Kiwi motorcycle ace Damon Rees has confirmed his move to a new team for the 2021 National 1000 Superstock series, the second tier in the British Superbike Championship ladder.
The 25-year-old who hails from Whakatane caught the eye of several top teams after a standout rookie season this year where he rode alongside fellow New Zealander Shane Richardson on the Astro JJR Racing BMW S1000RR.
Rees scored back-to-back podiums on his debut ride at Donnington Park and finished a commendable eighth in the standings despite skipping the final round due to an injury sustained in an earlier crash.
It was an impressive feat considering Rees forfeited a likely New Zealand Superbike title to pursue his ambitions to race in the British Superbike Championship; a stone’s throw away from World Superbikes.
Next season, Rees will ride under the Ashcourt Racing Banner onboard the BMW S1000RR. Road Racing and TT aficionado Lee Johnston will partner the Kiwi for his sophomore season.
Rees comes from a rich pedigree of southern hemisphere talent. His father Tony is an accomplished racer, winning the NZ Superbike title on three occasions, the last of which came in 2017 at the age of 49.
Damon won the NZ Supersport class in the same season making it a family double.
“I’m extremely excited that I’ll be racing for Ashcourt Racing in the 2021 season along with Carl Cox Motorsport’s support,” said Rees.
“The team’s ambitions and goals perfectly align with what I’m looking for next year, which is race wins and podiums and hopefully a championship challenge.
“I just want to say a massive thank you to the team for this amazing opportunity.”
“We were looking to expand the team and run someone in Superstock, and Damon fits our ‘team personality’ perfectly,” added new teammate Johnston.
“He’s talented and motivated but also a nice lad and will fit in well within the Ashcourt Racing set-up.
“He showed this season that he can run at the front of the National 1000 Superstock class, which is packed with talent, so he’s a welcome addition to our team and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Rees’ former teammate, Wellington rider Richardson, will also be back for another stint in the domestic series.
He will continue to ride with the Astro JJR Racing for his third Superstock campaign.