JG Speedfit Kawasaki will be looking for podium points this weekend at the opening round of the 2017 MCE British Superbike Championship at Donington Park.

Leon Haslam and Luke Mossey will be looking to build on the success the team has enjoyed during pre-season testing, having broken lap records in Guadix and Cartagena respectively.

Leon, who is from Derbyshire, said he can’t wait to get back out on his home track: “Testing has been very positive overall: we’ve got through everything we wanted to and I feel like we’re in a really good place. Everyone on the team has been working well together and we just want to get racing now.”

Luke added: “After the Spanish tests we’ve got a really good base to work from and we’re looking in great shape. All we need now is dry weather!”

The Bournemouth Kawasaki team will be gunning for glory on the Ninja ZX-10R. The team has changed the suspension for 2017 from K-tech to Ohlins and has worked hard during testing on setting that up for both riders. They’ve also changed some engine specs and gearbox ratios and have fitted new swinging arms to try to gain as much life from the tyres as possible.

Although the bikes are now set up for the first two rounds the team is awaiting new engines and parts from Kawasaki to help them make further improvements and hopefully secure the championship title.

Team Manager Jack Valentine said he’s been delighted by the progress the team has made already since the first test back in January.

“Pre-season testing in Spain was excellent and we’re hoping to carry on in the same vein. And although weather conditions during the official test in Donington meant we couldn’t learn anything from going out on the track, we were still able to do some work on the electronics so we’re feeling really optimistic going into round 1.

“We’ve got a really strong team and so expectations are high – Leon needs to win a championship and Luke needs to secure a place in the Showdown. Already for round 1 we’re thinking about podium points which are important as we all know when you get to the Showdown after round 9.”

To keep up to date with the latest news from JG Speedfit Kawasaki you can follow the team on Facebook @JGSpeedfitBournemouthKawasaki on Twitter @JGSpeedfitKawa or visit the website www.jgspeedfitkawasaki.co.uk

Ends

Notes to Editors

• The line-up for JG Speedfit Kawasaki consists of British Superbike riders Leon Haslam and Luke Mossey, road racing specialist James Hillier and sidecar champions Ricky Stevens and Ryan Charlwood.
• The team is owned by Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing. Title sponsor for 2017 is British plumbing and heating engineering firm JG Speedfit which is a world leader in push-in fittings, as well as plastic plumbing systems and underfloor heating.
• Derbyshire-based Leon Haslam finished runner-up in the 2016 British Superbike Championship while Cambridgeshire-based Luke Mossey secured his highest ever British Superbike Championship season finish last year in sixth place.
• The team’s 2017 International Road racing events at the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT will be contested by James Hillier. Last season, Hillier secured three podiums earning him fourth overall in the 2016 TT riders’ championship.
• 2016 British F1 Sidecar Champions Ricky Stevens and Ryan Charlwood are being retained by Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing for a second year and will be going for their third championship win in a row this year.

For further information about this news release please contact:
Kate Strawson
Director, Shooting Star
kate@weareshootingstar.co.uk
01522 528540
07733 230293
@Kate Strawson
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