Walker to ride MSS Kawasaki at Oulton

Chris Walker has been drafted into the MSS Kawasaki for this Bank Holiday Monday’s BSB round at Oulton Park.

He’ll replace Simon Andrews who is still recovering form the foot injuries he sustained in the WSB round at Valencia on May 11.

Team boss Nick Morgan said: “I think Walker will go really good on our bike. I’m really buzzed-up about it. Chris is keen, the team is keen to have him and the whole atmosphere is really infectious and positive.”

Walker has been funding his own BSB campaign on a race-by-race basis on the Suzuki GSX-R1000 so far this year – estimated at around £12,000 for the first two rounds – because sponsorship for the team has still not arrived.

Morgan said: “That shows you how keen Chris is to go racing. We can give him a more competitive bike at Oulton (Walker’s own bike is devoid of electronic rider aids at the present time) and it’s not going to cost him a penny.” 

Morgan had tried to get Karl Harris to ride the ZX-10R at Thruxton two weeks ago but found himself in the middle of a political tug of war with Harris’ team GR Racing and Aprilia.

Instead Morgan fielded Howie Mainwaring  – a championship contender this year in National Superstock on the MSS Colchester Kawasaki ZX-10R.

This time Morgan had to gain permission from Walker’s team – currently fronted by Walker’s crew chief Ray Stringer. And the deal is only for one race, though Morgan suspects he may have to call on Walker again for Cadwell on May 23.

“We’re not sure how long Simon is going to be out with the foot injury,” Morgan admitted.

“At Thruxton it was suggested he’d be out for at least six weeks and that would mean us having to get someone on the bike for Cadwell as well as Oulton. I think the bike will suit Chris well.

“Our bike has worked well at both tracks in the past and has been improved quite dramatically over the winter months, though I’m only too well aware our results haven’t reflected that so far this year.”