A TEAM’S TAKE…
Gearlink Kawasaki have been a staple in the Supersport field for as long as we can remember, so we caught up with team principal Michael de Bidaph to find out what he makes of the Supersport series…
FB: Tell us what made you start up in British Supersport?
MdB: Well we started sponsoring James Hillier in 2004 in the R6 cup, but as he was out of a ride for 2005 we decided to start our own little team up to help him out. Back then there was no stock class but they had the Supersport Cup class, which was on a lower spec bike with less rounds so we did it with just me, my late wife, James and his dad. We had a great year and so much fun as it was an economical way to go racing in a great environment.
FB: And how did things spiral from there?
MdB: It’s just a buzz! We carried on for 2006, then expanded, then all of a sudden we were Kawasaki’s official team which upped our profile. Ever since then we’ve kept on plugging away for the title, and we’ve been so close.
FB: Has Supersport changed much since you started?
MdB: Rules wise, things have got much better. The bikes are closer to stock now after the changes made in 2015, especially with elements such as rev cuts and even the introduction of control tyres – it’s all gone in the right direction. Yet even so, the riders are still beating lap records, and the buzz is still exactly the same. Nice, close racing is why we’re here.
FB: And how would you compare it to superbike racing?
MdB: Worlds apart. With a superbike, you buy the bike and change virtually everything; a supersport bike is so basic when compared. This is why we enjoy it so much, and why the racing is so close!