Noch bevor am Sonntag in Hockenheim beim Finale der Internationalen Deutschen Meisterschaft (IDM) in diesem Jahr zum letzten Mal der Vorhang fällt, steht fest: Mit dem Kawasaki-Team von Emil Weber in der IDM Superbike und Supersport geht es weiter. Das Image der ZX-10 RR abseits der IDM wird aber über die Fahrer der Pro Superstock 1000-Serie gemacht, weiß Jürgen Höpker-Seibert, Chef von Kawasaki Deutschland.
An agreement has been reached with Superbike team boss Emil Weber. Leandro “Tati” Mercado remains the top candidate for 2024, and a second rider is set to join the team. Negotiations are underway and the structure is in place. According to Jürgen Höpker-Seibert, they have formed a powerful team with the Wilbers crew and would like to continue and further deepen this collaboration, but so far, Benny Wilbers has not yet given his approval following the discussions to date.
Höpker-Seibert would like to have more riders competing under the Kawasaki Germany banner, because even with two riders it’s still a David versus Goliath situation, but the budget for that is limited. The IDM pool fee, which manufacturers must pay to be eligible for points in the championship, as well as the livestream, also put a strain on the budget.
For Kawasaki, the Pro Superstock 1000 series is therefore a key factor in the overall picture. Here, the motorcycles are less highly tuned than in the IDM Superbike, Germany’s top class in motorcycle racing. The chances of success are far higher for the large number of Kawasaki riders competing. Seven Kawasaki riders have scored points so far this season.
“Johann Flammann, Micky Winkler, and Felix Klinck can hold their own against Yamaha, Honda, and BMW in the Stock class,” says Höpker-Seibert, adding: “Our Kawasaki ZX-10 RRs perform exceptionally well at private track days, and that’s great publicity for us in the amateur racing scene. If you look at the lap times, the Pro Superstock bikes aren’t actually that slow.” For your information: Johann Flammann has won two races. He heads into the finale of the Pro Superstock 1000 series, which will be held as part of the IDM at Hockenheim, in third place overall. He is tied on points with second-place Philipp Gengelbach (BMW). Leon Orgis (BMW) leads the standings by 34 points.