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Rapid Solicitors is joining Bathams in sponsoring the RidersMotorcycles.com British Superbike team for 2011, with the team now to be known as Rapid Solictors-Bathams Racing and will field updated Ducati 1198R Superbikes for team riders Martin Jessopp and Michael Rutter. Rutter will also race the Ducati at the Isle of Man TT.

For the 2011 season the Riders Ducati 1198R’s will have the full fly-by-wire throttle system. This means the track can be broken up into 16 sectors and the engine braking and traction control strategies dialed in to suit each specific sector. The system includes launch control. Chassis spec is updated with new Brembo brakes but is otherwise similar to last year. There’s new engine internals – pistons and cams – coming to reduce the torque and increase horsepower.

According to Phil Jessopp, Race Team Director:-

“The current engine is great for the roads but we do need to take drive out of the engine for BSB tracks to make the power more useable. You can do it with electronics but then all you are doing is slowing he bike. It’s better if you can achieve the same result by moving the power around.”

Michel Rutter will again be racing alongside Martin Jessopp in the BSB championships, Michael said The team will prepare two extra Ducati 1198s for Michael Rutter to race at this year’s TT. He will also race at the North West 200 and Macau GP alongside Martin Jessopp, the team’s roads program will have a different title sponsor.

Last season Michael Rutter finished 5th overall in the BSB series, unfortunately Martin Jessopp sustained a nasty break of his fibula and tibia during round 5 which put paid to the remainder of the season for him. He is now fully recovered and back in the saddle. The 2011 season starts in April with the first race at Brands Hatch.

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Source: Riders Motorcycles

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