Alistair Kennedy speaking on behalf of the main sponsors NW200 stated:
"After much consultation between ourselves, JHP Racing, MSV and Buildbase, the NW200 team have today decided to attend Donington this weekend. The main reason for this decision is the fact that late yesterday MSV confirmed to John Hackett that John Laverty's Buildbase NW200 Ducati 1098R Superbike Cup entry remains unaffected by the new weight ruling for Superbikes. Therefore it is in the best interests of the team, sponsors and race fans that we turn up and race as normal with John in the Superbike Cup"
However, Mr Kennedy went on to fully endorse the statement issued by GSE Racing on Tuesday concerning the timing, lack of consultation and completely unjustified rationale for the weight penalty on the Ducati Superbikes.
Most importantly he also confirmed that JHP Racing have absolutely no supporting data as to how the Superbike will perform with this weight penalty in race set up.
In conclusion he clarified that the team will use this weekend mainly as a test session with the new weight penalty onboard the Superbike and that no decision will be taken as to Michael Rutter's participation in the races on Monday until Sunday lunchtime at the earliest.
Updated Statement for Donington Park from NW200 Ducati Following on from the NW200 Ducati/JHP Racing press statement yesterday and the subsequent MCRCB/MSV rule amendment last night with regard to the minimum weight limit of the 1200cc twin cylinder Superbikes, the NW200 team are pleased to confirm today that the parameters now exist to allow the team to race at Donington Park on Monday.
Alistair Kennedy speaking on behalf of the main sponsors NW 200 said, "Having spoken to all the senior members of the team including John Hackett, Ken Foley and Michael Rutter, we now believe that the amended weight limit will allow us to participate in Monday's races. This is subject of course to no unforeseen technical problems over the weekend".
Mr Kennedy went on to add that he was relieved that a compromise solution had been reached for this weekend to allow all Superbikes to participate in the races and that it could only be in the best interests of all the teams and especially the thousands of race fans who will attend Donington over the Bank Holiday weekend.
www.nw200ducati.com
