Fortunately for the three riders involved in this horrific pile up at turn two on the opening lap of Race 1 at Nurburgring, all came out with minor injuries.

John Hopkins was was hit from behind and high siding wiped out both Kawasaki riders, Makoto Tamada and Broc Parkes. Hopkins was then run over by Vittorio Iannuzzo of Squadra Corse Italia who could not avoid the Stiggy Honda rider laying on the track. Both Hopkins and Tamada were taken to the local hospital and treated for slight concussions.

John Hopkins:

“I ran a bit wide coming out of turn one and then got hit from behind in the second turn and high-sided into Broc Parkes. I was unconscious for 10 minutes before waking up in the ambulance. A bike ran over my chest, but apart from that I have no serious injuries. I just hope my luck will turn around soon.”

Tamada was released almost immediately and wanted to take part in Race 2, but the race track medical commission declared the Japanese rider unfit to ride.

Continue reading: Hopkins, Tamada, Parkes Crash at Nurburgring

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Kawasaki World Superbike Racing Team riders Broc Parkes and Makoto Tamada are preparing for the Nurburgring WSBK. Tamada has been recovering from injury, while Parkes entered the Brands Hatch British Superbike Championship for a little extra riding, scoring three podium finishes with his Ninja ZX-10R.

While both riders are familiar with the circuit, they will be hoping for better weather than last year and Parkes will be looking to build on the podium he previously won in the Supersport class.

On preparations, Broc Parkes says: “After racing at the British Superbike meeting at Brands Hatch in early August we found some really good things on the bike and came away with some great results, that gave me and the team some confidence in our direction for the last four WSB races. It will be great to apply the team’s development to the Nürburgring race this weekend. I really enjoy racing at this circuit and I’ve had some successful results in the past. I’ve also won a race a few years back on the short circuit for the German Superbike Championship. Overall, I’m really looking forward to some good results this weekend. I’m also over the moon at becoming a father this week to my newborn son, young Jesse John Parkes.”

Continue reading: Kawasaki world superbike team prepares for the Nurburgring

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Kawasaki’s World Superbike Team team has announced that Sheridan Morais will replace injured Makoto Tamada during the World Superbike Championship at Kyalami.

The team had originally announced Broc Parkes would be the sole rider, but have engaged Morais who won the 2008 South African Superbike Championship on a Kawasaki and has also competed in Superstock in 2006 and 2007.

Morais who is leading both the 1000cc Superbike and 600cc Supersport SA series said: “It came as a total surprise. I’ll need some time to adapt and there are only two short practice sessions each on Friday and Saturday plus Superpole and the morning warm-up on Sunday to get everything sorted - but I only have to get used to the bike while the others still need to learn the track. The bike’s definitely good and, although I’ve never met any of the team except Guttridge (Kawasaki European racing division chief) they’re all professionals and they know what they’re doing.”

Morais was due to wildcard in World Supersport this weekend, but his place on the Kawasaki ZX6R will be taken by current South African Superbike team-mate Robert Portman.

Source | motoring

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Broc Parkes will return to action for fifth round of the WSBK championship at Monza.

The rider missed the Assen round after a testing accident in the UK sidelined him with a shoulder injury. Stuart Easton replaced Parkes for the Assen round placing 18th in the first race and DNF in the second.

“I had the displacement operation to remove the gap between the collarbone and the shoulder over a week ago and I’m recovering well. I’m still pretty sore all over but I was lucky to not break anything and to have this time in between races to recover. I’ve just started training again and although I’m not 100% fit at the moment, I have another week to recover and I’ve come a long way so I’m confident I’ll be lined up on the grid at Monza and will do my best.”

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Broc Parkes, Kawasaki WSBK team rider was hurt a 120mph accident at Snetterton in the UK during testing on Monday this week and suffering several painful but minor injuries to his face, arm, wrist, knee, and he also pushed his collar bone out of position.

Parkes underwent an operation to insert a screw in his shoulder to hold it in place for six weeks, but as he will not be 100% fit for Assen, he has opted to spend the next couple of weeks recuperating in readiness for the subsequent Monza race, plus the Kyalami and Miller rounds, which follow on soon afterwards in May.

Former WSS rider Stuart Easton will take Parkes place. Stuart is the team’s development and test rider and owner Paul Bird called him for this event.

Team owner Paul Bird said: “When it became apparent that Broc couldn’t ride this weekend, I had no reservations about calling Stuart to deputise and he will be a more than able replacement this weekend. He knows the bike and works well with the team but there is absolutely no pressure on him at all.”

“I couldn’t believe it when the call came in from Paul, I didn’t need to be asked twice, that’s for sure! It’s a brilliant opportunity for me and I’m really looking forward to working with the team in a race environment rather than just testing” said Easton.

Source | visordown

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Kawasaki Motors Europe has announced that the Paul Bird Motorsport Team will be the official 2009 World Superbike Team. Makoto Tamada and Broc Parkes will ride the World Superbike Kawasaki ZX-10R.

Steve Guttridge, Kawasaki’s European Race Planning Manager, said: “We had many proposals from teams who wanted to run our official effort next year, which underlines our strong belief in our brand, and fills us with confidence that the Ninja ZX-10R has the ability to compete at the front of the pack once again. PBM was chosen to represent us officially because Paul Bird has proven that by putting together a knowledgeable and closely-knit crew, great results can be achieved by working together in a structured way.”

For PBM Team Owner, Paul Bird this is a fantastic opportunity to be recognised as an official team. The team is ultra-motivated by this new direction!

Source | kawasaki-racing

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