Australia’s former World Supersport runner-up Broc Parkes joined the Provec Motocard.com Kawasaki WSS team with just three races remaining in 2010, replacing the injured Joan Lascorz before signing with the team for two more seasons.

The ride came as a breath of fresh air for ex-dirt track phenomenon Parkes after a miserable start to last year on a privateer Honda in World Superbike, putting his career back on track and once again putting him in a position to fight for the world championship come 2011.

Just one day following the 2010 season finale at Magny-Cours in France, CycleOnline.com.au had the opportunity to ride Parkes’ factory ZX-6R, however severe rain made it a very wet affair – and the only bike in the paddock that was ridden at all during the test!

Speaking of his step back to WSS, Parkes says it’s a positive move that could rekindle the career that he’s long been striving for on the world stage.

“It’s a really good team, that’s one of the most impressive things,” he said. “The ZX-6 is a really good bike and straight away when I first jumped on it I felt like I could be competitive again.

“Katsuaki [Fujiwara, last year’s rider] is getting toward the end of his career now, but he’s pretty good at setting up the bike. I felt that I needed to be on a competitive bike again and I couldn’t get that in Superbike.

“To go back to Supersport is another chance to win a world championship. I haven’t done it yet, and I really, really want to.”

Rain ruined CycleOnline's test on the factory Kawasaki WSS contender, however its potential and sheer power was obvious.

The production version of the latest ZX-6R has enjoyed considerable success since being launched in 2009, with Parkes showing its competitive class by claiming a podium on debut at the Nurburgring in third.

Externally the factory Kawasaki Supersport contender doesn’t look a whole lot different to your regular track bike and that’s noticeable in the ergonomic package, however internally it’s a very different beast.

A race kit has boosted the power in the engine to exceptional (unquoted) levels that offer a stronger package all-round, noticeable in the wet conditions, yet still difficult to really feel the full potential of the motor.

Parkes has developed an improved electronics package to the bike thanks to his Superbike experience, namely as Kawasaki’s factory rider in WSBK during 2009, which is something he notes will help he and the team take on the might of world champions Ten Kate Honda this year.

The electronics are every bit as advanced as those you will find on Superbikes, featuring traction control (turned off in the wet during our test), engine braking assist when down shifting, launch control, a quick shifter. Data logging throughout both the engine and chassis is also first class to help fast forward development.

During our test the only real piece of the electronic puzzle that we could take advantage of was the relatively common quick-shift device, enabling you to hold the throttle wide open while reaching for the next gear.

Electronics are managed via buttons on the left handlebar, while the trick Motec dash indicates whether they’re turned on, as well as the usual engine RPM, temperature, lap times and so on.

If one thing went to plan during the test it was the fact that Gobert wore the same number as Parkes on the ZX-6R.

The engine power is very manageable, even in the pouring rain, and you can feel there’s plenty on tap as the wet weather Pirelli control tyres hook up off the many stop-start turns of Magny-Cours.

Parkes says the Showa Big Piston Fork (BPF) is the focus of the team’s development at this stage in a bid to move forward in dry conditions, while he’s happy with the performance of the rear shock absorber.

The relationship is still in the early stages between Kawasaki and Parkes, but if their early form is anything to go by, the combination may just emerge as one of the title favourites this season.

“My expectations are always high and I like to be on the podium and battling for wins, but the team was really trying to keep me relaxed when I first joined them at the end of the season,” Parkes added. “It was all like a test for 2011, and I think it really gives us the upper hand for the new season.

“The guys we are competing against have been on their bikes for a couple of years, so to get those few races under our belt at the end of 2010 will definitely be a benefit this year.”

A few laps in the wet isn’t the ideal situation to test a world racer, but when it’s an Aussie’s bike and you’ve travelled across the world to attend, the offer was simply too good to refuse.