New challenge for GP2 Champion Nesbitt with VisionTrack Suzuki

GP2 champion Charlie Nesbitt joins VisionTrack Suzuki for 2022’s Pirelli National Superstock challenge.

21-year-old Nesbitt, who finished either first or second in every GP class race he completed last season, will run a Suzuki GSX-R1000 prepared by Hawk Racing of the coming year having got his first taste of a one-litre sportsbike during the Race of the Year at Mallory Park.

Impressed with his performance, he was signed by Hawk - the team behind the official Buildbase Suzuki squad - to contest this year’s National Superstock championship. Backing comes from VisionTrack, whose aim is to help grow and nurture the careers of young British talent.

Despite his obvious pedigree, Nesbitt is remaining pragmatic about his ambitions for the new adventure, conscious of the fact that he has to learn and adapt to the bigger bike, but confident in his own ability to challenge at the front before the end of the year.

“I couldn’t be happier with my plans for 2022,” Nesbitt confirmed. “Towards the end of last season in GP2, to be honest, I was looking at superbike and wanted to make the move, but the more I thought about it, going to superstock first is the best option for me.

“It wasn’t until the final round at Brands Hatch that Steve [Hicken - team manager] spoke to me and we discussed this opportunity. He gave me the chance to do Race of the Year at Mallory with no pressure, just to see how it went, which was great, and then we agreed to put something together this year.

“It’s a big jump from the GP2 bike to the 1000. The GP2 bike handles so well but the Suzuki does as well, but with a load more power.

“Mallory last year was my first go on a superstock bike and it was a bit of an eye opener; Mallory is a physical little circuit anyway