Record-breaking starlet Stacey taking on the British Superbike series

The Staffordshire sensation will still be just 16 years old when the flag drops on the new campaign over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

Stacey, from Eccleshall, has been rewarded for his stunning debut campaign on 600cc motorbike, which saw him just miss out on National Superstock 600 title at the final round.

The teenager is no stranger to breaking records either, having become the youngest-ever winner of a British Superbike series race when he produced a stunning display aged just 12.

During the opening round of the British Motostar race in 2016, he took full advantage when race leader Dan Jones crashed out to clinch a dramatic victory in the standard class on the final lap at Silverstone.

After finishing third in the British Motostar series in 2017 and 2018 – as well as competing in the British Talent Cup – he signed for the GR Motosport team last year to compete in the National Superstock 600 class.

In his first season on board the 600cc machine, he claimed a stunning double race win at Oulton Park and then a further two podium finishes – riding from the back of the grid to finish second at during race two at Donington Park – to stay in contention for the title at the final round.

Stacey, who also rides under the Team WD40-STAUFF Quick Connect Academy banner, was leading the final race at Brands Hatch but suffered a huge moment during the final stages, which dropped him to third in the race and third in the championship.

But his stunning form has been rewarded with a chance to mix it with some of the best riders in the world.

Stacey said: “This is really exciting for me. I am still only 16 and I am going to be riding a superbike in BSB this year.

"I cannot thank the team and everyone who has supported me so far in my career enough because without them I would not have this opportunity this year.

“As a team, we had looked at superstock 1000, but after some laps to get a feel for it at both Donington Park and Jerez it felt really natural straight away and I was able to post some good times despite it being my first test.

“The team then wanted to give me this chance on the superbike and I can’t wait to get started.

"The way I look at it is it will be a big learning curve but I got inspiration from Ryan Vickers, who moved from the Superstock 600 to the Superbike last year.

“It’s a more powerful bike with no traction control, but I am sure it will feel like second nature to me after the first round of tests.

"It will take me some time but there is no pressure on me and I love to learn the bike and understand it.

"That was what I did last year in the Superstock 600 class and we were fighting for the title at the final round.

“I have been getting myself in gear ready for testing and this new challenge and I am really looking forward to having this chance to prove myself on the Superbike gradually over the season.”

Team owner Brent Gladwin said the whole set up was "immensely excited" to see Stacey lining up on the British Superbike grid in what was a landmark 25th year in racing for GR Motosport.

"To be able to continue our ethos of young rider development, by giving such a young and talented rider the chance to progress from the STAUFF Academy to the superbike grid, makes me extremely proud," he said.

“Storm has shown such a level of ability and maturity both on and off the track and this is something that we are looking forward to developing throughout the 2020 season.

"We know it is a big step up from the superstock 600 class, but from what we saw at the tests at the end of last season on the big bike, and with no pressure, Storm can learn and progress throughout this year and into the next. I think we are going to have a lot of fun.

“We now look forward to the first official test next week where Storm will make his public debut on the superbike and announcing the exciting 2020 STAUFF Quick Connect Academy line-up on our return.”

The opening round of the British Superbike shampionship takes place at Silverstone, on April 10-12.