Luke Stapleford is set for a wildcard appearance in World Supersport later this year at Donington, it has been announced.

Racing for the Scars Racing Ducati team in 2026, Stapleford has won three of the opening four races of the British Supersport Championship this year - including Race 2 at Donington in May - and leads the standings after two rounds by 13 points over Jack Kennedy.

While the Scars team hasn’t raced at the world championship level before, Stapleford competed there between 2016 and 2018 after winning the British title in 2015. The Scars team also has links with the Feel Racing team that runs the official Ducati entry in World Supersport.

“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to race in World Supersport again,” said Stapleford.

“Having last competed in the championship back in 2018, I thought I might never get the chance again, so I can’t thank the team enough for making it happen.

“I know how competitive World Supersport has been over the past few years and how big a challenge it will be, but with the way everything has come together so far this season, I genuinely believe we can do a good job.

“Having already raced at Donington this year should give us a small advantage, and I’m really looking forward to getting out there and mixing it with the best.”

Scars Racing boss Leigh Finlay added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us as a team, with Luke [Stapleford] competing on the world stage.

“The Feel Racing team have played a huge part in the development of our Ducati V2, and the help and support they have given us along the way has been invaluable.

“It will be great to be on track as part of the same team as Philipp [Oettl], and for both us and Luke to gain important knowledge and experience in the World Championship series.

“We have no expectations, but we know Luke is quick and we’re sure he can mix it with the best.”

Alberto Casolari, Feel Racing team manager, said: “We’re very excited to share the stage with Luke [Stapleford] and the Scars Racing team.

“The one with Leigh Finlay and Scars is a relationship started in the begin of 2024, full of emotion and stunning results collected together at NW200 and also at the IOM TT.

“Already in the preseason tests, Luke and the team, were impressively fast and consistent with the Panigale V2 and Donington will be the right place to show their speed, made by all the effort and hard work of these guys.”