Supersport World Championship
The Supersport World Championship is a road racing series recognised by the FIM (International Motorcycling Federation) for mid-sized production-based models. It is held in conjunction with the Superbike World Championship. The participating machines are regulated to ensure that machine performance is balanced, making it a race that tests the riders’ skill.
Kawasaki has won the Riders’ Championship four times, and the Manufacturers’ Championship three times in the Supersport World Championship. For the 2025 season, the Kawasaki WorldSPP Team, supported by the European subsidiary Kawasaki Motors Europe N.V. (KME), will compete with the Ninja ZX-6R. The Supersport 300 World Championship, which is contested by machines based on commercially available 300cc to 400cc motorcycles, has also been held in conjunction with the Superbike World Championship since 2017. The team supported by KME, currently racing with the Ninja 400, has been successful, winning the Riders’ Championship five times, and the Manufacturers’ Championship six times.
Endurance World Championship
The Endurance World Championship, a series recognised by the FIM (International Motorcycling Federation), is the pinnacle of endurance racing. Races take place over eight or 24 hours, so rider changes, refuelling and tyre changes are all part of the battle for position. Based on production models powered by 4-cylinder engines displacing up to 1000cc, or 2-cylinder engines displacing up to 1200cc, machines are modified with equipment to facilitate quick fuel charges and tyre changes, and tuning that prioritises reliability. In order to be able to race at night, a headlight is also required equipment. Races like the Suzuka 8 Hours, Le Mans 24 Hours and Bol d’Or 24 Hours are steeped in history and tradition. In recent years, the increasingly high pace has made these some of the most gruelling races in the world – something that only adds to their popularity.
Team Kawasaki Webike Trickstar, which took over in 2023 from Team SRC Kawasaki France, a team with experience winning at Le Mans and the Bol d’Or, are planning to race in every round of the 2025 series. As before, they will be competing with the Ninja ZX-10RR.
British Superbike Championship
The British Superbike Championship (BSB) is a national road racing series held primarily in the United Kingdom. Many BSB riders go on to race in the Superbike World Championship and MotoGP; conversely, BSB famously counts former World Superbike and MotoGP riders among its number, which increases the level of competition as well as the series’ great popularity. Teams field machines based on production models powered by 4-cylinder engines displacing up to 1000cc, or 2-cylinder engines displacing up to 1200cc, however rider support technology like traction control are forbidden, making the races an even greater test of the riders’ technique. In recent years, Kawasaki machines have been at the forefront of the action in BSB, notably taking the championship title in 2018.
In the 2024 season, the top Kawasaki team is the Kawasaki UK-supported AJN Steelstock Kawasaki, who are competing with the Ninja ZX-10RR.
All Japan Road Race Championship
The All Japan Road Race Championship, organised by the MFJ (Motorcycle Federation of Japan), is Japan’s premier road racing series, with races held at circuits across the country. The series offers four racing classes: top class JSB1000, limited-modification ST1000, 600cc class ST600, and 250cc class J-GP3. Other than J-GP3, the classes are contested by production-based machines, illustrating the potential readily available to average customer.
Kawasaki Plaza Racing Team, supported by Kawasaki Motors Corporation Japan, is the top Kawasaki team, fielding Ninja ZX-10R race machines in the ST1000 class, where the performance of the base machine is crucial. The rider lineup will be the same as last year, with Ryosuke Iwato, who ranked 2nd last year, again joined by young up-and-comer Gun Mie as they aim to capture the title. They are also planning to compete in the Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race in the SST class.
All Japan Motocross Championship
The All Japan Motocross Championship, organised by the MFJ (Motorcycle Federation of Japan), is Japan’s premier motocross racing series. Events are hosted by the various regions across the country, with races held on outdoor dirt courses featuring naturally undulating terrain and man-made technical sections. Riders with International A-rank qualification can compete in two classes: IA1 (4-stroke 450cc machines, or 2-stroke 250cc machines) and IA2 (4-stroke 250cc machines, or 2-stroke 125cc machines). The machines are specially prepared motocross racers.
Team Kawasaki R&D, supported by Kawasaki Motors, Ltd., is the top Kawasaki-affiliated team competing in IA1, with Chihiro Notsuka, now in this fifth year. The KX450-SR factory race machine is used to contest the championship with the main aim of improving performance and pushing development for the KX series.
ProMX Championship (Australia)
The ProMX Championship is the highest level of motocross racing in Australia. The series is organised by Motorcycling Australia, the governing body for motorcycle sports in the country. It was called the Australian Motocross Championship until 2020 but was renamed to its current name in 2021. As one of the world’s leading domestic championships, it has produced numerous riders who have gone on to compete in the Motocross World Championship and AMA Supercross/Motocross Championships.
Racing for Kawasaki, Penrite Racing Empire Kawasaki, who are supported by Kawasaki Motors Pty Ltd., will be competing in MX1, the top class, as well as the MXW, the dedicated women’s class of the championship
