Italian racer Luca Scassa has switched from World Supersport to British Superbike and will join Irishman Ian Lowry in the Padgett's Honda squad for 2012.

Scassa was team-mate to Chaz Davies in his WSS title-winning year and rode for the Supersonic Racing team, who are also new to BSB this year, in 2010 before going to the Parkingo Yamaha squad.

"I am very happy about joining BSB, I am looking forward to this new experience and now I can't wait to join the championship. I know some of the tracks already, but of all of them I am most looking forward to Cadwell Park; I have seen the photos of Josh Brookes and I really want to go there," said Scassa.

"I had the chance to race in WSB and WSS but I am not very old and I like to do something different. I think racing in BSB will give me a better chance in the future; we have seen it in the past with riders like John Hopkins and Jonathan Rea. I have raced with Shakey, Hill and Haga before; they are all strong, fast riders and there are many of those in BSB.

"I came and met the team recently and it was great; they have lots of history in racing and I knew this before I spoke to Clive. They have a lot of experience and I feel happy with the team. I have never ridden a Honda before so it will be interesting for me the first time we test, but it is one of the best bikes to race and I think it will be very good with the rules in BSB. I think at the moment in my career I feel that I am near the top of my riding style and if I can find a good feeling with the Padgett's Honda then we should have good results."