2004 Kawasaki Racing

Kawasaki have an enviable reputation in the fast moving and competitive world of motorcycle sport. Past winners of World Superbike and Grand Prix Championships, the distinctive lime green machines are instantly recognisable and have an almost cult following the world over. In the UK, Kawasaki compete both on an official distributor supported basis and through a legion of dedicated competitors in a variety of racing disciplines in the racing arena.

Among the hardest fought racing Championships in the World, the "BSB" Championship is renowned for its hard and fast racing along with the extremely high standard of both the riders and machines taking part. World Championship standard riders have frequently entered races in the series only to be relegated to the lower places in the results sheets by existing riders in the Championship. As "wildcard" riders in World Championship events, such as the Word Superbike series, BSB riders continue to show their quality along with that of their teams.

Running a three man team in 2003, Hawk Kawasaki were the officially supported team of Kawasaki Motors UK. Campaigning the revered and popular 749cc Ninja ZX-7RR were riders, Glen Richards, Scott Smart and Lee Jackson. Unique among the competition - and due to rules that allowed machines that are not commonly available - the ZX-7RR and its riders were routinely up against many machines of 1000cc and teams with seemingly limitless budgets. Undaunted and down on outright power, the riders relied on the chassis expertise of Team Principle Stuart Hicken to create what is generally recognised as one of the best handling racing motorcycles of this or any era.

Add to this the determination of riders like Glen Richards and ex-Grand Prix rider, Scott Smart and there were going to be at least a few upsets during the 2003 season. Glen was generally judged to be one of the stars of the Championship and achieved several podium places, much to the delight of both die-hard Kawasaki fans and all those that recognised sheer talent when they saw it. The ZX-7RR, which was also the only machine to use carburettors, was at the height of its development cycle in 2003 but was retired at the end of the season to make way for a new machine for the 2004 season, the impressive and eagerly awaited Ninja ZX-10R.

With few changes, modifications or deviations from standard road specification permitted, British Supersport racing was not only exciting to watch but related directly to the machines many of the fans had ridden to the race events themselves.

Essex based MSS Kawasaki were supported in 2003 by Kawasaki Motors UK. Their machine, the Ninja ZX-6RR is a 599cc Supersports machine with an impressive pedigree. Benefiting from a refined chassis with multi-adjustable suspension, and an innovative adjustable swinging arm pivot to change the ride height, the ZX-6RR was, according to MSS Kawasaki Team principle "like a miniature Moto GP bike". In its inaugural year, the new ZX-6RR and rider Rob Frost, were on a steep learning curve - along with that of the team. Data acquired in 2003 stands the team well for 2004 when they hope to campaign the new ZX-6RR, the ZX600-M1.

Like Supersport racing, Superstock is a road machine based series - the only difference being the greater size of the machines. Supported by Kawasaki Motors UK, the MSS Kawasaki team campaigned rider Steve Allan on a Ninja ZX-9R in the series. Although down on capacity and power to larger machines in the series, the ZX-9R handled sublimely and carried amazingly high corner speed - often being slowed mid-corner by larger machines that handled less well than "Bertha", as the MSS Kawasaki ZX-9R was christened.

With the intention to campaign the new Ninja ZX-10R in the 2004 series, MSS Kawasaki have now withdrawn "Bertha" from front line service - she will be missed!

Team Green is the banner under which Kawasaki Motors UK runs it's successful and high profile motocross and enduro racing and ownership package. Headed by Kawasaki Motors UK coordinator, Steve Guttridge, Team Green supports riders from schoolboy to adult in the majority of the UK's major championships. The pinnacle of Team Green in the UK is the Kawasaki Motors UK supported British and World Championship team, MJ Church Kawasaki.

Riders Carl Nunn and Marko Kovalainen competed in both major series during 2003 campaigning the KX250-M1 two stroke machines meticulously prepared at the team's base in Wiltshire. In the latter part of the season the team were lucky enough to receive one of Kawasaki's new KX250- N1, four stroke motocross machines. Although the machine was ostensibly an early delivery to aid the 2004 racing effort, the team nevertheless entered it in a major UK race event. The result was an impressive and emphatic two wins from two starts performance by rider, Carl Nunn.