Halsall Kawasaki are now a one-rider team in the MCE British Superbike championship after ‘parting company’ with Lee Costello. Team owner Martin Halsall has decided to run Harry Hartley for the time being, and is the only rider in team colours lining up on the grid at Oulton this weekend.

But Halsall is keen to run another rider soon in the Superbike class, but it needs to be the ‘right rider’ for the job – and if they don’t find anyone will continue with Hartley as a one man team.

“We have parted company with Lee Costello which is one of those things as we have to progress as a team and I wish him all the best for the future and he was an integral part of the team – that’s why we are here in the first place. But I wish him all the best,” said Martin Halsall, speaking to bikesportnews.com at the circuit.

“Harry is a great lad to have around and very marketable and hopefully we can attract some sponsorship with him, and some investment with him will pay off in the long run.

“I think it is all about getting the right rider for the team if we run another bike. If we can attract right rider we will run two bikes in the Superbike class, but if we don’t get the right rider we will just keep Harry and keep developing.”

There are talks in the paddock that Jack Valentine will be returning to the Halsall set-up. Last year he was team manager for a few rounds but quit after a month of being in the role, but the former Crescent Suzuki boss could be returning to the Halsall garage very soon.

“There’s talks at the minute [with Valentine], as we are looking at the overall structure of the team and we do want to progress, and that is aim – so watch this space.”