British GP2 champion Josh Owens steps up to BSB

The 2018 British GP2 Champion Josh Owens will step up to the British Superbike Championship at Oulton park this weekend for his debut in place of the sidelined Dean Hipwell.

Hipwell, who made his own BSB debut this season with CDH Racing team, has been forced to step down from his ride after developing Gilbert’s Syndrome, a liver ailment that has reduced his energy levels making unable to race.

As such, he will be replaced by Liverpool-based Owens on the Kawasaki ZX-10RR for this weekend’s Oulton Park triple-header.

Owens won the GP2 series in 2018, a sub-class run within the British Supersport Championship using 600cc Honda-powered or 675cc Triumph-powered prototype Moto2 machinery

“I would like to thank Dean for giving me the opportunity to ride his bike at Oulton Park,” said Owens. “Obviously my goal as a rider is to try and make a career on a Superbike and if that's possible this is the first step towards that. 

“I understand I’m not going to be a front runner but I’ll be happy to qualify and I’ll walk away satisfied with that, then just keep learning each time I go out on track. I would like to say a massive thank you to my sponsors for giving me these opportunities.”

“Obviously I’m disappointed to have the condition, but I feel it’s the right decision to sit out the remaining rounds and reassess ready for 2020,” added Hipwell. “It is a big step for Josh with not having ridden a Superbike before but I think he will take it step by step and surprise a few people. I would like to thank everyone for the continued support, it is really appreciated.”

Round 9 British Superbikes Oulton Park Schedule