Norfolk Superbike boss Lee Hardy disappointed by rider departure

British Superbike team owner Lee Hardy faces a race against time to find a rider for the 2024 season after Brad Perie's departure

British Superbike team boss Lee Hardy says his plans for the 2024 season have been disrupted after his rider asked to leave his contract early.

Bradley Perie was due to race under Hardy for a second year, but was released from his contract.

It leaves Hardy, based at Swaffham, Norfolk, without a rider for the upcoming season - which begins in April 2024.

"It's a big set-back. There's not a lot of time to get someone in," he said.

"We need to go and find another rider, and that's not quite as easy as people might think.

"Yes, there are lots of riders out there, but you need to have a rider that will come in and give something back to the team as well."

In his first season in the UK's elite championship, Perie, 24, struggled to make an impact, finishing 18th in the standings, behind fellow rookies Charlie Nesbitt and Max Cook.

Bradley Perie's debut British Superbike season proved to be a steep learning curve

In 2024, Perie will line-up for Gearlink Kawasaki in the British Supersport Championship.

With testing for the new season starting in April, it means Hardy has to find a replacement quickly.

His last two riders have been at the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of experience, with Perie's predecessor Leon Haslam a former British Superbike champion.

So in which direction does Hardy go next?

"I like working with the younger rider but you've got to take a risk to see them develop," he said.

Youth or experience? Hardy has worked with rookie Bradley Perie and former British champion Leon Haslam in the last couple of years

"On the other side, if you get someone who could just come in and be guaranteed results, that's also very nice - but in the class of British Superbikes, you can have the most experienced riders but if they've changed machinery, it doesn't mean they're going to perform.

"We have had a lot of interest. Not just from the UK - there has been interest from people with experience in Moto3, World Superbike, and recently someone from the Australian Superbike Championship.

"It'd be nice to sort something out before the Christmas break, but it's not a decision I can rush into."

Whoever comes in to the seat, Hardy is seeing it as an opportunity.

"You can't see it as a negative - if you do, you're never going to develop," he said.

"You always have to be pushing the envelope to look at new things, new parts, new riders, new processes.

"You've got to look at all options and, hopefully, with past judgement being fairly good, I do pick the right option.