Kirkham returns to track in Valencia test

Jon Kirkham has returned to track for the first time in 2014, as he completed his first test of the year for the Tsingtao WK Kawasaki team at Valencia, alongside National Superstock 1000 teammates Danny Buchan, Kyle Wilks and Ben Godfrey.

Making the switch from BMW’s S1000RR to the Kawasaki ZX-10Rs prepared by MSS Performance, Kirkham says the test was important not only for learning the new bike but also the new team.

“It was very good to get onboard the Tsingtao Kawasaki for the first time and understand the bike’s strong points and what we need to work on ready for round one. Dave and his team at Hampshire Motorcycles and the team at MSS have built a really competitive package. The crew around me understand what we need to do and have built a relationship with them quickly and I am sure then we can get the bike at the front and can’t wait to get to the next test at Donington Park before the first race at Brands Hatch.”

Team owner Dave Tyson concluded: “I am really pleased with the steady progress everyone showed over the two days at Valencia and to get Jon back on a bike after last riding one at the last round of the 2013 season was good too. He worked well with his new crew and made the bike his own over the two days. We had lots to try and that has also given us some things to develop so it has been a very good first test for the Superbike side of the team.