Mason joins Andrews at Kawasaki

Gary Mason and Simon Andrews form MSS Colchester Kawasaki's British Superbike line-up for 2010

16 Dec 2009

Reigning British Superbike Cup champion Gary Mason will return to the championship class in 2010 after being confirmed alongside Simon Andrews at MSS Colchester Kawasaki.

The 30-year-old put in a series of giant-killing performances on a two-year old Honda prepared by Quay Garage this season, scoring 18 class wins and a series of top ten results overall, as well as a historic front row start at Thruxton.

He has since been rewarded for his efforts with an opportunity to compete with MSS Colchester Kawasaki, a team that enjoyed a reversal of fortunes in 2009 to get on the podium and finish the season sixth and seventh in the overall standings.

A return to the championship class for Mason, who last competed in 2006, he is delighted to be given the opportunity to join a front-running team.

"I can't begin to tell you what this means to me," he beamed. "I've spent the last four years of my career to get back to this point. It's all I've ever wanted, to be back in a top team in BSB - it's a dream come true.

"The 2009 ZX-10 was good but I know it's going to get even better. This is a big year for me and I've got to make it happen; it's taken me a long time to get back and there's no way I'm going to let up now. I've got consistency plus we're going to have a great bike and I know it can win races."

Andrews, meanwhile, returns for a second term aboard the ZX-10R after a breakthrough season in which he emerged as a regular podium contender, eventually achieving the feat at Cadwell Park.

With no intention of leaving Kawasaki, Andrews also took the time to welcome Mason to the team, the 30-year-old replacing Julien Da Costa for 2010.

"I never wanted to leave Kawasaki as the people are amazing. There's a lot of technical support and information coming our way in 2010.

"I'm excited that Gary is joining the team as we get on well and it'll be good to have a team-mate with a similar style. I've never known him as hungry as he is now, but there's no one more hungry than me. It's going to be a good season."