Kawasaki BCperformance has confirmed Bryan Staring will return to the squad in the 2019 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), with former international Lachlan Epis entering the team as an exciting addition.

Staring, who finished up sixth in the championship standings this year with an overall win to his name, is excited to remain with the outfit as he targets the crown in 2019.

“I am particularly happy to remain with the Kawasaki BCperformance racing team for 2019,” said Staring. “The positive dynamic of this small team creates a motivational environment that’s a pleasure to be involved with. We continually learnt as a team throughout the 2018 season.

“I look forward to applying our knowledge and experience together to ensure 2019 is a greater success. I must thank Kelvin Reilly, Kawasaki and all the team sponsors for their continuing support towards the team, one that I am very happy to be a part of.”

Epis joins the team after campaigning in Australia throughout 2018 for his first full-time Superbike assault, ultimately replacing outgoing talent Kyle Buckley.

“I’m super excited to be riding for Kawasaki BCperformance racing team in the 2019 ASBK Championship on board a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR,” Epis commented. “I am really looking forward to getting stuck in and being surrounded by an experienced and professional team. I’m looking forward to my first full year on a Superbike and absorbing as much information as I can before the season starts in February.

“I would like to thank Kelvin Reilly, BCperformance and Kawasaki Motors Australia for this opportunity and I’m looking forward to seeing what I’ve got next year. Having an experienced teammate in Bryan Staring is something that I’m really looking forward to as I begin my rookie campaign.”

Team owner and manager Kelvin Reilly added: “For 2019 I believe we have a real dynamic team that will gain results, along with the updated 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR. It’s a pleasure to be working with Bryan again and achieving success he so rightly deserves after the valuable experience we gained during the 2018 campaign.

“I believe from the get go we can achieve race wins and be in with a shot of the championship in what is going to be another super competitive year. Continuing with tradition, we also welcome 18 year old Lachlan Epis to the team. He has shown great speed during some one-off appearances on a Superbike in 2018 and has plenty of world championship experience to draw from.

“As our working relationship gets stronger and stronger every year, it is also a pleasure to work with Kawasaki Motors Australia and I must thank them for their continued support along with all our other sponsors who will be announced shortly.”

The opening round of the 2019 Australian Superbike Championship is scheduled for 21-24 February at Phillip Island in Victoria, which will run in conjunction with the opening round of the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK).