KAWASAKI RACING:

The Parkalgar circuit on the Algarve is the backdrop for the final WSB races of the 2009 season, providing Broc Parkes and Makoto Tamada the chance to team up once again on their official machines.  As the end of the 14 round/28 race season approaches both Broc and Makoto have had their ups and downs in 2009, encountering bad luck and occasional injury at some key points, interrupting their overall push for points and places. Each rider is now out to end the season with two strong results apiece to get more points on the board.

The venue for this race is the most modern circuit on the WSB calendar, used for the first time in 2008. It was voted a huge success even after just one race weekend. The circuit has both fast and slow sections, but it is the changes of elevation around its 4.445km length, and the track’s construction inside a natural amphitheatre, which have marked it out as something special.

With the season now approaching its climax, Parkes is overall 18th, having scored points in 13 races, while Makoto has had such a disrupted season he has scored points in only two outings, and has only finished five races in total.

Broc Parkes: “I’m going into this weekend under mixed emotions as it’s been a tough year filled with many ups and downs. I can honestly say looking back that I’ve enjoyed the challenge of riding the bike and really appreciated working with the whole team. We have worked really hard so it would be nice to do well this weekend and end the season on a high. Portimao should provide a good race for all and I enjoyed racing there last year in WSS so I’ve got nothing to lose and I aim to do well.”

Makoto Tamada: “I am looking forward to the season finale at Portimao. I haven’t raced the way I wanted to this year and I hope this round will be the best so far, without any misfortune. This would also be my last race with Kawasaki and Paul Bird, and I would also like to take this opportunity to thank them for letting me race with them. The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R has a lot of potential and I believe that it can win a race soon. Paul’s squad is very professional, and with their integrity, I am sure that a win is on its way soon. Paul has been very good to me, and I wish to continue my friendship with him even though I am leaving the team.”