Kawasaki celebrate 100 victories in WorldSBK
Japanese manufacturer reaches century landmark
Reigning manufacturer world champions Kawasaki have secured 100 victories in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at Donington Park circuit, with Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) reaching the landmark in front of the adoring British fans.
Adrien Morillas took the debut victory for Kawasaki onboard the GPX 750 in the inaugural season of WorldSBK, at the legendary Hungaroring. The Frenchman only secured the one victory for the manufacturer, but his name will permanently be in the history books.
1993 World Superbike champion Scott Russell guided Kawasaki to 14 of their 100 victories in the series with the ZXR 750, as he spent six seasons making appearances with the green machines. In his most successful season, he was also able to put his name to their 10th victory at Brno in 1993’s race two.
Overall there have been 12 winners for Kawasaki, from Jonathan Rea to Aaron Slight with some tough seasons along the way. Between 2001 and 2011 they recorded just two victories in the championship – Chris Walker briefly ended the drought in 2006 at Assen.
However moving into the modern WorldSBK era, the Barcelona based Provec Racing Kawasaki Racing Team are a force to be reckoned with. Signing British rider Tom Sykes in 2010, he took the world title for the team in 2013 and has never finished outside of the top three in the standings since. Taking a stunning 31 victories for the green manufacturer, Sykes took their 50th and 75th victory overall putting his name down as a pivotal rider in their WorldSBK history.
Current world champion Jonathan Rea has 30 victories for the factory as well as two world titles, making him the most successful Kawasaki rider overall in the series history. Looking to be showing no signs of slowing down, Rea seems to have found the perfect package with the ZX-10RR and is stunning the paddock with his style and pace with Kawasaki.
Want to know what the current Kawasaki Racing Team riders consider their favourite memories with the team? Sign up to the WorldSBK VideoPass for exclusive content from the team-mates as they reminisce.
