Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA, Advanced Kawasaki and Willow Springs Motorcycle Club will offer a Ninja 250 class for 2008. “It’s going to be a cheap, affordable way to go racing. You’ll have to learn to ride, to carry cornering speed, or you’ll drop off the back of the pack,” says Advanced Kawasaki’s Kevin Jump. “And I’m looking to give kids a chance to learn racecraft, line selection, cornering speed, before they get on a 600.” While all versions of the Ninja 250, Kawasaki’s venerable entry-level sport bike, will be legal for the class, the 2008 bikes will qualify for Kawasaki contingency money. Kawasaki Motors Corp. spokesman Russel Brenan says contingency amounts and depth-of-field paybacks will be announced after the first of the year. In addition, Advanced Kawasaki, a Buena Park, California dealership, will support the class with cash payouts every month and a KLX110 motorcycle to be given away to a competitor at the end of the season, Jump says. The motorcycles must conform to the WSMC general motorcycle requirements, with some additional restrictions designed to keep costs low. No internal engine modifications will be allowed no degreeing cams, no shaving heads to increase compression. The stock, unmodified airbox must be used, and while aftermarket filters will be allowed, an air filter must be used. Either pump fuel or a spec fuel will be required. Jetting changes will be allowed, as will aftermarket exhausts, shocks, fork springs and emulators, and bodywork. The stock wiring harness must remain intact. The series will run beginning in February with WSMC’s traditional monthly meetings on the third Sunday of the month.