Kawasaki Motors Racing

Last updated
Kawasaki Motors Racing
Kawasaki racing logo.png
2008 nameKawasaki Racing Team
Base Amsterdam, Netherlands
PrincipalManaging Director: Yoshio Kawamura
Racing Director: Ichiro Yoda
Competition Manager: Michael Bartholemy
Rider(s)13 Anthony West
21 John Hopkins
Motorcycle Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
Tyres Bridgestone
Riders' Championships-
Kawasaki Racing Team (World Superbike)
Founded2012
Headquarters
Granollers, Spain
Key people
General Manager: Guim Roda
Crew Chiefs:
Pere Riba, Marcel Duinker
Riders for 2023:
Jonathan Rea, Alex Lowes (World Superbikes)
Parent Kawasaki Heavy Industries Motorcycle & Engine
Website Kawasaki Racing Team by Provec Racing
Bimota by Kawasaki (World Superbike)
Founded2025
Headquarters
Granollers, Spain
Key people
General Manager: Guim Roda
Riders for 2025:
Alex Lowes, Axel Bassani
Florian Marino (test rider)
Parent Kawasaki Heavy Industries Motorcycle & Engine
Website Provec Racing

Kawasaki Motors Racing was the European subsidiary of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Motorcycle & Engine, located in the Netherlands. It was responsible for managing the racing activities of the MotoGP team.[ citation needed ]

Contents

The subsidiary was established in 2007 as a result of the Japanese manufacturer's necessary split from Harald Eckl's organisation, who managed the Kawasaki MotoGP team since 2002. The reason for the split was Eckl's involvement with a competitor's MotoGP activities, which forced Kawasaki to terminate the relationship immediately. [1] For the first time since Kawasaki returned to the premier class of motorcycle racing, the team became a complete ‘in house’ factory team.

On January 9, 2009, Kawasaki announced it had decided to "suspend its MotoGP racing activities from 2009 season onward and reallocate management resources more efficiently". The company stated that it will continue racing activities using mass-produced motorcycles as well as supporting general race oriented consumers. The emphasis was subsequently placed on World Superbike Championship racing using the Kawasaki ZX-10R road bike as a basis, with Paul Bird Motorsport (2009–2011) and Provec Racing, based in Granollers, Barcelona Province, Spain from 2012, [2] [3] together with World Supersport 300 from 2019 to 2021. [4]

After exclusively running their own teams known as Kawasaki Racing Team (KRT), [5] [6] [7] [8] from 2025 Kawasaki entered into a partnership with Bimota – as a producer of motorcycle chassis – to be known as Bimota by Kawasaki Racing (BbKRT). [9] Their 2025 World Superbike entry, designated Bimota KB998 Rimini and finished in red, white and black instead of Kawasaki green, [10] uses ZX-10 Ninja powertrain, as in earlier seasons. [11] From 2019, Kawasaki has been a major shareholder of Bimota. [12]

For 2025, Kawasaki has transferred their direct factory KRT Superbike support, including the Ninja green colour branding, to Puccetti Racing, previously a satellite team, and rider Garrett Gerloff. [13]

Racing background

2007 MotoGP season

The team used the new 800cc Ninja ZX-RR and Bridgestone tyres in 2007. Randy de Puniet and Olivier Jacque were chosen as team riders.

Olivier Jacque crashed in practice during the Chinese Grand Prix, gashing his arm severely enough to be unable to race for 2 Grands Prix. He returned to racing only to crash again during practice at the Catalan Grand Prix, missing this race too. Following the series of injuries, Jacque announced his retirement from competition, but planned to continue as a team test rider. [14] He was replaced by Australian rider Anthony West. [15]

The team's best result for the season was a 2nd-place finish by Randy de Puniet at a wet Japanese Grand Prix.

2008 MotoGP season

For 2008 John Hopkins joined the team alongside Anthony West. Results were poor though, being regular midfield runners throughout the season.

In August 2008, Kawasaki signed Marco Melandri to join John Hopkins for the 2009 season. [16] However, the Great Recession led Kawasaki to reconsider its MotoGP program, and Kawasaki pulled out of MotoGP for 2009. [17]

2009 MotoGP season

After negotiations with DORNA, Kawasaki provided a scaled down team named Hayate Racing Team for the 2009 season. The team was renamed due to limited factory involvement, with Kawasaki providing only one bike with Marco Melandri as the sole rider. [18]

The team achieved better than expected results with 6th and 5th placings early in the season. Melandri finished in 2nd place at the French Grand Prix. This result is equal to Kawasaki's best ever result in MotoGP and is their first podium finish since 2007.

MotoGP results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearBikeTyresRiders123456789101112131415161718PointsPos.
2002 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR D JPN SAF ESP FRA ITA CAT NED GBR GER CZE POR RIO PAC MAL AUS VAL 413th
Flag of Japan.svg Akira Yanagawa Ret
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Andrew Pitt 191712
2003 D JPN SAF ESP FRA ITA CAT NED GBR GER CZE POR RIO PAC MAL AUS VAL 1512th
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Garry McCoy 1617189151718161618RetRetRet191319
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Andrew Pitt 171615Ret16Ret14171916211816161518
Flag of Japan.svg Akira Yanagawa 18Ret
Flag of Germany.svg Alex Hofmann 1614101719
2004 B SAF ESP FRA ITA CAT NED RIO GER GBR CZE POR JPN QAT MAL AUS VAL 1347th
Flag of Japan.svg Shinya Nakano 129RetRet7Ret971512113Ret8127
Flag of Germany.svg Alex Hofmann Ret13Ret1411131110191313109Ret1311
2005 B ESP POR CHN FRA ITA CAT NED USA GBR GER CZE JPN MAL QAT AUS TUR VAL 1506th
Flag of Japan.svg Shinya Nakano 58Ret810989Ret612RetRet771011
Flag of Germany.svg Alex Hofmann 111217Ret128Ret15Ret14
Flag of France.svg Olivier Jacque 211RetRetDNS1613
2006 B ESP QAT TUR CHN FRA ITA CAT NED GBR GER USA CZE MAL AUS JPN POR VAL 1297th
Flag of Japan.svg Shinya Nakano 711881211DSQ2Ret6Ret6Ret8RetRet7
Flag of France.svg Randy de Puniet RetRet1212Ret13Ret1412Ret12141311Ret10Ret
Flag of Japan.svg Naoki Matsudo Ret
2007 B QAT ESP TUR CHN FRA ITA CAT GBR NED GER USA CZE SMR POR JPN AUS MAL VAL 1767th
Flag of France.svg Randy de Puniet Ret1388RetRet56RetRet68RetRet2649
Flag of France.svg Olivier Jacque 1218RetDNS16DNS
Flag of Spain.svg Fonsi Nieto 11
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Anthony West 11987128127121516
Flag of the United States.svg Roger Lee Hayden 10
Flag of Japan.svg Akira Yanagawa 17
2008 B QAT ESP POR CHN FRA ITA CAT GBR NED GER USA CZE SMR IND JPN AUS MAL VAL 1129th
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Anthony West 1613161714151210Ret10175131115121217
Flag of the United States.svg John Hopkins 127514RetRet10RetDNS11141410131114
Flag of the United States.svg Jamie Hacking 11

World Superbike Championship

YearTeamBikeTyresRiders12345678910111213PointsPos.
2017 PHI CHA ARA ASS IMO DON MIS LAG LAU POR MAG JER LOS 5991st
R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2
Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX-10RR P Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonathan Rea 1111121122Ret1322122111Ret1111
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Sykes 363234224312133234DNSDNS37356Ret
Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Randy Krummenacher 101612Ret14141114131514Ret78171412Ret
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Anthony West 1381814
Flag of France.svg Sylvain Guintoli 6888
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Leon Haslam 2Ret
Pedercini Racing SC-Project Flag of San Marino.svg Alex de Angelis 1411161115Ret121511Ret17Ret12Ret1413
Flag of Italy.svg Riccardo Russo RetRet141415161716
Flag of France.svg Jérémy Guarnoni 1116
Grillini Racing Team Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Ondřej Ježek 18171813DNSDNS16181617181314121917Ret161611161815Ret1414
Flag of Italy.svg Ayrton Badovini 17RetRet14Ret17151615Ret1614131116Ret1618129DNS15RetDNS
Flag of Italy.svg Roberto Rolfo 1315
Team Kawasaki Go Eleven Flag of Spain.svg Román Ramos 1314159Ret117119111188Ret12121414101512910111010
Royal Air Force Reg. & Res. Kawasaki Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jake Dixon Ret9
2018 PHI CHA ARA ASS IMO DON BRN LAG MIS POR MAG VIL LOS 5701st
R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2
Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonathan Rea 5214121211231Ret11111111111C
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Sykes 246Ret6641233631678555524652C
Team GoEleven Kawasaki Flag of Spain.svg Román Ramos 14111413101111RetRet1219Ret13101212131514Ret1518121314C
Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Flag of Turkey.svg Toprak Razgatlıoğlu 131015899109118212109RetDNS11128Ret8123710C
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Leon Haslam 9169Ret
Team Pedercini Racing Flag of Colombia.svg Yonny Hernández RetDNS161114161615171311141115Ret161216
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Luke Mossey 1714
Flag of France.svg Jérémy Guarnoni 1719
Flag of Italy.svg Gabriele Ruiu 141415C
Orelac Racing VerdNatura Flag of Argentina.svg Leandro Mercado 101213RetRet138Ret151013121217Ret11101711151415Ret1212C
SPB racing Flag of Russia.svg Vladimir Leonov DNS17RetRet
Team WD40 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mason Law RetRet

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearBikeTeamTyresNo.Riders12345678910111213PointsRCPointsTCPointsMC
R1SRR2R1SRR2R1SRR2R1SRR2R1SRR2R1SRR2R1SRR2R1SRR2R1SRR2R1SRR2R1SRR2R1SRR2R1SRR2
2019 Kawasaki ZX-10RR Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK P 91 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Leon Haslam AUS
15
AUS
3
AUS
3
THA
5
THA
5
THA
5
SPA
9
SPA
7
SPA
4
NED
5
NED
C
NED
8
ITA
5
ITA
6
ITA
C
SPA
9
SPA
6
SPA
5
ITA
Ret
ITA
3
ITA
3
GBR
3
GBR
3
GBR
5
USA
Ret
USA
5
USA
6
POR
5
POR
5
POR
5
FRA
Ret
FRA
9
FRA
7
ARG
6
ARG
8
ARG
10
QAT
5
QAT
4
QAT
9
2817th9441st6731st
1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonathan Rea AUS
2
AUS
2
AUS
2
THA
2
THA
2
THA
2
SPA
2
SPA
2
SPA
2
NED
2
NED
C
NED
3
ITA
1
ITA
1
ITA
C
SPA
4
SPA
4
SPA
2
ITA
1
ITA
5
ITA
1
GBR
1
GBR
1
GBR
1
USA
1
USA
1
USA
2
POR
1
POR
1
POR
2
FRA
2
FRA
2
FRA
1
ARG
2
ARG
1
ARG
1
QAT
1
QAT
1
QAT
1
6631st
2020 Kawasaki ZX-10RR Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK P 22 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Lowes AUS
2
AUS
4
AUS
1
SPA
9
SPA
7
SPA
5
POR
4
POR
4
POR
Ret
SPA
Ret
SPA
6
SPA
9
SPA
6
SPA
6
SPA
5
SPA
9
SPA
7
SPA
8
FRA
3
FRA
2
FRA
9
POR
6
POR
Ret
POR
Ret
1896th5492nd3921st
1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonathan Rea AUS
Ret
AUS
1
AUS
2
SPA
2
SPA
1
SPA
6
POR
1
POR
1
POR
1
SPA
3
SPA
1
SPA
1
SPA
2
SPA
2
SPA
1
SPA
1
SPA
2
SPA
4
FRA
1
FRA
1
FRA
4
POR
4
POR
5
POR
14
3601st
2021 Kawasaki ZX-10RR Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK P 22 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Lowes SPA
2
SPA
2
SPA
3
POR
19
POR
6
POR
4
ITA
5
ITA
5
ITA
6
GBR
3
GBR
14
GBR
6
NED
Ret
NED
6
NED
7
CZE
13
CZE
7
CZE
6
SPA
5
SPA
5
SPA
6
FRA
Ret
FRA
3
FRA
Ret
SPA
6
SPA
4
SPA
Ret
SPA
9
SPA
C
SPA
DNS
POR
DNS
POR
DNS
POR
DNS
ARG
4
ARG
9
ARG
DNS
INA
DNS
INA
C
INA
DNS
2138th7643rd5703rd
1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonathan Rea SPA
1
SPA
1
SPA
2
POR
3
POR
1
POR
1
ITA
3
ITA
3
ITA
3
GBR
2
GBR
1
GBR
20
NED
1
NED
1
NED
1
CZE
Ret
CZE
3
CZE
3
SPA
2
SPA
2
SPA
3
FRA
2
FRA
1
FRA
2
SPA
4
SPA
1
SPA
6
SPA
2
SPA
C
SPA
5
POR
Ret
POR
Ret
POR
1
ARG
2
ARG
3
ARG
2
INA
1
INA
C
INA
1
5512nd
2022 Kawasaki ZX-10RR Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK P 22 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Lowes SPA
Ret
SPA
6
SPA
5
NED
Ret
NED
Ret
NED
4
POR
7
POR
6
POR
4
ITA
5
ITA
8
ITA
8
GBR
3
GBR
5
GBR
6
CZE
9
CZE
Ret
CZE
DNS
FRA
4
FRA
4
FRA
4
SPA
7
SPA
3
SPA
Ret
POR
5
POR
4
POR
5
ARG
6
ARG
5
ARG
4
INA
9
INA
7
INA
9
AUS
3
AUS
4
AUS
3
2726th7743rd5303rd
65 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonathan Rea SPA
1
SPA
2
SPA
2
NED
1
NED
1
NED
Ret
POR
3
POR
1
POR
1
ITA
2
ITA
3
ITA
4
GBR
2
GBR
2
GBR
3
CZE
4
CZE
2
CZE
3
FRA
24
FRA
3
FRA
5
SPA
2
SPA
2
SPA
4
POR
3
POR
3
POR
3
ARG
2
ARG
3
ARG
3
INA
3
INA
2
INA
3
AUS
1
AUS
3
AUS
2
5023rd
2023 Kawasaki ZX-10RR Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK P 22 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Lowes AUS
Ret
AUS
4
AUS
Ret
INA
10
INA
3
INA
13
NED
7
NED
4
NED
9
SPA
Ret
SPA
5
SPA
4
ITA
7
ITA
6
ITA
Ret
GBR
6
GBR
6
GBR
6
ITA
9
ITA
7
ITA
Ret
CZE
9
CZE
7
CZE
14
FRA
8
FRA
Ret
FRA
DNS
SPA
SPA
SPA
POR
5
POR
Ret
POR
DNS
SPA
7
SPA
Ret
SPA
DNS
14911th5183rd3913rd
65 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonathan Rea AUS
2
AUS
7
AUS
8
INA
9
INA
4
INA
Ret
NED
2
NED
2
NED
Ret
SPA
3
SPA
Ret
SPA
5
ITA
5
ITA
5
ITA
4
GBR
3
GBR
3
GBR
5
ITA
3
ITA
4
ITA
3
CZE
1
CZE
2
CZE
3
FRA
3
FRA
3
FRA
3
SPA
3
SPA
2
SPA
4
POR
3
POR
Ret
POR
10
SPA
4
SPA
3
SPA
17
3703rd
99 Flag of France.svg Florian Marino AUS AUS AUS INA INA INA NED NED NED SPA SPA SPA ITA ITA ITA GBR GBR GBR ITA ITA ITA CZE CZE CZE FRA FRA FRA SPA
16
SPA
16
SPA
15
POR POR POR SPA SPA SPA 124th
2024 Kawasaki ZX-10RR Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK P 22 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex Lowes AUS
4
AUS
1
AUS
1
SPA
6
SPA
5
SPA
6
NED
5
NED
3
NED
Ret
ITA
5
ITA
3
ITA
4
GBR
2
GBR
5
GBR
3
CZE
Ret
CZE
3
CZE
9
POR
5
POR
3
POR
3
FRA
Ret
FRA
2
FRA
4
ITA
20
ITA
2
ITA
5
SPA
7
SPA
Ret
SPA
DNS
POR
4
POR
6
POR
12
SPA
4
SPA
3
SPA
5
3164th4453rd3393rd
47 Flag of Italy.svg Axel Bassani AUS
12
AUS
11
AUS
11
SPA
10
SPA
14
SPA
Ret
NED
9
NED
13
NED
18
ITA
11
ITA
6
ITA
7
GBR
12
GBR
Ret
GBR
10
CZE
16
CZE
13
CZE
Ret
POR
8
POR
12
POR
15
FRA
11
FRA
10
FRA
11
ITA
5
ITA
11
ITA
Ret
SPA
12
SPA
15
SPA
12
POR
Ret
POR
12
POR
10
SPA
8
SPA
14
SPA
10
10814th

* Season still in progress.

References

  1. "Kawasaki: A new beginning in 2007". kawasaki-motogp.com. 2006-11-29. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
  2. Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki.eu Retrieved 11 January 2019
  3. KRT 2019 launch date is set Kawasaki.eu Retrieved 11 January 2019
  4. Ana Carrasco signs with Provec Racing in WorldSSP300 wsbk.com, 3 January 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2019
  5. Kawasaki Racing Team Heading to Another Happy Hunting Ground www.cycleworld.com, 7 March 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2025
  6. KRT Launches Official 2021 WorldSBK Livery www.akrapovic.com, 29 March 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2025
  7. Bimota To Return To WorldSBK, Joining Forces With KRT motomatters.com, 24 April 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2025
  8. Lowes Signs For 2025 Bimota By Kawasaki Racing Team Project 14 June 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2025
  9. New Era Begins On Track For bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team www.kawasaki.co.uk, 23 October 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2025
  10. BIMOTA ARE BACK: Italian brand unveils stunning red, white and black livery for WorldSBK return in 2025 www.worldsbk.com, 6 February 2025. Retrieved 23 February 2025
  11. Bimota returns to WorldSBK in 2025 www.kawasaki.co.uk, 24 April 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2025
  12. Welcoming the bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team at 2025 WorldSBK! worldsbkstore.com, 28 October 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2025
  13. Kawasaki confirms Puccetti for 2025 in WorldSBK www.kawasaki.co.uk, 8 August 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2025
  14. "West to Replace Jacque at Kawasaki". gpupdate.net. 2007-06-21. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  15. "Anthony West gets a Kawasaki MotoGP Ride for the remainder of the season". Daily Motos. June 21, 2007. Archived from the original on May 24, 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
  16. "Marco Melandri confirms Kawasaki switch". motorcyclenews.com. 2008-08-19. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
  17. "Kawasaki: addio MotoGp. Melandri a piedi". Tuttosport. 2008-12-30. Archived from the original on 2016-10-24. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
  18. Kawasaki to race as Hayate MotoGP in 2009 motorcyclenews.com. Retrieved on 2009-05-09