Kawasaki Motors UK gave John Lanni from Warwickshire a day to remember at the penultimate round of The British Superbike Championship, when he took part in a pillion ride with Kawasaki’s British Superbike rider, Stuart Easton, on board a specially prepared Ninja ZX-10R. John’s winning bid secured him the “Petrolheads” package on Terry Wogan’s Children In Need Auction on BBC Radio 2 last year, which included the ‘money can’t buy’ experience from Kawasaki.
Kawasaki Motors UK’s official Superbike team, MSS Discovery Racing, built a special two seater ZX-10R that took John around Silverstone in front of the huge race day crowd. John also received a full set of protective race leathers, boots and gloves courtesy of Dainese and a Kawasaki helmet to keep as a reminder of the day.
“When I got on the bike behind Stuart and we went towards the start line, I only had one thought in my mind; was my insurance policy up to date? This thought was quickly banished as I realised that I was being watched by thousands of people,” said John. “As we sped down the track, the force of the wind was trying to peel me off the bike. With the first bend fast approaching, brakes were applied and I needed every muscle in this old body to prevent me from taking Stuart over the front forks.”
When John arrived back at the pits he said, “I felt like I had just been to the moon and back. It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Before I got my breath back I was sitting in the passenger seat of an Audi R8 and was being propelled around the track again, compared to the bike this felt like a leisurely Sunday afternoon drive. I had an absolutely fantastic day and I would like to thank all the people involved in making this day one that I will never forget.”
John along with his wife Michaela, also spent time with BBC’s MotoGP Presenter Suzi Perry, who took them on the grid and introduced them to the riders in the first Superbike race. From the pits they were able to experience first hand how the race team functioned during the event, before taking lunch with Suzi in hospitality.
“Children In Need is one of the most recognised and well supported charities in the country and Kawasaki is proud to have supported Terry Wogan’s auction.” said Howard Dale, Branch Manager of Kawasaki Motors UK. The fantastic prize from Kawasaki featured alongside two others to form the ‘petrolheads’ package and helped raise a staggering £22,000 for the worthy cause.
