Rea targets record as WSB breaks new ground
THE penultimate round of the World Superbike Championship heads to Argentina for the first ever South American round, due to be held at a brand new 2.666mile facility, Circuito San Juan Villicum, and it is there that history-making fourtime world champion Jonathan Rea looks to continue his record-breaking achievements.
If the Ulsterman were to win the opening race tomorrow he would equal the all-time sequence of wins that currently stands at nine. Rea has won the last eight races and chases the record shared by Colin Edwards and Neil Hodgson.
His Kawasaki Racing Team can also wrap up the manufacturers’ title in Argentina — they are 87 points ahead with a maximum of 100 remaining.
Rea said: “Since winning the championship at Magny Cours I’ve not had much time to digest my achievement, but I’m really proud of our efforts.
“However, the racing is not over and we will put the celebrations on ice until the end of the season. It’s a new track for everyone this weekend so we have no set-up data and start with a blank sheet of paper.”
WSB owners have announced that for the 2019 season there will be three races per event — one race as at present on Saturday followed by two on Sunday, a short sprint race and then a final normal length race — all to make the series more entertaining for spectators and promoters.
This weekend also sees the final three races in the British Superbike season at Brands Hatch with Ulsterman Glenn Irwin, in his last three races for PBM, looking to wrestle third place in the series from his replacement at Be Wiser Ducati for 2019, Josh Brookes.
Three British championships could come across the Irish Sea this weekend with Dubliner Jack Kennedy, 41 points clear of Ben Currie in Supersport, and Aghadowey’s Eunan McGlinchey, with a 43 point lead in Junior Supersport, both able to win their championships tomorrow afternoon after their opening race of two during the two-day meet- ing, while Tyco BMW rider Keith Farmer has a 10 point lead over Billy McConnell in Superstock 1000 with just a single race remaining on Sunday.
Alastair Seeley will look to continue his fine run on the EHA Racing Yamaha after his double success at the last round, while EHA Racing Aprilia rider Joe Collier still has a mathematical chance of snatching the Superstock 1000cc Championship.
Meanwhile, Adam McLean has renewed his contract with McAdoo Kawasaki for the 2019 road racing season.
The team are also delighted to continue their association with MSS Kawasaki after a terrific season for the Tobermore rider on the distinctive Gortreagh Printing machines. Historic: Jonathan Rea makes it four WSB titles in a row