BSB: Kennedy Joins RAF Regulars & Reserves Kawasaki for Rest of 2020

Jack Kennedy will compete with the Royal Air Force Regular & Reserves Kawasaki team for the remainder of the 2020 British Superbike season.

Kennedy aboards a Kawasaki ZX-10RR and will share the garage with current team member Ryan Vickers for the meetings at Oulton Park, Donington Park and Brands Hatch.

The double British Supersport champion was left without a ride when the Santander Salt TAG Racing Yamaha BSB outfit withdrew from this year’s campaign to focus on 2021. However, like Dan Linfoot, Kennedy was given permission to seek other opportunities in the paddock.

Lee Hardy’s team subsequently welcomed the Irishman to their line-up and stepped up to a two-rider effort as they did in 2016 when they ran Alistair Seeley and Jake Dixon.

Kennedy commented on his new venture:

“I’m really happy to be joining the RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki team and am extremely grateful that they stepped in with the offer to ride for them for the rest of the season. I’m equally thankful to the Santander Salt TAG Yamaha team for allowing me to ride for another team for the remainder of 2020.

My first time on the Kawasaki ZX-10RR will be next Friday’s free practice session so I’ll take it step by step and see how I get on but I’m fit and raring to go. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do on the Kawasaki particularly at Oulton Park which is a circuit I love but the next three circuits are all good ones for me and good for a Superbike too. The team have been really enthusiastic in all the conversations we’ve had and are excited to have me on board for the second half of the season and that’s given me a really positive feeling as well so I can’t wait.”

Jack Kennedy

Contract negotiations over a 2021 deal between Kennedy and Santander Salt TAG Racing are progressing and he was offered a ride with the team’s Superstock 1000 effort for the remainder of the 2020 campaign. However, to RAF Regular & Reserves team owner Hardy’s delight, Kennedy opted to take the offer made by the Kawasaki outfit and stays in BSB:

“I spoke with Jack once I had seen the news that he was no longer riding for the rest of the 2020 season; it was a great opportunity to look at expanding the RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki team back to two riders with a plan to carry this on into 2021. I spoke with Ryan and explained the situation and he was very supportive of my decision to bring Jack into the team. Moving to two riders will be beneficial for the RAF and generate added exposure for not only the RAF but all of the team’s sponsors. I am looking forward to the rest of the season and working with two great riders.”

Lee Hardy

Kennedy has no previous experience on the ZX10-RR Kawasaki but has recorded excellent results at the upcoming venue of Oulton Park in the past.

RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki’s best finish of the season so far has been an eighth place at the Donington Park opener.