Gearlink Kawasaki News

Finally able to venture out for the first time since last October, the team's first stop on the Bennetts British Superbike Test Tour was Silverstone where Benjamin Currie and Eunan McGlinchy were eager to put rubber to track once again.

Eunan left the garage first aiming to get a bit of a head start, managing to climb up to P2 in class with an impressive performance.

For the second session Ben took to the track and very quickly locked in a time of 57.991 launching him into P6 in class with the leader setting the pace with a time of 57.021. Eunan then improved with his second run, keeping within the top ten lowering his time to 58.87.

The third session saw impressive performances from both our riders with Ben getting into the top 3 just outside the 56's with Eunan also pushing forward reducing his lap times to 58.399, just outside the top 10. 

The fourth and final session saw Eunan move up to P9 with a 58.163 breaking through the 100 mph barrier. Ben raised the bar again pulling into the pits after 19 laps moving to P4 with a fastest lap time of 56.649, just 0.328 off the leader.

After a progressive and successful day for the entire team they moved onto Snetterton which is renowned for high wind speeds.

True to form the weather was bitterly cold and track temperatures very low and for our high spirited riders coming from Silverstone it was not ideal, however, it did not deter them as both went out putting themselves into the top 10, Ben in P6 and Eunan in P9.

Bad weather then returned hindering the third session with both only achieving a few laps. Eunan achieved P8 with Ben in P7. 

The fourth session was cancelled due to rain with both riders retreating to the garage. The opportunity was used for the team to bond with its new members, so time well spent. The final day was cancelled giving ample time to discuss both test events.

Team Manager - Arron Phillips "It is great to to see everone again and the general hustle and bustle of the day to day paddock business resuming. The aim of the first official test at Silverstone was to welcome our new recruit, Eunan and to ensure that everyone is happy with the general set up, have a ride out onto the track and see how we do. There was really no pressure but both riders rode extremey well, even better than expected.

It is good to retain Ben for th 2021 season, where we will give him the best set up we can as a team to put him in contention to win the championship.

Not much to say re Snetterton other than both riders did their best in the really difficult conditions, but that is the luck of the draw. We look forward now to the next set of tests as a strong team who can be strong contenders for the 2021 Quattro British Supersport Championship."

Ben Currie "Awesome to get out on my bike for the first test day. Great to have the team back together again after a long winter and fantastic to see how well we are all working together again, picking up right from where we left off.

Really great to see Eunan on the other side of the garage with me and a really nice atmosphere. Testing went well and although not on my full race bike yet we can be really happy with the position we are in at the end of the day. P4 is a great finish, i feel comfortable on the bike and feel really strong with all the work i have done in the off season. Now just looking forward to ticking these tests off and getting to round 1."

Eunan McGlinchy " Silverstone was my first time testing the new bike and the first time meeting the team, so there were lots of new parts for these first few tests, Silverstone was all about just getting comfortable on the bike and actually going out and enjoying myself. No pressure for lap times, nothing like that. We left Silverstone relaxed and starting to adapt to the bike.

Onto Snetterton, and again no pressure from the team re lap times. A test to have the bike feeling good for myself and to keep chipping away. Unfortunately the weather played its part in reducing the number of laps but we continue to learn more about the bike and becoming more comfortable everytime we go out. Can't wait to get out again and just finish by saying a huge thanks to the team for making me feel so welcome and for their hard work over the two tests. A massive thanks to all my personal sponsors for their support. I wouldn't be able to do this without you"

Next stop on the tour calender is the Bennetts British Superbike test at Oulton Park on May 19th.