Frustrating for Camier

Yoshimura powered FIXI Crescent Suzuki racer Jules Cluzel marked his debut in the eni FIM Superbike World Championship by taking an impressive seventh place in this afternoon’s second race at Phillip Island in Australia.

It was all go at Phillip Island

Cluzel got a good start to the second race and was up into eighth by the end of lap one. He maintained a strong rhythm and made his way to sixth as the race progressed. Cluzel then got involved in a battle with last-year’s championship runner-up Tom Sykes before the British rider pushed Cluzel back into seventh, a position he held until the end of the race despite coming under intense pressure from Jonathan Rea in the closing stages. Cluzel had made a strong start to his rookie season in Superbikes by finishing 11th in race one on his Yoshimura-powered Suzuki GSX-R1000 after starting from 17th on the grid. 

The Frenchman’s results today were just reward for him and his crew following the string of misfortune and frustration that had hit him throughout the test and then the race weekend in Australia, and leaves him on a positive footing as he heads to the next test and race.

Leon Camier scored a pair of ninth place finishes at the 4,445m Phillip Island track today, but both under different circumstances. In race one he got a poor start and was battling all race long to make up places. He ended lap-one in 13th but fought his way to ninth at two-thirds distance and following a battle to the line with Rea, the FIXI Crescent Suzuki rider just couldn’t get past him at the line to take eighth. 

In race two Camier was the innocent victim of a first lap crash which forced the Englishman off the track He re-joined in last place and then had the task of chasing down the field. Camier made up time to the pack and began picking off riders, eventually making his way to ninth on lap-19 after passing Leon Haslam. He pushed all the way to the line, but was unable to make up any more places and was left to think of what might have been in the second race.

The weather was again warm and sunny with a light breeze, air temperatures got up to 27°C and the fine weather led to a weekend attendance of 61,500 over the three days. Race one was won by Sylvain Guintoli on an Aprilia, with Ireland’s Eugene Laverty – also on an Aprilia – taking the honours in the second event. Guintoli and Laverty share the championship lead as the pair also took a second place apiece today.

FIXI Crescent Suzuki will now head back to England for a short break before the next race at Aragon in Spain on Sunday 14th April; the next time the team takes to the track will also be at Aragon for a private test at the start of April.

Jules Cluzel:
“I am really happy with both races, even though the first one was very difficult, but I finished and learned a lot. We chose the wrong tyre in the first race, which was not a big problem because I need to learn and understand everything. I needed to do some laps today and I think in the two races today I did more laps than I had done all weekend – and maybe the test as well! It’s really good to finish the weekend like this and I am pleased for my team as well because they have had a tough time and worked really hard to get me on the track. I think today has been a good step for the future.”

Leon Camier:
“The first race was really difficult and the bike just didn’t feel like anything we’d been working on over the weekend. We really struggled and we made the wrong tyre choice - by the end of the race the tyre was destroyed! This was very strange because all weekend we’d done race runs on the tyres and it hadn’t shown wear like that. I’d put in good laps on used tyres in the test and during practice, so we were confident that it would work, but whatever the reason is, it didn’t! I got a better start in race two and tried to make some places up early on, but as I tried to go round the outside coming into a corner there was a big crash in front of me and I got taken out and on to the grass – so that was really the end of the race for me! The rest of the time was just spent catching up and racing with some other guys. I had to try and do what I could and I could see Jules and Johnny Rea coming back to me really quickly so I kept pushing, but just couldn’t get up to them. It’s frustrating because I felt that in the second race we had the package to challenge the front pack.”

Paul Denning – Team Manager:
“We will leave Australia after these two weeks in Phillip Island with a positive outlook because, irrespective of two quite disappointing results for Leon caused by the wrong tyre choice in race one and being knocked off the track in race two, we’ve still shown great potential and it’s clear that the bike is at a different level than it was 12-months ago. The whole team and both the riders have been superbly positive, despite a few issues - including five absolutely massive crashes in total! The guys have worked incredibly hard to be in good shape come race-day.
“Jules has shown that he is absolutely not scared of getting involved with the best Superbike riders in the world and we know very well that Leon’s potential – and that of the bike – is a lot better than two ninth places. We have a three-day test at Aragon at the start of April, where we have some new stuff coming to improve the bike further, and we’re really excited about the prospects for the season.”

Performance Parts Ltd are pleases to support, supply and sponsor Fixi Crescent Suzuki with Yoshimura. To see what we have for your bike please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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Camier and FIXI Crescent Suzuki quickest on first day of ‘Official Test’

Yoshimura powered FIXI Crescent Suzuki’s Leon Camier continued his good run of form in the pre-season tests by topping the timesheets on the first day of the Official eni FIM Superbike World Championship test at Phillip Island.

Fixi Crescent WSBK with Yoshimura

Camier made consistent progression this afternoon around the 4,445m Australian circuit, before setting a fastest time of 1’31.243, over half-of-a-second quicker than Max Biaggi’s lap record. Camier completed 44-laps in the sweltering Phillip Island heat as air temperatures reached 35°C during the afternoon session. Camier had used this morning as a shakedown test to assess his newly built Suzuki GSX-R after the huge crash in last week’s tests and, following a few adjustments by his crew during the lunch period, he put the Yoshimura-powered machine to good use to storm his way to the top of the charts.

Jules Cluzel made steady steps forward as he utilised today's sessions to work his way back to confidence following his operation for the injury he sustained in last week’s test. Cluzel worked thoroughly and methodically as he completed 62-laps throughout the day. He gradually improved his time and made consistent runs as he continued his steep learning curve on the FIXI Crescent Suzuki Superbike. Cluzel finished the day in 14th position with a best time of 1’32.817, just a second-and-a-half away from his team-mate.

FIXI Crescent Suzuki has one more day of pre-season testing tomorrow as it makes its final preparations in readiness for the first races of the season this Sunday.

Leon Camier:

“We needed to change some stuff after the bike had been re-built, so this morning was there no big hurry to push from the start. We changed the bike a bit in the lunch-break, because unfortunately it didn’t quite feel the same as it did before I smashed it up last week! The feeling came back and we also had to change quite a bit because of the heat, I did the same lap-time in the cooler conditions last week as I did in the heat today, so I think we did a pretty good job. It’s very close at the top, so it doesn’t really count for anything, because the race will be difficult and the other guys have got some time to perfect what they’ve got. We are in quite good shape at the moment, but we know there is still a lot to do for the rest of this week.”

Jules Cluzel:

“I am happy with the test today, because I did a lot of laps and improved a little bit every time I went out. They weren’t big steps, because big steps with a Superbike are very dangerous – as I managed to find out at the test last Thursday! We tried many things today and didn’t really push for a fast lap time, but tried to work in the best way and find the setting that is good for me. Tomorrow we have another test and I will try to continue to improve and then see what will happen from there.”

Paul Denning – Team Manager:

“It’s been a very successful day’s work, especially if we consider that at the end of the unofficial test, Jules was in hospital and Leon’s bike was in the trees outside turn 12! We had a few technical issues with Leon’s newly built bike this morning, but the crew worked methodically through those and Leon was able to use that to his advantage this afternoon. He matched his time from the unofficial tests, but in much hotter conditions and coming back from the huge crash, so it great to see his confidence build step-by-step and at the end of the day show his true potential.

“Jules did a great job today, because things were looking very difficult after the first day of last week’s test! Making a lot of laps, regaining some feeling and confidence and understanding the effects of the changes that crew were making, means he has ended up with a good base to take forward. His repaired arm isn’t causing him any problems on the track and we now have something solid to work with tomorrow as we approach the first round of the championship.”

Phillip Island – Official Test Classification:

1. LEON CAMIER (FIXI CRESCENT SUZUKI) 1'31.243: 2. Leon Haslam(Honda) 1'31.396: 3. Michel Fabrizio(Aprilia) 1'31.401: 4. Eugene Laverty(Aprilia) 1'31.452: 5. Marco Melandri (BMW) 1'31.485: 14. JULES CLUZEL (FIXI CRESCENT SUZUKI)1'32.817:


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Product Focus: Supesprox Tri-Metal sprockets

Supersprox Tri-Metal sprockets are among the most technological advanced sprockets in the world. 

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K&N Filters!

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SWAN YAMAHA SEAL THIRD IN 2012 MCE BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

The Swan Yamaha team ended their 2012 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship with a podium finish at Brands Hatch as Tommy Hill claimed a third place finish in the final race of the season to secure third in the overall standings.

In the second race of the weekend Hill was forced to settle for sixth place but in the last race of the season he fought through to fifth place, but as Alex Lowes and Michael Laverty crashed out on the final lap he was promoted to third. Noriyuki Haga ended his season with a pair of top ten finishes in ninth and tenth respectively.

Tommy Hill- Showdown didn't go as planned

 Hill said: “You have a lot of ups and downs in this sport. I have had a lot of downs throughout my career and last season it paid off. I knew it was going to be difficult this weekend and it has been a fantastic year but unfortunately for me the results at the start of the season don’t mean as much in the Showdown. The Showdown didn’t go so well for me and I feel deflated more than anything because of the bad luck. The facts are that everyone is riding hard and at the top of their game. Shakey is a deserved champion and we finished top three this year. I trained hard and gave it 110% and that was what is important.”

Haga said: “Today was difficult again and we tried for a good result. In both races I pushed hard but with a bad grid position it made it not easy. I want to thank the team for their support this season.”

Team manager Shaun Muir concluded: “I just want to say a big thank you to all our sponsors and everyone all season who have given such fantastic support. We have been beaten over the final three rounds of the season but we also want to congratulate Shakey on his success. We now look forward to a winter of hard work to ensure we come back in 2013 ready to fight for the title again. Thanks to Tommy, Nori, Wesley and James as they have all put in a lot of hard work over the last twelve rounds, as have the entire Swan Yamaha crew.”

For more information visit www.swanyamaha.co.uk 

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New Galfer brake pads- first user-review in!

 Latest compound Galfer Brake Pads- tested by our draw winners. Forst review in:

Difficult to make brake pads look sexy- but here you are :)

Reviewer:            Richard Vines
Make/Model:       Honda CBR1000RR-8
Braking System:  Standard master cylinders and callipers front & rear. HEL braided brake lines, Harris front brake lever, and standard rear brake lever
Previous Pads:    Honda OE pads front & rear. Fitted in February 2012, with 2,000 miles covered
Date Fitted:         18th September 2012
Usage:                 2x 20 minute track day sessions, Brands Hatch Indy Circuit
                            2x 370 mile (average distance) ride outs

Overall Impression:        
Excellent. Vast improvement over Honda OE pads. Would have no hesitation in recommending them, and will purchase them in the future

Bedding in:                   
The pads bedded in quickly, and even during this period were noticeably better than Honda OE pads. To quantify better, initial bite & progressive braking feel was much improved over standard

Comments:                       
These pads are excellent. I would go as far saying they’re also confidence inspiring (especially by comparison with OE pads). I fitted braided brake lines in February 2012. Whilst there was a mild improvement to the front, it made no difference to the rear brake – which I had written off as next to useless. The rear Galfer pads have improved my rear brake by 50-75%, in my own personal opinion. This means that it actually works (or at least is noticeable), and can be used with the desired effect mid-corner. 

The power from the front brakes is noticeably stronger, although not as huge an improvement as experienced with the rear. Aside from additional braking power, where the front pads shine is in the contexts of feel, progressiveness and consistency. No matter what the weather is doing or the ambient temperature, they perform extremely well and inspire confidence – I know they will work, I trust them, and it’s one less thing to think about. I will buy these pads in the future!

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Double podium for Swan Yamaha at Brands

Defending MCE Insurance British Superbike champion Tommy Hill scored a double podium finish at the seventh round of the season today at his home round of Brands Hatch in Kent whilst Noriyuki Haga took a sole fifth place.

Swan Yamaha's Tommy Hill

In the opening race of the day Hill initially struggled with a clutch issue that dropped him down the order and the reigning champion then put in a determined ride to move back up the order to fourth. Haga had been running in a solid third place until a mistake on the final lap at Graham Hill Bend saw him crash out of contention. The crash for the Japanese rider elevated Hill to third and adding another podium credit to his tally ahead of the Showdown.

Hill then fought hard for a third place in race two as he closed in on eventual race winner Shane Byrne and second placed Josh Brookes. At his home circuit Hill was unable to push any harder and settled for third whilst Haga's side of the garage had worked hard to repair his Swan Yamaha for him to fight to fifth.

Hill said: "In the first we had an issue with the clutch; on the sighting lap the rear locked up and I came back to the grid and the clutch went solid on me so I spent the first few laps trying to adjust the lever and there were riders coming passed me from all directions. I set my target on Michael and I was able to get passed him and I wanted to try and go with Josh, but he had checked out. I wasn't going to be able to catch the leading three and I hold my hands up and say I was gifted the podium with Noriyuki crashing but you have to be in it to win it. In race two I got stuck in with Shakey and Josh as they came back to me about halfway through the race but it was a bit of an elastic band effect and I was never close enough to make a pass. Everyone was riding hard and we are all riding at the top of our game, but all in all it wasn't a bad weekend. We need to be consistently on the podium and we will raise our game and hopefully it will be our turn at Cadwell Park."

Haga said: "First of all I would like to say sorry to the Swan Yamaha team for the crash in the first race. I had an advantage to Tommy and I didn't have as much grip at the end but I made a stupid mistake to lose the front and crash. My crew worked hard and I thank them for getting me out for race two as they repaired the bike fast but it didn't feel the same as race one, because we didn't have time to make changes. This track I have more experience so we have learnt a lot this weekend and what we can make better for when we are here for the last round."
 
Team manager Gary Ekerold concluded: "It was a different weekend at Brands Hatch following a superb Oulton Park, but Tommy put in two British bulldog performances to twice finish on the podium. It was another learning weekend for Noriyuki but one that he will come back stronger from. Tommy had a technical problem in the first race but did an awesome job to bring the Swan Yamaha home in third and given that he is safe in the Showdown he didn't need to prove anything in that race. Although Noriyuki made a mistake in race one there were many positives we could take from today and he showed he had the pace capable of running at the front. The team worked hard to repair his Swan Yamaha for race two and now we need to all look ahead to Cadwell Park." 

For more information on Swan Yamaha please visit www.swanyahama.co.uk 

We're pleased to support, sponsor and supply performance parts to Swan Yamaha racing. for more information on the parts we have to add some 'bionics to your bike' please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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Ten Reasons Why Akrapovič

We're pleased to be the official UK importer of Akrapovic. If you're thinking about a new exhaust, read on...

The only way to win is to be the fastest, to be unstoppable, and to be unbeatable in every way. This is the motto of the Akrapovič Company since the very beginning.

Swan Yamaha's Tommy Hill- winning with Akrapovic

 
1. Innovative Design

Leaders in exhaust system design. We put design at the center of our business. The Akrapovič patented hexagonal mufflers took the motorcycle aftermarket by storm: the new shape, replacing the standard oval, transformed the concept of exhaust systems. Our conical design reaffirms our commitment to great design. Akrapovič: whether for your motorcycle or your performance car, there are no better-looking exhaust systems anywhere.

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Our exhaust systems are designed to provide you with higher levels of performance. We call it Pure Power. Reduced weight from the combination of the right materials and the best design to ensure optimum exhaust flow. The right catalytic converters and the best shapes. More horsepower. More performance. Pure Power.

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Akrapovic equipped machines- flying at Cadwell Park, literally

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Akrapovič invests heavily in R&D. We have the best people constantly innovating and driving our business forward. New materials, new technology, new processes, and new products are the outcomes of this approach. It is backed up with rigorous measurement and testing to ensure that our exhaust systems meet the most stringent standards where required.

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Akrapovič uses only the best materials. We use heat-resistant titanium alloys for all the key parts of our titanium exhausts, not just the outer sleeves like many of our competitors. We also use stainless steel and ultralight carbon fiber. Our carbon fiber is pre-impregnated and ultralight, with high tensile strength and temperature resistance.

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Akrapovič is a pioneer in developing and using technology to bring real benefits to the end user. And we develop the technology in-house. Hydroforming is one such process, where header tubes are molded by applying water pressure. This way of forming material creates the ideal shape for optimum exhaust flow, with no loss in tensile strength. We are also pioneers in the plastic deformation of titanium alloys and welding.

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At our manufacturing facilities we maintain quality control by designing and manufacturing our exhaust systems in-house. This allows us to create exhaust tubes to our own specifications for maximum performance and quality. Our in-house laboratories ensure that we meet the standards for type approval and certification.

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Few can match the passion, experience, and dedication of the Akrapovič team. We already have twenty years of devotion to developing the best exhaust systems behind us, and a desire for perfection in the design, performance, and sound of all our products. All Akrapovič employes work with a passion for our products, for racing, and for customer satisfaction.

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It’s all in the detail. Not just in the design and testing but also in the assembly, right down to the packaging. Our carbon fiber is assembled by hand with a meticulous approach to quality and finish. Then it’s signed by the person who did it. Now that’s real attention to detail.

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