Kawasaki Motors Racing

Infobox Grand Prix motorcycle team
Short_name=Kawasaki Motors Racing
Logo=
Last_season=2008
Long_name=Kawasaki Racing Team
Base=flagicon|Netherlands Amsterdam, Netherlands
Principal=Managing Director: Yoshio Kawamura
Racing Director: Ichiro Yoda
Competition Manager: Michael Bartholemy
Riders=13 Anthony West
21 John Hopkins
Motorcycle=Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR
Tyres=Bridgestone
Riders_champ= -

Kawasaki Motors Racing is a European subsidiary of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, which is located in Netherlands. It is responsible for managing the racing activities of the MotoGP team and any other motorcycle racing activities Kawasaki may enter in the future.

The subsidiary was setup in 2007 as a result of the Japanese manufacturer's recent necessary split from Harald Eckl. The reason for the split was Eckl’s involvement with a competitor's MotoGP activities, which forced Kawasaki to terminate the relationship immediately. [Cite web|url=http://www.kawasaki-motogp.com/press/index.asp?saction=Article&sSection=press&id=490|title=Kawasaki: A new beginning in 2007|publisher=kawasaki-motogp.com|date = 2006-11-29 | accessdate =2008-01-24] For the first time since Kawasaki returned to the premier class of motorcycle racing, the team became a complete ‘in house’ factory team.

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, Olivier announced his retirement from competition to continue as a team test rider. [cite web|url=http://moto.gpupdate.net/en/news/2007/06/21/west_to_replace_jacque_at_kawasaki|title= West to Replace Jacque at Kawasaki|publisher=gpupdate.net|date=2007-06-21|accessdate=2008-01-24] Following the retirement of Olivier Jacque Anthony West was offered the position to race with the team. [cite web|url=http://www.dailymotos.co.uk/noticia/anthony-west-gets-a-kawasaki-motogp-ride-for-the-reminder-of-the-season/10363|publisher=Daily Motos|title=Anthony West gets a Kawasaki MotoGP Ride for the remainder of the season|date=June 21, 2007|accessdate=2008-01-24]

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

For 2008 John Hopkins joins the team alongside Anthony West

References

External links

* [http://www.kawasaki-motogp.com/ kawasaki-motogp.com] Official website