World Superbikes: Kawasaki confirm factory support

Kawasaki has announced they will be upping their factory involvement in the World Superbike Championship for the next four years starting in 2008.  

The Japanese factory currently run their Superbike effort through the San Marino based PSG-1 team and this will continue with increased technical and financial support throughout the next fours years to get Kawasaki back to the top of the series.

The World Superbike and World Supersport project is also set to benefit from sharing information and technology with Kawasaki’s MotoGP effort with all three projects set to be run under one roof at a new facility based in Holland.

Kawasaki has an all new ZX-10R to race in next years championship, which has been undergoing extensive development in Japan.

Current PSG-1 Kawasaki Superbike rider Regis Laconi flew to Japan to test the new bike at the Autopolis circuit two weeks ago and MCN understands a lot of consideration regarding the specification of the bike has been derived from the Superbike project.

Kawasaki has also expressed concern about not being consulted on the new World Superbike regulations which allow 1200cc twins to enter the series in 2008.

It appears that because the PSG-1 team weren’t viewed as a manufacturer supported teams they weren’t invited to top level meeting with series organisers FGSport, Xerox Ducati, Ten Kate Honda, Alstare Suzuki and Yamaha Italia.

The decision not to include the team has annoyed team owner Pierguido Pagani, who is still dead against the decision to allow the big capacity twins into the championship.

With a new bike to develop the team have yet to announce their rider line-up for next season.

Current riders Fonsi Nieto and Regis Laconi have had a tough time during 2007 and it is unclear at this stage whether they will be staying with the squad. A decision is expected in August.