Rory Skinner will race a BMW with Scars Racing in the 2027 British Superbike Championship, combining a change of team with a return to machinery he has already ridden. Scars Racing is set to become BMW’s official BSB squad next season after winning the 2026 British Supersport title with Luke Stapleford on a Ducati Panigale V2.

The move extends a period of constant change for the Scottish rider. Skinner stepped up to BSB with FS-3 Kawasaki in 2021 after winning the 2020 British Supersport title, then stayed with Kawasaki for 2022. He moved to Moto2 in 2023, returned to BSB on a BMW in 2024, switched to Ducati for 2025 and rode a Yamaha in 2026.

A familiar motorcycle, but a new team

Skinner has described the latest switch as less concerning than it might appear. During 2026, he was competitive with teammate Danny Kent despite Kent having three years of experience with the Yamaha R1. Skinner said he was competitive immediately, and sometimes faster, which gives him confidence that adapting to another motorcycle will not be the main obstacle in 2027. The BMW also offers continuity: it is not a completely unfamiliar platform.

His previous BMW season in 2024 contained both encouraging signs and serious setbacks. Skinner finished the campaign with a victory and a podium, but also suffered a broken leg. The BMW was new not only to him but also to his crew chief and a large part of the team, while injuries further disrupted the season. Skinner said he never disliked the motorcycle, enjoyed riding it and believed it had more potential than the results demonstrated. He would have been willing to stay with it for another year.

For 2027, Skinner expects BMW to have advanced from the version he rode in 2024. Scars Racing’s Dale McElveen and Lee Finlay are putting substantial effort into the winter programme, with the aim of building a strong package and starting the season competitively. The team’s recent British Supersport success gives the new BMW operation a clear recent achievement to build on, although the move to the superbike class brings a different competitive task.

Regulation changes could suit BMW

The technical framework will also change across BSB in 2027. A power cap is being introduced, while electronic rider aids are returning to the superbike class, including traction control and wheelie control. Skinner believes that change may benefit BMW because of the electronic package used by the motorcycle in Superstock competition. In his view, the new rules could make 2027 a particularly logical time to return to the brand.

The competitive order remains open, however, because the revised package will be new for every team and rider. Skinner expects the BMW to be strong, but the relative advantage of the new electronics and power limits will only become clear once the season begins. His 2027 campaign will therefore combine a known motorcycle platform with a new team environment and a technical reset for the entire championship.