By Enjoying Senior TT glory for the first time in 44 years, Kawasaki enjoyed double delight yesterday, with the respected marque claiming the title manufacturer award of TT 2019.
Alongside Dean Harrison, Silicone Engineering Racing’s sterling performances, ‘Team Green’ also had strong four stroke class representation from the likes of Quattro Plant Wicked Coatings Kawasaki/James Hillier, Davies Motorsport/Dominic Herbertson and Lee Hardy Racing/Gary Johnson.
Traditionally contending at the sharp end of the Bennetts Lightweight class, Thursday evening’s Lightweight race saw KTS Racing’s Jamie Coward come within just 1.3 seconds of providing Kawasaki with a sixth class triumph in eight years.
Overall six of the first ten finishers within the reduced in distance Lightweight race, piloted ER6/Z650 machinery including third, fourth, fifth place finishers Lee Johnston (Ashcourt Racing/KMR Kawasaki), Paul Jordan (Dafabet Devitt Racing) and Michael Rutter (KMR Kawasaki).
Reflecting on yesterday’s drama filled Dunlop Senior race, you can’t underestimate how big an accolade it is for Kawasaki winning the biggest, most prestigious, blue riband race of the TT fortnight.
Having created over recent times, a strong, proficient relationship with Silicone Engineering Racing and Dean Harrison, the all round combination has clicked and some, and hit the sweet spot at the right time.
Photo by Mark Corlett
Senior TT champions for 2019, Kawasaki are no longer considered by some underachievers in terms of premier class results at the TT Races.
There more than mixing it with BMW, and have overhauled Honda over recent TT’s in terms of performance across the Supersport, Superstock, Superbike and Senior classes.
The good times are a rolling for Kawasaki, and there’s no question that more International roads success for ‘Team Green’ is a strong possibility at August’s Ulster Grand Prix.
Words by Stevie Rial
