Kunikawa to Wildcard Aragón WorldSSP
Japanese Stock 600 Champion Hiromichi Kunikawa to race with Puccetti at first European round
The 34 year-old Champion of the Pirelli Cup 600 Challenge series, a 600cc Superstock competition inaugurated in Japan in 2015, will make an appearance as a wildcard in the first European round of the FIM Supersport World Championship at MotorLand Aragón. The Japanese newcomer will ride a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R with Puccetti Racing Kawasaki, the 2015 Championship winning team, alongside superstar Kenan Sofuoglu and rookie Randy Krummenacher.
In order to further support the passion for motorcycling in Asia and to help young and talented riders find a place on the racing ladder, the winner of the Pirelli Cup 600 Challenge Series is given the chance to race as a wildcard in the FIM Supersport World Championship, with Puccetti Racing Kawasaki further supporting the opportunity by providing the bike and support to allow the successful rider to race.
Kunikawa has a unique career path, beginning his professional career later than most at the age of 22. As soon as he began racing, however, he found himself able to catch his contemporaries and raced in Stock 600, taking part in all Japanese Roadrace Championships from 2008 to 2014. Kunikawa has further pedigree too, having finished the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race in 10th position in 2011 and 5th in 2014 before then switching to the Pirelli Cup 600 Challenge Series last year. Of the 8 rounds of that Championship, Kunikawa won 6 and achieved 5 pole positions, ending the campaign by taking home the 2015 title in its inaugural season. Now he sets his sights on WorldSSP in 2016, ready to test himself on a new, global stage.
