Kent’s Luke Hopkins will make a return to the Bennetts British Superbike Championship in 2023 after signing for the NP Racing Kawasaki team.

The 21-year-old from Sittingbourne made his Bennetts BSB debut in 2021 claiming points in his first season, but sat out the second half of the 2022 campaign with his privateer-run team. Now he is gearing up for the new season with NP Racing Kawasaki.

Hopkins said: “2023 is going to be a good year, with a new team means new challenges, but we will give it our all.”

“After the crushing disappointment of not being able to complete the 2022 season with my family run, privateer team due to a lack of funding, I’m excited to announce my plans for the new season and I am looking forward to working with the team and getting the season started.”

Team Owner Neil Pearson commented: “I am excited to have Luke join the team for 2023. In the 2022 season we switched to Kawasaki, which was no mean feat mid-season.”

“Now we are looking forward to Luke’s input as he has a lot of experience on the Kawasaki. We are looking to build on last year and get into a regular point-scoring position.”