Newsletter

The official race report service of Kawasaki Racing Team.

21 October 2017

West Top Six After WorldSSP Superpole

The new-look Kawasaki Puccetti Racing WorldSSP rider line up of Anthony West and Axel Bassani had contrasting fortunes Superpole qualifying, with West ending up sixth fastest and on the second row of the grid, and Bassani ending up 18th.

The experienced West had to take some time to get up to full pace at Jerez but after he and his team had found real set-up improvements the Australian rider felt much more comfortable at full pace.
 
With his bike working better for his needs West qualified for Superpole 2 and then finished sixth on the grid for Sunday’s race, making him the top Kawasaki qualifier. West now plans to make the most of his second row start, and being on an official Kawasaki machine, in Sunday’s race.
 
2016 European WorldSSP Champion Axel Bassani, riding in place of the injured Kenan Sofuoglu at Jerez, was himself hurt in a practice crash on Friday. He battled on today to finish 18th on the grid.
 
The 19-lap WorldSSP race at Jerez is scheduled for an 11.30 start on Sunday 22nd October, on the recently resurfaced Jerez asphalt.
 
Anthony West: “The bike is starting feel better and I am starting to ride the bike properly. The more I ride the bike the better I feel. I am a lot happier than yesterday afternoon. I am getting more used to riding a 600 again after riding a 1000cc bike. We made some changes to the rear suspension, which made the biggest difference. That really helped for qualifying, which was perfect. All I wanted to do was make it into Superpole so I am happy to make the second row of the grid. Qualifying is not usually my strong point so I am looking forward to the race. I was having a lot of fun today riding the Kawasaki.”
 
Axel Bassani, stated: “My ankle hurts a little and so this morning I has to take treatment for it. Then this afternoon I couldn’t find the same feeling again on the bike. With the hot temperatures we find new problems and we need now to work on them. Still I am confident I hope tomorrow to feel a bit better.”
 
Michael Canducci (3570 Puccetti Racing FMI Kawasaki) had a very positive Superpole experience and finished up seventh fastest, just one place behind West.
 
ESS rider Rob Hartog (Team Hartog Jenik Against Cancer Kawasaki), who only competes at the European rounds of the championship, was 15th in Superpole, with Gino Rea (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven) 16th
 
Zulfahmi Khairuddin (Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki) placed 22nd, Kazuki Watanabe (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven) 23rd and Nacho Calero (Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki) was 28th at his home round. Lachlan Epis (Response RE Racing Kawasaki) was one place behind Calero in qualifying.