National Superstock: Astro superstockers get Kawasaki backing

Astro Racing has become Kawasaki’s official superstock team for 2008 with Kenny Gilbertson on board.

He has been campaigning ZX-10Rs in National Superstock under the Astro banner since 2006 and can’t wait to get stuck into the new season.

Kenny Gilbertson said: “I’m made up with the official link with Kawasaki UK for this year. We’ve always had a strong association there, but now it’s full on. That means a lot to me and makes me hungrier than ever.”

And with a familiar team all around him as well as an all-new bike in the Kawasaki ZX-10 D8F, Kenny’s got all the tools he needs to get on with the job.

He knows it won’t be easy though and he’s refreshingly candid about the challenges ahead.

Gilbertson added: “Last season we were top 15 all year. This year I want top ten all season and plenty of top fives.

“This is a tough class with some very experienced riders and big budget teams but I know we can pull off some major surprises.

“We’re testing at Almeria next month, we’ll be at the pre-season Snetterton test too, and I’ll be doing that many laps of Mallory I’ll be dizzy so I’ll be well up to speed with the bike by the time the season kicks off. The first round at Brands can’t come soon enough!”

Astro’s Kawasaki ties in 2008 will extend to running 17-year-old Scot Alex Gault in the newly reformed Junior Superstock Championship on a 2008 ZX-6.

Alex Gault said: “This Championship’s so tough and so competitive it forces you to lift your game. I rode in the British 125GP Championship in 2005 and learned a huge amount.

“I realised then it was where I needed to be if I wanted to make it in this sport so I’m over the moon to be riding in Junior Superstock for Astro Kawasaki Racing this year, especially on the ZX-6 – I rode one last year at Knockhill and loved it.

“It wasn’t the most powerful bike out there but was easily the best handling.”

The Astro line up is completed with 15-year-old Sean Winfield in his debut British Championship season who’ll be contesting the 125 GP Championship.

Like his team-mates, Sean’s association with Astro goes back a long way as the team have been one of his sponsors for years.

Joining them full time for 2008 was a natural step forward for this talented young rider who comes fresh from a season in the Aprilia Superteen Challenge last year.