Ben Currie steps up to Superbike Class with Bournemouth Kawasaki in 2019
Ben Currie will progress into the Superbike class with Bournemouth Kawasaki next year, following an incredible season in the 600cc Supersport category of the 2018 British Superbike Championship.
This year Currie won numerous races and closed the season remarkably on the second step of the overall podium in the National Championship with his Gearlink Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R.
The twenty three year old Australian began his racing career in motocross before moving to the UK where he completed his first full season of circuit racing. After five seasons of competition across 600cc Junior Superstock and Supersport categories, Currie is now primed to realise his dream and follow through into the premier class of the British Superbike Championship.
“I am absolutely ecstatic to be starting my new Superbike journey with Bournemouth Kawasaki this year and to be continuing as a part of the Team Green program. Next year is going to be a learning curve, but I have worked so hard to be successful and get to this point, so I am determined to make my mark! I can’t thank Pete Extance (Team Manager) and everyone at Kawasaki enough for this opportunity. I have been counting down the days until I can swing a leg over the Bournemouth Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR for the first time and show everybody what we can achieve,” commented Ben Currie.
Kawasaki Motors UK Senior Racing Coordinator, Ross Burridge supported the promotion of Ben Currie through the ranks of Kawasaki supported racing teams and although there is no pressure on Currie, Burridge believes that there is no reason why he shouldn’t be fighting for strong finishes right from the start of his maiden Superbike season.
“To our delight we have once again facilitated the development of up and coming riders in the Team Green corner of the ring. We have been watching Currie all year and we believe that now is the right time for him to make the step into the ultimate class of racing with the current championship winning Ninja ZX-10RR.”
“For Kawasaki, 2019 is going to be the year of the young guns, having talents like Glenn Irwin and Ben Currie on the team who are energetic, hungry and more eager than ever to learn and establish themselves amongst the nation’s greatest,” Ross said.
Team Manager, Pete Extance is pleased to form the final rung in the ladder, saying, “With two new riders for 2019 it’s great that both Ben and Glenn have come through the Team Green ranks with the official Kawasaki Supersport team and will now head the official Kawasaki BSB squad for 2019.”
“Glenn Irwin has had a good season finishing 3rd in the 2018 Championship and securing a win at the final round which fortuitously gained Leon Haslam the title before the last two races. Ben Currie also had a great season in Supersport finishing runner up and battling for the Championship win right until the last round. We aim to get the boys testing in Spain this November and then we look forward to the official tests in March. I am sure Glenn will be fighting for the championship win and for sure Ben will improve round by round and be aiming for top rookie and to surprise a few regular contenders.”
Following an impeccable season with Leon Haslam who won the British Superbike Championship this year, the Bournemouth Kawasaki team can’t wait to get the wheels turning in 2019 and work towards more success.