Team WD-40 Kawasaki have assembled an exciting young rider pairing for the 2015 British Superbike Championship after signing Jack Kennedy and Taylor Mackenzie. The pair will make their BSB debuts with the team who are targeting the championship showdown for the first time.
Kennedy has excelled in the World Supersport Championship over the last two years, finishing seventh overall in his rookie season, and is relishing the opportunity to test himself on a superbike against the best of British.
“I have been looking at the transition into Superbike for a few years and it was the chance to join Team WD-40 that has excited me the most because I know we can have a real crack at it. I know there is such a huge following of BSB, more so than the World Championship, and I am looking forward to getting back out in front of those big British crowds again. The level of competition in BSB is unreal; if you look at the list of riders it shows the depth of field and I am excited to be a part of that. I think I am coming back to the UK as a stronger rider for my World Supersport experiences and I am really excited about this opportunity.”
“I couldn’t be more confident than I am now for joining this team with their package and crew. Every rider in BSB focuses on being in the Showdown and that is the same for me. I want to be pushing for the top six and then we can go hell-for-leather in the last three rounds! We want to be fighting for podiums – we are certainly not there to make up the numbers!”
Mackenzie will graduate from the British Supersport Championship and confidence will be high after claiming his maiden rostrum finish at Silverstone. The Scottish youngster believes the time is right to step up, opting against a tilt at the Supersport title.
“I am very excited about joining Team WD-40 and moving into the Superbike Championship – I have to say I grabbed the opportunity! It has always been my goal to step up to Superbike. I have ridden the bigger bike before and I think after being on the podium this year in the Supersport Championship it is time to step up. My first goal is to score points consistently and keep pushing forward so that I can be finishing in the top ten before the end of the year. I think that is a good goal as the pace is so close and there is so little between the top 15 riders in every session. In Supersport I kept pushing on and then last year I was on the podium, so if I can do that in BSB I will be happy.”
