Buildbase BMW Motorrad is pleased to announce that Ian Lowry has joined the team for 2011 and will be contesting the MCE British Superbike Championship alongside fellow Ulsterman and teammate John Laverty.

The 24-year-old, from Moira in Northern Ireland, completes Buildbase BMW Motorrad’s four-rider team. He joins Durham-based Barry Burrell, who will be racing in the Mirror.co.uk BSB-EVO class for the first time, and Nottinghamshire man Richard Cooper, who will once again be competing in the the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 championship onboard a BMW S 1000 RR.

Former chef Lowry has previously finished 2nd and 3rd in the highly competitive British Supersport 600 Championship, run in the World Supersport Championship, made his World Superbike debut in 2010 at the Nurburgring round and finished 5th in the British Superbike Championship in 2009.

Ian Lowry said: “I’m pretty excited to be honest. I met with Stuart Hicken of Hawk Racing over in Ireland but he didn’t tell me what he was working on. We had a meeting at the Motorcycle Live show, where the team made its debut, and we both said we wanted to race together.

“I heard that he was joining forces with BMW Motorrad and I was keen to get involved. The bikes have been very competitive – they dominated both the Superstock and BSB-EVO championships last year – so it’s a brilliant opportunity for me. I think the British tracks really suit the S 1000 RR’s chassis and setup, so it’s just a matter of getting a few miles under our belts and getting ready for the year’s racing. We’re hoping to get out and do some testing in January, if the weather plays ball!”

Stuart Hicken, Buildbase BMW Motorrad Team Principal, said: “I’ve watched Ian’s progress with interest for three years now, especially in WSBK towards the end of 2010. He rode very well – and didn’t crash a lot – which is a good sign!

“I ran into him again at the Sunflower Trophy meeting in Ireland at the end of 2010 where he beat John Laverty. I think there will be a healthy rivalry. I can see that John and Ian will push each other to the limit – and not too many times over it, I hope! I’m looking forward to a great season – and I think they can both help Barry on the EVO bike. Their knowledge will be invaluable to our BSB-EVO challenge too.”

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