Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) privateer of the year Matt Walters will continue to be supported by Kawasaki Motors Australia in 2020 for an 11th season.

Walters experienced a strong 2019 campaign aboard the ZX-10RR, earning a front-row start at Phillip Island’s penultimate round which he later converted into a season-best fifth overall placing.

“[I’m] super happy to back with Kawasaki Motors Australia for my 11th year with the Japanese manufacturer,” said Walters. “Together we have won championships, and this year [we went] back-to-back Australian Superbike privateer [of the year].

“The small family-run team and I will be setting our sights straight for the podium and really looking forward to 2020 on my Kawasaki ZX-10RR at the season starter at Phillip island.”

Kawasaki Motors Australia national sales and marketing manager Robert Walker added: “2019 was a very strong year for Matt, taking out the ASBK ironman award and we were very happy with his result for the year.

“Each year Matt and the team have represented Kawasaki very well and improved on their results. We are eager to see how his 2020 season progresses on the Ninja ZX-10RR.”

The opening round of the 2020 ASBK season is scheduled for 27 February-1 March at Phillip Island, running in conjunction with round one of the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK).

A triumphant single rider strategy for YART Yamaha at the 8 Hours of Sepang ultimately saw Australian Broc Parkes sit out the second stop of the 2019/2020 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC).

The rain-affected event saw the race reduced to under three hours, and with Parkes scheduled to ride in the final 30 minutes, it was decided to leave Niccolo Canepa out on a drying track and bring the victory home. The same decision was made earlier in the race when fill-in Karel Hanika was set to take the reigns.

“It was shorter than expected because of the weather, but no less exhausting for that,” said YART team manager Mandy Kainz. “We had a problem with the bike in the early stages of the race, but Niccolo did an incredible job to fight his way through to the front in difficult conditions and without any electronic rider aids.

“At the first pit stop it was tight at the front of the race, so we decided to keep Niccolo on the bike, rather than lose time while Karel got used to the conditions. We made the same decision at the final pit stop, opting to stick with Niccolo rather than putting Broc on the bike for the final 30 minutes on a damp but drying track.

“It was the correct decision and it paid dividends for us in the end. So, thanks to the team and the riders for a fantastic job – this win puts us back in the game as far as the championship is concerned. Finally, I wish Marvin a speedy recovery and I look forward to seeing him back on the bike, and hopefully on the podium, in Le Mans.”

YART Yamaha is now ranked fourth in the championship standings as the EWC heads to Le Mans on 18-19 April 2020 for round three.

Australian Josh Hook was forced to sit out round two of the 2019/2020 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) at the 8 Hours of Sepang after being struck down with an illness.

The F.C.C. TSR Honda France rider revealed he suffered a severe case of influenza, electing to sit-out the weather-affected event in Malaysia.

The TSR squad, who led the race at stages, finished 13th in the standings after a pair of crashes by Mike di Meglio.

“Tough old day here in Sepang,” said Hook. “I came down with a severe case of influenza causing me to be sidelined. The race was shortened to three hours due to bad weather conditions.

“We were leading with one hour to go, and a crash put us back to 28th. The team managed to make it back into the points, finishing up 13th.”

The next stop on the EWC calendar is scheduled for 18-19 April, where Le Mans will host the 24 Heures Motos.

WorldSBK regular Michael van der Mark admits he was surprised by Yamaha Sepang Racing finishing inside the top 10 at the weekend’s 8 Hours of Sepang after he was taken out by Mike di Meglio (F.C.C. TSR Honda France).

The event, which marked round two of the 2019/2020 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC), was reduced to under six hours after being heavily affected by rain.

Van der Mark was able to recover from the incident and returned to the track following a pit stop, where he later handed the reigns to MotoGP contender Franco Morbidelli to the bring the squad home in seventh.

“It was a weird 8 Hours of Sepang, but when we did finally get to race the conditions were good,” said van der Mark. “I had a good feeling with the bike and a strong pace from the start, so when I got passed for the lead I decided to sit in behind and follow rather than take any risks.

“My plan was to retake the lead when we hit traffic. I’m not sure what Di Meglio’s plan was with the pass at the final corner, but it didn’t work, and it ended for me with a massive highside that let me badly winded. The team did an amazing job to get the bike back on track and I was quick to rediscover my rhythm so, apart from the position, I enjoyed the race.

“When Franco took over the bike for the last stint, we could see he had really good pace, but we were still surprised to finish as high as seventh. Massive thanks to the team, who worked so hard for us this weekend, and also to Franco and Hafizh, who I really enjoyed racing with.”

The next stop on the EWC calendar is scheduled for 18-19 April 2020 at Le Mans in France.