There was a big turnout for Team FÜSPORT – RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki in Assen, Netherlands. Yesterday, the team held a final rehearsal ahead of the big points chase in the IDM. The crew unloaded the truck and set up the entire pit area. “We don’t want to make any mistakes when the racing season starts,” explains team manager Rob Vennegoor. IDM Supersport Rob Hartog got to enjoy his first laps on the new Kawasaki. His teammate Dino Iozzo wasn’t there. He’s currently training in Spain, but Vennegoor knows what’s going on under the southern sun and thinks highly of the South African.
Rob Hartog from Abbekerk turned 29 exactly two weeks ago. He is the cousin of former Grand Prix race winner Wil Hartog. The racing genes run in the family. In January 2021, the Dutchman was still keeping fit on his own motorcycle. Yesterday, he received his new ZX-6R from his team, FÜSPORT – RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki. “He was in really good spirits, even though it was only 10 degrees despite the sunshine,” reports Rob Vennegoor. He believes that Hartog can compete at the front of the pack in the IDM Supersport in the long run.
The team is launching a major offensive in the IDM and, in addition to its regular IDM Supersport , will also be fielding 600cc bikes for the first time. According to Vennegoor, the signing of Dino “Bambino” Iozzo from Johannesburg could prove to be a home run. “He trains three days a week on a racetrack. He’s currently in Valencia. He’s probably already racked up more miles than any other rider. He’ll also thoroughly test every track in Germany.” If Iozzo doesn’t crash in the IDM races, Vennegoor believes he could shine in the IDM. The team manager also admits, however, that this is precisely the danger. “Dino is 19 and always goes full throttle, even at ten degrees. Rob is 29 and thinks things through based on experience. He doesn’t overdo it, but he’s fully there when he needs to be. I’m curious myself.”