Danny Buchan will return to Kawasaki machinery for the 2024 British Superbike Championship (BSB) after penning a deal with DAO Racing for next season.

The double National Superstock Champion replaces Dean Harrison in the team, which will focus its efforts away from the roads in favour of channelling its resources fully into BSB.

The deal comes as a sweetener for Buchan at the end of a bitter 2023 BSB campaign ridden by multiple injuries, the most recent of which has already forced him to curtail his season.

“First of all, I want to thank Clarissa, Sommai and Jonny for putting this together. It’s no secret that 2023 has been a disaster, but DAO Racing can see potential in me, which is massive! The team has clear ambitions to become regular podium finishers and race winners, and that’s always the goal of a racer.

“I feel very proud to be part of this project and obviously excited to be jumping back on a bike I’ve got good memories with. The Kawasaki ZX-10RR is in good form currently in BSB, so with a winter’s test plan and lots of laps, I’m hoping we can get right to it and have a good first season together. 

“Thank you to my supporters, sponsors and everyone who has stayed so positive around me this season. Roll on 2024!”

Having largely plied its trade on the roads since its formation, DAO Racing has since gone on to expand into short circuit competition with entries in both BSB and Superstock. For 2024, however, the Senior TT-winning team will devote its time solely to BSB with Buchan leading its charge.

“Danny has been part of the Team Green family for many years now, and it’s great to have him back on board for next season! 

“Although it’s clearly been a tough 2023 for him, we know he has the talent to run at the front of the Superbike class, and now he has joined this extremely experienced team with a good crew around him, we’re confident he will hit the ground running in 2024.”

The new deal marks a return to the Kawasaki fold for Buchan, who achieved the first of his six BSB wins riding a ZX-10RR with FS-3 Racing in 2019.