The rider line-up for the 2024 British Supersport Championship is beginning to take shape following a flurry of significant announcements revealing new deals and fresh manufacturer-supported involvement.

While there are still a number of key seats still to be filled, it is already confirmed that Ben Currie will return to defend his 2023 BritishSSP title, while Honda makes a return to the class in a factory capacity, Triumph is joining forces with Macadam Racing and the latest generation Kawasaki ZX-6R will also debut.

The prospect of a more diverse grid in 2024 comes in the wake of a changing of the guard in 2023 after Currie ended the dominance of the Japanese inline-four sportbikes with his title success aboard the Oxford Racing Products Ducati Panigale V2.

In the 959cc V-Twin’s first full season competing in the domestic series following a regulation overhaul to allow larger engined models, Currie burst clear during the season’s latter half to secure six wins and a first BritishSSP title for both himself and Oxford Products Racing.

The Moto Rapido-run squad faces a sizeable challenge to hold onto its laurels in 2024 though following confirmation that both Honda and Triumph will mount factory-backed bids next season.

Having returned to the series in 2022 to act as a litmus test for the FIM’s proposed new regulations, British powerhouse Triumph Motorcycles will supplement its factory-supported effort in the WorldSSP Championship by throwing its weight behind Macadam Racing and its two-bike entry.

Leading its challenge will be the experienced Luke Stapleford, who returns to the Triumph fold some nine years after clinching Triumph’s most recent BritishSSP title in 2015 aboard the Daytona 675. He will be paired with up-and-comer Max Wadsworth.

“A couple of years ago I had pretty much stopped racing, and I finished with Triumph in 2018 racing World Supersport,” Stapleford said. 

“Since then, we’ve visited the idea of getting back on a Triumph a few times and finally it’s happening. I’m excited to be back on a Triumph.”

Honda UK turns to record-breaker Jack Kennedy for Supersport comeback

Triumph isn’t the only manufacturer cherry-picking an esteemed title winner for its comeback campaign in 2024 with Honda Racing UK luring four-time champion Jack Kennedy to lead its renewed efforts.

The Irishman - champion with Yamaha (2018, 2019, 2022) and Kawasaki (2021) - will attempt a historic fifth BritishSSP title with a third different manufacturer to complement Honda’s efforts in BSB and on the roads.

Elsewhere, Oxford Products Racing will also lend its support to the Affinity Sports Academy Team, which has signed Eugene and James McManus to ride a pair of Ducati Panigale V2s, while TJ Toms sticks with R&R Racing as he looks to build on his breakthrough year in the series.

BritishSSP stalwarts Gearlink Kawasaki, meanwhile, will entrust its challenge to rookie Cameron Dawson, who graduates from the National Junior Superstock ranks and the incoming Josh Davis Motorsport will debut with Morgan McLaren-Wood and Carter Brown leading its challenge.