For the first time since securing the 2013 World
Superbike title, Kawasaki Racing Team rider, Tom Sykes, has visited the
Kawasaki factory in Akashi, Japan.
Site of a huge Kawasaki motorcycle production facility, the
enormous Akashi works complex is additionally home of the company’s racing research
and development department who were keen to congratulate the Ninja rider who
won nine of the 27 races in the 2013 WSBK Championship series.
Eager to thank all those who played a part in his
success, Sykes also wanted to meet as many Kawasaki employees as possible during
his brief stay in Japan. With the privilege of a factory tour – along with the Kawasaki
Motors Europe Race Planning Manager (Steve Guttridge) and the Manager of the Kawasaki
Racing Team (Guim Roda) and crew chief (Marcel
Duinker) – Tom saw a variety of machines being built.
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| L>R Marcel, Tom, Steve and Guim |
For many production line and quality assurance staff, the
chance to meet the person humorously referred to as “Mr Kawasaki” was a rare
treat. Many were ready with personal items for the World Champion to sign and
to have the opportunity of being photographed with the 28 year old rider from Huddersfield
in Yorkshire.
“I have an engineering background myself”, commented Tom.
“To see bikes being made and witness the skill of the workers plus their amazing
attention to detail was really fascinating. There were plenty of Ninja ZX-10R’s
being made for markets across the world and the production line workers took the chance to have a group photo taken which was really a really nice moment"
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| On the production line
From the factory floor, Tom and his entourage were also
allowed another rarely granted privilege, a chance to visit part of the
Kawasaki motorcycle collection housed within the buildings at the entrance to
vast manufacturing complex that also produces industrial robots and gas turbines
as well as aviation and aerospace components.
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“I got a chance to see one of our former Superbikes, a lovely
ZX-7RR ridden to a memorable double WSBK victory by Hitoyasu Izutsu at Sugo, Japan in 2000, the same
year he won the Japanese Superbike Championship. To be honest, if you left me
with the display of historic bikes for a whole day I would not have minded.
That said, there was a tight schedule to stick to and some important people to
meet”.
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| Racing legends |
Among those keen to shake Tom’s hand was Mr Shigehiko Kiyama, President of Kawasaki Heavy
Industries Motorcycle & Engine Company. Taking time from his busy schedule,
Mr Kiyama discussed Tom’s racing season and numerous victories with both Tom
and his Crew Chief, Marcel Duinker.
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| Meeting Mr Kiyama |
At the end of the meeting, Mr Kiyama congratulated
Tom once more and presented him with an ornate and highly prized Samurai
helmet, a gesture of thanks from the entire Kawasaki family. Speaking after the
presentation Mr Kiyama said.
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| Samurai helmet gift from KHI |
"KHI was delighted to play host to World Superbike
Champion, Tom Sykes in Japan. All Kawasaki family members would like to
congratulate Tom and the Kawasaki Racing Team on their outstanding
achievement".
