From a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

FUCHS KAWASAKI BID A FOND FAREWELL TO WORLD SUPERBIKES

This weekend’s final round of the 2002 World Superbike and Supersport Championships at Imola has special significance for the Harald Eckl-run Fuchs Kawasaki Racing Team, marking as it does their last appearance in the world’s premier production championship.

Andrew Pitt’s 2001 World Supersport title was undoubtedly the highlight, of what has been a successful six year association with the World Superbike series for the Fuchs Kawasaki team. But at Imola, the team bid farewell to the World Superbike paddock, as they prepare to move to MotoGP in 2003.

Team Manager, Harald Eckl: “We’ve enjoyed six fantastic years in World Superbikes and we will take a lot of good memories of this series, and the people involved with it, to the MotoGP paddock next season. The list of people I’d like to thank is endless, but a special mention must go to all our riders, who have always given their all, despite the fact that, at times, the regulations have made it difficult for us to be as competitive as we’d have liked.

“This never-say-die attitude is epitomised by Chris Walker’s approach to his racing this year. He’s battled against considerable odds this season, like the Bell’s Palsy with which he’s been afflicted since pre-season testing, but he has never, ever given up. It is this sort of attitude that has allowed every member of the team to maintain their motivation, regardless of the problems encountered both on and off track. So, to the people who have been a part of the Fuchs Kawasaki Racing Team over the past six years, I’d also like to say a big thank you.

“And then of course, there are our partners and sponsors, without whom there would have been no Kawasaki Racing Team. They also deserve our warmest thanks, although it is hoped that the relationships we’ve built up through six years of World Superbike competition will continue in MotoGP next season.

“Finally, I’d like to say a big thank you to Maurizio and Paolo Flammini, and all at Octagon who have made the World Superbike Championship what it is today. As professional as the series has become, they have never lost sight of the fact that it’s the fans that make the championship the success it is. More than any other race series, World Superbike has remained accessible to the race fans, with the result that a real family atmosphere pervades every race meeting. On our departure to MotoGP, we wish Paolo and the World Superbike Championship every success for the future.

“I sincerely hope that the loyal fans who’ve followed our progress in World Superbike over the years will continue to support the team as we move to MotoGP next season. I also hope they will extend the same level of support that we’ve enjoyed to Kawasaki’s new World Supersport team, who will campaign the brand new ZX-6RR in the series during 2003.

“2003 promises to be an exciting year for Kawasaki fans worldwide so, to coin a phrase: ‘Let the good times roll…'”