The ZX-10 RR from Team Skach Motors Kawasaki Racing will have a new rider this coming weekend for the Öhlins IDM race at the Nürburgring. The deal with Isaac Viñales was finalized today, Sunday.
The 31-year-old Spaniard is no unknown quantity. It’s not just that he’s the cousin of 2013 Moto3 World Champion Maverick Viñales. Isaac has his own racing career to his credit. He competed in the Spanish Championship up to the 125cc class and made it to the Grand Prix circuit. In 2014, he secured three podium finishes and a third-place finish in the Moto3 World Championship. After competing in the Supersport, he moved up to the Superbike World Championship in 2021.
No IDM race without Kawasaki
“Isaac doesn’t know the track,” says team manager Oliver Skach, adding in reference to the signing of the rider from Llançà for the IDM Superbike series, “Spaniards usually underestimate the level of competition in the IDM and have completely wrong ideas about it. But we signed him because we want to field the bike, compete as a Kawasaki team, and showcase the brand. We don’t know how he’ll perform. There aren’t any major successes in his resume. But who knows, maybe we’re in for a surprise. He’s already ridden a Kawasaki. I’m curious.”
The search for a rider wasn’t easy for Skach. “Races in the Superbike World Championship and the British Superbike Championship are taking place on the same weekend.”