Leading National Superstock outfit C&L Fairburn Properties/Jackson Racing will graduate to the British Superbike Championship in 2024 with a two rider line-up comprising veteran Billy McConnell and debutant Jamie van Sikkelerus.

[EDIT: It has since been revealed that van Sikkelerus will line-up with TAG Racing Honda instead for the 2024 BSB season]

One of the newer teams competing in National SSTK, C&L Fairburn/Jackson Racing has nevertheless quickly established itself as a leading contender with McConnell just losing out on the riders’ title to Davey Todd in 2022.

For 2024, however, the team will embark on a new chapter in the BSB class after capitalising on the series’ new Pathway regulations to adapt its stock-based Honda CBR1000RR-R with full BSB-spec Motec electronics.

Leading its endeavour will be McConnell, who returns to the BSB class some 18 years after his debut back in 2006. Since then, the Australian has combined stints in BSB, British Supersport - where he was runner-up overall in 2009 - and National Superstock.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back into BSB and the new Pathway rules are a way of getting back onto the grid,” the former Smiths BMW and FS-3 Kawasaki BSB rider said. 

“It’s been a few years since I rode in BSB, but I’ve always wanted to get back and mix it up with the top guys again. 

“With 15 more races in the season, we’ll get a stack more track time and it’s good to get everything finalised before heading into winter. I’m moving back to BSB with a good team so I can’t wait to get stuck in and see what we can do.”

Joining McConnell will be Dutch newcomer van Sikkelerus, who makes his debut in the BSB class after three seasons spent in the British Supersport category.

“I’m very excited to work together with the C&L Fairburn Properties/Jackson Racing team in the new BSB Pathway class,” the double BritishSSP race winner said. 

“A lot of things will change for me next year - new team, new bike, new class – but after three years in Supersport with our private team, it’s the right moment. I’m very motivated and will learn a lot and I’m delighted to stay in the British Championship because of the event, the high-level racing and the big crowds. 

Because of that, I’m extremely thankful to Chris Fairburn and the team, as well as my personal sponsors, for giving me this opportunity. I can’t wait to jump into the new 2024 season!”

Having originally entered the sport as a personal backer of McConnell’s before expanding into a fully-fledged SSTK team, C&L Fairburn/Jackson Racing is relishing the opportunity to step up to BSB for 2024.

“It’s been a whirlwind 18 months which started when we went from being one of Billy’s personal sponsors to setting up our own team at the beginning of 2022 and now moving into the premier British Superbike Championship class,” team owner Chris Fairburn said. 

“I’d like to think we’ve quickly become one of the leading, most professional teams in the Superstock class and moving into the Superbike class has always been on my mind.

“It’s something I knew I wanted to happen at some stage and the new Pathway-specification regulations have fast-forwarded the decision-making process. It makes perfect sense for us to make the move now and with three races and more track time every weekend, we’ll be able to maximise our potential and show what we can do. 

“With Billy, we have the ideal rider and with all his experience I’m sure he’ll continue to show his talent whilst also being the perfect foil for Jaimie. He’s impressed greatly in the Supersport class and deserves his opportunity in BSB; we’re sure he’ll make his mark.”