En 2023, the Sunday Ride Classic returns to Paul Ricard on May 6 and 7! On this occasion, the first monsters of the Superbike championship will be celebrated there. After having dealt with the models used by
Yamaha ,
Honda et
Suzuki, it remains to be discovered the weapon unveiled by Kawasaki to take part in the championship: The ZXR.
Produced from 1989, the ZXR-750 and its “R” variation terrified the set. The green beast wants to replace the GPX 750, also used during the 1988 season without much success. Thus, the engine of the new 750 Kawa' is inspired by the latter. The in-line four-cylinder develops between 100 and 120 horsepower depending on the version, and responds perfectly to the challenge imposed by the Suzuki GSX-R.
Immediately, its look and aura give it cult status. For 1989, Kawasaki evolved its road bike into a version designed for the Superbike world championship, the ZXR-7. The beginnings are particularly discreet even if the Australian
Robert Phillis manages to put her on the podium during her few appearances.
The 750 ZXR-1989. Photo: Kloonie
When he signed up full-time for the 1990 season, he was dangerous overall but the Kawasaki was not yet at the level of the Ducati 851, world champion with
Raymond Roche. The HondaRC30 is also in front, just like the
Yamaha FZR 750 R which we have already covered.
Gradually, the racing version evolves somewhat and gains performance like no other. While Suzuki is unable to integrate sustainably into the new category, Kawasaki is skyrocketing. Soon, Robert Phillis is the only one to compete with the Ducati army led by Roche and Doug Polen.
In 1990, he finished fourth overall by imposing the Kawa' for the first time on his land. In 1991, Phillis was third but without victories. The 851 and 888 are simply untouchable. Neither him nor Aaron Slight ou Piergiorgio Bontempi cannot do anything to counter the Ducatists.
On the other hand, during the 1992 season, an American stood out at the start of the season: Scott Russell, author of three podiums in eight rounds on the ZXR. A titular driver in 1993, he can finally fight on equal terms with the Italians.
Helped by the New Zealander Aaron Slight,
Scott Russell cross swords with Carl Fogarty on Ducati 888. Advantage to the Briton in terms of pure speed, but Russell is more consistent. In a season as exciting as it was intense, Kawasaki finally won its first world champion title after two consecutive retirements from Fogarty. In the manufacturers' ranking, Ducati is ahead but who cares: a green motorcycle was on top of the world.
Scott Russell during the 1994 season. Photo: vedi sotto
The 1994 season started even better than the previous one for Scott Russell, but ended in the opposite order. Fogarty is crowned after an exceptional exercise. Slight moved to Honda, and it must be admitted, the American is now alone to defend the interests of the firm.
The competition evolves its models, and sometimes, changes. But Kawasaki persists with the ZXR, now in the hands ofAnthony Gobert after Russell's difficult start to the season. It's the end of the golden era, and we have to wait until Tom Sykes in 2013 to see a Kawa' dominate the World Superbike again.
The ZXR, like its main competitors, will be present at the SRC on May 6 and 7 on the Paul Ricard circuit. Don't miss it!
Sunday Ride
May 6 & 7, 2023
Paul Ricard Circuit
Ticket presale: https://www.sundayrideclassic.com/billetterie
Pre-sale rate €18/day instead of €25 and on weekends €22 instead of €30 to see everything!
https://www.sundayrideclassic.com/
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Cover photo: Huetchen
