They were the 2011 British Superbike Championship winning team with rider Tommy Hill, and again in 2015 with rider Josh Brookes.
Shaun Muir Racing began in 2002, moving into the British Superbike Championship in 2004 under the Hydrex Honda banner, staying with Honda until 2011 when they switched to Yamaha machinery going on to win their first title. Their first major sponsorship were Hydrex, a company that specialises in the rental and sale of mobile plant equipment with the rail, industrial and construction industries, up until the end of the 2009 season. The team was sponsored by tobacco accessories brand Swan, starting in 2010 and lasting until the end of 2012. From 2013 to 2015, the team used the name Milwaukee Yamaha, reflecting the name of its major sponsor, Milwaukee Tools.
During 2015, SMR acted as a Yamaha factory development agent, working to develop the cross-plane R1 engined machines in advance of an anticipated return to World Superbike racing in 2016.[2]
In an online interview in November 2015, rider Josh Brookes commented that Muir could not make a statement regarding the team's plans for 2016 until the contract with Yamaha had ended in December.[3] In early December, Shaun Muir confirmed his move to BMW M1000RR machinery and World Superbikes.
World Superbikes 2016 season
Logo used for 2016
For 2016, Shaun Muir Racing confirmed a new arrangement with BMW Motorrad Motorsport to participate in World Superbikes, initially via a one-year contract with a second-year option, as a semi-factory supported team, again backed by key-sponsor Milwaukee Tools for three years. Muir further confirmed his disappointment that Yamaha had not responded as expected with an offer of machinery for 2016 World Superbikes as far back as June/July 2015, and that he anticipated better interaction with the BMW factory. The 2015 BSB champion rider Josh Brookes will be retained, joined by Czech rider Karel Abraham.[4][5]
British Superbikes 2015 season
Logo used for 2015
During 2015, SMR acted as a Yamaha factory development agent in conjunction with Yamaha Europe and their German research and development base, using the British Superbike season to progress the machines in advance of an anticipated return to World Superbike racing in 2016. The alliance provided the team with the latest engine improvements, with manager Mick Shanley making regular trips to the base of engine tuner Marcus Eschenbacher.[2]
For 2015, the team logo was uniquely changed from the previous version, by adding the official Yamaha crossed tuning-fork logo, together with the additional legend "Official Team BSB".
British Superbikes 2013–2014 season
Logo used for 2013 and 2014
During the 2013 and 2014 seasons, SMR worked with major sponsor Milwaukee Tools and race-modified Yamaha R1 machines purchased over-the-counter. The team logo for 2013 and 2014 was historically significant, using the name Milwaukee Yamaha Racing, until changes were made for the 2015 season by adding the official Yamaha tuning-fork logo with added legend unique for 2015, changing the appearance to Milwaukee Yamaha Racing, Official Team BSB.
After the departure of James Ellison in 2008 to GSE Racing Airwaves Yamaha Team, Karl Harris was taken on to race alongside Stuart Easton to compete for the BSB championship in 2009.
Easton finished third place in the Championship, whilst Harris was dropped due to poor performances, his place being taken for the last three rounds by Tommy Hill.[6]
Superbike World Championship
Results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
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