Motourage

After two long-haul races in a row, the official Kawasaki Supersport Team returns to European operations with Joan Lascorz and Katsuaki Fujiwara ready to post strong finishes at Misano.

The often-tricky layout of Misano holds no fears for Lascorz and Fujiwara, who have returned from their unofficial summer break fit and more motivated than ever to go for podium places. Thus far Joan has only been off the podium once in seven races, while Katsuaki is searching only for that missing spark of good fortune to put him back into the top three.

The team had planned a test in Spain between Miller and Misano, but rain washed out their plans, and the technicians spent their time working on suspension and electronic advances to take to Italy. The team will now test after the Misano round, in the official IMS tests at Imola, on June 29 and 30.

Lascorz currently holds third place in the overall rankings – 14 points from the lead – with Katsuaki ninth and only 10 points from a top-five ranking – meaning there is everything to play for at Misano and beyond.

Joan Lascorz: “We got a top three finish in America last time out, and that was not so bad, but we want even more at Misano. It would have been good to get a test in before this weekend, but it was not to be because of the weather. I know the track at Misano, I know the competition and I know our team, so I am expecting the usual tough race – but I also expect to be competitive.”

Katsuaki Fujiwara: “I was sixth at Miller last time out and we are making constant improvements to our machine, so I am confident we can have a good weekend in Misano. Our bike was very consistent in America and that made me really happy. Our aim is to get the bike working just as well in Italy because I want to finish the season in the top four or five places.”

Ryan Farquhar gets ready to put the MSS Colchester Kawasaki ZX-10R Superbike to its toughest test of the year as he takes over the controls for the Isle of Man TT road races.  In 2010, MSS Colchester Kawasaki again heads across the Irish Sea for the historic Isle of Man TT races, and the experienced road racing team’s hopes of success fall on the record-breaking Northern Irishman. Despite taking an unprecedented 61 road race wins in all competitions in 2009, last year’s TT week was one to put down to experience for Farquhar. But, the Dungannon man is looking to Nick Morgan’s MSS Colchester team for a return to success aboard the Kawasaki ZX-10R Superbike.

Farquhar, a two-time TT winner wasted no time in the initial practice sessions. After first practice was cancelled because of bad weather, the Northern Irishman didn’t take long to make up for lost time with a blistering 128.076mph lap in Wednesday’s practice session, the fastest so far.  Speaking during practice week, Farquhar, who last rode for Nick Morgan’s team at the TT in 2005 (where he bagged a Supersport win and third place in the Superstock races), was happy with progress so far.

“I know I’m riding well. We were quickest on the Superstock bike straight off and I know I’ve got things working well already with the Superbike. The chassis is really good on the MSS bike and I’m confident we can do well with that. Come Friday we should be ready to go on all the bikes.”

Early laps have been slightly tentative as Ryan and his crew attempt to correct the small problems of the North West 200. A fuelling problem traced to the foam in the fuel tank breaking down and starving the bike’s motor at high RPM is now rectified; “Were confident now we’ve sorted that problem out with the superbike.” said Ryan. The quiet-spoken but confident Farquhar is happy his 2010 TT will bring podium success again.

“I’d be happy with anything in the top five, but I’m confident we can get a podium or two; that’s what I’m aiming at. I’d like to thank everybody really. A big thanks to Nick for helping with the superbike, and for his help on all my bikes.”

MSS Colchester Kawasaki team owner Nick Morgan is well aware of the tough test ahead for his bikes and team. “We know this event well, and we know from past experience it pushes everything to the very limit, in a way that normal short circuit racing never does. That’s no more or less than anyone else, but it makes it a different job than is normal for us. We’ve had a few niggly things to work on with the superbike so far, which is a bit frustrating but we’re getting there and it looks like we’re in for a good week. All the riders we’re helping are looking good.”

No stranger to road courses, the diverse skills of the MSS Colchester Kawasaki race workshop stretches to three wheels for the TT this year with ZX-6R engines powering the Manx duo of Dave Molyneux and Patrick Farrance. The legendary sidecar pilot Molyneux posted a 114.355mph lap during Tuesday evening practice to put him at the top of the timing sheets and is looking for another record breaking year.

“It’s great to be helping Dave Molyneux out; he’s got off to a cracking start in practice,” commented Nick about the sidecar duo.

The Paul Bird Kawasaki Racing Team heads to Portimao in Portugal for round two of the World Superbike Championship determined to post strong results after experiencing mixed fortunes in the opening round in Australia.

Tom Sykes hopes a new bike setup will help him at Portimao

Tom Sykes scored points last time out but Chris Vermeulen fell at high speed in race two, injuring his right knee, and now approaches this weekend with characteristic determination to be fit to race on Sunday.

Until misfortune struck, both Vermeulen and Sykes looked to be heading towards good results in each Australian race, a factor that gives the whole team confidence that Portimao will be a good weekend and more of a reward for everyone’s hard work in the winter.

Part of those winter preparations was an official test at Portimao in January, although poor weather was a frequent visitor at that time. Those January track sessions were particularly valuable for Chris, who had not ridden at Portimao prior to then.

Weather conditions are expected to be largely dry for all concerned on race weekend on the Algarve coast, which would allow Tom and Chris consistent track conditions to find an optimal raceday set-up.

Tom Sykes:
“I’m really looking forward to the race in Portugal. We’ve learned a lot with the bike since Phillip Island and to be honest I’m really happy with the team set-up and how we are working together. I’m feeling positive about the bike as we have a completely different machine set-up and made valuable progress since we last tested in Portimao in January, which adds to my confidence for a decent result here. I have high expectations for myself and the team and I hope we can deliver a good result.”

Chris Vermeulen:
“The doctors at the Clinica Mobile have already said it is OK for me to race. On Sunday it is going to be four weeks since the accident and really I need two months for everything to heal properly. I sat on the bike today for the first time and it is a little difficult to get my knee into position, but we can lower the footpeg and raise the seat, do whatever we can to help that. The Clinica Mobile will tape up my knee and give me some injections for the pain. I am going out for practice on Friday morning to see what I can do. I am sure it is going to be possible to ride.”

MSS Colchester Kawasaki are busy putting together plans for an intense racing season with new riders, sponsors, high-technology and a focused development schedule as they attack British Superbike (BSB), National Superstock and the Isle of Man TT.

The Essex-based team stepped up a level in 2009 with their riders regularly running at the sharp end of the pack resulting in a creditable BSB series finish of sixth and seventh. Star rider Simon Andrews lead races, finished on the podium and would have had an even stronger Championship position had it not been for injury.

For the 2010 season, Andrews will again spearhead the team, backed up by Privateers Cup winner Gary Mason, while the squad will also run a professional effort in the fiercely competitive Metzeler National Superstock Championship, having signed up Howie Mainwaring.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki hopes all the pieces have finally come together for 2010

Away from the short circuits, the team will run a fourth Kawasaki ZX-10R in the varied roads circuits of the Isle of Man TT, Ulster GP and NW200 utilizing the talents of roads specialist Ryan Farquhar.

During the winter, the team have picked up two state-of-the-art electronics packages, which have been developed by the Kawasaki World Superbike outfit of Paul Bird Motorsport. The Magneti Marelli Marvel system handles all on-board electronics to tackle both data collection and system management, with a myriad of datalogging and fine tuning options available. The electronics systems have been installed and the technicians have acquainted themselves with the technology, the team now track time to hone their set up.

Winter testing is scheduled to start on the 9th March at Guadix in Spain, which will give the team the opportunity to explore the new electronics for the first time.

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The Competition Systems Kawasaki Race Team has announced that Alex Welsh of Uxbridge, Ontario will pilot its Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R in the 2010 Parts Canada Superbike Championship.

Primary sponsors of the team will be Canadian Kawasaki Motors and Parts Canada.

“Kawasaki has a long and successful history of racing in Canada and the team is thrilled that they have entrusted us to carry on that tradition,” said team owner Mike Crompton. “We are also very pleased to have Parts Canada on board. They have put so much into this series and sport that we all enjoy. Their support will be a great asset to our team.”

The 21-year-old Welsh is one of the hottest new talents in Canadian motorcycle road racing. He was the 2008 HJC Pro Rookie of the Year in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship and last summer joined the Canadian Kawasaki Motors factory team.

Despite missing one race due to injury, he finished seventh in the Superbike class on a Ninja ZX-10R with a top finish of third at Mosport International Raceway. He placed fourth in the Yoshimura Pro Sport Bike standings with four podium results to his credit, including a runner-up finish at Mosport, riding Kawasaki’s ZX-6R Ninja.

“Alex showed great promise and team spirit in 2009,” Crompton added. “All the crew is looking forward to concentrating its efforts with him and look forward to a successful 2010 season.”

The crew will consist of Harald Surian, a multi-time championship-winning tuner, who will look after trackside set-up and suspension. Richard Winter, whose immaculate Ninja ZX-6R Sport Bikes have won the past four Canadian national titles, will be the in-house builder and tuner. Crompton will handle engines and logistics. He has some 40 years of experience in the Canadian motorcycle industry, supplying engines and race equipment to some of the country’s leading competitors.

For the past several years, Canadian Kawasaki Motors has run its national road race program in-house. Last summer the squad claimed its fourth straight titles in the Parts Canada Superbike and Yoshimura Pro Sport Bike divisions. Crompton had been the crew chief for the Kawasaki program through its run of success.

“Work has begun in preparation for the new season and we will be ready for testing soon,” he added.

The 2010 Parts Canada Superbike Championship opens May 28-30 at Circuit ICAR in Mirabel, Quebec

Canadian Kawasaki Motors has secured the services of Toronto-based Competition Systems to handle Kawasaki’s assault in the 2010 Parts Canada Superbike Championship. The team will consist of one rider and focus exclusively on the Superbike feature class with Kawasaki’s potent Ninja ZX-10R.

The new entity will be called Competition Systems Kawasaki Race Team.

For the past several years, Canadian Kawasaki Motors has run its national road race program in-house. Last summer the squad claimed its fourth straight titles in the Parts Canada Superbike and Yoshimura Pro Sport Bike divisions.

Mike Crompton of Competition Systems has been the crew chief for the Kawasaki program through its run of success and will now take over as team owner of the new race program. Some of the existing crew will continue with the team and a rider and sponsors will be announced within a few days.

“Due to a number of circumstances we have decided to suspend activities with our factory program for 2010,” said Jeff Comello of Canadian Kawasaki Motors. “But despite this state of change we have tried to keep as much continuity as possible and Mike Crompton and Competition Systems are the perfect fit. We have been together now for four-plus years and have enjoyed a great deal of success.”

Crompton has some 40 years of experience in the Canadian motorcycle industry, supplying engines and race equipment to some of the country’s leading competitors.

“Canadian Kawasaki Motors is a great company and I’m looking forward to this,” Crompton said. “We already have a good team structure and equipment. We’ve spent a number of years building this program and all we have to do is just continue what we’ve started.”

The agreement between Canadian Kawasaki Motors and Competition Systems is for one year and will be re-evaluated at the end of the 2010 racing season.

“Kawasaki is committed to showcasing the Ninja brand in competition and we feel strongly that we need to be behind the Parts Canada Superbike Championship,” Comello said. “This is the perfect venue for us to display our products.”

“We all have to dig deep and support the series,” Crompton added. “It is important to do what we can to have a successful 2010 and build on that for 2011 and beyond.”

In addition to claiming the past four Parts Canada Superbike titles Canadian Kawasaki Motors enjoyed a string of nine straight national championships from 1991 to 1999, and also claimed the first two Canadian crowns in 1980 and ’81 with riders George Morin and Lang Hindle, respectively.

The 2010 Parts Canada Superbike Championship opens May 28-30 at Circuit ICAR in Mirabel, Que. For more information, visit www.cdnsuperbike.com.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki have signed Howie Mainwaring to showcase the production Kawasaki ZX-10R in the fiercely competitive Metzeler National Superstock Championship.

Twenty-two year old Mainwaring has been in the British Superbike and Superstock series for many years and the team believe he will be a front runner with a good level of support.

This year’s Superstock class has an unparalleled level of ex-Superbike riders making it a must-see event for spectators. The team have prepared numerous high-level Superstock machines and are excited to be entering the series in their own right for the new season.

Howie Mainwaring has Superstock experience on a Suzuki and Yamaha.

The Superstock effort will run alongside the blue riband Superbike development meaning Howie will benefit from testing and R+D from the famed performance house. Superstock machines must run standard engines and chassis parts with only minor alterations, making them a class that proves the prowess of the original production machines bought in showrooms.

Howie is the fourth member of the MSS Colchester Kawasaki squad. Simon Andrews and Gary Mason are confirmed for British Superbikes while roads specialist Ryan Farquhar is signed up for the Isle Of Man TT and NW200.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki Team Owner, Nick Morgan said, “It’s great to be competing in Superstock, we know the ZX-10R is a quality machine straight out of the crate with good power and we think Howie is ready for the challenge. He’s been around for a while but this could be his big break and he knows it.”

Howie Mainwaring added, “I am really looking forward to the 2010 season with MSS Colchester Kawasaki and I feel that I have a fantastic opportunity with such a professional team and package. I love the Kawasaki ZX-10R having rode one last season with several top 6 finishes and equaling the fastest lap of the race at Thruxton. I genuinely feel I can be a championship contender despite the level of the series this season and testing starts soon, so I can’t wait to get started!”

Name: Howie Mainwaring
Age: 22.
Job: Engineer/Bike Racer.
Hobbies and Interests: Mountain biking, going to the gym and motocross.
Favorite Films: Rocky 3 and 5, Days of Thunder.
Best Career Moments: Getting the first win for MV Agusta in the British Championship for 37 years.
Worst Career Moments: Breaking my neck in Monza in World Superbikes.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki have used the winter break to show their British Superbike intentions with the addition of the latest spec WSBK Magneti Marelli electronics package.

Team owner Nick Morgan visited the Kawasaki World Superbike outfit of Paul Bird Motorsport to collect the valuable electronics systems, which the squad believes will help them bridge the gap to the best funded, factory-backed teams. The system has been extensively developed by PBM’s engineers Phil Borley and Stuart Bland, which gives the MSS Colchester a development short-cut with the new equipment. The Magneti Marelli Marvel system [Download product description pdf here] handles all on-board electronics to tackle both data collection and system management, with a myriad of data logging and fine tuning options available.

MSS Colchester team owner Nick Morgan (center) with 2010 riders Gary Mason and Simon Andrews

Electronics have become a big factor in modern racebike development and it has become apparent that big horsepower is not always enough if it cannot be controlled adequately, especially on tight, technical circuits such as some of those seen in the British Superbike Championship. The MSS Colchester squad now intend to utilize their new tools as well as special swing arms and chassis upgrades with extensive dyno and track development over the winter.

The official Kawasaki UK British Superbike entry recently announced their 2010 rider line-up of Simon Andrews and Gary Mason, both of which are excited to be using the new system.

Nick Morgan , MSS Colchester Kawasaki Team Owner:
“From a technical point of view we’re so excited to be using the latest spec World Superbike electronics and as motivation we know we now have the best kit available, so there’s no excuses! I can’t thank Birdy and his team enough for giving us such amazing hardware, especially as they have put in huge development time over the course of the year. The kit is straight off Broc Parkes machine which he used so effectively at Brands Hatch, so we know it works well there and that’s where we race!”

2003 World Supersport champion, 2005 World Superbike runner up and former MotoGP rider Chris Vermeulen makes his return to World Superbikes in 2010 aboard a Paul Bird Kawasaki.

In this installment of the Motourage Video of the Day, Chris recaps his pre-season testing successes and what it’s like to be back on a superbike.