At Calafat the team had a good shake down and pre-season test, the first of the year and completed a number of laps over the two day event. Despite all three riders having minor tumbles, none were injured and the Ninja ZX-6R race machines did not suffer any major damage.

Able to continue, they set about sorting the immaculately prepared machines in readiness for the first round of the season at Brands Hatch over the Easter Weekend.

Ben said: "It was really good to get back out on the Gearlink Kawasaki again; it feels like it's been a long off-season. Last year was very challenging but it has made me more eager to win the Championship this year and we had a really good test.

We had to make several changes on the first day but got plenty of laps in and made good progress. We've now got a good set up with the bike and hopefully this will show at the first round, I can't wait to get going again and be back riding in Supersport for Gearlink Kawasaki."

David Jones remains with the team and despite not finishing 2011 the way he had hoped (crashing at the final round at Brands Hatch), the youngster is keen to put that behind him and prepare himself for his second full season in the main British Supersport class.

David commented: "The testing in Spain went really well, I had an off on the first day but thankfully I was uninjured. It was a new venue for me so I was learning the track as well as testing new things on the Kawasaki. It was good to be back out there after the winter break and shake off the cobwebs. I am now ready to get to the BSB tests and can't wait for the season to start."

The newest member of the team is 24-year-old Scott Hudson. Scott had never raced competitively until 2011 when he won the BMCRC Rookie 600 class and makes his debut in the National Superstock 600 Championship this year. Scott will have to learn a number of the tracks in the series but is hoping to have a productive learning year in the Championship.

Scott enthused: "I had a brilliant time in Spain with the Gearlink Kawasaki Team. I spent Monday just doing plenty of laps and getting a feel for the Kawasaki.

On the Tuesday we started to make a few small changes to find a good set up. By that afternoon we'd made huge progress, the bike is brilliant and it makes me really want to get to Brands and get started. I'd like to thank all the Gearlink team for making me feel so welcome."

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