Replacing 19 year old Toseland will be 1999 AMA 750cc SuperSport Champion TOM KIPP . The 30 year old from Chardon, Ohio clinched his fourth AMA title last year having won the 600 SuperSport class in 1992 as well as the 750 SuperSport title in 1994 and 1995 and makes his UK debut aboard the kitted VTR SP1 which Toseland has rode so well up until his unfortunate accident two weeks ago.

Kipp has been a Professional Racer in the States for 13 years and has accumulated 24 wins in the highly competitive SuperSport Series over this time. He was also ranked in the top three of the US Superbike series during 1995 and 1996 and last year raced for the successful Chaparral Mazda Suzuki Team run by the legendary Kel Carruthers. Kipp turned down a big money offer from the same team to defend his title this year preferring to hold out for a Superbike ride, which has eventually materialised in the UK.

Also making his debut in the UK will be 1998 AMA 250cc Champion ROLAND SANDS who will take over the TSR250 Honda vacated by the injured John McGuinness.

The Professional Racer of five years who resides at La Palma, California will celebrate his 24^th birthday at Knockhill and has scored a number of rostrum finishes in the AMA Championship so far this season.

Sands was leading at Daytona last year when he crashed and missed much of the season but came back to win at Road America and at Pikes Peak as well as finishing on the podium three times in the remaining races.

Speaking about his two recent signings, Team Owner Paul Bird was looking forward to seeing them in action: "I went for Tom and Roland because they will add some sparkle to the British series and both came recommended by none other than Freddie Spencer. I didn't consider it to be in our best interests if we were to put some more British riders out there. To be honest, there aren't that many that excite me so I just hope these two will acclimatise quickly to both the racing and the British weather!" said the Cumbrian Businessman.