More on Kawasaki/MotoGP Situation, WSBK News Bits

Kawasaki is testing the 2009 Ninja ZX-RR GP race machine in Australia despite a seemingly legitimate announcement that the factory would not directly support the '09 season. MotoGP.com reports that this *may* mean the Ninja will live to see another season of GP racing -- as part of a 2-bike privateer effort. With such a dwindling number of participants, MotoGP can't be happy about a manufacturer as major as Kawasaki deciding that the series is economically unjustifiable, and surely must be pressing to get some green on the grid even if it means as consistent last-placers.

Kawasaki's withdrawal from MotoGP apparently does NOT mean a withdrawal from World Superbike racing.

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Instead, the WSBK series will enjoy a record number of both full-time entries and manufacturers this year as well as fresh tracks.

Not so long ago, it seemed that World Superbike was teetering on the edge of irrelevance and MotoGP ascending to a new level of global popularity. Now we see the opposite taking place. History has proven it: Despite each series having its "niche", factory support is a zero-sum game.

The past few seasons of MotoGP have been a droning anti-climax at best, with only a few hot moments (like the '08 Laguna Seca contest) reminding nostalgic viewers of a more colorful past. SBK on the other hand has seen some of the closest racing in years.

No longer are we seeing washed up GP riders move to SBK and SBK's best move to GP, but mutual exchanges of top talent. SBK is not only more relevant to many street riders, but significantly more affordable for teams and manufacturers. Stoner, Rossi, Hayden & gang (what's left of it) will have to work hard to make '09 buck the trends. That is, if new arrivals such as BMW, Aprilia, and Ben Spies don't bolster the popularity of WSBK even further.

Indeed, the only disappointing news as of recent coming from the WSBK camp is a statement by Aprilia's race chief: 'No SBK for Marco Simoncelli'. Marco had previously hoped to pilot the new RSV4 in the Phillip Island and Qatar Rounds. Valentino Rossi has expressed similar interest in the past (with who knows how much sincerity).