Kawasaki racing in the UK –
2010 Overview
As a brand exemplified by high performance and cutting
edge technology, the desire to compete is engrained
in the Kawasaki DNA. Performing on a global basis
in World Championships, Kawasaki also competes at
a local level on a country by country basis.
With some of the best domestic championships in
the world, the UK attracts the highest level of riders
and, consequently, some of the most hard-fought and
exciting competition. Into this cauldron, Kawasaki
Motors UK entered or supported a variety of teams
in 2010 in diverse disciplines from short circuit
racing, to pure road enterprises, drag racing and,
of course, off-road sport including motocross via
the famous Team Green initiative.
For 2010, this world famous racing programme expanded
and encompassed some competitors in tarmac racing
for the first time in many years – something
which will extend into the coming season such was
its impact. For many, Superbike racing is the focus
of their attention being second only to MotoGP
in the two-wheeled “pecking order”. With
official and supported teams in the UK Championship,
2010 was once more a season characterised by close
racing with the Championship decided fittingly at
the last round. MSS Colchester Kawasaki entered the
season having already completed a year as the official
KMUK entrants in the series and were once more noted
for their outstanding machine preparation and presentation.
Whilst the top spot of the podium eluded them over
the course of the season, they galvanised their efforts
and narrowly missed a podium place at the season ending
offshore Superbike event at Macau. Optimism abounded
in the far east though as the team’s recently
announced new signing for 2011, Stuart Easton, won
that same race and established a new lap record in
doing so. With a much vaunted completely new
machine for the coming season, all eyes will once
more be on the Essex based squad who firmly believe
that this will be their “break through”
year.
Racing the Ninja ZX-6R in Supersport, the official
Kawasaki Motors UK team of Gearlink Kawasaki garnered
more success with two wins achieved by Lincolnshire
rider, Ben Wilson. Winning in the wet at Knockhill
and then again at the fast and flowing Oulton Park
circuit, Wilson achieved third in the Championship
and promptly re-signed for the team in order to attack
the new season with an outfit he knows and trusts.
Team Green re-entered the tarmac paddocks on 2010
with three riders competing under the famous banner
creating huge media interest. Most successful among
them was Essex rider, Danny Buchan who won several
races and stood a strong chance of taking the championship
until a mistake at the very last race placed him a
final third.
In Superstock, Kawasaki saw strong showings by MSS
Colchester Kawasaki rider, Howie Mainwaring and welcomed
a new official team, Blackhorse Kawasaki and their
Manager, Ian Lougher. Guiding rider Victor Cox to
several encouraging results across the season, Lougher’s
team also travelled across the water to the Isle of
Man for the TT in June.
Mona’s Isle played host to a raft of Kawasaki
riders during the TT festival. Most notable were the
official KMUK roads team of McAdoo Kawasaki with Manxman
Conor Cummins onboard plus the KMUK supported team,
KMR racing, represented by team owner, Ryan Farquhar.
Capturing the title of the fastest Manxman ever
around the TT course, Cummins’ TT ended with
an uncharacteristic crash while Farquhar showed how
impressive an almost stock Ninja ZX-10R is by placing
third in the 1000cc Superstock event. Now with more
wins on the roads than the iconic Joey Dunlop, Farquhar
has an ideal platform from which to attack 2011 while
Cummins is recovering well.
In terms of sheer speed, drag bike rider Tim Blakemore
took the laurels in 2010 with several 200mph passes
from a standing start on his ZZR1400 Turbocharged
“Funny Bike”. Looking to make an impact
in a racing discipline that Kawasaki has formerly
achieved great success in, Blakemore and his team
have done great things so far and look to the future
with optimism.
Off-road the success story continued with a strong
third place in the Red Bull Pro-National for Maxxis
Henderson LPE Kawasaki rider, Krisitian Whatley. Teammate
and former MXGP winner, Gert Krestinov, also podiumed
the awesome KX450F during the season vindicating the
team’s decision to enter the Estonian rider
in the UK Championship.
Winner of the BYMX and MXY2 Championships on his
KX250F, Welshman Connor Walkley also won the inaugural
race for the 2011 KX250F machine at its debut. Success
for the incoming machine was additionally celebrated
at the end of season Belfast Supercross race with
Adam Chatfield and Jack Brunel posting first and second
places respectively.
Adding the AMCA MX2 and IMBA MX2 titles to his growing
trophy cabinet, Lee Dunham rounded of a successful
year off road for Kawasaki and Team Green riding his
trusty KX250F.
Certainly a year with much to talk about, 2010 makes
way to a new season with an air of understandable
optimism among Kawasaki competitors. The new Ninja
ZX-10R is already receiving rave reviews – and
in testing has been immediately impressive in terms
of lap times. The Kawasaki UK Superbike team have
signed a potential championship winner in Stuart Easton,
while Wilson enters a further season in
Supersport ready to prove his credentials. With an
expansion of the Team Green project into 1000cc Superstock
and riders in the emerging EVO class, the tarmac grids
will certainly have a lot of Kawasaki machinery on
them come spring. For off-road fans too, 2011 looks
set to be a classic. The KX250F has already won races
in standard form and the changes to the KX450F make
it even more likely to push riders to the podium’s
top step.
One thing’s for sure, success for Kawasaki
riders in 2011 will be assured if their
commitment and desire to win has anything to do with
it!
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