When the 2006 season started for the Canadian Kawasaki Racing Team, the goal was simple: be in a position to win in each race. With the short season and high level of competition in Canada, being in position to win is the path to a championship. Pre-season race preparation presented two main challenges. First, the ZX-6RR Sport Bike was now well developed after 2 seasons of competition; but the unknown factor in the mix would be how strong and effective the new products would be from the competition. Second, the all-new ZX-10R contained many significant changes over the pervious model. The challenge lay in transforming the new street ZX-10R into a Superbike race winner while keeping the ZX-6RR Sport Bike program at the front of the pack. The Kawasaki Race Team has been the model of consistency and domination in 2006, with five of six races being won by Jordan Szoke. Teammate Tom Kipp is always at the front, fighting for podiums every race and collecting two. In all races and in both classes, the factory team equipment has been consistent leaders in practice and in qualifying with record-setting poles and multiple wins. In Superbike, the ZX-10R has repeatedly set fast times and won every race this season. In rounds one and two of the series, Jordan Szoke preferred to proclaim his intent for the championship from the front of the pack to take the win. At the last race in Calgary, Jordan and local ace Clint McBain, a double Superbike winner in Calgary in 2005, traded the lead 4 times in a close race at the front. As the last lap flag waived, Jordan executed a perfect late breaking move that took him past McBain and on to his third consecutive win of the season. In the 600 Sport Bike class, Jordan and his ZX-6RR were again the target in the lead, with decisive wins in the first two rounds. In Sport Bike qualifying at Calgary, both Tom and Jordan led practice times as well as qualifying, with Jordan breaking the track record in the process of collecting another pole position, and Tom just missing second on the grid, starting third. As Jordan took to the grid for the warm up lap, a gremlin appeared in Jordan’s ZX-6RR’s electrical system. In a demonstration of cool thinking under race pressure, Jordan managed to soldier on and collect as many points as possible, securing a hard fought 11th place finish. In an effort to secure a Kawasaki podium, Tom battled for position and claimed third place. The traditional Mosport weekend is often seen as the highlight of the year with a double-header featuring races both Saturday and Sunday. Arguably one of the world’s most challenging circuits, Mosport demands high-speed concentration and skill from the riders while testing race engines and chassis like no other Canadian track. The Kawasaki Race Team has adapted to every challenge so far and has been victorious. As the season progresses, they continue to highlight the superiority of the ZX-6RR and the new ZX-10R for Kawasaki fans. Currently, Jordan is first in both classes; Superbike standings show Szoke in the lead at 160 over second position of 119 and Sport Bike has the thinnest of margins, with him at 128 over 127. In unofficial “team standings” in Superbike, Kawasaki leads the others with 253 points, followed by 209 and 161. In Sport Bike class, Kawasaki Race Team leads with 237 points, followed by 213 and 205. With the demands and challenges of Mosport and with double points up for grabs, the Kawasaki Race Team works relentlessly to improve this season’s winning bikes and give our riders and our fans a very competitive race! See you at the races!