Kirkham returns to action at Silverstone - August 18th 2005

Jon Kirkham makes a welcome return from injury to Superbike action this weekend at Silverstone following a huge high-side during qualifying at Croft early in June which left a finger requiring extensive surgery and skin grafts.

The tendon on the small finger of his right hand took the brunt of the impact with the initial prognosis from specialists for a 12 week recovery not far from the mark. During the lay-off the young Derby rider has been working on his fitness and undertaking some private testing.

Whilst being out of action is never a good thing it has come at a fortunate time for Kirkham as the Sendo Superbike team did not attend the Knockhill and Snetterton rounds due to financial reasons. The team has subsequently withdrawn from the British Superbike Championship and he is making his comeback with the help of a number of loyal supporters who are providing financial assistance.

Kirkham will be riding the same Kawasaki ZX10 he has campaigned all season with Dienza Performance. The objective for the weekend is to regain race fitness and get back on the pace while a number of options are explored to see out the remainder of the season and prepare for 2006.

Kirkham said that the year had been very disjointed and the collapse of the team mid-season had left him with few options.

"It's been a really weird couple of months. First with my injury at Croft and then with the team running into trouble it feels like everything has gone from bad to worse. A number of people have stepped in to help us out though and I can't thank them enough. It's now up to me to repay their faith."