Rea targets Edwards all-time points record
Jonathan Rea has one more record in his sights before the end of the 2015 World Superbike championship after claiming his maiden title and has the opportunity to break the outright points total held by Colin Edwards from 2002.
The Kawasaki rider has been largely untouchable in 2015, claiming 14 race victories and finishing on the podium in 22 of the 24 races so far this year on his way to the riders' championship.
As a result, Rea has bagged 528 points so far this season and needs just 25 points in the two race at Losail to beat Colin Edwards' all-time record of 552 set 13 years ago.
The Northern Irish rider notched up an incredible fifth double victory weekend of the year last time out in France and says he won't change a thing in the run-in to race day at the season finale.
"I have been on cloud nine since Magny-Cours and then joining in with the excitement of the new Ninja ZX-10R," Rea said. "I was lucky enough to ride it last month so it was nice to see the enthusiasm about it from everybody else. The feeling I had leaving Magny-Cours with another 50 points was amazing.
"Qatar was a track I really enjoyed last year so I am really looking forward to seeing how the Ninja ZX-10R operates around the track; then making a really good plan for each session with my crew chief Pere Riba to make sure we arrive on Sunday in a strong position. Losail is a circuit I love and it suits my style. It also provides good racing as well."
In addition to the all-time points record, if Rea notches up a two wins in Qatar he will join Edwards in fifth place in the overall wins list on 31. The Kawasaki rider also feels heading into the winter on a high will be equally important to start the 2016 season in strong form in preparation for the updated ZX-10R.
"I am excited to go and finish off an amazing season for me, for the team and for Kawasaki, having already secured the riders' and manufacturers' championships," he explained. "It is important for me to go into the off-season with great motivation and great memories of the year, so I am looking forward to trying to make sure we have a really nice weekend."
