Jonathan Rea & Kawasaki for Two More!
There’s no doubting this move from Kawasaki Racing Team. Due to Jonathan Rea’s dominance on the Ninja ZX-10R, KRT has extended Rea’s contract for an additional two years.
Before joining Kawasaki Racing Team ahead of the 2015 World Superbike Championship, Rea spent 10 years competing aboard only Honda CBR machinery in British Superbike (CBR1000RR, 2005-2007), World Supersport (CBR6000RR, 2008), and World Superbike (CBR1000RR, 2008-2014).
Throughout those years, he achieved five wins in BSB, three in WSS, and 15 in WSBK. Due to his performances, Rea was awarded Irish Motorcyclists of the Year in 2007, 2008 and 2011 – but he didn’t achieve a single title.
Fast forward to 2015, and the tables had turned for Rea after joining 2013 SBK Champion Tom Sykes on the Kawasaki Racing Team; that year, the 29-year-old Northern Irishman finished on the podium at 23 of 26 races, including 14 wins. This allowed Rea to achieve his first World SBK title.
After four rounds so far in 2016 SBK aboard the redesigned ZX-10R, Rea has earned eight race podiums, including five wins. He currently leads the championship by 35 points ahead of Ducati Team’s Chaz Davies.
Will Rea prove himself once again on Kawasaki machinery. This year’s looking good, and we’re sure he’ll prove himself and the bike through 2018.
Jonathan Rea says: “I am so happy to extend this partnership with the Kawasaki Racing Team and continue the great relationship I have with all the Kawasaki engineers and fans. It is clear that our objectives and way of working are very well matched so it makes perfect sense to extend this for two more seasons.
“With all the incredible memories we have made so far and are now creating, I am 100% confident that we will enjoy working together and develop the Ninja ZX-10R into the future. I would like to thank Kawasaki and all the KRT staff for their full support and belief in my potential. With this in mind I am now even more focused than ever to win the World SBK Championship in 2016 to make it back to back wins.”
Steve Guttridge (Racing Manager Kawasaki Europe) says: “The successes Kawasaki have enjoyed with Jonathan and his relationship with our Kawasaki Racing Team over a relatively short time has been phenomenal to witness. Finding that complete chemistry in racing is very difficult. Team, bike and rider all need to be in harmony together and for sure with JR we have found that magic mix, so it’s only logical to continue the great relationship. Jonathan is a racer who understands well the importance of the entire team around him; the full package. With Johnny wanting to stay for two more years inside our team and riding the new Ninja ZX-10R, we have a full package.”
Guim Roda (KRT Team Manager) says: “We have now two great riders in KRT. Two World Champions and the goal is to keep them for the next two years. Rea is an experienced rider with a young spirit and big motivation, open to learning and improving race-by-race. This gives us even greater potential to have an even better rider in two years’ time. His big credit in this KRT project is to give us the pressure to give the best to him. I know clearly that the mechanics, crew, technicians, team staff and all KHI engineers will do our best to cover his expectations.”
Ichiro Yoda (KRT Senior Engineer) says: “The KRT project is based on development and information for KHI engineers to improve their knowledge and improve the development of future machines, working closely with the R&D department. We have re-signed a rider with commitment and skill who can push the limits of the bike to explain to the engineers his feelings. Jonathan has a good talent and speed, and we are very happy to use this energy to understand how the Ninja ZX-10R works at on-the-limit conditions. I’m sure in 2016, 2017 & 2018 we will have a strong package with him.”
Kenji Tomida (President of Kawasaki’s Motorcycle and Engineering Company): “We were delighted to host the recent visit to KHI for 2015 WorldSBK Champion, Jonathan Rea. Our Ninja brand has been further enriched with the launch of the new Ninja ZX-10R on which Jonathan has already had much success this year. The whole Kawasaki family are understandably delighted that he has extended his relationship with the Kawasaki Racing Team and we wish him success both now and in the future.”
