News – CMM start join team Suzuki

Contributors to this fine publication Steve ‘Stavros’ Parrish and James Whitham join Team Classic Suzuki at this year’s Endurance Legends event at Donington Park.

The event – backed by CMM – takes place over the weekend of May 6-7 and the pair will be riding the gorgeous Suzuki Vintage Parts-backed Katana in the 4-hour race main event of the weekend. Stavros and Whit will be joined on the bike by Michael ‘Saint’ Neeves.

Whit says: “I’m looking forward to getting back on a big four-stroke. It’s what I did most of my racing on with Suzuki; big GSX-R1100s and 750s, and it’s a bit more me. I’m going into the race to enjoy it.

“It’s going to be great working with the team and with Neevesy and Stavros, but I’m really looking forward to getting on that bike. I watched it take shape at Motorcycle Live and it’s a work of art. I restore bikes myself but that design is so iconic. Nothing before or since has looked like the Katana. You look at a Katana and right away you know what it is. And it’s going to be great to get on it and race it and hopefully get a result with it.”

Stavros adds: “I’m making a comeback! This is my first proper race since about 1986. I’ve done bits at Goodwood before but not to this level. I’m looking forward to it.”

The Katana endurance racer utilises the same basic frame as the original icon, with adjustments made to the headstock and the swingarm pivot lowered. Suspension comes courtesy of K-Tech, wheels from Dymag, and the swingarm is a custom unit from Sweet Fabrications, while the GSX1100SD engine has been bored out to 1170cc, and gets higher lift cams and stainless steel valves.

Everything else in the engine has been replaced with genuine Suzuki components from Suzuki’s Vintage Parts programme, including conrods, main bearings and big end bearings on the rebuilt crank.

Next month’s CMM will see the big preview for the event – so stay tuned!

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