FFX, a fast-growing power tools retailer, has joined forces with Yamaha to form the FFX Yamaha MCE British Superbike racing team.
Last year the company acted as a minor sponsor to the Milwaukee Yamaha racing team, but now it looks forward to the commercial benefits of the superbike competition.

FFX general manager Mark Skinner said: "It's no secret that everyone at FFX has been waiting for the moment when the time would be right to launch our own motorcycle racing team. To finally have our own team is really a dream come true. Many of our customers are big fans of MCE British Superbikes and we look forward to next season and the chance to introduce new customers to the FFX brand."

FFX secured Ian Hutchinson as its number one rider for the 2014 season after he returned to the sport following a serious injury at the end of last season.

"His qualities of speed, power, tenacity, and endurance are most certainly qualities that the FFX brand aspires to."

Based in Folkestone, Kent, FFX began trading in 2003 and is now one of the UK's largest suppliers of major tool brands, fixings and building supplies and it also operates across Europe via its website. The company will be expanding its network of retail outlets and opening a new distribution centre this year.