Acknowledged as one of the top enduro and cross-country riders in the world, Isle of Man rider David Knight has chosen to move to Kawasaki machinery for the remainder of the 2009 season.

Having already campaigned his own Kawasaki KX450F in the most gruelling GNCC race of the season so far in America  — where he won the day, just ahead of Kiwi Paul Whibley (Kawasaki), the man who leads the series —  “Knighter” was understandably happy to win first time out on the lime green machine.

The bike was stock standard, except for some exhaust and suspension parts he personally fitted just before the race.

Recognised as much for his promotion of the sport as for his International success, 31-year-old Knight can now add the support of the Kawasaki Superbike Racing Team (KSRT) to his growing list of sponsors.

Competing for the remainder of 2009 with the support of the Cumbrian based racing specialists, Knight will be supported by members of the same team that currently run the Kawasaki Official Factory World Superbike effort.

With strong links to the off-road and rallying world, there could be no better home for the 2007 and 2008 GNCC Champion, 2007 AMA Enduro Cross and FIM World indoor title holder, adjacent as their Headquarters are to his Isle of Man home.

First order of the day for Knight will be the GBXC this weekend and then onto British Enduro Championship. Having already won the first round, Knighter is in with a great chance to win this prestigious title for Kawasaki and despite having had only a few hours to familiarise himself with his new mount.

Knight will also compete in other selected GBXC 3 hour-races and World Championship events on his modified KX450F before moving onto the ISDE and other high-profile events as opportunities arise.

Speaking about the move to Kawasaki, Knight commented, “I’ve been in the lucky position to choose whatever bike I wanted to race on for the rest of 2009. I’d heard such good things about the KX450F that I had to have a ride on one. It’s so good straight from the crate that it needs very little in the way of changes – even at world championship level – to be a race winning package.

“I’m really enjoying my racing again and the results so far back up my decision to choose Kawasaki. I even won the GNCC race by 5 minutes despite starting on the back row … what a result!”

Photo courtesy Kawasaki