Kawasaki Motors Australia press release:

Paul Young dominated the Kawasaki Insurances FX300 Ninja Cup as Ryan Masri displayed a tremendous performance aboard his Ninja 300 to hold the runner up position at Wakefield Park Raceway over the weekend.

Paul Young of the SA Kawasaki BCperformance racing team maintains his lead in the Kawasaki Insurances FX300 Ninja Cup after winning all three races at the 5th round of the Australasian Superbike Championship. “That was amazing, the youngsters kept me focused and I had a few moments at the beginning of the day because the track was a bit slippery from the rain yesterday.

I got to the end of the day in one piece with a 1st place overall which is brilliant and I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the SA Kawasaki BCperformance team and my mechanic,” said Paul who is looking forward to the next round at Winton Motor Raceway where he rode in the Kawasaki Insurances FX300 Ninja Cup last year.

The excitable Ryan Masri has maintained his runner-up position in the series following a 2nd position in the first and second races and falling back to a 4th place finish in the last race. “I didn’t get the best start in the first race and then I found myself at the front. I kept going, until Paul Young got past me and I couldn’t get past him again but it was great racing!” said Ryan.

Jeff Ware made his second appearance in the series this year as the wildcard rider for the Kawasaki Motors Finance racing team. Having seen the Wakefield Park tarmac hundreds of times throughout his racing career, the seasoned rider leveraged off his experience to take out the FOB (seniors) class on the day. “My size held me back a little because so many of the competitors in the Ninja 300 Cup are smaller and lighter than me so that made for a challenge.

In most aspects of the racing my experience helped but down the straight is where they got me. The KMF Ninja 300 was perfect and didn’t miss a beat. Glen Willing did a great job on the bike and it was awesome, I had plenty of fun, I loved it! I’ve done it three times now and I love being with the guys in the pits, they are unreal.” Jeff commented.

Ben White had a solid weekend aboard his Kelen Kawasaki Ninja 300. Two 3rd places and a 4th in the second race granted Ben 4th overall for the day. “The weekend went really well except for poor starts, they are something I need to work on. After the start I am dropping down to about 9th and then need to work my way back up through the pack. It’s good to know we have the pace and ability to win races, we just need to get those starts down and were laughing.

The series is always great, it’s really close racing and the riders in this series are getting stronger and quicker. Lap records are being broken all the time, there is no doubt that even the guys who aren’t doing much testing and practice they are still able to build on their results with every race!”

Privateer, Kegan Pickering, was unable to campaign her Kawasaki Ninja 300 in the 5th round after a fall in a race on the previous day, but this didn’t hold her back from spending the day at Wakefield Park amongst the thrilling Ninja 300 racing action. The 16 year old from Cessnock, NSW is an avid Ninja 300 racer after having competed in dirt track racing for 7 years.

“I started dirt track racing at Kurri Kurri Speedway. We just went out to watch one day and I was hooked! I told dad that I wanted to do it and that’s where it started. No-one in my family really races, it is just something I wanted to do.”

“I made the transition from dirt track to road racing by first putting motard tyres on my dirt track bike. I had some great mentors helping me out with coaching and advice on my riding style for road racing,” said Keegan.

“I’ve only got one bike at the moment to race with but we are working on putting another one together for a backup bike. To prepare for the rounds I only really get a chance to practice and train in the practice races for the rounds themselves,” said Keegan who is currently leading the ladies class in the Kawasaki Insurances FX300 Ninja Cup.

The Next round of the Kawasaki Insurances FX300 Ninja Cup will be held at Winton Raceway in Victoria on 23rd October.

Kawasaki Insurances FX300 Ninja Cup standings after Round 5 at Wakefield Park:
1 Paul YOUNG (VIC) 268
2 Ryan MASRI (NSW) 241
3 Jack DAWES (NSW) 233
4 Hunter FORD (NSW) 231
5 Tony JONES (QLD) 223

Due to high demand, Kawasaki Merchandise will now be available at each round of the Australasian Superbike Championship this year. The official ASC merchandise stand will be selling Kawasaki merchandise including Bar Runners, Stubby Coolers, Adult and Youth Backpacks plus genuine Kawasaki Racing Team caps. Kawasaki merchandise is also available from your nearest Kawasaki dealership. Find out more information on Kawasaki merchandise by following this link -http://kawasaki.com.au/accessories-live-search

Kawasaki supported riders are looking forward to the next round of the Swan Insurances Australasian Superbike Championship being held at Wakefield Park Raceway on 25th September.