Hawk Kawasaki, official Kawasaki entrants into the 2005 Bennetts British Superbike Championship are fired up and ready for the Easter weekend championship opener at Brands Hatch.
The first race on the famous Indy circuit signals the end of a long winter development programme for the Leicestershire based team. A move to a new workshop, the arrival of new staff and continuous evolution of the race-winning Hawk Kawasaki ZX-10Rs leaves Hawk in a strong position to start the season.
"For sure it's going to be our toughest season yet", comments team owner Stuart Hicken "But the lads have been working really hard on the bikes this winter and I'm sure we've got a superb race bike. Last year we had no data on the bikes and had very little pre-season development time. This year we have been able to take all of the information we gathered during the season, work out our strengths and weaknesses and focus on refining the whole package. The riders are ready for it and I'm just looking forward to race day.
New Hawk Kawasaki signing Dean Thomas is eager for the season to get underway;
"Winter always seems to take ages, and then suddenly it's the first race. I've been working with the team over the off-season and now I can wait to race with them. The bike is just great, it's so manoeuvrable and light. I really, really want to get out there and just can't wait to get the bike onto the grid".
Glen Richards, in his fourth season with the Hawk Kawasaki squad, is also focused on the season ahead;
"Everyone knows I had a shocker last year, and I have put that behind me and I'm looking forward to this season. I don't think I ever been as fit and prepared as I am now. I've trained real hard, pushing myself, getting myself back to the fitness I had in 2003 and possibly beyond. The guys have worked real hard on the bikes and now it's down to me to get stuck in. Just roll on Monday!"
