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Ratthapong Wilairot will return to the World Supersport Championship as the season continues at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia next weekend. He will race with the CIA Landlords Insurance Honda team, as will Aiden Wagner.

The younger brother of Ratthapark Wilairot, who won at home in Thailand earlier this year, picked up fifth place in that race and now returns to the class as he replaces Riccardo Russo. Elsewhere in the garage, Australian Wagner will race in place of the injured Kieran Clarke who suffered an accident at Donington after the UK Round.

Ratthapong Wilairot:
“I know how good the CIA Landlords Insurance Honda bike is because we used this engine at Thailand when I finished fifth. This is a tough championship with many fast racers, but I think with this team and support I can do well in Malaysia and show my speed. Thank you very much to CIA Landlords Insurance Honda for giving me this chance.”

Aiden Wagner:
“This is a great opportunity for me to see what I can do in Malaysia, on a front-running bike with one of the top teams in the paddock. I want to step up with CIA Landlords Insurance Honda and I am aiming for my season best result. I will need to learn the Honda CBR600RR and the team but I am totally focused and in great shape, I can’t wait to get racing.”

Team owner Simon Buckmaster explains the changes to the line-up:
“We have already supplied an engine that took Ratthapong to fifth place in a wildcard ride in his home Thailand round. Ratthapong is a star of the future in motorcycle racing and we will be looking to challenge inside the top six with him; he has the talent, bike and team to do it. I would like to thank AP Honda Thailand for agreeing to Ratthapong riding for us.

“Aiden joins us for this round and Qatar and we hope we can work well together to achieve strong results with a view to running a full season in 2016. Kevin Manfredi, who rode in place of Kieran at Misano, will ride in Jerez and Magny-Cours.

“Ricky (Russo) has been a disappointment to us as a team and, despite us delivering his best ever results in WSS and doing all we can to keep him happy, he found it very hard to adapt his riding style to get the best from the Honda CBR600RR. We agreed for him not to complete the season in the best interests of both parties. We wish him the best for the future.

“Kieran is getting better now after some complications and we wish him a speedy recovery. He will not race again this season but we hope he can join us trackside before the end of the season, as he is a valued member of the team.”