Teams Pedercini and Supersonic are just two of the squads that have put forward requests to become the official Kawaski factory team next season in World Superbikes.
Paul Bird Motorsports is the current factory team, however Kawasaki’s technical director, Ichiro Yoda speaking to Italy’s Motosprint, revealed that Alstare Suzuki’s Francis Batta has also put in a request, as has WSS Motocard team and MSS Colchester (British Superbikes).
“We has received six requests, all from high caliber teams, which we are currently evaluating,” said Yoda, speaking from the Brno round.
“We’ll make our decision in August because we want to start early in the organization.
The ZX-10R is the novelty of the 2011 championship and is getting encouraging results and in 2012 we want to aim even higher.
“ PBM team’s reputation was somewhat tarnished when their trucks were involved in a drug bust last May, which may have lead the Japanese manufacturer to open up to other requests.
That Pedercini wants to become a factory team is pretty well in the norm, they’ve been running Kawasaki’s for a number of years now and aspire to have and do more.
Supersonic is one of newest teams in WSBK, they debuted last year.
It seems difficult that Kawasaki would give a team that isn’t tried and true factory backing, but it never hurts to put in a request.
Francis Batta has always been very loyal to Suzuki, but not getting any support or financial backing from Hamamatsu, which forced him to field only one rider (Michel Fabrizio) this season has taken its toll.
Switching to Kawasaki could be the right choice and it could help the Belgium based team return to their previous glory days.
Obviously loosing a manufacturer won’t make the Flammini’s very happy as they pride themselvses on the number (seven) different brands in the championship.