Former Tsingtao Kawasaki MCE British Superbike rider Jon Kirkham has replaced Harry Hartley in the Halsall team in an early bout of rider merry-go-round.

Kirkham didn’t ride at Snetterton and was replaced at Tsingtao by Peter Hickman in what was supposed to be a one-race arrangement but he has now usurped teenager Hartley, with whom he had a pitlane row at the Norfolk track.

Hartley has been ditched due a ‘tough start’ to the 2014 season and Kirkham will ride for the squad from Knockhill onwards.

“We are disappointed to let Harry go as we believe he has the talent to make it as a top Superbike rider. At this early stage, the team needs stability to ensure we can be consistently in the points and this is a big ask of a young rider with so little experience,” said Halsall team boss Jack Valentine.

“Bringing Jon Kirkham into the team was not planned; it was just a coincidence that he became available as we needed a rider. Jon is a good rider who has won races and finished on the podium for me before.

“He’s had a tough time this season but I think if we can get him back on a competitive bike, we’ll start to see the old Jon Kirkham. He has shown in the past that he is more than capable of top six finishes in BSB and if we can start getting those results, I have no doubt he will be challenging for podiums eventually.”