After much speculation, the Kawasaki USA finally announced that it will not participate in the AMA Pro Racing road racing series in 2010.
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Jordan Szoke |
According to a company spokesman, the realities of the current economic situation dictate the temporary suspension of the U.S. road racing activities.
Kawasaki's long history of successful road racing includes 20 AMA series championships. Among the many champions who have ridden for Kawasaki are Reg Pridmore, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Miguel Duhamel, Scott Russell, Doug Chandler, Eric Bostrom and more recently Tommy Hayden and Roger Hayden.
"We expect to see eventual improvements in the general economic condition and Kawasaki will re-evaluate its road racing position as we monitor those issues," said a Kawasaki spokesman.
Kawasaki is the smallest bike maker amongst the Japanese Big Four; this news comes as no surprise. Despite selling the closest to race-ready sportbikes on the market, the budgets required to keep up with long-time leader Suzuki and new front-runner Yamaha did not make sense when matched with the extra sales generated by racing.
North of the 48th, Kawasaki Canada has not yet announced plans regarding their participation in the 2010 Parts Canada Superbike Championship.
Photo Credit : Kawasaki