The DAO Racing team is fired-up and ready to open a brand new chapter when the Bennetts British Superbike Championship roars into action at Silverstone this weekend.

BSB and roads rider Dean Harrison returns aboard the team’s Kawasaki ZX-10RR for another full season in the leading series – and will be joined by Australia’s Brayden Elliott who will contest the Pirelli National Superstock Championship.

This will be the first time the Cumbria-based squad has entered two different series. Now a regular on the British Superbike grid with Harrison, the team has been extended this year as Elliott arrives to make DAO’s debut in Superstock trim.

Following a busy testing schedule taking in tracks in Spain and the UK, the team is now looking forward to hitting the track on Good Friday for the first practice sessions.

Team Manager Jonny Bagnall:

“It’s been a hectic couple of months getting everything ready but I think we are there. It’s a huge new commitment to bring in another rider and we’ve been flat-out behind the scenes to make sure everything is ready.

“So far it’s looking good. Dean and Brayden are working well together and there’s a real buzz in the team, everyone is excited and looking forward to getting to Silverstone.

“I’ve said from the start that 2023 is a big year for DAO Racing, we aren’t messing about and we are throwing everything we have at it.

“Dean is coming out fighting, he’s more confident than I’ve seen him before and Brayden has shown in testing he has the speed and skill to be up at the front so we’re quietly confident we can have what we hope is going to be our strongest season yet.”

Dean Harrison, Bennetts British Superbike rider:

“I’m feeling really good to be fair, I’m actually looking forward to Silverstone! Even though it’s probably not one of my favourite tracks, I’m really looking forward to going.

“I’m excited – we’ve got new bits for the bike, I’m looking forward to seeing how they go and the bike seemed good the other week when we wobbled around in the horrible conditions at the test.

“I’ve even enjoyed testing more this year, I think it’s going really well having Brayden here. The bikes all have the same electronics so even though we’re different classes, there are a few things that work across both and we can figure things out.

“My aim this year is to be in the points straight away and to score every round. I want a really strong season, I definitely want to do better than last year – the weather looks reasonable for the weekend so I’m good to go.”

Brayden Elliott, Pirelli National Superstock rider:

“I’m feeling good going into the first round, more than anything I think I’m just excited to be going racing again.

Everything has been great so far –  the equipment has exceeded all expectations but the only thing I’m a little bit concerned about is I don’t think we’re quite there yet with a dry setting so hopefully we can finalise that on Friday.

“I’m excited about the season ahead, I don’t want to put too much expectation on myself but if I can leave the weekend knowing that every time I rode the bike I gave it 110 per cent, that’s really all I can ask at this point.

“It’s going great with the team and I actually quite like Silverstone. I finished second there last year. I know a lot of the boys don’t like it but I do – I think the track is pretty cool so it’s a good place for me to start the season with a new team and bike. I can’t wait.”