Luke Stapleford has been confirmed with a new Ducati team for the 2026 BSB Supersport season.
Stapleford, who was British Supersport Champion in 2015 aboard a Triumph, will join the Scars Racing team for 2026, a new team to the BSB paddock, to ride their Ducati Panigale V2.
Stapleford moves to Scars Ducati after two years with the Macadam Triumph team, where he has been replaced for 2026 by Brad Perie.
“I’m excited to be joining the new Scars Racing team for the 2026 season, onboard the Ducati,” said Stapleford.
“When the team approached me a few months back and spoke about their plans, I’d hoped it would all come together and here we are!
“It’s another new start for me and having raced against the Ducati now for a few seasons, I’m curious to see how I can perform on it. I think we’ll be able to adapt in no time at all.
“Although everything is new, all the guys have been around for years and we’re all on the same page when it comes to expectations. I’ve been clear over the past couple of seasons that I only enjoy the racing when we are competitive, that’s exactly what we plan to be!
“I have no doubt we’ll be at the from the word go and be challenging for race wins and ultimately the Championship.”
The team has been set up by Leigh Finlay and Dale McElveen, Finlay having worked in BSB for almost 20 years.
“I’ve worked in the BSB class now since 2007 and this came as a perfect opportunity for me for a fresh start,” said Finlay.
“The footings are all in place and we know Luke [Stapleford] is eager to have a great season. The whole team has a vast amount of knowledge and experience within the paddock and together I really do think it will all gel well and we’ll have a fantastic season.
“I’m very thankful [for] this new challenge and it has come at a really good time for myself, and I know we will develop together, and all have the same aim to win.”
Dale McElveen added: “This is such a great opportunity for us and one we’ve been working extremely hard behind the scenes to put it all together.
“We didn’t want to enter this championship without a chance to win and that is why we have picked Luke to work with us.
“We have the same goal and will be pushing hard to achieve it.”
Stapleford began his winter testing programme with the Panigale at the Jerez WorldSBK test last November. He’s also in Portimao this week at the WorldSBK test there, along with fellow British championship Ducati rider Tommy Bridewell.
