Moto Rapido Racing continue Hel Performance Motorstar campaign in 2018

After a successful season for the Case Moto Rapido Moto3 team in 2017 with 16-year-old Thomas Strudwick, the team have confirmed that they will continue their Hel Performance British Motostar project this year.

Strudwick made his debut in the British Superbike Championship paddock in the Santander Consumer Finance KTM British Junior Cup, before progressing into the Motostar class. After claiming three race wins last year, the youngster from West Sussex finished the season in third place.

Alongside Strudwick's Moto Rapido Ducati commitments, he will also feature in the inaugural season of the British Talent Cup.

Strudwick said: "I feel I had an amazing experience with the Case Moto Rapido Moto3 team last season and I'm glad we have been able to continue into the 2018 season together! It is going to be a busy season for me, challenging in two British Championships but I'm confident the training and testing that we have been doing will allow me to be successful. I'm really excited to be working alongside Taylor Mackenzie this year; he is someone that has always impressed me on a motorbike so I'm confident we can have a good season together!

“I've been working hard on my fitness and also my attitude towards racing, which from my testing so far, seems to be proving successful! I felt I finished 2017 great, being the highest points scorer in the final quarter of the season, it's crucial we can replicate this throughout the full 2018 season! I'm excited for the season to start."

Team Owner Steve Moore commented: “We are very excited to have Thomas continue on board the Case Electrical standard Moto3 for the 2018 season. We feel the project with Thomas worked really well in 2017, helping him develop his skills as a professional rider and gain the experience needed to challenge for such things as the British Talent Cup.

"The results showed that Thomas can run at the front and challenge for the championship. Our team testing plan starts in March in Spain along with Taylor on the Superbike before Thomas starts his journey to the British Talent Cup official practice. We all learnt a lot last season and there is so much more to come from the ‘Nipper’."