Finland’s Niki Tuuli will join Britain’s Andrew Irwin at the CIA Landlords Insurance–backed PTR Honda team for the 2018 World Supersport Championship.
Tuuli made his WorldSSP debut towards the end of the 2016 season, taking a Kallio Racing–backed Yamaha R6 to podiums at the Lausitzring, Magny–Cours and Jerez.
The Finn was retained by Kallio Racing for his first full assault in WorldSSP for 2017, though endured mixed results aboard both the old and new model of the R6.
Despite his inconsistency, Tuuli managed to win the French round from pole position, while also taking to the podium in third in Thailand. He ended the year seventh in the standings with 82 points.
“I’m really excited about joining the CIA Landlords Insurance Honda team and also looking forward to the upcoming season,” said Tuuli.
“There are a lot of new things coming ahead and I’m waiting eagerly for our first test session so that we can start building our package.
“Honda is a new bike for me, but I know the bike is great and the team also has a long history with Honda.
“I’m really confident that we can be a winning combination. I would like to thank Simon (Buckmaster, team boss), the whole team and my sponsors for this great opportunity.
“I’m ready for the next season with a hard working attitude.”
Tuuli will be joined by 2017 British Supersport Championship runner–up Andrew Irwin – brother of British Superbike, North West 200 and Macau Grand Prix winner Glen – who will make his world championship debut next year.
Ulsterman Irwin is thrilled to have been offered the chance to step up the world stage, and feels the experience of the PTR team will allow him to hit the ground running next season.
“I’m really excited to join the CIA Landlords Insurance Honda team for 2018,” Irwin beamed.
“For me it is the perfect step up from a competitive British Supersport campaign in 2017 to the bigger challenge of World Supersport.
“I believe with the experience of the team I can do a good job and can’t wait to start testing.
“I’d like to thank Simon and his team along with my personal sponsors MET Healthcare, James Jamieson Construction and Aquarius Couriers for this fantastic opportunity.”
PTR‘s 2017 riders Jules Cluzel and Hikari Okubo will join the Nerds Yamaha and Puccetti Kawasaki teams for 2018, respectively.
