Category: Superbikes

1. HEL - THE FASTEST BRAKE LINES IN THE WORLD

   Posted on 12:00am Wednesday 18th Aug 2010

   Fastest ever road racing lap helped by HEL Performance at Ulster GP

    

   HEL Performance braided brake lines helped Bruce Anstey make the fastest ever road racing lap at the 2010 Ulster GP.

   The Relentless Suzuki rider piloted his GSX-R1000 to an average speed of 133.977mph around the 7.4 mile Dundrod circuit in Northern Ireland. The New Zealand rider clocked the outright fastest lap in the second Superbike race on his way to victory on August 14 in County Antrim.

   Anstey’s record-breaking result was the icing on the cake at the Ulster GP for HEL Performance. In the six races held at the historic meeting, riders using HEL braided brake lines also took victory in 250 and Supersport classes with Ian Lougher and Keith Amor, respectively, and filled all three podium places in the hotly contested Supertwins race, won by Ryan Farquhar. The final Superbike race alone saw 14 of the top 15 runners using its extensive range of braided brake lines to great effect.

   Simon Lane of HEL Performance commented: “Another great set of results on the back of the success at this year’s Isle Of Man and the Northwest 200. HEL Performance are now ‘the’ racing brake line of choice by riders throughout the race paddock and it is testament to all the hard work we have put into supporting riders this year.

   “Our Northern Ireland distributor attended this event with their race support vehicle, which allows them to make hoses at the circuit. This effort, once again, reiterates the amount we support the sport – and it is being noticed. Thanks again to all the teams and riders that run HEL Performance – you are awesome.”

   HEL Performance has also recently become an official supplier to the British Superbike championship and attends every round with its custom-built, 40-foot race support unit to support the legion of race teams that demand the very best performance products. 

   For more information visit www.helperformance.com or call 01392 811681.

   Ulster Grand Prix results:

   Race 1 Superstock (12 of top 15, including 2nd to 10^th, used HEL)

   1^st Ian Hutchinson

   2^nd Keith Amor (HEL)

   3^rd Ryan Farquhar (HEL)

   Race 2 Supersport 1 (11 of top 15, including 2nd to 6^th, used HEL)

   1^st Ian Hutchinson

   2^nd Keith Amor (HEL)

   3^rd Michael Dunlop (HEL)

    

   Race 3 250cc

   1^st Ian Lougher (HEL)

   2^nd William Dunlop (HEL)

   3^rd Paul Robinson

    Race 4 Superbike Race 1 (12 of top 15, including 2nd to 13^th, used HEL)

   1^st Ian Hutchinson

   2^nd Bruce Anstey (HEL)

   3^rd Keith Amor (HEL)

    

   Race 5 Supersport 2 (six of the top ten used HEL)

   1^st Keith Amor (HEL)

   2^nd Ian Hutchinson

   3^rd William Dunlop (HEL)

    

   Race 6 Superbike 2 (14 of top 15 used HEL)

   1^st Bruce Anstey (HEL)

   2^nd Ian Hutchinson

   3^rd Keith Amor (HEL)

2. Eventful Knockhill for Walker and Co

   Posted on 12:00am Tuesday 6th Jul 2010

   Chris Walker, Luke Mossey and Tristan Palmer managed to bring home some results at a weather stricken round six of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Knockhill in Scotland this weekend.

   Walker had an eventful race one which saw three re-starts. The first red flag was produced due to torrential rain. Red flag number two unfortunately involved Walker who was forced off track to avoid a crashing Dan Linfoot. Walker landed in the middle of the tarmac and was lucky not to be hit by the chasing pack. The debris from the crash needed to be cleared so the third red flag appeared.

   When the race finally got underway it was reduced to 15 laps and Walker had to start from the back row of the grid due to the crash as the grid was based on the rider’s position at the time of the final red flag. Walker, aboard his GSX-R 1000 Suzuki, was fast off the line and got up to 17th on the first lap, he made steady progress on the first six laps working his way forward to 10th position which he held to the chequered flag.

   With the disjointed race out of the way Walker was due to start race two from 12th place based on his fastest lap in race one. However the race lasted all of one lap due to a crash involving a number of riders. The race was red flagged immediately and didn’t re-start as the weather had deteriorated.

   Walker said: “What can I say other than it was one of those days. I didn’t make any mistakes but ended up in the middle of two pile ups. My bike is pretty beaten up and I’ve got a dead leg, but we can pick up the pieces and get it turned around in time for Snetterton. I managed to salvage a top-ten from a back row start so I can’t be too disappointed.”

   Mossey and his Triumph 675 had a superb race day once again picking up the Fuchs-Silkolene Supersport Cup win and 11th overall, finishing ahead of Championship front runner Billy McConnell. He qualified in a solid tenth place which he maintained for the bulk of the race.

   Mossey said: “It’s been a tough weekend as we had a breakdown on Friday and then spent Saturday chasing setup. I was pleased to qualify in tenth place, I thought we would get a dry race but it poured down just before we went out. I got a good start and running in the top-ten trying to stay with the leaders when the pace car came out. That upset my rhythm a little and then I got beaten up in the last turn and lost a few places. I made them back up, passed Billy and tried to catch the next group but they were too far ahead. I’m happy with the outcome so now I can’t wait to get to Snetterton as it is my local round and I want a good result.”

   Palmer had a baptism of fire at Knockhill as he didn’t make it to Scotland until Saturday due to unforeseen circumstances. That meant he missed out on valuable track time during Friday’s free practice and first qualifying on Saturday for the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship. He still managed to qualify in fifth place and finished the race in a healthy fourth aboard his BMW S1000RR.

   Palmer said: “Considering how the weather has been we actually had a good dry line and everyone was on dry tyres. It went pretty well for me. I got an ok start and slotted straight into fifth place. I couldn’t keep with the front runners as I’d only had one session on track ahead of the race so I didn’t quite have my settings right. I decided to settle for points instead and make sure I stay in the Championship chase, I’m still fourth overall so that is great.”

   The seventh round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship will take place on the 16th–18th July at Snetterton in Norfolk.

3. Tough Oulton for Twowheeltuning.com

   Posted on 12:00am Tuesday 4th May 2010

   The Twowheeltuning.com team had a tough third round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park.  

   Hinckley-based Australian David Johnson had an engine problem during first free practice, a second engine was sourced and fitted overnight leaving Johnson to run it in during final free practice. He then went out and qualified in a healthy sixth position aboard his GSX-R1000 Suzuki in the BSB-EVO class.

   Team-mate Michael Howarth had a slightly less eventful run up to qualifying but chatter problems still made life difficult for the former professional rugby player. He placed his Suzuki in 11th position on the Evo grid for race one.

   Race one took place in dry conditions and the Twohwheeltuning.com riders finished with Johnson seventh and Howarth in ninth. Just ahead of the second race the heavens opened and the BSB riders had to hit the track for a seven minute wet practice session. Once that was out of the way the second race took place in wet conditions. Some fast changes had to be made to the bikes for the rain-coated track.  Johnson battled to eighth and Howarth raced to tenth.

   Johnson said: “In race one I did the best I could considering the engine was standard and I only run it in yesterday morning. I tried to stay consistent and I had good grip throughout. In race two the change of conditions got everyone, we opted for a soft wet tyre and it lost all feeling after about five laps. Then at half race distance my gearlever snapped leaving me stuck in third gear. I was still passing people but it was very frustrating. I’m just going to look ahead to Cadwell Park now.”

   Howarth said: “It’s good to get some points. I was as fast on the first lap as I was in qualifying so a satisfying race one. For race two we made some changes but we went the wrong way with them plus it was a wet race so I didn’t get the result I had hoped for. It’s just typical of the British weather.”

   Dan Brill riding a GSX-R1000 in the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship made some headway this weekend. He had a tough qualifying which meant he had to take part in the shoot-out race to enter for the main race. However the extra track time was useful and the race, in which he finished third, was a learning exercise. He started from 33rd on the grid and raced to 26th.

   Brill said: “I didn’t really want to be in the shoot-out race again but it actually did me a favour as I found out a few more things about the bike, so the extra track time was useful. We made some changes ahead of the main race but I think we went a little too far with them as I struggled with grip. That said I made up quite a few places. I’m looking forward to getting to Cadwell in three weeks as I’ve had race wins there in the past.”

   Nikki Coates, who is contesting the Metzeler National Superstock 600 championship aboard a Yamaha YZF-R6, qualified in an uncharacteristic 19th place. He wasn’t getting enough drive out of the fast turns at Oulton Park and that is where he was losing ground. He was sure with a good start he could make up for it in the race.

   Unfortunately the race was short lived as Nikki was hit by another rider causing both to crash out on lap one, bringing out the red flags. Nikki hasn’t broken anything but is very sore from the crash. Due to time restrictions the race didn’t go ahead.

   Dave Tyson, Race Director, said: “It has been one of those weekends where we have just been up against it from the start. All the riders worked really hard, as did the team, and I take my hat off to them. However it just seems like the gremlins were out to get us. I’m glad Nikki is largely ok and will be back to full fitness by Cadwell Park in three weeks time. I’d like to thank DP Generators, AutoValet Supplies and Simon at Power Tech Exhausts Fleetwood for their assistance this weekend.”

   The Twowheeltuning.com team will be back in action at round four of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park on the 21st - 23rd May.

   www.twowheeltuning.com

   www.magicbulletracing.com

   www.addthemagic.com