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Full speed ahead for Kawasaki SBK and SS racing programmes
Update: January 13, 2009, 11.45 PM ET Comment Email Print
In view of last week's decision by Kawasaki to withdraw its factory team from MotoGP, there has been some recent speculation as to how this would affect the rest of the Japanese manufacturer's programmes in the other top racing categories.
Following a series of disappointing results in recent years, the end of the 2008 season was marked by a revolution of sorts as Kawasaki made sweeping changes to the technical structures used as the bases for both racing programmes.
In Superbike, out went San Marino-based PSG-1 Corse, which made way for Paul Bird Motorsport, while Gil Motorsport was also replaced by the Provec Motocard outfit for Kawasaki's Supersport attack.
Kawasaki's European Race Planning Coordinator Steve Guttridge (in photo with Paul Bird), filled WorldSBK.com in on the latest developments.
"The World Superbike and World Supersport programmes are going ahead as planned for 2009 and we are putting all our efforts into those. We have two new teams, one in each category, and are working well with both of them. There is no change of plan."
"In Superbike, factory assistance is being increased with the Paul Bird team and there is more collaboration than before with Kawasaki Motors Europe and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. This should lead to big improvements in the team and the bike. It's early days yet, we just started everything up before Christmas but at the first race we should be up to speed."
"In Supersport the Provec Motocard Kawasaki team is going very well and is running ahead of plan. Joan Lascorz is proving to be very quick, he likes the bike and everyone is enthusiastic about the project. We think there'll be a few surprises this year."
Full speed ahead for Kawasaki SBK and SS racing programmes
Update: January 13, 2009, 11.45 PM ET Comment Email Print
In view of last week's decision by Kawasaki to withdraw its factory team from MotoGP, there has been some recent speculation as to how this would affect the rest of the Japanese manufacturer's programmes in the other top racing categories.
Following a series of disappointing results in recent years, the end of the 2008 season was marked by a revolution of sorts as Kawasaki made sweeping changes to the technical structures used as the bases for both racing programmes.
In Superbike, out went San Marino-based PSG-1 Corse, which made way for Paul Bird Motorsport, while Gil Motorsport was also replaced by the Provec Motocard outfit for Kawasaki's Supersport attack.
Kawasaki's European Race Planning Coordinator Steve Guttridge (in photo with Paul Bird), filled WorldSBK.com in on the latest developments.
"The World Superbike and World Supersport programmes are going ahead as planned for 2009 and we are putting all our efforts into those. We have two new teams, one in each category, and are working well with both of them. There is no change of plan."
"In Superbike, factory assistance is being increased with the Paul Bird team and there is more collaboration than before with Kawasaki Motors Europe and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. This should lead to big improvements in the team and the bike. It's early days yet, we just started everything up before Christmas but at the first race we should be up to speed."
"In Supersport the Provec Motocard Kawasaki team is going very well and is running ahead of plan. Joan Lascorz is proving to be very quick, he likes the bike and everyone is enthusiastic about the project. We think there'll be a few surprises this year."
