QMMF has signed an agreement with Dutch bike handlers Ten Kate Racing for upgrading 12 pedigree Yamaha YZF 600 bikes which will become the official ride for the Superstock 600 class in the 2021 QSTK season. The upgraded bikes will replace the Kawasaki 600 bikes that were used in the previous years. The riders in Superstock used to finish the local season on Kawasaki bikes and then go to the Spanish Championship to race on Yamaha bikes which became a challenge for the riders, a top QMMF official said yesterday. “After more than four months communicating with various teams around the world and satisfying the bidding committee regulations, we have finalised a deal with Ten Kate Racing,” Amro Al Hamad (pictured), the QMMF Executive Director, said yesterday. “The upgraded bikes are expected to arrive in Doha around mid-November or at the beginning of December for the new season,” Al Hamad said. Ten Kate Racing said in a s t a t e m e n t released by QMMF: “First of all, we wish to express that we are honoured, excited and highly motivated to be a partner of this project for QMMF.
It is great to be involved in this QMMF supported Superstock series to prepare the TKRP (Ten Kate Racing Products) Yamaha YZF-R6 race bikes, but also to support and further develop the upcoming Qatar racing talent on the track as well.” “Ten Kate Racing has a long and successful history in both World SSP and SBK championships. Today Ten Kate Racing participates a full line up in WordSSP300 (Glenn van Straalen), WorldSSP600 (Steven Odendaal) and WorldSBK (Loris Baz) series. The knowledge and experience Ten Kate Racing gains by competing in the top of the World Series is shared straight to the r a c e department of Ten Kate Racing Products in Nieuwleusen. This is where the Ten Kate Yamaha racebikes and engines for customers are prepared.” The statement added: “With the outstanding performance of the Yamaha YZF-R6 using the Yamaha R-series DNA and the valuable Ten Kate experience combined in one package, the ultimate QMMF Yamaha YZF-R6 Superstock bike for the QMMF Superstock series is prepared as a winner. We like to thank QMMF for their trust and giving us the opportunity to take part of this project. Of course, we are looking forward for the first roll out on Losail track later this year.” Al Hamad said yesterday: “It is with great pride we announce that we will cooperate with Ten Kate Racing and get their finetuned race bikes.
This team has many years of proven experience and this has been evident in their long dominance of the sport. They are the pioneers in the field of preparing winning race bikes.” He added: “Moving from the Kawasaki bikes to the new Ten Kate YZF R-6 bikes will step up the level of competition in the Superstock class. Riders in the class used to end the season on Kawasakis and then move to the Spanish Championship racing on Yamaha YZF R-6 which would force any rider to make major adjustments. "Now the Qatar National Championship will be a shakedown for the riders and it would be natural to them once they move from local season to international competitions. “Ten Kate will not only supply us with the bikes but also cooperate with spare parts and accord surplus strategies during our regular season.” Al Hamad added. "It is going to be an exciting time for the riders."
