THE WISECO WASP
Our Kawasaki ZX7-R really came to life in round 3 of ThundersportGB’s Golden Era Superbikes. With flat-side carbs feeding the over-bored engine, Wiseco pistons, and some super new Dymag wheels, it looked, and sounded more like a Superbike than ever. We call it the wasp – and it really was flying last weekend at Cadwell Park. Some like the circuit; some hate it – Ritchie loves it.
It’s often said that the fire that burns the brightest is the will to win. Having seen the way Ritchie rode his ZX7-R at the weekend, there is no denying that. I’ve seen him ride under pressure – and in pain – to win a race and I’ve always said that they were possibly his best performances, but I think this was the first time I’ve ever seen him totally at one with his Kawasaki. It was, without a shadow of a doubt, the best I’ve seen him ride – it was exhilarating to watch it.
There are three classes within his race, Golden Era Superbikes, GP Classics and GP1 Freshman. His performance was so strong in the races that he won; I have to say that he was literally in a class of his own.
Out on his own; Ritchie and the wasp with a sting in its tail – flat-slides! He literally took off at Cadwell in 3 out of 4 races.
Ok, Ok, I’m his Dad, I hear you say, but it’s true – and I would be the first to acknowledge any other rider who excels in a race – that there can be nothing better than watching a rider when he clicks with his bike.
But it’s not just what happens out on the track that gets you across the line first. We’ve had long hours, days and nights, spending weekends between races in the garage, stripping down engines, trying out different carburettors and changing jets – the long grass in the garden is a testimony to that. He has spent month upon month experimenting with the flat slides carburettors trying to get them set up right. It’s constant, not just on one bike now, but two.
I’ve actually lost count of the times the engine has been in and out of the bike.
I’ve heard people say, “That’s a fast bike that Kawasaki” it sure is, but having a quick bike doesn’t necessarily make it easy. You’ve got to be able understand it to ride it. Ritchie works with me on the bike every moment he can get, he gets his hands dirty on these bikes we’ve built together every weekend; he knows every nut, bolt, and washer on both of them. The bikes talk to him and he understands what they say, and when they’re telling him something different he knows exactly where to look to adjust whatever it is and put it right.
So, at Cadwell we had a bike on top form and a rider on top form too – together they were unstoppable.
Maintaining the Kawasaki has been exhausting at times and we’ve often said to ourselves, “Is it bloody worth it?” Well, let me tell you, we’ll always be asking ourselves that question because when we’re tired and the maintenance seems endless, trying to fit it all in around commitments with your day job that can’t be ignored – you have to eat, right? – I’ll just remember Cadwell Park, then I’ll be able to say to myself, “Yes, it is worth it”.
Knowledge makes power, at times Ritchie puts in more hours in our garage than he does at home.
This weekend we’ll be taking out the engine again to have a look at the what’s going on inside – just to be sure. There’ll also be a new addition to the motor for Mallory, just to keep you guessing, we’ll be keeping that under our hats for now.
We’ll see you there.
Bernie Thornton
Thanks again to all our sponsors: Wiseco Piston Inc/Race Winning Brands, Kais Suspension, Carrillo, Cradley Kawasaki, Nova Racing Transmissions, Mark Wright at Holbeach Tyres, OPIE Oils, R&G Racing, TA-Craetive and Dymag for turning round the new wheels in time for Cadwell.
.
