DIFFICULT START TO THE SEASON FOR SWAN YAMAHA AT BRANDS HATCH

The Swan Yamaha team had a challenging start to their 2012 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship campaign at Brands Hatch with just a single race taking place after conditions postponed race two at the Kent circuit.

Tommy Hill- excited at the thought of some sun for the next race

 In the opening race of the season defending champion Tommy Hill struggled with a lack of rear grip and he slid off with three laps remaining at Graham Hill Bend unhurt. Noriyuki Haga also had a similar issue however he was able to score points in thirteenth position from his second row start. The second race was postponed to another round later in the season after an earlier incident contaminated the track. The Swan Yamaha team and both riders are now preparing for the next round of the championship at Thruxton in a few days time.

Hill said: “It is a disappointing start to the season and I am gutted that we didn’t have a chance to try and make amends in the second race for myself, the team and the fans but the right decision was made as the conditions were bad. In the first race I had a bit of a problem with the rear and I knew something wasn’t right. I just struggled with rear grip and was trying to score some points and that isn’t what we wanted to do here. I crashed and it was unlucky but we had a problem with the rear shock and we then worked hard to resolve it for the second race but never got the chance to try it out in the end. We will now regroup and move on to Thruxton where we will be aiming for the podium again as I know we have the pace.”

Haga said: “I am just super disappointed with the result and I wanted a better finish to the race for sure. I was having a problem with the rear grip and it was very slippery so it made it difficult to push hard and I wanted to get points and not crash. It did feel like a long race and it is a shame because if we had better feeling then we could have pushed more and then maybe had a better finish. The cold conditions didn’t help, but maybe we found a solution for the second race, but I was pleased that it was postponed as I think it was the best result in those conditions. I now look forward to Thruxton as I haven’t seen the circuit before.” 

Haga- clearly enjoying the UK spring weather!

Team manager Gary Ekerold concluded: “We had a difficult race one here at Brands Hatch and both Tommy and Noriyuki suffered with rear grip issues. It would appear that they were separate issues though as we believe Noriyuki’s was down to his tyre whereas Tommy had a rear shock problem. The Swan Yamaha team worked hard though and we believed we had solved it for the second race and were looking forward to making amends but we just didn’t get the opportunity. It was the right decision so now the team will move on to Thruxton where we intend to get our championship back on track.”

For more information visit www.swanyamaha.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

Performance Parts Ltd- 

Bionics for your Bike- 
Better, Stronger, Faster..

Mixed Opener for Gearlink Kawasaki

Motorpoint British Supersport

It was a good start to the season for the Gearlink Kawasaki team yesterday (Sunday) at Brands Hatch and Ben Wilson on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R secured a fantastic second place in the opening Motorpoint British Supersport race. Ben who qualified in fifth place was eager to start his Championship campaign well, the conditions were mixed and the Gearlink Kawasaki team opted to run Ben on intermediate Pirelli tyres. He gained one of his brilliant starts and slipped into the lead by the opening turn. As the weather worsened the track conditions became difficult and Ben eased off slightly to avoid making any mistakes, the race was eventually red flagged on lap 11 after the rain caused a number of riders to crash on previously dropped oil. His team-mate David Jones was forced to retire on lap five with a technical problem.

Ben Wilson- a very slippery weekend

Ben moved himself to the front row for race two which proved to be dramatic. Once again another stunning hole-shot and then Ben was gone and by the end of lap seven he had a lead of 7.2 seconds from his nearest rival Jack Kennedy. On lap eight as Ben dropped into turn three Graham Hill the bike tipped in front of him on the brakes and down he went, within seconds various riders were crashing around the circuit and the race was quickly red flagged due to track contamination. After a very long delay the riders were sent back out for what was scheduled to be a nine lap race. On the first lap seven riders crashed into Graham Hill, including Ben again, and the race was cancelled and half points were awarded, sadly with Ben being out of the result on the showing of the red flag in the initial race he was excluded from the results. David Jones also crashed out of the initial part of the race and unfortunately both riders were not eligible to score points.

Ben Wilson: "I was pretty pleased with scoring second in the first race yesterday and it was some good solid points to start the season with. I knew it was going to be wet today and I was quite excited about that prospect as I know we have a great wet set up. I just got my head down and felt really comfortable every lap and wasn't pushing beyond my limit. The track was fine until I came down into Graham Hill, did nothing different from any of the previous laps and as soon as I touched the brake down I went without any warning. We managed to get the bike back and the Gearlink Kawasaki team worked like crazy to get things back right. I started from pole which was the line they had sprayed with detergent and as the lights changed I just didn't move it just spun up and once again into Graham Hill the front just tucked. I'm totally gutted but it's a very long season and anything can happen, I'm not injured that's the main thing and I'm eager to get to Thruxton next weekend and put this weekend behind me and move on."

David Jones: "It's not been the best of weekends for me, practise and qualifying went well but the races proved to be a bit of a nightmare, I had a bike problem yesterday then crashed on the combination of fuel/oil and water on the track today. There is nothing I could have done today and I'm just hoping things can be rectified next weekend at Thruxton. The Gearlink Kawasaki team worked so hard after the first red flag came out to try and get my bike fixed to get me back out there, they did a mega job to get it fixed and back out on the grid. It's just a real shame that it was all cancelled and I just want to put this weekend behind me."

David Jones

Metzeler Superstock 600s

It was a great start to the season for the new Gearlink Superstock 600 rider Scott Hudson, the 24-year-old competed in his first ever British Championship race and finished in a great ninth place. The newcomer had a good qualifying and finished in 14th place for the grid for the 20 lap race. He gained a great start and was eighth after the opening lap. He was soon locked in a tight battle for sixth place and settled into a healthy rhythm in the very wet conditions.

 Scott Hudson: "It's been a great first weekend with the Gearlink Kawasaki team and I'm really pleased to have walked away from my first round with some healthy Championship points. I've learnt so much this weekend and the team have been fantastic I didn't want to do anything stupid as I know it's a very long season. I was a little disappointed with my qualifying position but thankfully I managed to get a good start. The conditions out there were bad and the track was very slippery so I just wanted to bring the Kawasaki home safely and looking forward to getting to Thruxton next weekend." 

Scott Hudson

 Team Manager Michael de Bidaph: "It's not the weekend we wanted to start the season with but it is a very long season and now the pressure is off a little bit. We've done a bit of bike damage this weekend but that is fixable, the main thing is the riders are all ok and will be ready for Thruxton next weekend. The entire Gearlink Kawasaki team worked exceptionally hard this weekend and I'd like to thank them for that. We are now lying in third place with Ben in the Championship and there are still a lot more races during this season. We showed how fast Ben can run in the wet and his times and the way he was riding was fantastic. Scott in the Stock 600's made a fantastic start to the year on his debut appearance in the class and has taken away a good handful of points from Brands and we now have a busy week fixing the bikes before we head to Thruxton."


For more information on Gearlink Kawasaki please visit: www.gearlinkracing.com

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

Performance Parts Ltd- 

Bionics for your Bike- 
Better, Stronger, Faster..

McConnell Claims Brands Hatch Podium For Smiths (Gloucester) Racing Team

The Smiths (Gloucester) Racing Team experienced a weekend of mixed fortunes when the opening round of both the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship and Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championship got underway at Brands Hatch, the highlight of which was a podium finish for Billy McConnell. 

Billy McConnell- Supersport Race Two podium (Jon Jessop photo)

The weekend started promisingly as Australian McConnell claimed pole position for the opening British Supersport race on Sunday, with fellow Aussie Glen Richards third on the grid and young British rider Luke Mossey, from Cambridge, in sixth for the 18-lap race but with damp, greasy conditions around the 1.2-mile circuit, it was soon apparent all was not well as they dropped back through the pack.

By mid-race distance, both Glen and Luke had pulled into the pits after struggling with their tyres whilst Billy was hanging on in ninth. As the race entered its second half, rain began to fall quite heavily and the red flag soon came out to stop the race after a number of crashes. The race was subsequently declared a result on 11 laps with just Billy scoring points for the team in ninth place.

The second race of the weekend was held today in full wet conditions and it proved to be a race of attrition. McConnell was again showing well running in fourth position in the early stages whilst Richards was in eighth and moving forward. Mossey was again struggling in the conditions and found himself outside of the top 20 but on the ninth lap, the red flag came out after a crash deposited some fuel onto the circuit and although it was restarted, a multi-rider pile-up on the third corner, which included Billy, brought the race to an abrupt end. The result was declared at seven laps meaning Billy was credited with a third place podium finish with Richards in eighth and Mossey claiming 21st.

For Metzeler National Superstock 600cc Championship rider Johnny Blackshaw, it was certainly a contrasting  weekend as having claimed a superb pole position, a spill in morning warm-up severely damaged the bike and the Warrington rider had to start from pit lane with just moments to spare. Starting dead last in 38th place, he fought his way brilliantly through the pack to finish 12th and take four championship points.

Billy McConnell: "It's been a tough weekend with the weather and we've suffered with a major lack of grip in the wet so to come away with a third and a ninth place is a real bonus. Every point counts and fair play to the organisers for stopping the race when they did as it was really tough out there. I was lucky to escape injury when I was taken out by another rider so I'm very happy to take a podium. The team have done an awesome job and we can go to the next round in a strong position."

Glen Richards: "It's not the start we wanted but with the problems we have had, I'm happy to salvage a few points and go into the next round at Thruxton looking for better luck. We had a 'Flintstone Tyre' in race one - rock hard - so had no grip and then today, the fuel on the track made it very difficult but you get rounds like this. I'm pleased for Billy but hope to be up at the front next weekend at Thruxton."

Luke Mossey: "This was just not my weekend and I'm disappointed with how it's gone. Qualifying was good but the conditions in the races just didn't suit us this weekend so hopefully we can turn it round for the next round."

Johnny Blackshaw: "Having made the mistake in morning warm-up, I was gutted as I thought that was the day over but the team worked miracles in getting the bike ready to race and we literally made it with seconds to spare. Given the fact I was last and starting from pitlane, plus the terrible conditions, to come back to 12th and get a few points is more than I thought possible so all credit to the team."

Rebecca Smith, Team Manager: "We've had two very challenging days in some very difficult conditions whilst we've also had to contend with some tyre issues. The intermediate tyres just didn't work on Sunday and if it wasn't for Billy, we wouldn't have scored any points at all. In the feature race today, he put in a superb ride to take a much deserved podium and we're just glad he didn't suffer any injuries in what was a very heavy fall.
"Glen managed to pick up some solid points second time out whilst Luke struggled all weekend. He broke his arm here last year and I think that may have been playing on his mind so he'll be glad to put this meeting behind him. The results don't reflect our pace this weekend but it's been a contrasting few days for a lot of riders and teams so we'll look forward to the next round now and aim at getting all of the riders back at the sharp end."

Supersport Race 1 (18 laps)
1 Sam Warren (Yamaha)
2 Ben Wilson (Kawasaki)
3 Pauli Pekkanen (Triumph)
4 Christian Iddon (Triumph)
5 Glenn Irwin (Yamaha)
6 Jack Kennedy (Yamaha)
9 Billy McConnell (Smiths Gloucester Racing Triumph)
DNF Glen Richards (Smiths Gloucester Racing Triumph)
DNF Luke Mossey (Smiths Gloucester Racing Triumph)

Supersport Race 2 (7 laps)
1 Jack Kennedy (Yamaha)
2 Sam Warren (Yamaha)
3 Billy McConnell (Smiths Gloucester Racing Triumph)
4 Christian Iddon (Triumph)
5 Deane Brown (Yamaha)
6 Richard Cooper (Triumph)
8 Glen Richards (Smiths Gloucester Racing Triumph)
21 Luke Mossey (Smiths Gloucester Racing Triumph)

Points (after one round)
1 Warren 35 pts
2 Kennedy 22.5
3 Wilson 20
4 Iddon 19.5
5 Pekkanen 16
6 McConnell 15
16 Richards 4




For more information on Smiths Triumph please visit www.smithsracing.co.uk

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

Performance Parts Ltd- 

Bionics for your Bike- 
Better, Stronger, Faster..

THE PARTS WE STOCK: HERE'S SOME OF THE RACERS USING THEM!

Spring is in the air (ish) and racing season is upon us. We're supporting / sponsoring / supplying a lot of racers this year, here's some of the names using the parts we stock:

BSB:

Swan Yamaha

Tommy Hill

Noriyuki Haga

Tommy Hill- courtesy of MNJ Photography

Samsung Honda Racing

Michael Laverty

John Kirkham

Supersonic BMW

Patrick Muff

Anthony West

Splitlath Redmond Aprilia

John Laverty

Florian Marino

BSB Supersport 600:

Gearlink Kawasaki

Ben Wilson

David Jones

Gearlink Kawasaki's Ben Wilson- courtesy of MNJ Photography

 Smiths Gloucester Triumph

Glen Richards

Billy McConell

Luke Mossey

Moto 2:

Marc VDS Racing

Scott Redding

(More to follow)

MotoGP:

Yamaha Factory Racing

Jorge Lorenzo

Ben Spies

Paul Bird Motorsport

James Ellison

(More to follow)

WSBK:

Aprilia Racing Team

Max Biaggi

Eugene Laverty

Parkingo MTC Aprilia

Chaz Davies

BMW Italia Goldbet

Ayrton Badovini

Michel Fabrizio

BMW Motorrad Motorsport

Leon Haslam

Marco Melandri

For More information on our products and what we've got to add some 'Bionics to Your Bike' please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

Performance Parts Ltd- 
Bionics for Your Bike, 

Better, Stronger, Faster...

 

PERFORMANCE PARTS LTD- ON THE ROAD!

What's new about most of the BSB rounds, several dealer open days and other biking events? Performance Parts Ltd will be there with our events trailer!

Our trailer- here's our first design!

We'll be keeping you up to date with where we'll be- so far it's all the UK BSb rounds except Donny and Knockhill, The Brighton Burnup and October's Classic Show at Stafford. 


Here's what we'll be upto - take the BSB rounds as an example:

1. Supporting the race teams that use our stuff- eg: Gearlink Kawasaki, Swan Yahama, Samsung Honda etc
2. Offering advice, guidance and help to anyone looking to add some 'bionics to their bike'- from exhausts, to screens, to chains, to suspension, etc
3. Taking orders and selling items, including many race day bargains!

Come and say hi!

So, you've got to pop in and see us, what we're upto and have a general chat about how we can help make your bike better, stronger, faster....

www.performanceparts-ltd.com

Bionics for your Bike

SWAN YAMAHA TEAM BOOSTED BY SPANISH PRE-SEASON TESTS

Reigning MCE Insurance British Superbike champions Swan Yamaha have today (Tuesday) concluded their Spanish pre-season testing campaign as Tommy Hill and Noriyuki Haga now prepare for their final UK-based tests ahead of the opening round of the season at Brands Hatch (6-9 April).

Hill Vs Hopkins- 2011. Remember 'that' race?

The Swan Yamaha squad completed an initial shakedown test at Cartagena at the end of last week, as defending champion Hill returned to the track for the first time since securing his maiden MCE BSB title in sensational style. Japanese ace Haga meanwhile made his much-anticipated debut with the team as he began working with his new crew and was reunited with Yamaha.

The team then headed to Almeria for a final test as Hill completed his programme ahead of schedule, whilst Haga used the final hour of track time today to make some final setting changes to the Swan Yamaha as the team now return to the UK. The riders and team crew will now analyse the data and formulate a final programme for the team’s next test at Snetterton before the end of the month.

Hill said: "We decided to just have one day at Almeria and call it a day as we are happy with the progress we have made. We worked again yesterday on the fuelling and we have got it working really well. The Swan Yamaha team have been fantastic and we have just tried to stick to the basics and then get the bike and chassis working as best we can; we have done some good work and moved forward massively on the fuelling and we are running a good pace. We are now ready to get back the UK and crack on for the British test ready for Brands Hatch.

"I feel I am ready to race now; like I said before I never like to count my chickens too early but testing has been fantastic. I am not sure what times everyone else has been doing but as far as we can see and from what we have, we have been setting the pace. It was another great day yesterday and when we get back to the UK the team can look at the data and I will do a full report so we are ready for the next tests so we are ready to rock and roll at Brands Hatch. A big thanks again has to go to the Swan Yamaha team for all their hard work."

Haga said: "Today was our final day and we had just an hour on track for testing and we got some good feedback on the front, but we had the same feeling with the rear tyre again and we still need to do some more work on the setting. My five days of testing with the Swan Yamaha team have been positive as we have some good data that we have been working with and we can also now look at the direction for the next test where we will try a different setting. I hope at the next test we can work well again and we will focus on the rear tyre and bike balance. I always like to make big changes with the bike! I am looking forward to seeing what we can produce at the next test."

Team owner Shaun Muir concluded: "We are very happy with how these tests have gone and the pace we have been able to run after testing at two different tracks so we know that the Yamaha will be competitive. I am really pleased with Tommy and what he has achieved in the time we have been here and for Nori, how well he has adapted to a new team, bike and tracks. We are now looking forward to our final tests in the UK so we are set to kick the season off in style at Brands Hatch over the Easter weekend."

Performance Parts Ltd are proud to supply, sponsor and support Swan Yamaha. To see what we've got to add some 'Bionics to your bike' please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com.

Performance Parts Ltd- 

Bionics for Your bike- Faster, Stronger, Better...

REIGNING MCE BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONS SWAN YAMAHA SET FOR SPANISH TESTS

Swan Yamaha get their 2012 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship underway this week as the team travel to Spain to begin their pre-season testing campaign with a shakedown test at Cartagena. Reigning champion Tommy Hill is preparing for his title defence alongside Noriyuki Haga who makes his much anticipated debut with the team.

Tommy Hill- Off to Spain

The team have been working hard since winning a maiden title at the end of last season in preparation for the forthcoming tests as they run the Swan Yamahas for the first time since the introduction of the new technical regulation for 2012. Hill returns to defend the number one plate and is relishing the chance to return to the track. The three day test at Cartagena will be the first opportunity for Japanese ace Haga to work with the team as he prepares to make his return to Yamaha.

Hill said: “Every year it always seems like a long wait until we go pre-season testing and it really can’t come soon enough as I just want to get back out again on the Swan Yamaha. I have been catching up with the team regularly and I know they have been pretty busy getting everything ready for this test. We already have a ballpark of where we can start and we have a good idea on the chassis from last season. With the new regulations I think we can have a play around with some different things in Spain and also get ourselves dialled in to the new Motec system. We want to come away from these tests with some good feedback so we are all set for Brands Hatch. When we went to Spain last year we left the track after setting the benchmark; we know it is going to be different for everyone this year because of the rule changes but at least we have something to compare to. It will be good to get this shakedown test completed as I have been looking forward to riding again since the end of last year!”

Tommy Hill at Cadwell - with Performance Parts Ltd's Akrapovic

 
Haga said: "Firstly I want to say thank you to Swan Yamaha. I am really happy to join the team and I am glad that I can ride the Yamaha R1. For me everything starts from new now and BSB is the first experience. This test in Spain is important for Brands Hatch and the opening races because of the regulation changes for this year and I must find a good base setup. I look forward to seeing how I can prepare for the season with this new system. I do not worry though because we have a very good crew and the team has lots of experience. I will do my very best for the team, Yamaha, the sponsors and fans around the world."

Team owner Shaun Muir concluded: “It has been a busy period for the Swan Yamaha team preparing for our first shakedown test in Spain. The team had a fantastic season last year and as the reigning champions we want to do everything we possibly can to retain the number one plate. The rule changes in the championship for this year mean that we have a whole new range of factors to consider, however we are fully prepared for the challenge. I know both Tommy and Noriyuki are looking forward to getting their season started so I hope that we can have a productive visit to Spain so we are fully set for the opening round of the season at Brands Hatch.” 

Performance Parts Ltd are proud to support, sponsor and supply Swan Yamaha.To see what we've ot to add some 'bionics to your bike' please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

Performance Parts Ltd - Bionics for your Bike- 

Better. Stronger. Faster.