The final round of the Hannspree World Superbike Championship takes place this forthcoming weekend with the Kawasaki Superbike Racing Team looking to end the season on a high note in Portimao.
The impressive new circuit on the Portuguese Algarve was introduced into the calendar last year and riders Broc Parkes and Makoto Tamada have good experience of the track, especially 27-year-old Australian Parkes who finished in a strong fifth place in the World Supersport race last season.
Following a difficult last couple of rounds aboard the www.supercasino.com, Vent-Axia, Kick Energy and Henleys-backed Kawasaki Superbike Racing Team Ninja ZX-10Rs, both Parkes and 32-year-old Japanese rider Tamada will be hoping for better fortunes.
Machine problems have hindered Parkes whereas Tamada has suffered with injury but despite neither rider remaining with the team for 2010, both are confident of a good showing to round off a successful development season for Paul Bird's team.
Meanwhile, an announcement regarding the team's line up and plans for 2010 is scheduled to be announced on Wednesday.
Broc Parkes: "I'm going into this weekend under mixed emotions as it's been a tough year filled with many ups and downs. I can honestly say looking back that I've enjoyed the challenge of the ZX-10R and really appreciated working with the Paul Bird Motorsport and Kawasaki Racing teams. The team and I have worked really hard so it would be nice to do well this weekend and end the season on a high. I'm obviously very disappointed that I will not be continuing into 2010 with Kawasaki but that is the way racing goes. I wish the team all the best for the future and want to thank them for the opportunity in 2009. Portimao should provide a good race for all and I enjoyed racing there last year so I've got nothing to lose but to do well."
Makoto Tamada: "To say that I'm looking forward to this weekend is an understatement as having missed the last two races from injury I am really eager to do well and to finish the season and my time on the ZX-10R on a positive note. I've had such bad luck this year with some many accidents which weren't my fault but my team have always worked hard and continued to push and be positive. I've thoroughly enjoyed working with the Paul Bird Motorsport team and seeing how much the machine and the team have progressed. I feel that there are many positives to come and wish the team the very best of luck for the future."