The following is from Celtic HSBK Racing…
Celtic HSBK Racing has announced that they will be fielding a third rider in the 2020 MotoAmerica Championship. The team had the fastest Yamaha YZF-R6 in last year’s Supersport Championship, finishing second in season points. With unfinished business in the Supersport class, the team looks to bring home the Championship with Brandon Paasch.
Paasch won the BSB Moto3 championship last year. Other notable accomplishments include being the first American to race in MotoGP Moto3, frontrunner in the 2019 Daytona 200, first American to qualify for a Junior World Championship race in 2017, and the 2016 KTM RC Cup Champion.
Paasch commented on the upcoming season saying, “I’m excited to get back to racing. We tested with Celtic HSBK Racing on the Yamaha a few times over the off-season. The team organization and equipment were impressive. The plan was to do as many MotoAmerica rounds in the States that did not conflict with the BSB Moto2 schedule. After Daytona was postponed, I jumped on a flight back to the UK to race with RS Racing/Kovara Projects in Moto2. Ryan’s Moto2 bike is dialed in, and I would have had a good shot at winning the Championship on it. As the restrictions and COVID-19 spread kept escalating, my family and I decided it was best to be back home in the States. When Bobby and Barry called with this opportunity, I was both excited and conflicted. Of course, I love racing at home in the U.S., but I also love the UK series. After talking with my family and management, we decided to commit to the season with MotoAmerica. There is some really good talent out there, which always means good racing. Above it all, I’m just fortunate that I’m able to go racing this year. I’ve been working at this since as far back as I can remember and couldn’t imagine not being able to race. I hope everyone stays safe, and we can give them some proper racing to watch. And who knows, when BSB releases its revised schedule, we will take a look. Maybe I can do both.”
The team is also fielding PJ Jacobsen in the Superbike Cup and Sam Lochoff in the Junior Cup. Because of their growth, the team is increasing their footprint in the paddock and will now have riders under not one, but two canopies.
Team principal Bobby Shek commented, “This was already going to be a big year for us. We are bringing back PJ and Lochoff, and adding Paasch to the mix is really exciting. The team meshed well with him at the test, and he has shown the world he will be one to watch this season. We look forward to getting back to racing in what is sure to prove our biggest year yet.”
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