Kawasaki set to quit
31/12/2008 11:19 AM
Kawasaki is set to become the latest motorsport team to succumb to the economic crisis.
After six seasons in the top flight, the team is poised to announce their exit from MotoGP with immediate effect over the next week.
Kawasaki struggled in 2008 with Australian Anthony West and John Hopkins only managing a best finish of fifth place each, with the team finishing in ninth place overall in the 10-team field, only ahead of the one-man LCR Honda team.
The news will be a major blow to Marco Melandri, after the former race winner joined the team at the expense of West after a one-year stint with Ducati.
Just last month Honda announced its exit from Formula One and Subaru from World Rally, both due to the financial crisis.
It is unclear what effect this will have on the World Superbike team, which is set to run under the Paul Bird Motorsport Banner in 2009.