Kawasaki Motors Australia’s national sales and marketing manager Robert Walker speaks to MotoOnline.com.au about its motorsport program and how racing is linked to its overall marketing and product development base.

How do you feel the Kawasaki factory effort, backed by NPS and Monster Energy, has performed in the first half of the MX Nationals season?

We’re reasonably happy after five rounds. Obviously everybody would rather be first and second and we’re running third and fourth between Jake [Moss] and Adam [Monea] there, but it’s not going too bad at all. We’ve had a couple of really good results, with race and round wins, and obviously had a few other things gone our way the results could have been even better. It’s shown we’re going to be very competitive.

It’s also an exciting time for the MX2, Under 19s and junior categories, with a number of riders all in there and showing plenty of potential. Is this another area of focus for Kawasaki in terms of developing future talent?

We only deal directly with the Open class there but we obviously support a couple of guys in the Lites as well, and are trying to get behind the Under 19s. On top of that we also have the KX Junior Squad as well, which are racing rounds of motocross. We’ve got seven kids out there racing around. Unfortunately you’ll be aware that Blake Colleton injured himself severely, and we’re keeping a close eye on him. A bit like the road racing program we’re trying to get some good riders to come through and give them some good support there.

Can you give us your thoughts on the resurgence of two-stroke machinery of late?

It’s certainly been a hot topic. Obviously there’s a place for two-strokes. There were some rumours going around that even Kawasaki was bringing back two-strokes into the mix, but I can tell you categorically we’re not. That’s been discussed. People obviously took some comments out of context at some stage but that’s all okay. With the resurgence of two-strokes in that regard, well, maybe it’s a cost factor, maybe it’s an operational factor, we’re not too sure. The promoter and brands have all had some discussions and you’ll probably see a separation of the two-strokes in the 250s going forward.

Looking abroad on a few things now. Chad Reed is back on a green bike in the AMA, does this provide any extra marketing ‘ammo’ as it were for Kawasaki?

We obviously like the fact that Chad’s an Australian and he’s decided to ride a Kawasaki. But last year he was on another brand, and before that he was on another. And then before that he was on a Kawasaki as well. We’re certainly happy for him, but it doesn’t really help or hinder us directly on the local market.

On that same topic is it then helpful to have the rider that’s dominated supercross [in the US] for the past few years riding a Kawasaki and do you feel the prestige and showmanship of winning these titles gives any sort of edge?

It is important, yes. Obviously between supercross and motocross in the AMA Kawasaki has done very well in the last few series, so we’re more than happy for [Ryan] Villopoto to be up there and winning championships on our bike. Once again, it’s a competitive market in Australia, and I think the old days of ‘win on Sunday, sell on Monday’ doesn’t really apply as it used to, but it certainly doesn’t hurt that the brand is up there winning.

Thanks for your time and insight, Rob. Good luck for the remainder of this year.

Any time. Thanks.