Northern Ireland-based Scars Racing BMW has confirmed an impressive all-Scottish rider line-up for its debut campaign in the 2027 ZYN British Superbike Championship, signing former British Superbike Champion Tarran Mackenzie and multiple championship winner Rory Skinner. The team will compete aboard the BMW M 1000 RR with official backing from BMW Motorrad Motorsport, bringing together two established race winners with extensive national and international racing experience. Team owners Dale McElveen and Leigh Finlay have already enjoyed considerable success across road racing and short-circuit competition, securing victories and championship honours at events including the Isle of Man TT, North West 200 and British Supersport Championship. Their move into British Superbikes represents another significant step forward, with the ambition of challenging at the front of one of the world’s most competitive domestic motorcycle racing championships. The signing of Mackenzie and Skinner is a clear statement of intent, with both riders bringing valuable experience and proven winning ability. Their combined knowledge of the championship, together with BMW’s technical support, provides Scars Racing with a strong foundation as preparations begin for the 2027 season.

Mackenzie Returns to British Superbikes

Former British Superbike and British Supersport Champion Tarran Mackenzie returns to the domestic championship following several seasons competing internationally in the FIM World Superbike Championship. Having previously demonstrated his ability with race-winning performances in World Supersport, Mackenzie progressed into the premier World Superbike category, where his 2026 campaign included an impressive fourth-place finish at Phillip Island. Unfortunately, a crash at Donington Park brought his season to a premature conclusion just as he and his team were beginning to make significant progress. Having worked hard on his recovery, Mackenzie is now looking forward to returning to familiar surroundings and getting to grips with the BMW M 1000 RR.

“I’ve been given a great opportunity with Dale and Leigh to return to BSB with the Scars Racing BMW team. To get the official support from the factory is a big plus point and with the new rules we should have a really good season,” said Mackenzie.

“I’ve been working hard since my injury and I’m ready to go racing now. We have a good testing schedule planned with the team and I’m looking forward to getting out on the BMW and seeing where we’re at.

“2026 was my best year in WSBK but I only managed seven rounds of the series. It was such a shame to have the season cut so short as we were making great progress. I’m really excited to come back to BSB for 2027. It’s a championship I grew up in and had a lot of success there in the past.”

Skinner Brings Proven BMW Experience

Joining Mackenzie is fellow Scot Rory Skinner, a former British Supersport and British Talent Cup Champion who has established himself as a regular front-running competitor since making his British Superbike debut in 2021. Skinner has accumulated 20 podium finishes and three race victories in the championship, including his maiden BSB victory aboard a BMW at his home circuit of Knockhill in 2024. Skinner also brings international experience from his time competing in the Moto2 World Championship with American Racing. Despite several injury setbacks throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated his determination and ability to compete at the highest level, finishing seventh overall in the 2026 British Superbike Championship standings.

“I’m really excited to be part of the Scars Racing BMW team for 2027. The opportunity Dale and Leigh have put together for myself and Tarran is great,” said Skinner. To have Tarran as my team-mate, a former British Superbike Champion, he will bring some really good knowledge into the team which will give me a fantastic chance to learn and push myself harder. To have a full Scottish line-up in a Northern Irish team, it’s looking like it’s set to be a force to be reckoned with.

“I can’t wait to start testing the BMW M 1000 RR and see how things go, but roll on 2027!”

Official BMW Motorrad Motorsport Support

Scars Racing will benefit from official BMW Motorrad Motorsport support throughout its debut British Superbike campaign. The partnership will provide an important technical foundation as the team develops its understanding of the BMW M 1000 RR and prepares for the challenges of the championship. Uwe Geyer, Head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport Customer Racing, welcomed the announcement and believes the combination of Mackenzie and Skinner represents one of the strongest rider pairings on the grid.

“It’s exciting news that Scars Racing will line up with Tarran Mackenzie and Rory Skinner in the 2027 British Superbike Championship. They are among the best riders in Great Britain and are familiar with BSB and all its particularities. Rory raced with the BMW M 1000 RR in the past and therefore knows the bike already. Tarran returns to BSB after several years in WorldSBK. With their talent, speed and experience, they form one of the strongest rider pairings in BSB. We are convinced that Scars Racing can look forward to a strong BSB campaign with this great duo on the BMW M 1000 RR.”

Aiming for Race Wins in 2027

For team owners Dale McElveen and Leigh Finlay, the move into British Superbikes represents an exciting new chapter in the development of Scars Racing. Both are confident that the combination of experienced riders, factory support and a comprehensive testing programme will allow the team to establish itself as a competitive force from the outset.

“We are very fortunate to have been able to select two amazing riders to join the Scars Racing team for 2027,” said McElveen. “Their knowledge and experience are second to none and, like with everything we have done so far, we are there to win, not make up numbers. Taz and Rory are proven winners and both have what it takes to push each other and also get the best out of the BMW. We will start testing soon and have a good testing programme arranged for the new year where we will really be able to get a good understanding of the bikes and also what the riders need.”

Finlay echoed those sentiments, explaining that the team had carefully considered its rider options before settling on Mackenzie and Skinner.

“Dale and I had several conversations on which riders to have in the team. We wanted to be able to start strong from the off. With Taz and Rory on board, that’s exactly what we have. Taz has extensive knowledge of the championship and Rory has previous experience of the BMW, which is a great combination to start with. We are very much looking forward to making our British Superbike debut with the Scars Racing BMW team.”

With preparations and testing scheduled to begin shortly, Scars Racing BMW will now turn its attention to developing the M 1000 RR package ahead of the opening round of the 2027 championship. The team may be new to the British Superbike grid, but with two established race winners, official BMW Motorrad Motorsport backing and a management team accustomed to success, its intentions are clear. Scars Racing BMW is entering the championship with ambitions of competing at the front from the very beginning.