Leon Haslam Back in WorldSBK For 2019
Rennie Scaysbrook | July 25, 2018
Leon Haslam Back in WorldSBK For 2019—Briton Leon Haslam will fill the position left vacant by the departing Tom Sykes in the Kawasaki Racing Team for the 2019 WorldSBK Championship.
Leon Haslam Back in WorldSBK For 2019
Haslam, currently leading the British Superbike Championship for the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team, will thus make a return to the series in which he finished runner-up in the 2010 championship on the Team Suzuki Alstare GSX-R1000. He stunned the WorldSBK paddock as a wildcard in 2017 for the Puccetti Racing Kawasaki team, taking a home podium in second place in race two at Donington Park.
“I have to say a big thanks to Kawasaki for this opportunity,” Haslam said. “Returning to the World Superbike Championship is something I’m really looking forward to. After scoring race wins, lap records, pole positions and a championship runner-up position in my seven years there it’s going to be great to get back to WorldSBK. The 2019 season will throw up some new challenges as the competitiveness between the manufacturers continues to be at the highest level but I’m confident that with the professional and successful team behind me we can enjoy plenty of success.”
Haslam will team with Rea and Japanese racer Kazuma Watanabe for this weekend’s Suzuka 8 Hour.