‘Pocket Rocket’ returns: Haslam ready for lift off with JG Speedfit Kawasaki in MCE BSB

Multiple World and British Superbike race-winner Leon Haslam believes he has ‘unfinished business’ in the MCE British Superbike Championship and now the Derbyshire rider is heading back to Britain with the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team for an assault on the title that he has narrowly missed out on in the past.

The 32-year-old from Smalley in Derbyshire returns to the championship with a renewed desire to lift the coveted title after finishing runner-up to multiple title-winners Ryuichi Kiyonari and Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne during the 2006 and 2008 seasons. Haslam scored 16 race victories and a further 38 podium finishes in the British Championship before he moved to the World stage in 2008.

The ‘Pocket Rocket’ finished runner-up in the 2010 World Superbike title battle with Max Biaggi and most recently ended his 2015 campaign by claiming victory at the season finale in Qatar, taking his tally to five victories and a further 38 podium finishes in the championship, ending the year in fourth place in the overall standings.

Haslam said: “I am really excited to be coming back to BSB because there is nothing like it and I want to be challenging to be number one every weekend – that is certainly my aim. I feel that I have unfinished business in the championship because I have just missed out on the title in the past and so I feel really motivated to try and change that next year with the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team.

“I feel that this is actually a step forward for me, because I am with one of the best teams in the paddock and riding one of the most competitive bikes with the new Kawasaki, because I am a racer and I want to be in a position to be fighting for race wins, which wouldn’t happen on an uncompetitive bike in the World Championship.

“I believe that one of the biggest new challenges for me coming back will be the difference in riding style because of the different technical regulations but I think that will be good for me because in BSB it is more down to the rider rather than if the electronics are not working right it just doesn’t work for you on track.

“I am excited to have a first ride of the new Kawasaki because there has already been so much positive feedback about it and if you look at the World Championship, that is the bike to beat and so to know we will be ready to come out fighting to win is a fantastic feeling. The first test is going to be about me adapting to the Kawasaki because we have lots to work on and develop, but fortunately the team have a great test programme so we will be ready to be pushing hard at the start of the season.

“The level of competition in BSB is really high, but at the same time when I was challenging for the title before I was up against riders like Johnny Rea, Leon Camier, Shakey, Tom Sykes and Cal Crutchlow – it was the best riders in Britain and the level is still exactly the same. For sure my list of things I want to achieve includes winning the BSB title and that is a new challenge for me next year.

“I have always been brought up by my dad to try everything you can to never be beaten, no matter what it takes. Every race I go out there and I want to win and so next year I intend to get the best out of myself and the whole JG Speedfit Kawasaki team to make that happen. I obviously want to be in the Showdown, and those final three rounds are at arguably my three favourite circuits on the calendar. I won’t be looking to be conservative though to get in that top six, I will be fighting all the way.”

For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

More, from a press release issued by JG Speedfit Kawasaki:

16 TIME MCE BRITISH SUPERBIKE RACE WINNER LEON HASLAM RETURNS TO SERIES WITH JG SPEEDFIT KAWASAKI!

17th December 2015 – JG Speedfit Kawasaki are delighted to announce that 16 times MCE British Superbike Championship race winner Leon Haslam will join the team in 2016 as he makes a sensational return to the series, intent on fighting for his maiden Championship title.

JG Speedfit Kawasaki, the official factory supported Kawasaki team in the UK, will expand to a three rider team in the 2016 MCE British Superbike Championship as World Superbike star Leon Haslam joins James Ellison andPeter Hickman. With 16 BSB wins and a further 38 podiums to his name, Leon has twice finished runner up in the prestigious Championship and returns following seven years in the World series that saw him secure five wins and 31 podiums.

With James and Peter having already conducted shakedown tests aboard a hybrid version of the all-new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Leon will get his first taste of the full JG Speedfit Kawasaki Superbike machine when he joins the rest of the team at the end of January for tests at Aragon and Jerez.

2016 will mark the first time Leon joins the Kawasaki brand, and he will become a key ambassador in the newly launched Team Green – a banner which covers the on-road and off-road racing efforts of Kawasaki at every level of competition.

Returning to the British Superbike Championship with one goal, Leon Haslam said, “I’m super excited to be coming back to BSB! It’s one of the most competitive series in the world and has a huge fan base and following, so I’m really looking forward to getting back out there and racing in front of the British crowd.

I made the decision that I wanted to come back a few months ago and began looking at different options. I’ve known Mark for quite a while and I’ve seen how quickly and professionally the team has grown so they were my first option really. I’ve seen first-hand how dominant the old ZX-10R still was, so with this new one already proving faster in testing I can’t wait to get out there next month and try the JG Speedfit Kawasaki for the first time. It will also be my first time competing in the Showdown format so I’m looking forward to that, but our goal from the start of the year is to come back and be challenging at the front from the start!”

JG Speedfit Kawasaki Team Principal Mark Smith-Halvorsen added, “Everyone in the team is excited to be welcoming Leon for 2016. He has proven to be one of the most successful riders within Superbike racing and we know that he won’t be returning to make up the numbers!

Although behind the scenes the signing has been a very quick deal, we’re already in the process of building a third ZX-10R Superbike which Leon will get to experience when he joins James and Peter next month. With a combination of the new Kawasaki and three of the strongest riders on the grid, I truly believe we have the right package to win our debut MCE British Superbike Championship title. It’s up to us now, to turn that into a reality”