West hands over a fortune to ride a Kwakka!!

[aardvark]

From Crash.net:

Yamaha has released Anthony West from riding in the remaining races of the 2007 Supersport World Championship in order for the Australian to accept a MotoGP ride.
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That ride is certain to be at Kawasaki, for whom West recently tested, and he looks set to take the place of the injured, and underperforming, Oliver Jacque for the remainder of the year - starting this weekend at Donington Park - although Kawasaki is yet to officially confirm the move.

West was hired by Yamaha to replace 2006 WSS runner-up Kevin Curtain, who was injured at the Valencia round back in April. Swapping his 250GP two-stroke machine for a 600 stock based four-stroke, West showed his capability very quickly, finishing third in his first race at Monza.

West was initially contracted only to ride for Yamaha in the Monza event. But, after it was confirmed that Curtain's recovery period was going to be longer than originally anticipated, Yamaha and West extended the one-event agreement to the remainder of the season. He went on to win the Supersport race at Silverstone and last weekend's round in Misano.

"It's such a strange feeling, making this decision. Yamaha gave me a fantastic chance to show my potential on the R6. It's thanks to this ride that I feel I've got my career back on track. To leave Yamaha now is sad but it's such a great chance for me to follow my dream to go to MotoGP" explained Ant, who previously rode as a privateer in 500GP.

"Yamaha didn't want to block this chance for me [and] I'm grateful they believed in me and gave me the chance to prove myself. I want to add that I'm really sorry to the supersport team guys and I'd like to thank them for all their hard work and support. The crew have been great and the bike was fast from the first minute I sat on it. I've not been used to such a professional team and they really made me feel at home."

West has accepted a financial compensation agreement with Yamaha to terminate his contract early.

"The financial compensation I've got to pay is severe but I've got the chance to show what I can do on a MotoGP bike and I hope it's worth it," he explained. "It was important for me to be released from the team by mutual agreement; I'm still young and Yamaha is a good company and, who knows, maybe at some point in my career we can work together again."

Yamaha Motor Europe racing manager Laurens Klein Koerkamp admitted, "We are obviously disappointed by releasing a winning rider from his contract, which is not our normal conduct!" adding, "But rather then going to court we have been able to find a financial settlement; a solution we can only accept because Anthony was a replacement rider drafted in during the season and only had a theoretical chance to win the championship. Nevertheless, we deeply regret his decision, which leaves the team disappointed. All the same, Anthony is a good rider and I wish him all the best in pursuing his dream. We are currently working to replace him and have plenty of time before the next race."

Another Australian, Steve Martin, was the first to replace the injured Curtain and - having now officially split from DFX Honda - may well return alongside Broc Parkes for the ninth round of the championship at Brno on July 22, prior to which Yamaha has two tests planned.

[Lone Wolf]

That ride is certain to be at Kawasaki, for whom West recently tested, and he looks set to take the place of the injured, and underperforming, Oliver Jacque for the remainder of the year - starting this weekend at Donington Park - although Kawasaki is yet to officially confirm the move.

http://www.myspace.com/antwest14 - "YEEEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA lean mean and green"

[aardvark]

http://www.myspace.com/antwest14 - "YEEEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA lean mean and green"

Yeah. I've seen that... the problem is, it's been on his My Space site since just before he did the testing for Kawa at Catalunya the other week.

[ty]

I've not been used to such a professional team and they really made me feel at home.

Aint that a slap in the face to his previous teams
Good news though - see how he goes.
ty

[javaman]

Great news !! Now when will we see him race ? Soon I hope.. as in this week's race !

[Lone Wolf]

Yep, first race for team Green is at Donington

[Colette]

Looking forward to watching that race

[Nanna10r]

The bar has been set pretty high by the Kwaka Frogsquad. FFS all he has to is not crash & he is set for a Descent Career with Kwaka.

Sik em Westy old son.

[hoffy]

The best thing is he will be hungry to win....this is something we have not had at Kawasaki for a long time !!

[mrgoof]

I think he's gonna fight really hard for it to

[Neka79]

so far in 1st practice in the wet he was 8th.... 2nd practice in the wet he was 5th..he is a FROG himself..so a wet race could see him do well...

lets hope he does...

[MadKaw]

Looks like we better get a new banner for the P.I. gp....

[Neka79]

Looks like we better get a new banner for the P.I. gp....

i got an idea...

"westy, if u dont bag the team...its our shout" ??