ThePitcrewOnline

Category: Crew On Two

  • Being in a British Superbike ‘Factory’ Supported Team is NOT a Necessity

    Is a big, proven and factory supported team really necessary for success in BSB? Yes, since the start of the season, we’ve seen the likes of Josh Brookes, Peter Hickman and John Hopkins have good rides, likewise Jake Dixon, who continues to impress – but at Thruxton, we saw the more ‘satellite’ bikes lock out the front row in qualifying. Then, when racing got underway, we saw the first ever all ‘satellite’ podium in race one. And that wasn’t because top riders were absent. Shane Byrne finished fourth whilst Leon Haslam could only manage seventh. Luke Mossey was the only notable absentee. It all poses the question: do you really need to be in a top team to succeed.

    This is a very unique situation. MotoGP has seen non-factory winners but not a whole podium. Not for a very long time. World Superbikes had some non-factory talent many years ago but BSB has always allowed the privately run teams who have no association with the factory of their manufacturer to do well. However, in 2017, it is on a pleasingly unprecedented scale.

    Stuart Higgs has been pivotal in this. The rules in BSB are what they are so that everyone can be competitive. In fact, I believe other series need to look to BSB and admire Higgs’ decision to make the rules what they are. Controlled ECU (Motec), controlled tyre supplier (Pirelli), no traction control, limited testing days and limited time allowed to test in relation to meetings have all contributed in enhancing British Superbikes’ status as the toughest and fiercest domestic championship in the world. You also have the ‘one-bike rule’ which keeps costs down and allows the more ‘factory’ teams to not have ridiculous advantages over the lesser, family run, privateer teams. At the end of the day, that is what all this is about. Allowing everyone to compete fairly and giving everyone at least half a chance of success.

    There are still some differences that are hard to regulate. The rider you get on the bike is one of them. Team personnel another. Money does talk in regards to who you employ and to how much testing you want to undertake and how many spare parts you want to buy. However, the technical regulations – thanks to Stuart Higgs’ infinite wisdom – mean that all of the money poured into technicians, engineers and crew chiefs is dialled back on track. After all, there are only so many advantages that can be gained by the amount of spondulix one is willing outlay.

    Josh Brookes said to me at the start of the season that it’s all about getting the right rider on the right bike at the right time. He’s right in saying that himself. Josh knows the Yamaha well but is by no means on the same bike as the McAms riders. The Tag Racing Anvil Yamahas are not connected to the Yamaha factory as much as McAms, if at all. Yet Josh Brookes continues to embarrass them round by round.

    Peter Hickman enhances the point. The thousands that were invested by TAS Racing and B<W Motorrad meant sweet F.A. when Giugliano went AWOL post-Brands. But never mind, because Hickman is gathering points, podiums and wins. You never know, that may have something to do with him being third in the championship and Giugliano begging on his knees at Red Bull Honda in WSBK. Once more, a perfect example of talent outclassing money.

    Once more, Jake Dixon proved that his RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki was just as quick in race trim as the more ‘Factory’ Bournemouth Kawasaki team, beating Luke Mossey in head-to-heads during both races at Knockhill. However, Kawasaki are becoming more friendly with their findings and more and more teams across all domestic championships and classes are enjoying some Kawasaki advice on bike set-up and integration towards the manufacturer.

    All of this success in turn must question the way some series’ are run. You wouldn’t dream of seeing a privateer WSBK team such as Pedercini or even Bertocchi – back in the day – run up front and challenge the leaders. It just simply wouldn’t be allowed by the factory. What British Superbikes is doing is reinventing the manufactural hierarchy. It is screaming out to the world of motorcycling that, ‘it doesn’t have to be a ‘factory’ way or the highway’. If you get some great talent, along with great technical support and mentors, then you can be just as competitive as the ‘factory’ teams. May I remind you of Jake Dixon – he has Glenn Richards, his very successful father Darren and Shane Byrne all giving him support. But is Lee Hardy’s RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki Team the ‘factory’ team? Absolutely not. It just proves that without having huge factory connections that you can be quick with the right people. In fact, with BSB’s unique Showdown system, you can actually be a championship contender.

    Honestly, I think that the wins for Brookes and Hickman will change a lot; they are a turning point in the way that privateer teams are looked at. No longer will you be laughed at if you go to a privateer team. No longer will there be doubts about the quality of machinery in a privateer team, because as Josh Brookes has proven, privateer bikes are winning bikes with the right rider – likewise Peter Hickman.

    You may have some series’ adopting the same or similar regulations to what Higgs has introduced here in Blighty. Suddenly, the Australian, Japanese and MotoAmerica championships are all as productive and competitive as they were in their best years, over two decades ago. Because you get so much variation in winners with independently run teams and manufacturer parity that the talent is bound to be noticed by the world championships.

    At the end of the day, it all boils down to performances on track. What Brookes, Hickman, Dixon and even Hopkins have achieved in 2017 is marvellous. It gives hope to every single team in the paddock that their day will come. Gearlink Kawasaki have already had a top-10 qualifying at Brands Hatch and they are far from the ‘factory’ team. As well as giving hopes to teams, it gives hopes to younger riders that you don’t have to go straight onto a ‘factory’ bike to be a success. British Superbikes is a series that is better than it ever was and we all love seeing the supposed satellite teams give the factories a run for their money. Money talks but talent shouts in BSB and that is exactly how it should be.

    Image courtesy of Gareth Davies of Full Factory Photography

  • Exclusive Bradley Ray Interview: I’m No Different To Anyone Else

    Bradley Ray spoke to me exclusively about what it is like being a top Superbike rider in only his rookie season. With a best result of eighth so far in 2017, the Superbike star spoke about his plans for 2017 before the season and just what it’s like being one of the most popular riders in the paddock, as well as how he has gelled with the Buildbase Suzuki team.

    What was your plan for 2017?

    I said to my team that if we could come away with top 15s at most rounds then I will be happy for the first year. The experience will also be very important to bag, along with developing the bike and learning how it works. Then, we said if we can get inside the top 10 by the end of the year then that’d be great. For me, this was only supposed to be a learning year but now, I feel like we can keep moving forward and be sniffing at podiums by the end of the year. You’ve just got to finish races inside the top 10 now and if an experienced rider passes you, then sit behind them and gain experience. So in race one at Thruxton, I was looking at Leon Haslam’s positioning of the bike in the corners and where he stands it up on exit. I’m not doing massive things wrong – otherwise I wouldn’t be in the top eight – but it’s just about adjusting and refining what we’re already doing.

    How is the Suzuki progressing as we come through the year?

    It’s quite good that I’ve come into Superbike on a brand new bike, because the team don’t know how it’ll work and I don’t know how it’ll feel. That means that there is no expectation or data to compare from another year or team. That has its downs too, as I’m coming to rounds where I’m learning to ride the Superbike and also how to set one up.

    Does being popular phase you at all?

    At the end of the day, I stay grounded. I’m no different to anyone else, it’s just I can ride a bike fast but that’s about it. I started off in the 125cc class back in 2011, looking up to the Superbike riders, thinking ‘I wouldn’t mind being there one day’. I have a lot of time for the fans because without them, I wouldn’t be in the paddock.

    How has adapting to the Superbike been?

    Here at Thruxton, we struggled a bit in the first two Free Practice sessions. I was riding the bike a little bit more like a Supersport bike rather than a Superbike. We looked at the data and pointed out quite a few areas where I am going wrong and I should be standing the bike up a lot earlier, squaring the corner off to get the drive down the straight. That’s a lot better because the Suzuki has some very good power so we best start using it!

    What area do you need to improve on the most?

    Finishing races is important because we need to bring data back to the team. We just need a little bit extra to try and break into the top five. We have to battle really hard too, especially to get into that top three. At Brands, we had some mega pace but just lost out towards the end, so we know we are there or there abouts.

    How have you adapted to being in the Superbike class?

    It’s a step that everyone is going to have to make at some point in their career and it’s a necessary step too. The team said to me that there is no pressure at all when I joined. I come in, learn the bike and the tracks on a Superbike and go from there. The team have been absolutely fantastic. I’ve had a few spills that shouldn’t have happened but they’ve always understood. The team put no pressure on me and I’ve put no pressure on myself either and that has helped because I’ve had no expectations.

    Is it beneficial not being in the ‘factory’ side of the team?

    Yes I think so. It’s nice to come into the satellite team and not have the pressures from the factory. I don’t think the pressure is on Taylor Mackenzie either. There is definitely pressure on Sylvain Guintoli to bring results as he is a WSBK champion. A team doesn’t hire a former WSBK champion to finish below a rookie or be outside the points. He’s not a slow rider but he just needs to find something to get him up the sharper end of things. Being top Suzuki coming into Thruxton definitely helps me for the future.

    How are the team to work with?

    They’re great. They just want what is best for the Suzuki, whether that be me, Sylvain or Taylor as top Suzuki. The team aren’t one-sided and wouldn’t want me to be behind the more ‘factory’ team just to benefit them. The team are supporting me a lot but we all support each other a lot anyway, because we all want what’s best.

    Photo courtesy of Gareth Davies of Full Factory Photography

  • Farmer Seeking Superbike Return in 2018

    Keith Farmer, the British Supersport championship leader feels that a move onto the big bikes is essential for 2018. The former Superstock 1000 champion feels he has “come on a lot since 2015” and that a “two year deal would be ideal”.

    “I think if I was to step up to Superbike it would need to be on a decent bike but not only the bike. The team that around the rider are crucial as I’ve noticed that this past few years, so I’d need a decent set of guys behind me. I think again a two year deal would be ideal for a learning, with a no pressure atmosphere. Then, in the second year, I’d be able to dig in properly”.

    When asked whether he could be a showdown threat, Farmer said, “I think definitely in the second year, we could put together a consistent year to make the top six showdown.

    “First year back in Superbike is a little bit too much to ask as the pace is so quick. We know we have the speed but keeping it consistent would be the task. The effort that goes into racing behind closed doors is immense compared to before and I totally believe in myself”.

    The Appleyard Macadam’s Yamaha rider went onto say, “I think I have came on so much since the start of 2015, to ride that Superstock Honda as hard as I had too and finish 3rd in championship behind two BMWs. I am proud to say I did a brilliant job on it for Quay Garage Racing with being 25bhp down.

    “I have settled down so much and I feel a lot more consistent, even with jumping on the 600cc this season for Appleyard Macadam Racing and we were straight up front with no testing time or anything so it’s a bit special for us all really.

    Farmer also feels he is more complete rider.

    “I’ve definitely come on as a rider. I have shown what speed I have on a lesser powered bike last year and still ran up at the front. Also, on a 600cc bike and leading championship so I have shown I can jump on anything and go quick so with some good people around me we could do a good job in the Superbikes”.

    Image courtesy of Gareth Davies of Full Factory Photography

  • Vickers Ready for Promising Thruxton

    Ryan Vickers’ next challenge in his debut National Superstock 600 year is Thruxton, an all-new circuit to the 18-year-old. 

    Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Norfolk rider said, “We have just arrived here at Thruxton. I’ve been excited for this round all year as it is the fastest track in the UK! It’s an all new track for me and I am ready to take on this unique circuit”.

    Vicker’s and his team – which includes former GP star, Alan Carter – are hopeful of building on their good result at Brands Hatch and will be in the hunt for a podium.

    “Hopefully, we can have a great weekend and I can bring home some great results for the team. The team and I have been putting in a lot of effort from Brands Hatch to make improvements on our first half of the season. Thanks to all the team, sponsors and supporters around me that continue to get me on the grid, I am very grateful and I will do my best to produce the goods on race day”.

    Ryan recently completed a testing day at Brands Hatch, in which he lapped quicker than the race times he was doing in the meeting two weeks ago. With Vickers improving all the time, along with the bike, it will only be a matter of time before he steps on the podium in what we must all remember, is his first year in the National Superstock 600 championship and BSB paddock.

    Photo courtesy of Gareth Davies of Full Factory Photography

  • BSB Thruxton – #FastFacts

    Thruxton is the fastest circuit that the British Superbike circus visits all year. So, to compliment the preview, I put together some fast facts for you guys to ponder over whilst the races are on.

    • Shane Byrne hasn’t won six consecutive races since 2003, on the Monstermob Ducati. If he wins both races this weekend, that could all change.
    • Josh Brookes and Shane Byrne are both looking for their third double victory at Thruxton this weekend.
    • Kawasaki haven’t won at Thruxton since Shane Byrne did the double in 2013.
    • Leon Haslam has never won at Thruxton. His last podium came in 2006.
    • Luke Mossey or Bradley Ray could become the first riders to win a 125cc race and a Superbike race at Thruxton if he wins on Sunday.
    • 10 riders on the BSB grid have won at Thruxton previously.
    • Ducati’s last double at Thruxton came with Gregorio Lavilla in 2006.
    • Shane Byrne’s first win at Thruxton came in 2002.
    • For the past two seasons, one winner of the Thruxton round has gone on to become champion in the same year.
    • The last time the pole sitter of race two won at Thruxton was Leon Camier back in 2009.
    • Honda’s last win at Thruxton came with Ian Lowry in 2012.
    • The last time a Honda qualified on pole at Thruxton was 2013, with Alex Lowes.

    Image by Pete Boocock

  • Byrne and Brookes Set to Break Records at Thruxton

    British Superbikes visits the fastest venue on the calendar this weekend, at the Thruxton circuit near Andover. Having taken the title lead at his home round two weeks ago, Shane Byrne comes to a circuit at which he has won at a total of eight times. However, Josh Brookes has done the double in the last two years he has been racing in BSB (2014 and 2015), and will be looking to achieve a repeat performance to give him and the Anvil Hire Tag Team their first race wins of the year. Leon Haslam and Luke Mossey will also be seeking a return to form, having not won a race since Oulton Park, back in May. Lap times from the past two seasons suggest that the pace could be even faster, with the perfect lap from last years qualifying sessions combined being a 1.13.836. If a 1.13 lap is achieved, it will be the fastest ever lap on two wheels around the Thruxton track.

    Shane Byrne, after a dismal start to the year, retook the lead of the championship last time out. He sits on four consecutive race wins and has a 29 point advantage over nearest rival, Luke Mossey. Byrne has won a total of eight times around here and has a further seven podiums. Ducati as a manufacturer haven’t had a double victory at Thruxton since 2007 and Gregorio Lavilla. Byrne himself last achieved the double at the 2013 meeting. If Byrne was to do the double, it would be the first time since 2003 that he has won six races on the bounce. Will he rewrite records again?

    Luke Mossey comes into the Thruxton meeting having not stood on the podium since race one at Knockhill, way back in June. The Bournemouth Kawasaki Team, run by Pete Extance, will hope that their form changes at Thruxton. Luke Mossey has won twice around Thruxton, albeit in the lower classes: in 2009 in the National Superstock 600 class on a Yamaha, and in 2008 on a 125cc Honda. Kawasaki’s last win came with Byrne in 2013 but Mossey achieved a third and fourth with the older version ZX10 in 2016.

    Teammate Leon Haslam has a mountain to climb – and we aren’t even at Cadwell Park yet. The Factory Kawasaki employed rider was back on the podium at Brands Hatch with a third place in race one, however that was his first podium since his victory in race one at Oulton Park. He is now 10 podium points behind Shane Byrne, which could be crucial if he wants to take his first ever BSB title. However, the news for Haslam fans gets worse. He has never won at Thruxton and hasn’t been on the podium there since his Airwaves Ducati days of 2006, when he finished 2nd in both races. Will the Pocket Rocket surprise us?

    The first of two Australians in the Showdown – so far – is Jason O’Halloran. The Honda Racing rider’s season came to an end at this very circuit two seasons ago, when he collided with Howie Mainwaring-Smart on the exit of Segrave Corner in qualifying. The tough Australian has fought back strong and is just 26 points off the rear end of Leon Haslam and 3rd in the championship. One of the most iconic recent memories of Thruxton involves O’Halloran, who drifted his 1000cc CBR Honda Superstock machine out of Church corner in 2014, setting blue smoke pouring off the rear end of his wayward bike. Since being in the Superbike class however, O’Halloran has had a sixth and a second. Can the Honda go one better and achieve his and the team’s first win of the year?

    King of Thruxton and former BSB champion Josh Brookes sits pretty in fifth place in the championship heading into the round. Having had a relatively disappointing Brands Hatch in comparison to Snetterton, Brookes will be more fired up than ever to rack up his podium points tally. However, he currently looks like the only rider who can give Shane Byrne a proper challenge. Until he crashed in race two at Brands Hatch, Brookes was on lap record pace. Not only does he seem like the only rider to challenge ‘Shakey’, but he is also the lap record holder at this airfield circuit. Brookes and Byrne, with their recent history at Thruxton, could be set for a classic scrap and a revival of their fierce rivalry that was left unfinished at the end of the 2015 season. Rob Winfield and the Tag Racing Team will be hoping Josh can deliver their first ever victory in BSB.

    The last man in the showdown at the moment is former plasterer Peter Hickman, who has taken his Smith’s BMW to new heights in 2017. Although he hasn’t had a podium yet this year, he – along with O’Halloran – has not crashed or suffered any form of DNF thus far. A pair of fourths at Brands Hatch did his championship a load of good but form shows that Hicky may be coming to a circuit which hasn’t been too kind to him in the past. A double-DNF in 2015 and a best of sixth last year suggest Hickman’s sixth place may be under threat by the likes of Christian Iddon or Jake Dixon.

    The next few riders are Christian Iddon, who took his 2nd podium of the year at Brands and moves to just nine points behind Hickman and the all-important top six. Next up is double race winner at Knockhill, Jake Dixon. He endured a nightmare at Thruxton last year on the BMW, finishing outside the points in both races. James Ellison desperately needs points after his disastrous year so far, which has left him 9th in the championship. The ‘Factory’ Yamaha rider has been somewhat embarrassed by Josh Brookes, who effectively has the same Yamaha as Aaron Zanotti, with little manufacturer help. Ellison was 5th and 7th in the races last year and his last podium came in 2013, with third. Completing the top 10 is Dan Linfoot, who has found form of late aboard the all-new Fireblade. Although a showdown spot looks unlikely, the Honda rider could make a nuisance of himself as far as other riders are concerned. Linfoot sits 39 points back of Hickman with seven races left before the showdown six are set in stone.

    Keep your eyes out for the sensation that is Bradley Ray, on board his Buildbase Suzuki. Ray finished second in the Supersport race last year. Tommy Bridewell is the only other rider (besides O’Halloran and Hickman) to finish every race in the points and goes well at Thruxton. Glenn Irwin achieved his first BSB podium at Thruxton last season and the 2017 North West 200 winner will be hoping to do the same again, to try and somehow make the top six cut. John Hopkins also goes well at Thruxton and was running upfront back in 2015. It is the MotoRapido Ducati Team’s home race.

    Although the Superbike races aren’t until Sunday, the first racing action gets underway at 12.50 on Saturday, with the Sidecar race.

    In other classes, Keith Farmer will be looking to hold onto his series lead in the Supersport series ahead of the likes of Jack Kennedy, Joe Francis and Andy Irwin.

    In National Superstock 1000, Danny Buchan will be seeking a return to form after a winless Brands Hatch – although the Basildon Bullet has become a dad for the first time that same weekend. Richard Cooper will want to use his Superbike experience around the course to propel him to another win and close down former champion Buchan.

    The National Superstock 600 class is always a treat, with the likes of the Neave brothers going well lately, with Dan Stamper and Brad Jones also getting in the mix. Keep your eyes peeled for young Ryan Vickers though, who has been testing at Brands Hatch lately, lapping under the lap record and with a mentor in former Grand Prix superstar Alan Carter, you’d be mad to discount him.

    The MotoStar championship will see home-hero Jake Archer out for victory as he chases his title hopes on the City Lifting KTM, run by Ryan Saxelby.

    Thanks to Gareth Davies of Full Factory Photography for the image.

  • Exclusive: Bjorn Estment Interview

    In this latest interview, I talk to Bjorn Estment, one of the up and coming South African riders. Now resident here in the UK, Bjorn is having one of his best seasons to date. He chats to me about his road to the British Superbike paddock, what he thinks of his season so far and the current revival of motorcycle racing in South Africa.

    Sum up your season so far?

    I think it’s been a good year. It’s all new – the team is new and their learning, I’m new to the team and I’m learning about them. So far, so good, it’s been steady. We had a 9th, 8th, 7th, 6th but then we had an unfortunate weekend at Knockhill and Snetterton. Everquip have given me every opportunity possible in the pre-season testing package. We had a couple of unfortunate teething issues at round one at Donington Park which persisted at Brands Hatch but we are catching up. Lady Luck wasn’t on our side at Brands and we were on the wrong side of a 0.1 but it is what it is.

    Do you think a wildcard at Donington Park in World Supersport would’ve benefitted you?

    I don’t think so. Donington Park isn’t one of my favourite tracks and if I was to choose a circuit to wildcard at then it would be somewhere that I felt confident at. Joe Francis and David Allingham went well on their wildcard, especially Joe. I did ride in the World Endurance in the break, on the big 1000cc bike so that gave me plenty of track time and also taught be a brand new set of skills. I think, with regards to Knockhill we was fired up – excuse the pun – but then got unlucky.

    Do you feel now that you can focus on your riding instead of worrying whether or not you will make it to the next round, seeing that Everquip Racing have taken you on full-time?

    Everquip have given me the dream-shot. I am eternally grateful for the ride, to Stuart, to Carl and Lyndon and everyone in the team. Also, to James at Total Building Services. Without these guys, I couldn’t do it. They’ve given me a big shot now where I can really take motorcycle racing on as a profession and not as a hobby. We are building as a team, I am rebuilding myself around the new bike and package for 2017, the new personnel etc. I thoroughly believe that we are a few steps away from being contenders and front-runners in the class.

    Has the progress been quicker than expected?

    What we have done has been great, but not I’m not happy with myself more than anything. At Brands Indy, we had good pace but that was at the end of the weekend. Oulton Park was a great meeting for us because it has always been a tricky circuit for me. To be so close to the podium, just four seconds away, I was thrilled! The team has done an outstanding job, especially Stuart and Carl. The Everquip guys are amazing and I’m so thankful to have them behind me.

    Stuart told me that you fancied road racing! Are you mad? Is it likely to happen?

    I don’t think the Isle of Man TT will be on the list, it doesn’t really tickle my fancy but the North West 200 has always had me interested. I don’t know if it will be pursued. I will think about it in the future but right now, I want to get Everquip and myself to the front of the field in British Supersport.

    With the amount of quick South African riders emerging, like yourself, the Binder brothers etc, do you think it is time for a Grand Prix or WSBK round to be held in South Africa again? 

    Definitely! I think it would be fantastic for South African Motorsport, for world Motorsport too. As far as I’m concerned, world Motorsport goes across in a linear line from the USA to Japan and they forget about us South Africans down the bottom! The likes of Brad Binder really put us on the map and his brother is doing a fantastic job. Steven Odendaal, the reigning CEV champion is doing mega too.I’ve had a few flashes and Matthew Scholtz in MotoAmerica is doing grand too. It would be great for it to come back, especially now Kyalami has been refurbished.

    What do you make of the ‘newest’ Kyalami layout?

    Kyalami will always be my favourite circuit. I haven’t ridden the new circuit so I can’t really make a call on what it is like. The old one will always have a place in my heart but I think they needed to change it, to give it the status in world Motorsport. One criticism of the old circuit was that there were no long straights, so now they have the long straight, people can stop moaning. I’m happy with Kyalami and hopefully we can see international motorcycle racing return.

    I think that if we were lucky enough to get Grand Prix to go there, then it would draw in huge numbers. Brad and his brother have an enormous following down there. I’m sure there would be plenty of wildcards trying to get in there because they’d know the track, whereas nobody knows the circuit in the GP paddock. The chance for making a name for yourself would be great! I think it would be great but the problem for South Africa is that it costs a lot of money.

    Would you be one of those wildcards?

    Haha I’d have to have a very serious chat with Stuart about that one!

    Any plans to bring out the new R6?

    I very much doubt it. The package we have is good and it is a top level bike. I don’t think there is a huge difference in performance. Looking at World Supersport, it isn’t making a massive differences. We are a new team to the paddock and that means that the budget has to be controlled and that is more important than going with a new bike and having to learn it as a team. It would be better to keep going with the bike we have and then move into 2018 with a clear plan in mind.

    Do you support the ‘phasing in’ of Moto2 bikes into British Supersport?

    You have to keep up with the times. Apart from that, I don’t really know. From being a privateer and experiencing how difficult it can be in the past, the biggest thing is cost. Production racing is always going to be cheaper. As soon as you start introducing prototypes then you start increasing the bills. I’m not sure. Hopefully, by that time, we would’ve progressed and maybe be on the bigger bikes.

    How much effort has gone into your racing career? 

    In South Africa, we have never really had a development for riders. They are starting again now because of Brad Binder’s success. In the Superbike series down there, you had a couple of dealer teams at the top but apart from that, there was little support. If you wanted to go overseas then you would do it all off your own back. If you’re lucky, you might have been able to bring your sponsors but the vast majority of money would be coming from family savings and you’d be taking a massive gamble! That’s what I did. I was incredibly fortunate to have my dad and and my mum support me and a few other family members to help over the years with chipping in to get me where I am now. That’s been the case for most of us South Africans really. It is a big risk and if it is your passion and you believe it can work, then why not go with it? No one wants to say, ‘what if’, when they’re sat at home. Brad has made it, his brother is making it and Steven Odendaal is doing a grand job too. I’ve found my home with Everquip which I hope is for the next couple of years. Without them, I wouldn’t be sitting here.

    We talk about fitness but we also talk about ‘bike fitness’; what’s the difference?

    There is nothing that can mimic bike fitness. There is no exercise in the gym that replicates the forces you go through on a bike. It is important that you are fit enough to be bike fit to start with though! I am of the opinion that, ‘the more you put in, the more you get out’. I really do train a lot and try and push myself to new limits every time I am in the gym. I try and chase personal bests which is enjoyable – well, not all the time but still! A lot of us use motocross, enduro, trials etc to maintain bike fitness. It is the best way to stay familiar with a motorbike and you get the same sort of feel too. It’s not exactly the same but it is near enough. There is no time like saddle time!

    Bjorn would also like to say a massive “thank you” to all the sponsors who help make this journey a reality. Everquip , Michael Barugh, Total Building Services, Watts Mix, Pneumatic Engineering, MHP, NFB, Pulse Engineering, Pro Air Conditioning, KSM, NGK, GB Racing and everybody else who contributes to this exciting effort!

     

    Thanks to Gareth Davies of Full Factory Photography for the image.

  • Exclusive: Keith Farmer Q&A: Leading the Championship is a bit Special!

    Keith Farmer spoke to me about all kinds of bike related things at Snetterton a few weeks back. In this exclusive interview, Farmer evaluates his sensational Supersport season, his rivals chances, the difference between a Supersport bike and Superstock 1000 bike and also, why he believes the Spirit Moto2 bikes shouldn’t be in the Supersport class.

    You started the season with no ride and now you’re leading the championship. Long way round for you?

    Yes, It’s strange really. Luke Jones, the team’s main rider, got injured and they needed a replacement because they didn’t know how long he would be out for. They supported me and took me on board which was really nice for me and I really appreciate the team putting faith in me. To have nothing and now to be leading the championship is something a bit special.

    What is the main difference between a Supersport bike and Superstock 1000 bike?

    I’ve had to adapt my style quite a bit really. Had I been on a BMW or a Kawasaki then it might have been a little bit more difficult but because the Honda Superstock bike from last year required lots of corner speed, the change hasn’t been so bad. It’s been a bit of a shock to the system, with the Supersport. It turns so tight and the corner speed on a 600cc bike is out of this world compared to the bigger bikes. It took a while to adapt but now that we are in for the rest of the season and have adapted, we are looking good, especially now we have won a few races!

    Does the Supersport bike suit your style more?

    Yes, a little bit I think. Over the years, I have just matured and learnt how to ride a circuit bike in general. That has helped massively but on a whole, the Supersport bike suits my style and that is really working well for this year.

    Do you feel that you haven’t had a proper crack at the whip on a Superbike?

    Yes, a little bit. When I went to the Superbike class, it was only my 3rd year riding on the short circuits. To jump on a Superbike is pressurising enough but to jump in the Paul Bird Motorsport Team too with Shane Byrne – who was winning races week in, week out – was mad. I put more pressure on myself than anything else. It was probably as much my fault than anyone else’s for not having worked out the Superbike class. It would’ve been nice to have what Glenn Irwin had really. No expectations in the first year, just learn the bike and the team before having a proper bash in the 2nd year.

    Do you think this Supersport championship needs more manufacturers, with one bike being mainly Yamaha?

    Yes in a way. You have the Gearlink boys in there and the MV Agusta of Jack Kennedy but it would be nice to see Honda in there but I think in all honesty, I don’t know what is best for this class. They’re phasing Moto2s in and maybe there will be some development there. If they brought more manufacturers and allowed more work to be done with them, so then they could level with all the Yamahas and Kawasakis, it would be good.

    Will Supersport become more Moto2?

    I’m not sure really, I suppose it all comes down to cost. To go to Moto2, a prototype, it’s a lot of work. Everyone says the Supersport class is dying out but I’m not sure it is because the first race at Snetterton was quicker than last year’s. If we can have some tough battles and keep getting faster, then hopefully we can show that the Supersport is not a dying class.

    I’d support the introduction of the class but at the same time, because the Moto2s are in with Supersport currently, for Seeley to interfere with other riders and maybe destroy someone else’s race, it’s a bit unfair. I’m a friend of Alastair’s too and it is a very tough decision for Stuart Higgs to make. It is understandable why it is the way it is but my thoughts are that the Moto2 bike should be at the back of the Superbike grid. They shouldn’t ride if they can’t score points.

    Do you think BSB needs to go to more of the older circuits? A return to Mallory Park maybe? 

    I understand why they go to Oulton Park and Brands Hatch, because they are MSV owned circuits. However, it would be nice to get to Bishopscourt in Northern Ireland or Croft too. It would be nice to see more variation. What I don’t agree with is going to circuits that are 46 second laps or around that time. Not so much Knockhill because it is there for the Scottish fans, but Brands Indy is way too short. It is a great track for spectators but from a rider’s point of view, it doesn’t get many positive comments. I’d support going to Snetterton twice instead of Brands Indy. The facilities at all MSV tracks are second to none and everyone else would agree.

    Your plans for 2018?

    There’s been a few conversations here and there but nothing as yet. I would love to get back on a Superbike. Ideally, Supersport wasn’t my plan but whatever I’ve thrown my leg over lately, I’ve been competitive with. The Superbike would be nice but if not, then the Superstock 1000. I’m not sure what bike would be my preference, it is hard to say. I don’t see many getting on with the BMW – maybe it is a bit past itself chassis wise. When they have this new Suzuki sorted out, it will be bike to be on.

    Can you win the championship this year?

    Yes, without a doubt. I think we have a strong package and good chance. The team has been working so hard behind closed doors and as long as we all put 100% effort in then we can have some great success. I think David Allingham will be there, as well as Jack Kennedy, Andy Irwin and Joe Francis. They will all be there at different rounds, so our job is to put it on the box at every round. I think Tarran Mackenzie would struggle to beat us now. It would be great to see him back though! It is incredible to see what he is doing over there in Moto2.

     

    Photo courtesy of Gareth Davies, of Full Factory Photography.

  • Bradley Ray is British Superbike’s Shining Star

    Bradley Ray is the unsung hero of Brands Hatch and in fact, the British Superbike championship in 2017. He has jumped on a brand new Suzuki and has consistently been quick, almost from the first race of the year at Donington Park. He has embarrassed the so called ‘factory riders’ of Taylor Mackenzie and Sylvain Guintoli and, in the process, made rapid gains to now be the top Suzuki rider in the championship, as well as becoming one of the most popular riders in the whole paddock.

    Now, we talk about this ‘old guard vs newcomers’ but I think we all need to remind ourselves of a few things. Whilst being extremely talented and quite young, Luke Mossey, Glenn Irwin and Jake Dixon, the other three notable youngsters, have had over a year on a 1000cc Superbike, and in the case of Luke Mossey, he has had over two years to gel and adapt. Bradley Ray has had half a season, yet he is upsetting the front runners and the supposed ‘top riders’. Other riders such as Taylor Mackenzie, whilst being young and fast, have done this PR sanitised seven month circus tour which is BSB, before. The high pressure, action-packed world of the premier motorcycling championship in the UK is relatively new to Bradley Ray, but like his on track performances, he’s taken to it all like a duck to water.

    One other reason why Bradley Ray is a standout performer and for me, one of the best riders of the season is because he has had to stomach being down the bottom end of the time-sheets. His first race performance at Brands Hatch GP was simply sensational. I was abroad at the time and when I was listening to Fred Clarke’s commentary on the BSB website, I couldn’t believe that he had managed to come from row eight to 12th in just one lap. That shows many things about Ray. The first being that he is resilient. Some other riders may have just got fed up after a poor qualifying and not bothered trying to get to the top 10 in the race, instead settling for a position further down the field. It also shows that Brad is very determined to succeed. He isn’t happy being ‘the other’ Suzuki.

    It isn’t just his on track capabilities either. The rider from Kent is also one of the most approachable in the paddock. Fans love him and they have good reason to. He will stop and chat for a good few minutes if he’s not too busy, similar to that of Glenn Irwin. It is like walking into a bar and just chatting to someone. It feels that you are talking more-so to a mate down the local battlecruiser, not one of the fastest guys on two wheels in the country.

    I spoke to Bradley at Knockhill, with him saying that podiums aren’t an unlikely aspiration and that he hopes to be on one before the end of the year. With performances like the one at Brands, where not only did he steam through the pack, but he achieved his joint best result of the year in race two, it is hard to imagine that he will be near the back in qualifying for very long. One good session could see Brad in the battle for a podium and who knows, with a bit of Lady Luck, a win.

    We haven’t seen someone come to British Superbike from the series’ support classes and be this competitive since Leon Camier in 2007. Not only was he competitive but he was also captivating, likewise for Ray. Both are gangly, both are from Kent and both are extremely quick. Brad Ray is what I’d call a BSB production-line success. Yes, he went and did a bit of racing in Spain and the Red Bull Rookies but he rode a little EE 125cc bike just a couple years ago, dominated the second half of last year’s British Supersport class and has hopped on an unproven Suzuki and grown in stature at a rate which in recent years, has not been seen.

    It is also testament to the British Superbike Championship and just how much support there is for young talent. Well done to Stuart Higgs in making it one of the best sporting championships in the world. The support for the riders is not just across the BSB field either, there is great support down the classes to, with big teams in BSB even supporting riders in the CoolFab series – such as Tag Racing and Team WD40. The spread of success is now proven, as Bradley Ray came out of the same, CoolFab series.

    The revelation that is Bradley Ray has many good years ahead of him and I’m fairly sure that whatever bike he rides, he will turn it into a successful piece of machinery. He will be on the podium very soon and if the form of the other Suzuki boys carries on, who’d put it past an early promotion? – speculation of course. A bit of backing from the series and it won’t be long until Bradley Ray is a household name in the world of British sport and who knows, maybe even the sporting world.

    Thank you to Gareth Davies of Full Factory Photography for the image.

  • Exclusive: Steve Parrish Q&A: 20 Minutes with Britain’s Fastest Prankster

    I was lucky enough to know that Steve Parrish would be at Snetterton a few weeks back for the BSB meeting, so I decided that after giving him a remote control rat to play around with at home, to get an interview with one of Barry Sheene’s best friends. So, in this exclusive interview, Parrish reveals his racing career highlights, the best race he ever commentated on, the British Talent Cup, why he voted to Remain in the EU and what the easiest prank to play on someone is.

    Main highlights of your motorcycle racing career?

    Having lots of fun and causing chaos. I suppose you could say, ‘enjoying living the dream’. I guess however that I peaked early; 1977 was my best year in the Grand Prix paddock. I had a cracking bike, it was the old Sheene bike from the previous season and I ended up fifth in the World Championship on it. I had lots of races against the heroes that I used to have posters on my bedroom wall of, such as Giacomo Agostini and Phil Read.

    I carried on in British Championship’s and just being involved after that was great. It’s a lovely sport we are in and I met a lot of good friends via the sport, whilst also losing quite a few friends via the sport, as it was probably a lot more dangerous back then. However, I look at it as the best part of my life really and had the best part of 10-12 years racing motorcycles, which were massively exhilarating to ride, although a little bit dangerous and painful at times! I will always look back on my career and I’m often asked, ‘what is your favourite form of racing?’ and it would be motorcycle racing. I have more admiration for motorcycle racers than anyone else.

    Who was your fiercest competitor back then?

    I have to say Barry Sheene. At the time, he was the guy to beat. He was on the same bikes as I was on and he was pretty special. He beat me a lot more times than I beat him, I grant you!

    How about your media career highlights?

    One of the best races I have ever commentated on was Colin Edwards vs Troy Bayliss at Imola, for the 2002 World Superbike championship. Two guys, duking it out, whoever took the win, took the title, or near enough to that. It was very, very special and was probably one of the greatest motorcycle races we have ever seen.

    Another one was Valentino Rossi beating Jorge Lorenzo on the final corner at Catalunya in 2009, which was very special. Generally, the highlights have been covering MotoGP for a number of years. Watching, admiring and meeting heroes of my world.

    The 2017 North West 200 race was one of the greatest too, with Glenn Irwin beating Alistair Seeley. I really rate Seeley, he’s been Mr. North West 200 for a number of years now but for the fans and also for the media, it was nice to see someone else take a win there. I never realised how much Glenn actually expected to win that race. Personally, I didn’t think he had a chance because he had to relearn the circuit and he’d only ever ridden it on a 600cc machine. He came there on a bike that you wouldn’t necessarily say was the ultimate bike for the NW200 but he endured the weird conditions we had. It’s a shame he’s injured now because I think his success at the NW 200 would’ve propelled him to greater things at BSB.

    Do you think the NW200 deserves more media coverage?

    I don’t think you could say it “deserves” it because if it deserves it would generally get it. In Northern Ireland, it gets more media coverage than what the British Grand Prix gets here in mainland Britain. It is wall to wall coverage over there and I’d say that Seeley, Irwin and Michael Dunlop are all just as famous as any premier league footballer over in NI. You couldn’t consider saying the same for Shakey Byrne or James Ellison over here because not as many people know who they are. Over in NI, motorcycle racing is on the front page of all the major newspapers. It would be nice if it got more over here but then again, we see nothing but women’s rugby and women’s cricket and it annoys me quite frankly.

    What would you say to the people who want road racing banned? 

    I think they need to go first. They need to know someone who does it, who gets the sensation and the satisfaction they get from doing it, the amount of fun they have doing it and the adrenalin rush they get from doing it. Unless they’ve done it, they’re not qualified to say that it should be banned and I doubt that people who have done it would want it banned either!

    What about your career in general, what was the hardest part?

    I’d say that the hardest part of my career is the travel that you do. I don’t do as much now but at one point I’d be away between 6-8 months a year. It takes a tole on your family, on your marriage – which they all went out the window – it’s difficult to carry that through. I travelled a lot with my racing, then with my team ownership, then truck racing and then the media work. I had 40 years of going all around the world.

    Sitting in hospital with broken legs and arms and not knowing who or where you are isn’t much fun either. But I think if it was easy then everyone would do it. Truthfully, compared to many people in this world, I haven’t had a lot of hard things to deal with. It’s been hard in my own little world but I’ve been lucky and I don’t think anything I’ve done has been mega, mega tough.

    If you could choose one race circuit from your time (except the TT), which would you consider the most dangerous?

    The Nordscheife Nurburgring circuit, when the German Grand Prix was held there. I found that very dangerous because it was difficult to learn, similar to TT for foreigners going there. I didn’t think it was right to have the GP at the Nurburgring because Barry Sheene was still battling for the title and it was wrong to try and get people to learn a circuit as long as that, as all the locals had been there before and knew it better than us. Imatra was pretty dangerous in Finland, as was the Czechoslovakian Grand Prix on the old street circuit at Brno. Spa’s old street circuit in Belgium was fierce too.

    If you could go back to one race circuit to ride again, which would it be?

    I’d probably choose somewhere nice and safe, like Mugello. You get to the stage where you’ve gone through a lot of accidents, so you don’t really want to continue doing the hard stuff. That’s why as you get older, you generally get slower. I’ve ridden a road bike around Mugello but I wouldn’t mind riding a race bike round there. I rode a 500cc two-stroke round there in the 70s but it has changed a bit since then! I wouldn’t mind a blast round on an RCV!

    Your thoughts on the British Talent Cup?

    I think it is great. I think any championship for youngsters to build up their talent in the kind of country we live in is good. It’s a bit like an academy. The Red Bull Rookies has been brilliant, so many riders of today have come through that, such as Zarco. There can never be enough cups, simply because we need to give chances to kids who don’t necessarily come from privileged families. It’s an expensive sport and if you come from a not – so – privileged family, then you’ll probably end up playing football or rugby or cricket, which you can do down on the village green. However, with motorcycle racing, you need a wealthy parent to get you a motorcycle. If you can get more riders then it’s good because the bigger championships will be choosing from a bigger pocket of people.

    I am a believer in the fact that if you can ride a motorbike, you can ride a motorbike, whether that be on a GP bike or Superbike. Danny Kent may be an exception to that and going back to my era, then Angel Nieto never could ride a big bike. Jonny Rea, Ben Spies and Cal Crutchlow have all proved that they can win or do well on either prototypes or road-go bikes. I don’t think it will take away from riders coming to the British championship.

    Will Brexit effect British motorcycle racing, or motorcycle racing on a whole?

    I think it will effect the country. I voted to remain in the EU because I feel we are bigger and better and a lot easier together. I travel a lot and a lot of people do the same, so I don’t really see the point in Brexit. For me, we’ve gone the wrong way. I’ll get my shoulder behind it like everyone else however. It could, in theory, hinder international based British companies that want to trade with the EU, however I really don’t know. I come from a period where, when I wanted to drive to Italy, I had to get stamps in France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland etc. Open Europe has been a Godsend for everyone and lets hope it stays that way.

    The state of other national championships. 

    They lost their way a bit. We are sat here on a sunny day at Snetterton and the amount of teams, sponsors, motorhomes, personnel etc is huge. I’ve walked around just now with Matt Robert’s and I think it is as good as any WSBK event, if not bigger. I suspect their series’ aren’t as healthy as ours because half the good guys come here anyway. BSB is unquestionably the strongest domestic championship in the world.

    What are your favourite pranks?

    Oh God. There’s been so many of them! The easiest one to do and anyone can do this at home – it sounds like one of these Blue Peter programmes!  If you get they keys to someone’s car, then just wind the window down and put a brick and some shattered glass on the seat. You need some broken glass of course – I always keep a dustbin full of broken glass which I get from Autoglass. Then, when the person comes out, all you have to say is that they’ve had problems with the gypsies or the neighbours. Lend them some tape to try stick it together and then they generally drive down to a garage or Autoglass to get it replaced, when the actual window itself is just wound down! I got my daughter not long ago – she should know better!

    Now, with this remote control rat, it looks like it could be quite good for ladies toilets. You have to get in there in the first place and whizz it under and then listen for the scrambling of feet and the screaming.  In a restaurant would probably be good too. I know you used yours in KFC. If you do it in the right restaurant then you might be able to get a discount with your meal but then again, I might end up in the shit!

    I would like to say a massive thank you to Steve for his time, as I know he was pushed for time as his Plummet Airways flight back to South Cambridgeshire was departing very shortly. We wish Steve all the best and look forward to seeing or hearing him in his various forms across the TV.

    Interview by Kiko Giles – @MotoGPKiko