourne, a motorcycling journalist who wrote a column under the name Torrens. Arthur Bourne was also a vice-chairman of the Royal Automobile Club. The trophy is awarded to an individual or organisation considered to have made an outstanding contribution to the cause of safe and skilful motorcycling in the United Kingdom or to have made an outstanding contribution of technical excellence to further the cause of motorcycling in the United Kingdom or to have shown outstanding skill in international motorcycling sporting events in the United Kingdom.

Speaking about being awarded the Trophy, Shaky said:  “To be recognised for achievements in motorcycling by the RAC is fantastic and a great honour for both me, my PBM team and the MCE British Superbike Championship. I’ve worked so hard over many years to achieve my success and awards like this really do make it worthwhile. To see Tom’s and James’ name on there also means a lot to me too, Tom and I were PBM team-mates back in 2007 riding for Paul. Right now I’m looking forward to getting my title defence underway and can’t wait to get back out testing on the Kawasaki.”