Kendal motorbike racer Bradley Perie will make his debut in British Superbikes in 2023.
A British Supersport regular, he has now joined the Lee Hardy Racing team to compete on a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR. It is hoped this will ensure that multiple-Supersport race winner Bradley, who finished second in this season’s Quattro Group British Supersport Championship, will have the best possible start to his career in the highly competitive series. I caught up with Bradley to talk all things motor racing!
How old were you when you started taking an interest in bikes and why was that?
From an early age, I got my first mini bike at the age of 4 and used to practice every Sunday without fail in empty car parks until I reached the age of six where I was legally allowed to race. The interest came from my family to tell you the truth. From my mum’s side they have a lot of road racing history with two uncles and a grandad which all raced, sadly my grandfather passed away in 2004 racing in Ireland. And my dad was always a big racing fan however he was more keen on Lambretta scooters rather than motorbikes.
Tell me about your first competitive race and what you remember about it?
Truthfully I can’t remember a lot. I think at that age you’re trying to absorb so much information at such a young age in such short period of time it was all a whirlwind. But I wouldn’t be here now without all the effort that myself and my family put in those first few years. I do remember doing 60mph on a mini moto at the age of six and thinking that was a rocket ship!
Has it always been your ambition to be a professional rider?
Without a doubt, I’m sure I’ve got some skills elsewhere too but motorcycle racing is all I’ve ever focused on doing. The idea of doing something you genuinely love doing and being paid for it has always been the dream.
How expensive has it been getting yourself established on the circuit?
Heartbreaking amounts of money to tell you the truth. Luckily in lots of areas I’m now sponsored but my racing gear alone would set a regular customer back thousands. But then again I am lucky to be sponsored by the best safety gear in the world so you really do get what you pay for.
But if you want an example, the Pirelli tyres we use are £350+VAT a pair and we use five sets in Supersport a weekend, over the 11 rounds in a year that’s just shy of £20k. And that’s not including all the pre season testing or additional practice time. Now that I’m moving to Superbikes we’ll be using even more so as you can imagine it gets pretty pricey.
What difference has the contract made to you and what does that mean as far as preparations for racing are concerned?
It’s been a huge relief to get the pen to paper. Once you know your plans for the next season you can really get started with your fitness and diet over the winter period, and it’s a huge motivator.
I always push myself and enjoy keeping physically fit but when you know that such a big opportunity has arisen it really does make you take everything up a notch. But there’s plenty to do over the off season for me. From organising and looking for sponsorship, graphic designs, fitness and even going in for surgery. It’s going to be a busy few months for me before we kick off testing in Spain in early February.
Has this opened more doors for potential sponsors for you?
Well moving to Superbikes has definitely got more appeal to a sponsor. You’re the main race of the show, 50,000 people watching live every weekend along with millions on Eurosport, ITV 4, Quest and Discovery. It’s a great platform to advertise and support someone who really cares and loves to give back.
Not only that but it becomes an exciting hobby for many sponsors who travel all across the country to support and chase the same dream as me. I do have some amazing sponsors but I am always looking for new people to come onboard and join the racing family too.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
13 wins and 17 British championship podiums. Not many can say that!
What will be your aim for the first season and what are your ambitions in the sport?
To develop and improve every time I get out on the bike. As long as I’m making progress and moving up the leaderboard I’ll be happy. It’s a big jump but I’m ready for that challenge and understand that there will be a lot to learn.
Who are the people in your sport that you admire most and why?
I think one thing worth saying is that everyone has their own story. And there’s plenty of people that I don’t know personally who deserve to be mentioned. There’s a lot of people that I have huge respect for, and a lot of people that have taught me a lot. But I am my own person and rider and that’s why I only want to be me and not try and be like anybody else.
But if I had to give an answer I suppose I’d go with Ben Spies. Mainly because he was incredibly talented and fast straight out of the blocks, surprised a lot of people, had a really cool and relaxed attitude which was different to a lot of riders at that time.
