Gearlink Kawasaki News

The team had another solid round of the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch. Glenn Irwin secured a second podium of the Championship so far with second and fourth places respectively, his team mate Ben Wilson gained two sixth places.

Glenn was riding well all weekend and following a strong qualifying was second on the grid for the first race. A lightning start saw him gain the hole-shot but eventually had to settle for a tightly fought second place, fending off the third place rider by just 0.1 second.

For race two Glenn was third on the grid and again got a great start and led for the first three laps and was locked in a four way battle eventually having to settle for fourth place, he is now fourth in the Championship.

Ben Wilson is still playing catch up following his year in the Superbike class and is taking a little longer than planned to find his rhythm on the Kawasaki ZX-6R. He pushed hard all weekend improving his times in each session. Qualifying times were so close that despite being only 0.8 second off pole he qualified in 13th place. He got one of his brilliant starts in race one moving up to seventh place in lap one eventually finishing a creditable sixth.

In the second race he started from eighth place on the grid and soon moved up to sixth in lap one and was locked in a four bike battle but still managed to finish in a solid sixth place.

In the MCE British Superbike Championship, Gearlink Kawasaki gained the services of the extremely talented and experienced Michael Rutter to ride the Kawasaki ZX-10R Superbike. Michael has had many years riding at Superbike level and was eager to help the team improve the bike. As the weekend progressed he drastically cut his lap times and made huge steps forward despite no previous experience on the bike. He qualified in 24th place for the first race but had to pull into the pits with a small technical problem. For the second race he finished in 27th place.

Team Manager Michael De Bidaph - "It was a pleasure to have Michael Rutter in the team this weekend. He brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team, he had never ridden the bike before and we knew it would be a tough weekend for him. We made several changes to suit his style and managed to finish the second race with him feeling much more confident on the bike. His input to the team this weekend was invaluable and i would personally like to thank him for that, he was a huge asset to the the team. We hope he will ride again for us in the next race at Oulton Park to further develop the bike but we know his main priority is the North West 200 and the TT.

We worked really hard on the Supersport machines and had a much better set-up here than at Donington but we know we must improve the speed of the bikes. The Yamaha and Triumph's are super quick and we know we have to do something to ensure that we can stay with them during the races. Glenn's results were not what he and the team wanted but he could not have tried any harder. Ben is not where he wants to be yet but as the season progresses his form will improve."

Team Manager Michael de Bidaph -

"After the totally unexpected decision by Joe Burns to leave the team, at Donington Park, we are thrilled to announce that we will have Michael Rutter on board the Gearlink Kawasaki ZX-10R Superbike at the next round of the MCE British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch.

Michael and the team know that it will be extremely tough as Michael has not yet tested the Superbike. There will be total commitment from Michael Rutter, myself and the whole team and very much look forward to working with Michael and hope that our association will continue throughout the 2015 season."

Gearlink Kawasaki had a solid start to the 2015 Motorpoint British Supersport Championship at the opening round at Donington Park.

Glenn Irwin was suffering with low energy levels following a bout of flu prior to the first race, He still managed to qualify on the second row in fourth place for the first race and following a restart due to a red flag he got the hole-shot to finish in a very creditable third place.

In race two Glenn started from fifth place on the grid and held that position for the opening five laps of the race. He then passed his team mate Ben Wilson to move through to fourth and despite challenging for third place had to settle for fourth.

Ben Wilson had to adapt to a Supersport bike again having spent last season on the Superbike. Ben and the team worked hard all weekend to get the bike set up as he likes it. He qualified in ninth place for the first race and in the restart got a great start but was struggling to find grip and finally finished in sixth place.

In race two Ben got another great start and was up to second place after the first lap but despite his best efforts finished like race one in sixth place.

Team Manager Michael de Bidaph - "It was a mixed weekend for us in the Supersport class and we have not performed how we would have liked to. Both bikes were purchased brand new over the winter and we do not have enough miles on them to get everything bedded in nicely.We know we have a lot of work to do before the next round at Brands Hatch but know it is possible to sort the issues out.

We knew this year would be tough in this class and we have to be up to speed as soon as possible with both Ben and Glenn. We will work hard to ensure we can give them the best possible package for the remaining rounds as we know both are capable of podiums and expect to be there or thereabouts at the next races.

Joe Burns and Gearlink Kawasaki have amicably parted company after Donington Park."