Sofuoglu Re-signs With Kawasaki For 2017
Four-time FIM Supersport World Champion Kenan Sofuoglu has re-signed for the 2017 season with Kawasaki and the Puccetti Racing team. The current championship leader stands a strong chance of being champion again this season, but his renewed commitment will see the 31-year-old Turkish superstar go for even more success next year aboard the Ninja ZX-6R.
In his long WorldSSP career, which has been studded with success almost throughout, Sofuoglu has made 110 race starts before the Donington Park weekend. Kenan, a record breaking four times world champion in the Supersport class, has taken two of those titles with Kawasaki.
His podium record is a quite astounding 73 from his 110 starts, with 34 of those podiums being race wins – easily a record for this category of racing. Never one to worry much about being the absolute fastest on any day but raceday, Kenan has nonetheless made 26 starts from pole position. His record of 88 front row starts to date shows his consistency and pace in a clear fashion.
Sofuoglu’s 2016 season began with bad luck in the first round with a tyre issue that prevented what looked like a certain podium finish, but since then he has moved to the championship lead, scoring two race wins along the way.
Kenan Sofuoglu stated: “I am very happy to continue racing with Kawasaki and the Puccetti Racing team. I have one year more, which is good for us. The bike is at a very good level and the Puccetti team is doing a very good job and this is why I have signed so early in the season. I am looking forward to the work and after a few years with Kawasaki now there are always good results. I am happy to stay in the paddock another season with Kawasaki.”
Manuel Puccetti, Puccetti Racing Team Manager, stated: “We are very happy with Kenan and he is happy with our crew and our bike. He is also happy with the change we made this year to WP suspension. This season we made a very good step in this area and he said in Malaysia recently that we had the best bike and the best package. It is a very positive moment in Kenan’s career, and his season, and we are happy to be together again. My team and all of our crew are pleased to work with this great champion and I think we can do another season on top, for sure.”
Steve Guttridge, Racing Manager Kawasaki Europe, stated: “Kenan has found his home with our Puccetti Racing team and our Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. When situations are looking difficult on a race weekend Kenan is a rider that can find the best outcome possible. It’s why he’s a champion. We all appreciate his intelligent feedback, hard work rate and outright desire to win. So we are obviously very happy that he has accepted to continue the winning relationship into the future with our official team in WorldSSP.”