British Superbike News

No Kawasaki For MotoGP

Following the recent disappointing news that the Kawasaki factory team would be withdrawing from MotoGP, the British Superbike series Kawasaki teams have been quick to confirm that they will remain involved with the national championship for 2009.

The two Kawasaki BSB teams MSS Colchester and Buildbase have reconfirmed their commitment to British Superbike in a bid to allay fears that they too would be pulling out. MSS Colchester are the official Kawasaki Motors UK entry, the team run by Nick Morgan will feature two new riders for the 2009 season.

Double World Endurance champion Julien Da Costa makes a return to British Superbikes where he will team up with Simon Andrews.

Hawk Engineering are also committed to running Kawasaki’s for 2009, under the newly formed brand name of Buildbase Kawasaki. Buildbase will also run with two riders, John Laverty the reigning Superbike Cup champion will join Tristan Palmer in the team line up. Both teams will be anxious to put some British Superbike results on the table after the uncertainty of the past few weeks.

It would appear that the Kawasaki withdrawal is restricted to the ultra expensive Moto GP series and the Japanese manufacturer will continue to have a presence in BSB along with World Superbike and Supersport for the 2009 season.

In other British Superbike news the North West 200 has announced a deal with the fizzy drinks giant Coca Cola, Michael Rutter will sport the Coca Cola Zero colours throughout the British Superbike 2009 season. The Coca Cola Zero logo will appear on Rutter’s Yamaha along with the North West 200 markings.

Rutter’s team mates Chris Walker and Graeme Gowland will, in contrast, race blue coloured bikes sponsored by Henderson and Motorpoint.

North West 200 title sponsor The Kennedy Group have welcomed the extra sponsorship from the Coca Cola company who have flirted with the NW 200 by backing it in 1992 and 2002.

This year is however the 80th anniversary year of the event and Alistair Kennedy says:

“The British Superbike Championship proved to be an excellent marketing tool for the North West 200 during the 2008 season and we are very excited to be entering the 2009 series with a new partner.”