Gearlink Kawasaki News

The sixth round of the Dickies British Supersport Championship took place at the Brands Hatch GP Circuit. Ben Currie took a brilliant win in race one and was looking to do the double when a mechanical problem forced him to cruise round on the final lap in race two finishing fourth. James Westmoreland was sixth in race one and third in race two. 

Ben was looking strong all weekend and was continuously at the top of the time sheets qualifying on pole for race one. In the absence of his main Championship rival, Jack Kennedy due to injury, it was important that Ben secured good points to bridge the gap between them in the Championship. He got a great start in race one and led from lap one and despite a strong challenge Ben worked hard to gain the win. 

He started race two from second position on the grid and got another amazing start and looked extremely comfortable leading the pack extending his lead to just over three seconds. He was riding very well but just as he was crossing the finishing line for the final lap the bike had a techncal problem forcing him to nurse it round to finish in fourth position.

James was struggling with set-up all weekend but worked hard to push for some good results. He qualified in tenth position for race one but dropped to 14th off the line. He got his head down and worked his way through the field to finish in a strong sixth.

Westy started race one in eighth position and was soon setting some good lap times finishing on the podium in third place. He is now fourth in the Championship just one point off third.

In the Bennetts British Superbike class Fraser Rogers started his second round with the team. He worked hard all weekend to improve his lap times qualifying in 23rd place for race one. He got a good start and was able to make up some places finishing in 19th place. For race two he started from 22nd place finishing in 21st.

Team Manager Michael de Bidaph - "In the Supersport class Ben was flying all weekend taking pole position for race one. He rode extremely well and had full control from start to finish and throughly deserved the win. For race two he again excelled himself and got a comfortable lead when he was struck with a problem on the final lap. I am so sorry to him for this happening and was glad he was able to salvage fourth and some strong points.

James struggled with set-up and was down in qualifying although he had a reasonable race in race one. He was higher up the grid for race two and rode a stronger race to finish third.

Fraser worked hard all weekend and he is a pleasure to work with. He brings an upbeat attitiude to the team and once again improved in every session. We made some changes for race one that did not quite work out but he had a much stronger race two and we are certainly moving in the right direction with him."

The fifth round of the Dickies British Supersport Championship took place at the Knockhill Circuit in Scotland. Ben Currie secured too great second places with his team mate James Westmoreland gaining two third places.

It was looking good for another strong weekend for the team with Ben and Westy consistently towards the top of the time sheets during the practice sessions. Ben secured pole position on the grid for race one with Westy lining up on the front row in third.

Ben got another one of his awesome starts and led for 17 of the 18 laps fending off Jack Kennedy, the championship leader, until the last lap when Jack made a brave pass with Ben just unable to squeeze past him finishing second just 0.2 seconds behind. Westy was in a great battle to achieve his third place on the podium.

In race two Ben started from second on the grid wih Westy alongside him in third. Like race one Ben got another great start to take the lead and again it was a battle with Jack with him making a pass on the closing lap for Ben to come second. Westy was locked in his battle for fifth in the opening laps but soon made progress through the field to gain another third place.

In the Bennetts British Superbike Championship the team welcomed Fraser Rogers to ride the Kawasaki Superbike for the weekend. He continually improved his times throughout the weekend and started race one from 22nd place and was going well until he laid it down in the gravel. For race two he started from 21st place finishing just outside of the points in 16th.

Team Manager Michael de Bidaph - " It was a really good weekend for the team. Both Supersport riders did exceptionally well securing podiums in both races. Ben could not have done anything more to try to get the win, he fought so hard and i feel disappointed for him as he really deserved it. Westy turned a corner here and it is good to see him back with a bit of fight in his belly.

I'm really pleased with Fraser's progress this weekend. He worked hard throughout the sessions to get a good set-up and consistently brought his times. We were mainly using this weekend as a test weekend for him but he has exceeded our expectations and we look forward to Brands."

The fourth round of the Dickies British Supersport Championship took place at the Snetterton 300 circuit. Ben Currie secured a great second place in race one but was forced to retire in race two. James Westmoreland gained his first podium of the season with third in race one but was unfortunately taken out in race two.

Both riders set consistently fast tims throughout the weekend and were always in the top four. Ben qualified for the first race in second with Westy third. 

Ben got a flying start when the safety car was deployed on the first lap. Despite Ben's efforts when the race resumed he dropped back to second place having to overcome some fairing damage which hindered his progress. The race was red flagged on the penultimate lap so Ben had to settle for a solid second place with Westy in a great third place.

For race two Ben started from second on the grid with Westy eighth. Ben got a great start and led the way and was swapping places for the lead when he was forced to retire with a technical problem. James got a good start and looking to push through the field when he got taken out going into turn two thus ending his race very quickly.

In the Bennetts British Superbike Championship it was decided amicably that Carl Phillips would leave the team as he was struggling to get the results for the team.

Team Manager Michael de Bidaph -" It was a very mixed weeknd for the team. I was so pleased with Ben and Westy during the practice and qualifying sessions and it was looking likely we were going to get some good results.

They both rode well in race one with Ben getting another second and it was great to see Westy finally back on the podium where we believe he belongs.

Race two sadly was not good for us, Ben had a technical problem which i am disappointed about and Westy got taken out before his race really started.

I am happy though with their progress this weekend and we have to put race two behind us and move on with confidence to Knockhill. 

We came to a mutual agreement with Carl to leave the team the evening before the Superbike races and wish him well for the future."