Gearlink Kawasaki News

It was a tense and exciting end to the season for the team in front of a massive crowd at the final round of the Dickies British Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch. Andrew Irwin had another fantastic weekend with his first Supersport win and then followed it up in the final race with a third place. Ben Currie continued his run of good form with great second and fourth places. The pair ended the season on a high note with Andrew in second place in the overall Championship standings and Ben third. It was a superb result for the team and a first to see both our riders on the overall Championship Podium.

Andrew and Ben were on form all weekend throughout the practice and qualifying sessions. Andrew qualified in third place for the first race with Ben fifth. They both got great starts with Andrew going to the front followed by Ben in second. They rode an exceptional race keeping the rest of the field at bay ensuring that Andrew secured his first win of the season with Ben in second place to secure another fantastic 1-2 for the team.

Everything was to play for for the second race as Andrew was now just 18 points behind the Championship leader having been at one stage in the season over 100 points behind. Andrew started from fifth place on the grid with Ben eighth. Both had great starts and were in third and fourth when the safety car came out. They were both locked in battles when the race resumed finishing the race with Andrew third and Ben fourth.

James Westmoreland qualified in 22nd place for race one in the MCE British Superbike Championship and finished in the points in 14th. He was placed on the grid in 16th for the second race, finishing 18th. For the third and final race of the year he started from 22nd position, finishing in 21st. 

Team Manager Michael de Bidaph - "This year has been fantastic, Andrew and Ben have really excelled in the Supersport class and to finish second and third in the Championship standings is something we have never done and is a very special feeling.

After the Championship leader crashed out in race one we knew that the Championship once again was all to play for. Andrew finally took that long overdue win that he deserved after so many second places and i cannot praise Ben enough for the role that he played, it just shows what a close knit team we are.

Andrew had a small chance of winning the Championship and he rode hard in race two to finish just 13 points behind the Championship winner, Keith Farmer. Congratulations to him and his team, each race has provided some great racing and Andrew and Ben played a huge part in that.

With James in the Superbike class we have continued to make progress all year and have scored more Championship points than we have ever done in this class.

I have been privileged this year to work with three exceptional riders, James, Andrew and Ben. It has made the job an absolute pleasure and we go into the off season feeling very happy aand relaxed with racing. It has been very enjoyable and we were lucky to have three great people in the team.

I must say a huge thank you to every member of the team for their hard work and dedication. Also a thank you to Rock Oil, KMUK and all our loyal team sponsors for their continued support."

It was looking set to be another amazing weekend for the team at round 11 of the Dickies British Supersport Championship at Assen. Ben Currie secured his third fantastic win on the trot and was battling for another race win in race two when he had a coming together with another rider which saw him crash out. Andrew Irwin continued his great run of form to secure another double podium with two second places.

The pair had a great qualifying session, Ben secured his first qualifying pole position for the first race with Andrew lining up on the front row with him, in third place.

The weather conditions throughout the weekend were mixed and just before the first race the rain came down and after a slight delay the race was reduced to 10 laps. Ben once again showed his form in the wet conditions and took off from the start leading every lap until the flag taking his third win in succession. Andrew was locked in a fierce battle in the opening laps for the second podium slot but managed to break away to take another impressive 1-2 for the team.

It was dry conditions for the second race and with Ben once again sitting on pole and Andrew in second. Ben got a flying start and was leading the race with Andrew in second. A thrilling battle was then to take place over the remaing 14 laps with four different leaders throughout the race.

Ben led into the final lap and was looking strong to take his fourth win when Keith Farmer made a strong move on him which forced Ben to crash. The incident was investigated and Keith was docked time and positions for the move. With Ben out it was left to Andrew to fight it out as best he could on the final lap to take yet another impressive second place. 

James Westmoreland qualified in a great 10th position in the wet qualifying sessions in the MCE British Superbike Championship. In the dry conditions for the first race he struggled to find the pace he needed and finished in 20th place and a technical problem forced him out in race two.

Team Manager Michael de Bidaph -" I'm once again delighted with Ben and Andrew's performances this weekend. To secure another 1-2 in the opening race was fantastic and great to see them both up there and having such good pace..

It was looking set that it might happen again in race two in the dry conditions. They were both on the front row and looking comfortable in the race. I really feel for Ben with the crash but the organisers dealt with the situation well and therefore it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.

Ben and Andrew have really upped their game in the latter half of the season which I am delighted to see. They have shown great pace in every session and have been rewarded with the results. We are looking forward to ending the season on a high with both of them at Brands Hatch.

It was another difficult weekend in the Superbike class for James and we hope that we can makes some suitable changes to help him get some decent results to end the season at Brands."