Harald Eckl today celebrates his 50th birthday, but it was work as usual for the Team Principal, as the Kawasaki Racing Team prepare for this afternoon`s qualifying session ahead of Sunday`s season opening Spanish Grand Prix.
But once the grid position for tomorrow`s race have been decided, the Kawasaki Racing Team will celebrate Harald`s half century in style with an open paddock party in and around the team`s hospitality unit.

Invited to the party as special guests are some of the people with whom Harald Eckl has worked, both as a rider and a manager, during more than 30 years involvement in World Championship motorcycle racing.

Current Kawasaki Racing Team regulars, Shinya Nakano and Randy de Puniet, will join other riders who have raced under Harald Eckl`s tutelage at the party, including former World Supersport vice- champion, Iain MacPherson and ex-Grand Prix rider, Manfred `Tex` Geissler.

Unfortunately, World Superbike testing commitments mean that former World Supersport Champion, Andrew Pitt, and Superbike front runner, Chris Walker, are unable to attend the party, but both have sent their best wishes to their former team boss on reaching his half century.

The Kawasaki Racing Team would also like to pass on their best wishes to Günther Wiesinger, editor of Motor Sport Aktuell and one of the longest serving Grand Prix journalists, who also celebrates his birthday today at Jerez.

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