Source: Supplied.

Paul Bird Motorsport will switch to Ducati machinery in the 2016 British Superbike Championship (BSB), maintaining four-time series champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne.

Joining Byrne in the team will be Glenn Irwin, the 25-year-old who will make the step up from the British Supersport Championship next season on Be Wiser-backed Ducati Panigale R models.

The team will waste no time in getting up to speed as they test in Valencia immediately after Brands Hatch with a heavy winter testing scheduled thereafter in preparation for the 2016 season.

It was also announced over the weekend that 2011 champion Tommy Hill has has signed former arch-rival John Hopkins to his THM ePayMe Yamaha for their debut season in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship next year.

Hill recently announced details of his new team as he returns to the championship, with title sponsor ePayMe and fully-supported by Yamaha, the manufacturer that has been synonymous with Hill’s own racing career.

America’s Hopkins remains one of the most experienced riders on the grid having celebrated podium finishes in the MotoGP World Championship during his career and has secured race wins in MCE BSB in his quest for title victory. His teammate is yet to be announced.

The future of Australia’s newly-crowned BSB champion Josh Brookes and his Milwaukee Yamaha team are yet to be announced – linked to both British and WorldSBK roles with Suzuki after a title-winning BSB campaign with Yamaha this year.