Kawasaki announces rider lineup for 2021 ASBK
The 2021 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul (ASBK), will see Kawasaki Motors Australia and BCPerformance continue their collaboration, but a new rider is joining the team.
After finishing fourth in last year’s COVID-shortened ASBK Championship, Bryan Staring retains his place in the squad, but a poor season from Glenn Scott has seen him replaced by Josh Waters for 2021.
A three-time ASBK Champion, Waters brings years of experience to the team, but all of the 34-year-old’s past championships have been on the Suzuki GSX-R1000R, so adapting to the ZX-10RR will present a challenge, but it’s one Waters says he’ll embrace.
“Like at everyone at Kawasaki, I'm really looking forward to seeing the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR on track. I'm also eager to get the new season underway and working with the team and trying my hardest to get the best results possible,” Waters said.
“I would like to thank Kawasaki Motors Australia, BCPerformance, Ficeda and Dunlop for helping make this happen.”
While Staring has almost a decade of experience with Kawasaki, including the past three years with Kawasaki BCPerformance, he’s also looking forward to the new 2021 ZX-10RR.
“2021 excites me for several reasons, mostly due to the anticipation of the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR,” the 33-year-old enthused. “This season marks 10 years since my association with Kawasaki first began. At the time I was racing with Kawasaki Europe in the World Superstock Championship. Only 2 of the last 10 seasons has seen me ride with different brands.
“I’d like to thank Kawasaki Motors Australia for their ongoing support and partnership as well as the Kawasaki BCPerformance Racing Team. I’m looking forward to the season, whatever it may look like.”
With the arrival of Waters and the new, 2021-spec Ninja ZX-10RR, Kawasaki BCPerformance Team Manager Kelvin Reilly says the KMA-backed squad is the strongest it has ever been.
“After such a turbulent 2020 due to disruptions caused by the Covid pandemic, we start the 2021 Australian Superbike Championship with a sense of optimism and excitement,” Reilly said.
“Firstly, the new 2021 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR we will be campaigning this year looks like an exciting prospect and has all the necessary tools for us to do the job.
“Secondly, our rider line up is strong and exciting, our ongoing association with Bryan Staring enters its fourth year. We have built a solid working relationship and I am excited to see what we can achieve.
“Having Josh Waters on-board the Ninja ZX-10RR is another feather in our caps, Josh will bring a raft of experience and determination to the team and I can’t wait to see what this dynamic pairing can achieve on track.
“Thanks to Kawasaki Motors Australia, Landscapesupplies.com.au, Ficeda, Dunlop and all our partners for making 2021 happen.”
The first round of the 2021 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul, is scheduled for Phillip Island on 19-21 February, where ASBK will be part of the ‘Australian All Wheels Race Fest’ alongside the TCR Australia Series, VHT S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship and the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia.
The full 2021 calendar, series updates and further details can be found at: asbk.com.au