West, who quit the MotoGP CRT that he was due to ride for in 2012 after failing to come up with the necessary financial support, claimed to have “had offers” to ride in British Superbikes this season.

Now it is understood that West has come to an agreement with Swan Honda in a deal supported by West’s sponsor, Monster Energy, to replace Hutchinson at the championship winning team.

Hutchinson was injured less than a week ago whilst rehearsing for the Carole Nash MCN London Bike show at the ExCeL. The eight-time TT winner suffered another break to same leg he damaged at the end of the 2010 season, although the fresh fracture is well away from the original breaks.

West had originally claimed that he would return home to Australia to find a “normal job” after the collapse of his MotoGP funding.

Speaking on his Facebook page last month, West said: “I will not race in MotoGP this year or any other race because I cannot find sponsorship to pay the SPEED MASTER team, because all teams are asking for money from the riders only the rich can race in MotoGP / Moto2 / Moto3.

“I cannot even afford to ride a year for free, as I have YET to be paid from my former team MZ Germany Moto2 team. I had my car, MX bike and my house for sale trying to keep the ride and even gave the house as a guarantee if I did not find the money but was not enough.

Hill will remain with the Swan Yamaha team after his thrilling BSB championship success last season and will ride with the number one plate, whilst the five-time Isle of Man TT winner Hutchinson completes the team’s line-up for his first full season of BSB after a dramatic comeback from a broken tibia and fibula sustained during the final round of 2010.

“At the end of last season after winning the title I was speaking to different teams and looking at the different championships, but I knew I needed to have the complete package,” said Hill. “I have a lot of fans in BSB and I think having a British champion trying to hold on to the number one plate is something to get excited about; I certainly am! I really wanted to stay with Yamaha and build on the results and our relationship.

“I think going into next season there is probably less pressure on me than there was last year despite being the champion. If anyone had asked me before last year what my ambitions were the answer was always to win the BSB title. That is now complete but now that I have it, I certainly won’t be giving it up without a fight. I am treating next year in the same way I did last season because I definitely want to keep hold of the number one plate for myself and the Swan Yamaha team.”

Hutchinson added: “Next year is definitely a big one for me and I have never been looking forward to a season so much. I am glad that I had the opportunity to race at the end of this year as I have always had faith in my own ability but I just needed to prove to any doubters that I could still race. I have wanted to race in BSB for several years but the right opportunity has never been there and that makes 2012 a big year for me.

“I am over my injury now; I currently still use the right-hand gear shift that the team adapted for me to run at Macau but it is not a concern. The team have got it working perfectly for me so I just feel ready to get out testing as soon as possible!

“Now I just want to race and my aim is to get the results myself and the Swan Yamaha team deserve both in BSB and at the TT.”

Linfoot will compete for a third season in BSB as he joins Burrell, who remains with the team for a second consecutive season after running in the BSB Evo class in Stuart Hicken’s squad in 2011. The team are now aiming to build on their success with BMW in the National Superstock and Evo classes as they prepare for the new technical regulations for next season.

“It was always my goal to stay in BSB next season,” said Linfoot. “It is where I want to be and the Moto2 experience this year I am sure can only have helped. The new rules for 2012 will make it a more level playing field and that will definitely be great for everyone. I think the experience the team had last season and the rule changes mean we can be aiming for some good results.

“The BMW has performed well in the Superstock class for the past couple of seasons and that shows that it is one of the best bikes on the market at the moment; there is no reason why that shouldn’t translate to BSB next year. There are lots of questions marks in terms of who is going to be the ones to beat for next season with the various changes, so we will have to wait for round one at Brands Hatch!”

Burrell added: “I am really excited to be back in BSB next season with the Buildbase BMW team again as we made steps forward last year and we can continue to do the same in 2012. It took a while last season to adapt to the BMW but now we have that experience we will start next year in a stronger position, as we ended 2011 with some good results.

“I have goals to be inside the top ten and I think with more power now we should be able to move up the order and show what we can do as a team.”

The Ducati 848 Challenge will again consist of eight rounds and sixteen races, including six British Superbike rounds, as well as the now traditional two overseas rounds. The series kicks off at the British Superbikes opener at Brands Hatch on the 6/7/8 of April before returning to Assen for a third consecutive year on the 11/12/13 May. The Championship then makes its first visit to the Snetterton 300 circuit before the round of the season at Misano and the famous World Ducati Week.

The second half of the season is equally enticing as the Championship heads to Oulton Park and Donington Park for the first time, with Cadwell Park sandwiched in between before the end of season finale at Ducati UK’s home circuit, Silverstone on the 29/30 September.

The 2012 Calendar gives Ducati 848 Challenge riders a fantastic selection of circuits with three World Championship circuits in the UK but also the two away rounds at Assen held during the ‘Ducati Club Races’, Europe’s biggest amateur race meeting followed by a trip to Misano during the biannual Ducati festival, World Ducati Week attended by 60,000 passionate Ducatisti.

The Ducati 848 Challenge heads into its third year, firmly established amongst race fans as one of the premier one-make series seen on UK circuits. 2011 saw some incredibly close and exciting racing and 2012 promises to see more of the same. Again the winner of the Championship will receive an 848EVO whilst second prize will consist of a full set of Ducati riding gear and third prize a set of Ducati leathers.

Neil Hodgson takes over the reins of Series Ambassador and will be present to mentor some of the younger riders as well as offer advice to those more experienced competitors.

Beech finished fourth in the Triumph Triple challenge this year, securing two race wins including the Silverstone MotoGP race and has previously contested both the 125GP and Supersport classes. Cox will rejoin the Blackhorse Kawasaki team for his second full season having finished the National Superstock 1000 class in seventh, with a season high of second place at Donington Park.

The team are also looking to run a young rider in the Superstock 600 class.

Team Manager, Ian Lougher added: “We are delighted to retain the services of Victor Cox for 2012. Victor is undoubtedly one of the best riders in this class and a highly valued and popular member of the team. I am also pleased to welcome Ashley Beech on board for the 2012 season. Ashley has proven himself to be a young rider with a great future in the sport and his addition to the team is very much in keeping with Blackhorse Kawasaki’s ethos of supporting and developing talented young riders and enabling them to progress in their racing careers.

“Ashley will have the full support of everyone within the team and I know he will also benefit enormously from having Victor as a team-mate.

“As a team, we are honoured to once again be entrusted with the tag of Official Kawasaki Motors UK Superstock Team, and look forward to a successful and enjoyable 2012 season.”

Seeley will race for the rebranded Tyco Suzuki team in the 2012 BSB championship and will look to defend his North West 200 championship with the team in May.

The Northern Irish rider will partner Australian Josh Brookes in the official Suzuki BSB team and Seeley is looking forward to returning to the BSB class.

“I’m very excited to be back with the TAS team for another year, especially getting back on a Superbike, and I’m equally excited about the new Tyco Suzuki colours,” said Seeley. “The bike looks really well.

“Once we get some pre-season testing done my aim will be to try and win the championship; that really is my only goal. I think the new rules in BSB will be in my favour, having already won two championships without electronic aids, and I have every confidence in the boys at TAS to give me the best possible package. Until then I’ll be doing plenty of motocross and trials riding to hone my throttle control skills, but I can’t wait to get started.”

HM Plant Honda will run with a new line-up in 2012, having lost Byrne to PBM Kawasaki and allowing Ryuichi Kiyonari to leave by mutual consent, with Michael Laverty and John Kirkham riding the Fireblade in 2012.

“Losing Shane is a blow but we had to make a decision,” said Beltran. “It was one of those things.

“We knew he had been offered a deal and there was history between Shane and Paul Bird. But Honda weren’t going to get into a bidding war with Paul Bird.

“We set a deadline for Shane - after which his contract would end. We were open with him

“Unfortunately, that deadline came and went - and Shane still hadn’t made a decision. We didn’t want it to obstruct our preparations and had to make a decision.

“We wish Shane all the best for the future. He did a fantastic job for us and was a pleasure to work with.”

Welshman Laverty, 30, has finished fourth in the last two BSB championships riding for Swan Honda - and hopes a switch to Honda will power him to a maiden title.

Derby-based Kirkham, 27, secured his first BSB race win while riding for Samsung Suzuki last season - and ended the season placed seventh, winning the BSB Riders’ Cup.

Beltran said: “It’s a big change around for the team, but everything is motivated for the future.

“We believe there is a lot to come from the two riders. It’s nice to have continuity and produce a champion, but it’s hard to keep hold of BSB champions - there will always be offers.

“For any rider, winning the BSB title is a fantastic achievement, but it’s a stepping stone.

“However, we know that to ride for us is a fantastic opportunity.

“Riders such as Leon Haslam, James Toseland and Cal Crutchlow have worked for us and gone on to be frontrunners on the world stage.”

Byrne, an outsider for the championship going into the final triple-header weekend at Brands Hatch, claimed victories in both races on Sunday but missed out on the championship as Tommy Hill claimed a thrilling second-place finish in the final race of the season.

Byrne, whilst pleased with his performance over the weekend, admitted that he was left somewhat deflated despite the wins, and vowed to come back more determined in 2012.

“That win in the first race of the day race felt like I had just won the championship,” said Shakey. “We gave it everything at the weekend and I wanted nothing less than two race wins on Sunday.

“We had a good start but in the first laps I didn’t do a very good job of avoiding the damp patches and I had a few moments - in fact more than I think I have had in my whole career! I didn’t know who was behind me but I knew I wasn’t prepared to let them through as I wanted that win badly.

“The second win was great for me and the team but at the same time I felt a bit empty as all that hard work and great wins but for no championship title.

“After the first race of the day I didn’t initially realise I couldn’t still win the championship, but then the boys said to me just get out there and enjoy it and that’s what I did. Every lap I kept thinking why did Donington and Silverstone go so wrong? I was desperate to achieve the last two wins of the season and on Sunday we won the battle but we didn’t quite manage the war. The double win was a great result for the HM Plant Honda team for all their hard work all season.

“Missing out this year means I have something to come back for next year and I will certainly be throwing some grenades then!”

Hill finished second in the final race of the Brands triple-header and the deciding race of the season, beating Hopkins by the narrowest of margins to finish the season two points ahead of the Samsung Suzuki rider.

And the Swan Yamaha rider admitted his shock at claiming his first BSB title, claiming “I am gobsmacked to have won the title for Swan Yamaha; this has been my goal and I was trying to stay as relaxed as possible in that final race.

“The season has put a lot of pressure on everyone and that reflects on everyone. We have been regularly finishing in the top three and that has therefore been the benchmark and the whole of the Swan Yamaha team have been working so hard all year to make this possible. It has just been a complete shock for me and I feel like we should be having another race next weekend now! It wasn’t until the other riders started congratulating me that I even realised I had won as it was so close between myself and Hopper.

“It has been a long hard season and it came down to that one race. Everyone wanted a Showdown and that is what we have given them; it really was make or break time and I knew I had to do everything possible to beat Hopper. I knew Michael (Laverty) was behind me, but then when I knew it was Josh (Brookes) I had to just go for it. Coming across the line we didn’t know who had finished second and with it the title. At the moment I feel like I need someone to punch me or something to bring me back to reality. I just want to go out and race again now! I just want to celebrate now with my family, friends and the whole of the Swan Yamaha team and I need to thank everyone for their support this season.”

An eventful double helping of BSB races led towards an electrifying season finale at the Kent circuit today. The first encounter saw pole sitter Josh Brookes extend his advantage into Paddock Hill Bend on lap one, however as the field thundered towards Druids it was Byrne who had the advantage.

Race showers during last niht had left damp patches around the circuit, which made the track surface extremely slippery. As the early stages progressed the challenge of the wet patches became apparent with many riders falling from their respective machines.

Drama hit John Hopkins almost immediately, when an electrical problem struck his Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki. Unarmed he was forced to pull onto the grass before restarting his bike and rejoining the race.

Back at the front a brave move around the outside of Byrne into Paddock Hill Bend saw Laverty temporarily launched into the lead, before being caught out by the slippery track. A minor crash left Laverty on the sidelines, before the Swan Yamaha rider rejoined at the half way stage to secure a series of fast laps.

After just two laps Byrne had built an extensive lead back at the front as the action hotted up behind. Before long second placed Jon Kirkham had latched onto the HM Plant Honda of Byrne, as he hassled him towards the chequered flag. Unable to distract him, Kirkham settled for a strong second place ahead of James Ellison and Hill.

Chris Walker scored a popular fifth place finish ahead of Graeme Gowland and Tommy Bridewell. Just three more top ten positions were dispited fairly, with James Westmoreland, Dan Linfoot and Karl Harris crossing the finish line in eighth, ninth and tenth places.

The final race of the 2011 season was a fierce affair, with the championship title decided by just 0.006 seconds right on the finish line.

Byrne again slipped away at the front, to complete a double header of victories. Behind all attentioned focused on the fight for championship honours, as Hopkins and Hill toured the circuit within inches of one another.

A close yet fast paced season finale saw second placed Ellison forced to defend from the title contenders. However, as the closing phase beckoned Ellison was edged back to fourth place, as the battle between Hopkins and Hill was very much alive.

Before long Hill managed to battle his way through to second place, swiftly followed by Hopkins. As the final lap developed a fiesty turn of events saw the pair switch places six times. A final switch saw Hill edge ahead as they rounded the last corner, and despite the best efforts of Hopkins, it was a photo finish with the pari separated by just 0.006 seconds.

With second place came the championship title, as Hill scored his first BSB title crown. Third place was small consolation for Hopkins, with Ellison fourth. Laverty fought back to fifth place, whilst Brookes stormed to sixth place from the back end of the grid.

Michael Rutter was next up in seventh place as the final chequered flag fell, ahead of Gowland and Peter Hickman. James Westmoreland was the final rider to score a top ten finish in 2011, as the chequered flag fell.

Commenting on his first BSB title and the thrilling BSB title showdown, Hill told the official BSB website: “I am gobsmacked to have won the title for Swan Yamaha; this has been my goal and I was trying to stay as relaxed as possible in that final race. The season has put a lot of pressure on everyone and that reflects on everyone. We have been regularly finishing in the top three and that has therefore been the benchmark and the whole of the Swan Yamaha team have been working so hard all year to make this possible. It has just been a complete shock for me and I feel like we should be having another race next weekend now! It wasn’t until the other riders started congratulating me that I even realised I had won as it was so close between myself and Hopper.”