12 April 2004
Round 1 – Assen Holland
The start of a new season and the start of a new association for Diablo 666. Having joined forces with Hanspeter Bolliger’s Kawasaki Team, both teams would be running for the 2004 season, the awesome new ZX – 10 Kawasaki.

This was going to be a proving year to find out how competitive the new Team was going to be along with the new ZX-10’s.

After only a very brief test at a very wet, cold and blustery Calafat in Spain, the Team arrived at Assen with very little track time and uncertain just how competitive the new bike was going to be.

With Kevin Falcke having decided to go on a once in a lifetime holiday trip which was to include the likes of Australia and Thailand, Kevin would not be available to ride for the Team until the round in Germany at Oschersleben, Team Principal, Miles Hutchins, drafted into the Team one of the most respected world endurance riders, Mike “Spike” Edwards. The experience and knowledge that Mike brings to the Team will be invaluable in developing the new ZX-10.

The Team rider line up for the first two rounds of 2004 would therefore be James Hutchins, Nick Pilborough, left without a ride due to the demise of the Trackdaze squad and Mike Edwards.

Out on track for the first time in earnest, it became very evident that the Kawasaki was, even in standard engine trim, extremely fast but suffered from having a very short wheelbase in comparison to, say the GSXR 1000’s. This led to the bike being extremely easy to wheelie but also led to it being very unstable as well. Even so after qualifying Mike had qualified the bike in 13th position. Diablo 666’s partner team, Bolliger Kawasaki had qualified just behind in 14th position.

Race order was to be James to start, Spike on the middle stint and Nick to run to the flag.

The race went according to plan with no major mishaps and the bike ran perfectly but the handling was far from perfect with the short wheelbase causing the biggest problem with the bike being able to wheelie with little provocation. First time out on the new bike ended with the Team crossing the line in a fantastic 7th place. What a way to start a new season on a new bike!

Miles Hutchins along with the whole Team was ecstatic! All the hard work during the off-season had been worth it and the decision to form the new partnership with Bolliger was already proving to be the way to go in 2004!

For the first time the Team linked up with the Bolliger Kawasaki pit crew carrying out the refuelling and tyre changes. This was a major reason for the team’s excellent race position, cutting down our pit stop times to those faster than the other top running teams. Unfortunately for the Bolliger Team they were forced to retire from the race with mechanical problems.

The rest of pit lane had better watch out for Diablo 666 Bolliger Kawasaki in 2004! Roll on the next round in China.

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