Kawasaki Racing Team Launch WorldSBK 2017 assault in Barcelona
The official 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship entry from KHI, the Kawasaki Racing Team, was unveiled in central Barcelona this week, with a full spectrum of sponsors, partners and media in attendance, at the very beginning of what has been described as a ‘reboot’ for Kawasaki’s most prestigious involvement in road racing.
As well as the first showing of the new model Ninja ZX-10RR in its official 2017 livery returning KRT riders Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes were sporting the colours of team partners Motocard, Elf Total and Monster Energy.
The theme of the 2017 KRT campaign is of a reboot – of drawing a line on the considerable recent success to refocus on the new challenges and possibilities that any new season presents.
Rea and Sykes were joined on stage at the Cine Comedia in Barcelona by other team members and Kawasaki staff, plus local dignitaries and sponsors. A high level of interest was evident at the team launch, from both local and international media outlets.
With the European winter testing season now complete the final pre-season tests will be the official organisers’ two day event, on 20th and 21st February at Phillip Island in Australia. Only a few days later the new season will begin, with the first two racedays unfolding on Saturday 25th February and Sunday 26th February.
Jonathan Rea, the 2015 and 2016 world champion
“It is really nice that every year KRT really pull out all the stops for our team launch. The last few years it has been in beautiful iconic spots in Barcelona and again this year we are in this really cool cinema, pretty much in the heart of the city. It is nice to jump into my new leathers, see the finished bike and have so many other people around to share in the excitement of a new season. After celebrating the championship I have just refocused on testing since then. We have had such a productive off-season and now I am excited for the year to start.”
Tom Sykes, the 2013 world champion
“There has been a lot of work and preparation put in during the off season from everybody and now we are announcing the team officially. It is getting to that time where we will be flying to Australia soon. It is all going to start happening very fast and tonight is the beginning of that. I am hoping to go to Phillip Island and be very competitive in the opening round. I have been trying my hardest in the winter to adapt to the bike. I would like to arrive strongly in the first round in Australia.”
Mr Ken Ondo, Senior Manager Kawasaki Heavy Industries Racing Department
“As a global marketing exercise that takes Kawasaki, the Ninja brand and our valued riders and team staff to all corners of the globe; the Kawasaki Racing Team have a considerable responsibility not simply to win races but to be our ambassadors. They are our “shop window” as they strive for success, presenting themselves as a professional team and creating a platform for Kawasaki Heavy Industries to showcase its design and engineering expertise.”
Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager
“As you probably know 2016 was a very successful year for us. We achieved all the objectives within our reach. Our riders Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes topped the first two positions in the overall classification and Kawasaki obtained the Manufacturers’ title for second consecutive year in the World Superbike Championship. But, after that nearly perfect season, we’re back to work to challenge again in 2017. Every season needs to start from scratch and there’s no place for old kudos. This is our message for this year and the motto of this team launch.”
Steve Guttridge, Racing Manager Kawasaki Europe
“KRT have had a very successful 2016. Historical even! Since 2012 we have achieved three world titles, three runner-up positions and two consecutive Manufacturers’ titles, but in the demanding world of motorcycle racing this is now history. Every season we have to start again and we are very fortunate to start from the same fantastic base of the KRT team of staff and our riders Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes. The winning foundation is there already. Even so we reboot every year. We reboot our objective. That is: to be champions again and create another history of success for Kawasaki. And we do it all together; manufacturer, sponsors, suppliers and team members.”
