Michael Rutter & Peter Hickman - Photo Credit: Motorsport Vision
MSS Colchester Kawasaki have announced their rider line-up for the 2012 British Superbike season with experience the buzzword at Nick Morgan's squad. The riders boast 491 BSB race starts between them with the bulk held by Michael Rutter who rejoins the team after four years away.
Rutter, who turns 40 shortly after the start of the season, hopes his experience proves vital in a year that sees regulation changes in the British Superbike Championship.
“This is going to be an interesting year for everybody, but I have obviously been with Nick and the team before so know what to expect from them and I am looking forward to getting back on the Kawasaki again. I know the power is good and having watched the riders clocking up podiums last year, I could see the whole machine is a good package. I missed out on the top six in the Showdown last season through that crash but this year I want to be back in that top six again. We need to be aiming for results early on as I also think that the bikes will change a lot during the season so it is important to score well from the start. I am definitely hoping that some of my experience of all the different bikes over the years will benefit me.”
Like Rutter, new teammate Peter Hickman narrowly missed out on the BSB Championship Showdown in 2011 and hopes to make the extra step this year.
“I've been talking to Nick for a couple of years but it came together for 2012 over the winter and I've got to say I'm really chuffed to be with such an established team. I keep coming back to Kawasaki; I won the Superstock Cup in 2004 on one and raced one again in Superstock in 2005 before two years on the Hawk Kawasaki bike in 2006-7 with some really good results in the first year.”
“The new rules in BSB should maybe close the gap but I'm sure it will still be the same faces up the front. I'm bringing my crew chief with me so it will be good to have a bit of consistency and I know Nick runs a great team. I feel like I've earned my place on the BSB grid now and with this package and team there's no reason why we can't be aiming for the top six, even with such a strong field. I have more to prove this year and I am really excited about getting started so I just can't wait now for Brands Hatch and the start of the season.”
MSS Colchester Kawasaki ran a 2012 spec bike towards the end of last year and Team Owner Nick Morgan hopes it will help his new riders steal a march on the competition.
“We have an interesting line-up for this year that will hopefully cause some surprises. Michael needs no introduction and possesses such experience that will see him snatch results when they're least expected. From my perspective it's a good opportunity for a new rider like Hicky to come in and learn from Michael. I think he's a really underrated rider who's worked hard to get where he has. Last season saw some great rides, maybe he could benefit from some more direction and it will all click into place.”
“One thing we did last year that turned a few heads was run to the 2012 spec before the end of the season. We didn't set the world alight but we logged up days and days of data at different tracks on how the new ZX-10R reacts when using the new engine spec regulations and Motec ECU. This means when we come to start testing in Spain we won't have to re-invent the wheel and will be able to utilise that information to fine tune the bikes to Michael and Hicky.”
