Ray enjoyed an impressive junior career, both nationally and internationally, finishing seventh overall as a 15-year-old in the 2012 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, while he took his maiden victory in the championship the following year. In 2014, he finished fourth in the final standings, faring well against the likes of MotoGP’s Jorge Martin and Joan Mir, as well as Yamaha’s 2021 WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlıoğlu.
Following several strong performances in Europe, Ray focused his attention back on national racing in 2016, and quickly established himself as a title challenger in the British Supersport Championship. On board a Yamaha R6, the youngster ended his rookie campaign third in the final standings, earning him a step-up to the British Superbike category for the following season.
In that maiden year, Ray was a regular top 10 finisher and scored a first podium at Oulton Park, placing an impressive 11th in the final standings. With experience behind him, Ray enjoyed an explosive start to the 2018 season, winning the opening two races at Donington Park, before going on to break into the Championship Showdown, eventually finishing sixth overall.
More podiums followed over the 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons, but it wasn’t until this season – racing a Yamaha R1 bike for the first time - where Ray could extract his full potential. The 25-year-old never finished a race outside the top six when he reached the chequered flag and wrapped up the title at the Brands Hatch finale.
For 2023, Ray joins the Motoxracing Yamaha WorldSBK Team for the European round of the FIM Superbike World Championship. With his eyes on a future world championship title, his first year will be about gaining experience of both the WorldSBK-spec Yamaha R1 and international circuits.
Personal Details:
Date of birth: 16-05-1997
Place of birth: Ashford, United Kingdom
Nationality: British
Career Summary:
2023: Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team
2022: Champion - British Superbike Championship
2021: 10th - British Superbike Championship
2020: 13th - British Superbike Championship
2019: 11th - British Superbike Championship
2018: 6th - British Superbike Championship
2017: 11th - British Superbike Championship
2016: 3rd - British Supersport Championship
2015: 13th - National Superstock 600 Championship
2014: 4th - Red Bull Rookies Cup / 11th - CEV Moto3 Championship
2013: 11th - Red Bull Rookies Cup / 15th - CEV Moto3 Championship
2012: 7th - Red Bull Rookies Cup / 2nd - British MotoStar Championship
2011: 6th - British 125cc Championship