KAWASAKI RACING TEAM ZX-10R
RACE TEST
P108
says Marchetti. "There's no
point in having the system learn
what you want in one corner for
the next lap, because then you
are a lap too late. You needed
this adjustment the lap before.
So the system is reacting in
real time. It's reacting to what is
happening. Our challenge is to
write the strategy that makes this
thinking in real time. The system
must think, 'This is happening
now so now I have to do this.
This is happening now, or this
is not happening anymore, let's
put it to a second later because
it's deeper into the corner and a
different lean angle, with more
or less engine brake.' There's
no GPS, because GPS is not
accurate enough. It's all a big
headache."
Headache or not, the com-
bination of Rea's brilliance,
Marchetti's know-how, and
Riba's understanding from a
rider's point of view has made
the Kawasaki Racing team the
ones to not only beat but aim for
in the World Superbike Champi-
onship. Ducati is clearly coming
on strong, as Chaz Davies has
shown in the latter part of the
season, and KRT will once again
have to up their game if they are
to take a fourth title in five years
in 2017, but rise to the challenge
is what champions and cham-
pion teams do. CN
"I'm quite happy with the way things have gone. Honestly finishing
second in the championship, it's obviously not the perfect situation but
I'm happy with second because Kawasaki have done a great job. We're
always learning. The good thing is in the past few years it's been very
consistent, always there to fight for the championship. Next year we need
to make the step. That's basically it in a nutshell."
– Tom Sykes, 2013 WorldSBK Champion
The champion
charging to
the title victory
during 2016.
Can Rea make
it three in a row
in 2017?
