At just 56 years old, the head of the BeerMonster Ducati Team in the British Superbike Championship Bennetts has passed away. Paul Bird’s team made the announcement on September 1, 2023.
Paul Bird’s family is requesting privacy during this time. Therefore, the details surrounding his death are being kept secret for privacy and respect reasons.
Bird’s team, Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM), has been leading the British Superbike Championship with Tommy Bridewell. Riding his Ducati Panigale V4R, he and his teammate, Glenn Irwin, are leading the championship. The two BeerMonster Ducati riders are currently in the first and second positions. Although both are in top form for the championship, the impact this may have on the team in the remaining races of the season cannot be denied. The next round is scheduled for September 15-17, 2023 at Oulton Park.
PBM has enjoyed many victories in the British Superbike Championship, winning eight rider titles. Looking back to the beginning of PBM’s success in the series, the late Steve Hislop won the first of his five titles in 2003. Shane Byrne replaced him and won for the team in 2012, adding three more titles to his resume in 2014, 2016, and 2017. Finally, PBM would be champion again in 2019 with former MotoGP rider Scott Redding on the Ducati, alongside Josh Brookes.
PBM also managed Kawasaki’s factory campaign in World Superbike from 2009 to 2011, until the responsibility was passed to Provec in the following years.
The team then made its debut in the MotoGP premier class in 2012 and, in the following years, campaigned at the Isle of Man TT with Ian Hutchinson in 2015. Bird’s team also achieved victories at the TT with riders such as John McGuinness and Joey Dunlop.
One detail that was disclosed before Bird’s passing was that he had been hospitalized for a short period of time with an illness. Not all details about his health were made public. Our sincere condolences to all family and friends.
