Szoke optimistic on Kawi return

By John Hopkins

Jordan Szoke doesn't foresee any problems in getting Kawasaki's all-new Ninja ZX-10R up to speed for the 2011 Parts Canada Superbike Championship.

In a press release from his Waznie Racing organization, the seven-time Canadian champ said the Competition Systems Kawasaki Race Team plans to begin testing of the new bike in March. The 31-year-old from Brantford, ON will return to the Kawasaki fold after winning his fifth straight national title on a Honda CBR1000RR last summer.

"“I have spent a lot of my career developing motorcycles, and this one is no different," Szoke said in the release. "Kawasaki has a brand new model this year and it looks really awesome. With the team that we have working with us, and my experience I don’t foresee any problems getting the new superbike up to speed.”

Szoke has won five of his seven titles with Kawasaki, starting with his first in 1998 and four in a row between 2006 and 2009. For 2011 he will be reunited with crew chief Mike Crompton of Competition Systems, who took over running all aspects of the Canadian Kawasaki Motors Superbike programme last year.

“It feels really good to be back on a Kawi again," Szoke added. "I have worked with the same crew in our championship seasons previous, so I am excited to be back."

Szoke expects to release news of personal sponsors in the coming weeks.