Kawasaki Motors UK confirm 2009 British Superbike plans

3rd December 2008

Having worked with the Essex based MSS team for some years, Kawasaki Motors UK has announced a racing partnership for the 2009 Superbike season under the banner of MSS Colchester Kawasaki.

The new team, which has the existing MSS racing organisation at its core, is a joint venture between the Nick Morgan run enterprise and Colchester Kawasaki, owned and managed by former motorcycle racer, Ian Stewart. With a contract that covers the next two years in BSB - and a possible extension to a third year - both KMUK and the team are sure the new set up will derive huge benefits on and off the track.

In addition to the changes announced within its structure, the team has also signed two new riders for the coming season, Simon Andrews and Julien da Costa.

Twenty four year old Andrews was among the most consistent riders in the 2008 BSB Championship. Finishing 18 consecutive races in the top 10 during the season, the Evesham based rider scored best place finishes of fifth at Silverstone and Oulton Park.

Frenchman, de Costa (27), who shares (with his two team mates) the title of 2008 World Endurance Racing Champion, is no stranger to Nick Morgan, Team Principle of MSS Colchester Kawasaki. Having ridden for him previously in the UK, his Kawasaki forays include a spectacular win at Cadwell Park on a Ninja ZX-10R Superstock machine having never even seen the track before.

Announcing the long term deal, Kawasaki Motors UK’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Michael Johnstone, was understandably enthusiastic about the venture. “Our first step with MSS was with a single rider team in 2007 expanding into a two rider effort for the current season. Nick and Ian have now created a strong structure which bodes well for the future. Our confidence in their plans and the rider line up is illustrated by the fact that we have agreed a multi-year deal. This gives the team the necessary stability to increase their presence and impact on the ultra competitive British Superbike Championship.”

Ian Stewart of Colchester Kawasaki was equally enthusiastic about the new project. “I have been involved in racing for many years, as well as having the day to day interest in my solus retail shop, Colchester Kawasaki. From a commercial perspective, we are delighted to have secured a long term deal. We are sure that this will result in a much stronger package for our commercial partners who can now plan and exploit promotional activity strategically over several seasons.”

Nick Morgan of MSS shared Stewart’s optimism. “We’ve spent this year and last laying the groundwork for this deal on track, in the paddock environment and via our successful interaction with race fans and the UK Kawasaki dealer network. We now have the infrastructure in place to make a concerted and competitive bid for Superbike success with Kawasaki Motors UK as a key racing partner”.