* Ryuji Tsuruta leads the restructured team of Gilles Stafler, formerly titled,
* The French pilot Randy de Puniet is joined by new recruits
Kazuki Watanabe et Christophe Ponsson,
* The number 11 brings familiarity and hope to the French structure fielding a Kawasaki.
A Kawasaki bearing the number 11 will continue to fight in the FIM Endurance World Championship in 2023, following the confirmation of Team Kawasaki Webike Trickstar's participation in the upcoming EWC season.
Team Kawasaki Webike Trickstar is the new name of the Webike SRC Kawasaki France team, which has enjoyed considerable success in EWC under the leadership of Gilles Stafler before the respected team owner made the decision to step down at the end of the 2022 season and put his company up for sale.
Ryuji Tsuruta recently completed the takeover of the SRC team from Gilles Stafler, in partnership with Japanese River Crane (Webike) and Motohouse Co.
With increased support from Kawasaki Motors Japan, Ryuji Tsuruta enters EWC under this banner of Team Kawasaki Webike Trickstar, but retains the familiar number 11 and continues to count on the services of
Randy de Puniet, member of the SRC team in 2022.
Japanese Kazuki Watanabe, who was previously part of the Yoshimura SERT Motul EWC crew and has recent MotoGP experience, will join Randy de Puniet within Team Kawasaki Webike Trickstar alongside the young French hopeful Christophe Ponsson.
On the other hand, the technical director of the SRC, Thomas Baudry, is transferred to Team Kawasaki Webike Trickstar in the same role and will work closely with the Deputy Director
Keisuke Nakayama. The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR of Team Kawasaki Webike Trickstar will be equipped with Bridgestone tires.
« As Team Manager, I will lead the team and fully participate in the FIM Endurance World Championship with the mission to win the title”, said
Ryuji Tsuruta.
“After Gilles made the decision to step down, we received full support and cooperation from him and his staff, while François Ribeiro, director of Discovery Sports Events, the promoter of the EWC, Kawasaki France, Kawasaki Europe , Kawasaki Motors Japan and Webike supported us in this project.
It's been ten years since Trickstar Racing started racing in the EWC, at Le Mans in 2013, with the aim of becoming the best team in the world. We have grown stronger and I hope we continue to grow to become even stronger. We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to EWC, Kawasaki, Webike and other sponsors and related parties for giving us the opportunity to take on this challenge.
»
Francois Ribeiro, Director of Discovery Sports Events, said: “
It’s great news that Team Kawasaki Webike Trickstar has confirmed its participation in the EWC, ensuring a #11 Kawasaki will be on the grid in 2023 and hopefully beyond. Ryuji Tsuruta and his partners worked hard and showed great commitment to find themselves in this position. By taking over an established team with highly capable personnel and a strong track record in EWC, Team Kawasaki Webike Trickstar is well placed to write the next chapter in Kawasaki's EWC history. »
