Molson ensures fast ride for Kawasaki in 2004.

Kawasaki UK has announced that, for 2004, there will be some key changes to its UK race team - starting with a brand new title sponsor.

Molson Holdings will become the principle sponsor of the team, creating the all-new Molson Kawasaki set up which will contest the British and World MX2 Championship in 2004. Having been involved in the sport of motocross for the past three years, Molson - the main distributor of Fiat Kobelco heavy machinery in the UK - is delighted to have joined forces with Kawasaki UK's 'Team Green' racing initiative, with group director Jonathan Wilson praising Kawasaki and Mike Church of MJ Church for their commitment to the sport and shares their enthusiasm.

"We've enjoyed getting involved with the sport and, being based in Avonmouth near Bristol, means that we can work closely with the team and benefit as a sponsor from the successes of next years racing," Wilson said.

Kawasaki UK's Steve Guttridge will manage the day-to-day running of the new effort and is looking forward to dealing with all the essential motocross industry sponsors as well as the teams riders.

"This is another big step forward for Team Green and Kawasaki UK," he said, "We aim to support young British riders who have grown up with Kawasaki Team Green and deserve the opportunity to be helped achieve their next ambition of becoming a British champion.

"With this in mind, we are delighted to welcome British number three Tom Church back to Kawasaki and partner him with former Team Green youth champion Jamie Law. Both will have the opportunity to excel on the KX250F."

Whilst Kawasaki UK is strengthening its role in the adult race team, it is also delighted that long-term partner MJ Church will continue to act as a key sponsor and facilitator to the team in 2004.

Team principal Mike Church will continue to run the team to ensure its success, but the new structure will allow him to step back a little and realise a more strategic involvement in the team and sport he so dearly loves.

"I have had five very enjoyable years running the team, and we have built a very strong infrastructure which will basically stay the same," Church explained, "It will now be run on a day-to-day basis by Kawasaki's Team Green co-coordinator Steve Guttridge and, while being a new challenge for us all, will specifically allow me more time to focus on the commercial arena and efforts to successfully bring potential new sponsors into the sport.

"I would like to personally thank all the people who have helped the team to get to this stage in our evolution. We are moving into an exciting future with the launch of Kawasaki's new 250F, I am confident that the fans and sponsors will enjoy the ride."