Hawk Kawasaki look for strong Thruxton Superbike

Raceline Photography
By Carly Rathmell
April 13 2006

After the appalling weather at Donington Park last weekend, Hawk Kawasaki are hoping that conditions will be kinder to them this weekend (14th, 16th and 17th April) at Thruxton Race Circuit, Hampshire.

With a large crowd expected at the 2.4 mile circuit over the Bank Holiday weekend, the three riders, Dean Thomas (33), Craig Coxhell (23) and Peter Hickman (19) are aiming high. Coxhell, however, is carrying an injury that he sustained after crashing at Donington. He will be gritting his teeth and fighting through the pain barrier. The young Australian suffered a broken collarbone after high siding during the wet race at Donington whilst in fifth position.

All three riders are looking to improve on their results from last weekend, and Team Manager Stuart Hicken is hoping for a crash free weekend. The Hawk team are working hard in the short period of time to ensure the Kawasaki ZX-10s are ready for racing at Thruxton.

Sheffield based Dean Thomas commented, “Things certainly can’t be any worse than what they were at Donington, and they can only get better this weekend at Thruxton. I really enjoy the circuit and got some pretty good results there last year. There are still some changes to be made on the Kawasaki, but we are gradually moving in the right direction and things are progressing.”

Coalville rider Coxhell said, “This weekend is certainly going to be difficult for me due to my injury. Thruxton is the hardest and bumpiest circuit on the BSB calendar, and it’s certainly going to test my strength, but I need to get some more championship points. I’ve been having intensive physio and laser treatment on my collarbone, and it’s beginning to feel a little better. It might be a blessing that we now only have one qualifying session this year, to enable me a little more time to heal.”

The youngest rider in the squad, Peter Hickman is keen to get out on the Hawk bike again, saying, “Every weekend I seem to be getting a feel for the bike and learning more each time I go out on track. I was unlucky not to finish in the points at Donington, but that is my main target this weekend. I’m really enjoying my time, but the season is going so quickly already.”

For more information on the weekend’s racing, please see www.hawkkawasaki.co.uk

* Please note there is no track activity on Saturday, 15th April.

2006 British Superbike calendar:

Round 3, 14–17 April, Thruxton, Hampshire
test, 21 April, official test, Oulton Park
Round 4, 29 Apr–01 May, Oulton Park, Cheshire
Round 5, 19–21 May, Mondello Park, Southern Ireland
Round 6, 02–04 June, Mallory Park, Leicestershire
Round 7, 16–18 June, Snetterton, Norfolk
test, 05–06 July, official test, Croft
Round 8, 14–16 July, Knockhill, Scotland
Round 9, 21–23 July, Oulton Park, Cheshire
Round 10, 11–13 August, Croft, North Yorkshire
test, 17 August, official test, Cadwell Park
Round 11, 26–28 August, Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire
test, 31 August, official test, Silverstone
Round 12, 15–17 September, Silverstone, Northamptonshire
Round 13, 29 Sept–01 Oct Brands Hatch, Kent