100mph crash and controversial ruling can’t stop Stan Watt’s 2012 Dakar charge

Following a crash at 100mph on Stage 8, as well as a contentious navigational ruling by the event organizers, Irish and British 2012 hopeful and Akrapovic equipped Stan Watt is keeping his Crescent KTM 450 Factory Replica Rally machine in contention for a successful 2012 Dakar Rally finish.

Stan Watt - still going strong despite a 100mph 'off'

Hindered by some non-bike related technical issues in the early stages, Watt started Stage 7 in 46th place hopeful of making up valuable time over the following fast stages. Yet, as many Dakar riders would agree, good luck and a smooth run can be hard to come by.

Stage 7 saw the riders do a full loop from Copiapo, travelling along narrow tracks in the hills followed by a vast stretch of sand dunes. Rearing to go after a cancelled previous stage, Watt was quick to make up good time and finished the day in 42nd overall. After a rest day on Sunday, Stage 8 took participants from Copiapo to Antofagasta, which contains the rally’s longest special stage on very fast-paced, stone-covered tracks. Running in 21st place after a good start, Watt briefly lost visibility in another rider’s dust cloud and crashed at 100mph after hitting a boulder. Thankfully he walked away from the incident without too greater damage to himself or the bike, and managed to finish the remaining 350km without losing any places overall.

Stage 9, from Antofagasta to Iquique, had been branded as one of the more difficult routes to navigate due to its very limited landmarks. Watt, patched up with a fully working Crescent KTM 450, made tremendous headway, proving in particular his navigational prowess by being only one of five competitors to reach Waypoint 6. However, a controversial ruling by Dakar organizers to subsequently strike this waypoint from the stage has left Watt in 41st position overall. This ruling, which cost him 15th place on the stage and a big jump up the leader board, is being contested by Watt and his support team.

Stan Watt:

“It’s been an eventful last few days. I was making good progress on Stage 8, but then hit a big boulder at around 100mph after I briefly lost visibility in a plume of dust from another rider. This then bucked me off the bike, but thankfully myself and the bike didn’t have any serious damage. My helmet did its job, I lost a little bit of skin, and my wrists are slightly bruised – but nothing that is hindering my riding. The main damage on the bike was the handlebars, which looked like they were more suited to a custom low rider after the crash. Over the remaining 350km I tried to minimize the time loss, and managed to not drop any places. I was lucky to finish that day.

“On Stage 9 I was going really well, and was one of maybe five guys to hit Waypoint 6. But the organizers deemed it too tricky because so few people found it – and cancelled it. Me and the team are contesting this strongly, as this would have given me a great boost overall.

“Apart from the snags we keep hitting, everything is looking good for the next few stages. The bike is going really well, I’m feeling good, and if we can get this decision overturned, we should be able to make our way through the rankings.” 

With another 6 race days left to go, Watt currently holds an overall time of 36:28:27hrs with a variation of 7:43:10hrs.

Keep abreast with all the latest action from Stan and Crescent KTM’s Dakar adventure by following the official Twitter feed @crescentmoto.

Performance Parts Ltd is the official UK distributor of Akrapovic. To find out more and see the hundreds of other performance parts we have to add some 'bionics to your bike' please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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Akrapovic equipped KTM racer Stan Watt at the Dakar

Crescent KTM’s Stan Watt flying through the ranks at 2012 Dakar

In his third Dakar to date, Irish and British 2012 hopeful Stan Watt has been barging his way through the field these first three days of the rally on his Crescent KTM 450 Factory Replica Rally machine.

With a starting position back in 60th place, Watt had anticipated a difficult start from the beginning with a lot of riders to pass on what can be a very busy and dusty track. Stage 1 took the riders from the festive start at Mar del Plata through a short warm-up special stage along the dunes on the seafront, after which a long and fast liaison section guided them to Santa Rosa de la Pampa. Watt’s plan to reach the top 30 early on where however hampered by some minor top end speed issues, seeing him end Stage 1 in 87th place.

With his support team in tow, the issue was rapidly resolved before Stage 2, which saw the competitors head further in-land towards San Rafael. The first part was once again very quick with big, fast bends on firm ground, after which progress was slowed down significantly with a stage through the grey-coloured sand dunes of Nihuil. With no issues to contend with and his sights firmly set on a successful rally, Watt did not hang around and charged through the field into 56th.

Stage 3 proved the first of the very though tests for the riders, heading into the Andes Cordillera to San Juan. Its breathtaking landscapes may be easy on the eye, but are a real challenge for the riders - placing many rivers, holes and rocks in their way – as well as providing some incredibly steep climbs. Watt however, was once again in a valiant mood and passed yet another five riders to improve his overall ranking to 51st.

Despite being off his desired top 30, Watt remains positive and feels that he is now firmly settling into the rally.

Stan Watt says:

“It may not have been the start I had hoped for, but I am now really getting into it. The first day unfortunately saw me have some top end speed issues, which hampered my progress on the first stage. Yet there was not an awful lot of time separating the top 100.

“The Crescent KTM is working really well now and I am very much starting to settle in to the rally. There are some very hard days ahead for all riders, and I’m extremely confident that I’ll be making up yet more places. I’m now firmly looking to head into the top 30.”

With another 12 race days left to go, Watt currently holds an overall time of 9:21:07hrs with a variation of 1:49:25hrs.

Keep abreast with all the latest action from Stan and Crescent KTM’s Dakar adventure by following our official Twitter feed @crescentmoto and by checking out our website www.crescent-motorcycles.com. 

For more information on Akrapovic and other Performance Parts to add some 'Bionics to your Bike' please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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Lots of interest in our stand at the NEC!

It was great to meet so many folks at our stand at the Motorcycle live show at the NEC. We knew our position across the aisle from Harley-Davidson’s stand was prime, but we could not have forecast the the level of interest in the brand new Akrapovic exhaust range for Harley-Davidson machines. 

Harley 883 Iron at the NEC

 There was also a significant interest from touring riders in our EU compliant Remus slip-ons exhaust mufflers. More and more riders are becoming aware that increased enforcement of EU exhaust regulations is taking place on the continent. These Remus slip-ons carry the all-important EU ‘e’ mark that authorities check for. It was also great to talk to riders who noticed that more and more UK dealers were fitting this equipment to their demo bikes.

It was good to see an interest in our Hyperpro suspension products and Galfer wave disks. There is still a lack of general awareness as to just how much a motorcycle’s handling and braking performance can be improved with these two products. They are often overlooked in a ‘personalising’ budget, but those who have done it tell us they would never change back…….

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GEARLINK KAWASAKI MISS TITLE BY ONE POINT

Despite taking a win, second and fourth place in the final three races of the Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport championship at Brands Hatch; it was not enough to secure the title for Gearlink Kawasaki rider Ben Wilson who lost out by just one championship point to rival Alastair Seeley. But although Seeley may have won the trophy Wilson has been heralded by the fans as the people’s champion and provided them all with a fantastic display of racing throughout the season.

Wilson- missed title by Gnats whisker

Going into the final round Wilson (29) trailed Seeley by 14 points and knew he had to win all three races in order to lift the trophy and although a tough challenge Wilson was determined to give it a go and see what unveiled.

Wilson was handed a lifeline in the first race as Seeley crashed leaving Ben to claim all 25 points and go into the final two races with an 11 point advantage over his rival. But with a damp track greeting him on Sunday, Ben made a cautious start in the slippery conditions and was swallowed up in the pack as they rounded the first corner. He recovered well and soon found his way through to fourth place. But Seeley was ahead of him and at the end of the race the advantage was down to just four points meaning Ben would have to win the final event to be sure of the title.

But it wasn’t to be as, although the Lincolnshire ace held the lead for the first four laps he was overhauled by Seeley who went on to take both the win and the title by a margin of just one championship point.

Meanwhile David Jones was unable to add to his points tally at Brands Hatch. He was riding well in the first race and up into the top 10 until he lost the front at Stirling Bend caused him to crash, his race over.

In race two David was circulating in a group of riders all challenging for 15th position. Positions changed at almost every corner and he finally crossed the finish line in 19th position.

The final race resulted in another 19th place. This time David had a lonely ride remaining in 19th to the chequered flag.

Ben Wilson - arguably one of the most entertaining riders

Ben Wilson - To say I am disappointed is an understatement; I am devastated as I had my heart set on winning the title this year. I managed to get the lead in the last race but made a couple of mistakes and that allowed Seeley to get ahead.  Once he got the gap on me it was all over. To be fair the gap didn’t increase but fair play to him, he rode a good race and in the end took the title from under my nose. I want to say a big thank you to everyone at Gearlink Kawasaki, all my sponsors, supporters and also my family who have been behind me all season. I am just sorry we couldn’t have brought the title back for them.

David Jones – I had a good battle in the first race but unfortunately it got the better of me and I went down. But overall we have made huge progress with the bike.  Nineteenth was not a good result for me in the last two races, I was hoping to be in the top 10 but it didn’t happen. I was faster than everyone ahead of me in race two but there were damp patches and when you go to overtake you go onto the wet stuff resulting in running wide and having big slides. That ruined that race for me and I went into the final event hoping to do much better. But I think I suffered a bit from lack of confidence from going down on Saturday and then the damp conditions earlier and once we got underway I had a few issues with the bike and I just wanted to bring the bike home safely. I would like to thank Norma and Michael and the Gearlink Kawasaki team for giving me the opportunity of riding for them over the past few races, I have enjoyed the experience immensely.

Michael de Bidaph – team owner and manager – We came to Brands Hatch with a big task on our hands to win this championship and we thought we may be able to do it. But Alastair Seeley has upped his game and has been phenomenally quick around here all weekend. But in the first race Ben pushed him into making a mistake and we thought it was all coming back our way. The rain this morning did us no favours whatsoever as Ben had to be careful because the track was so slippery and then in the final race we knew it was always going to be hard to beat Alastair and all I can say is that I am so disappointed, for Ben, myself and the team. I wanted to win for all our sponsors who have been so good to us. It is hard to take this at the moment but we will get over this and look to see what we are to do next year. 

David has been chipping away again this weekend but his results havent been great perhaps because of the set up which we will look at after the weekend.

I would like to say a massive thank you to all our sponsors; I can’t name them all but they all know who they are. We couldn’t have done it without them and I appreciate what they have done for us.

Performance Parts Ltd are please to support, sponsor and supply Gearlink Kawasaki. For more information about the performance parts we have for YOUR bike please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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HM Plant Honda Ends Season On A High

The HM Plant Honda team missed out on the British Superbike Championship title this year, but at Brands Hatch yesterday (Sunday) Shane 'Shakey' Byrne put in a sensational performance to celebrate a double race victory to end the season on a high for the team.

Byrne: Certainly not a Shakey finish...

In the second race of the weekend on Sunday morning, Shakey got off to a flying start from the front row as he moved into second at the first corner but quickly took the lead and continued to head the field until the chequered flag. Kiyonari meanwhile finished in sixteenth place in the second race of the weekend.
In the final race of the season on Sunday afternoon, Shakey again demonstrated the impressive pace of the HM Plant Honda Fireblade to secure the final win of the year by 4.434 seconds, which secured him third place in the overall standings. Kiyo just missed out on a top ten finish in eleventh place and finished sixth in the championship overall.

The National Superstock 1000 Championship race was unfortunately cancelled following a crash that caused the race to be red flagged and Jason O’Halloran was therefore unable to complete the final race of the year.

Shakey said: "That win in the first race of the day race felt like I had just won the championship! We gave it everything at the weekend and I wanted nothing less than two race wins on Sunday. We had a good start but in the first laps I didn't do a very good job of avoiding the damp patches and I had a few moments - in fact more than I think I have had in my whole career! I didn't know who was behind me but I knew I wasn't prepared to let them through as I wanted that win badly. The second win was great for me and the team but at the same time I felt a bit empty as all that hard work and great wins but for no championship title.
 

“After the first race of the day I didn’t initially realise I couldn’t still win the championship, but then the boys said to me just get out there and enjoy it and that’s what I did. Every lap I kept thinking why did Donington and Silverstone go so wrong? I was desperate to achieve the last two wins of the season and on Sunday we won the battle but we didn’t quite manage the war. The double win was a great result for the HM Plant Honda team for all their hard work all season. Missing out this year means I have something to come back for next year and I will certainly be throwing some grenades then!”

Kiyo- not back at HM Plant next season

 Kiyo said: “It has been another difficult weekend for me and I am disappointed that I couldn’t have a better result to end the season. We have worked hard and I need to thank the HM Plant Honda team for their support to try and help me improve over this year.”
Jason said: “I was really looking forward to the final race of the season as we really wanted to end on a high for the HM Plant Honda team, but unfortunately it wasn’t possible. We had been improving all weekend and I was feeling confident for the race, but I just want to thank the HM Plant Honda team for their support this season, particularly when I was injured.”

Team Manager Havier Beltran concluded: “Shakey did a fantastic job by taking the double win at Brands Hatch and he couldn’t have done any more. At the beginning of Sunday the championship was realistically unfortunately out of reach so all he could do was end the season with two victories and that is exactly what he did and it was a classy performance from him and we couldn’t have asked for more.

“It has been a difficult season for Kiyo; with him the HM Plant Honda team has won three BSB titles and scored 43 race wins which makes him the most successful rider in BSB history. We want to thank Kiyo for the successes we have celebrated together over the years. He will always be part of the Honda family and we wish him all the best for the future, in whatever he decides to do, as he will not be returning to the HM Plant Honda team in 2012.

“For Jason it was disappointing that the race was cancelled and he was unable to end the season with a result and full race but we obviously want to send our best wishes to the riders involved in the accident that caused the stoppage. We are now already looking ahead to winter preparation for next season where we will be looking to come back even stronger.”


For further information about Honda, the HM Plant Honda team and its riders please visit
www.honda.co.uk or www.honda-racing.co.uk

Performance Parts Ltd are please to support, sponsor and supply HM Plant Honda. For more information about the performance parts we have for YOUR bike please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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SWAN YAMAHA CELEBRATE BSB CHAMPIONSHIP WIN AT BRANDS HATCH

The Swan Yamaha team are celebrating tonight after Tommy Hill secured a maiden MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship title with a sensational performance in the final race of the year to beat title rival John Hopkins to the line by just 0.006 seconds. The second place meant that Hill was crowned champion with a two point advantage at the end of the season.

Tommy Hill - BSB Champ!

 Hill had missed out on a podium in the second race with a fourth place and just two points separated him from title rival Hopkins ahead of the last race of the year. In the final race the pair swapped places five times on the final lap, which would decide the outcome of the title. Hill narrowly crossed the line ahead to secure second and with it a maiden championship title for the team.

Michael Laverty was caught out by the drying conditions in the second race but in the season finale he was embroiled in the fight for the final podium positions before ending the race in fifth place. Laverty ended the season fourth in the standings for the Swan Yamaha team.

Hill said: “I am gobsmacked to have won the title for Swan Yamaha; this has been my goal and I was trying to stay as relaxed as possible in that final race. The season has put a lot of pressure on everyone and that reflects on everyone. We have been regularly finishing in the top three and that has therefore been the benchmark and the whole of the Swan Yamaha team have been working so hard all year to make this possible. It has just been a complete shock for me and I feel like we should be having another race next weekend now! It wasn’t until the other riders started congratulating me that I even realised I had won as it was so close between myself and Hopper.

“It has been a long hard season and it came down to that one race. Everyone wanted a Showdown and that is what we have given them; it really was make or break time and I knew I had to do everything possible to beat Hopper. I knew Michael (Laverty) was behind me, but then when I knew it was Josh (Brookes) I had to just go for it. Coming across the line we didn’t know who had finished second and with it the title. At the moment I feel like I need someone to punch me or something to bring me back to reality. I just want to go out and race again now! I just want to celebrate now with my family, friends and the whole of the Swan Yamaha team and I need to thank everyone for their support this season.”

Laverty said: “Today has been a great result for the Swan Yamaha team and congratulations have to go to Tommy for winning the title. I rode my hardest to try and protect him and the rest of the hard work he did himself. There is a lot of satisfaction for the team tonight but at the same time I am disappointed that we were not able to come away as the champion. We have been fast all season long and we showed again yesterday with the win that we have the pace. It has been a great year and I need to thank the Swan Yamaha team for all their support.”

Team Owner Shaun Muir concluded: “We delivered everything we set out to achieve at the start of the season although we have made life difficult along the way! It didn’t start the best for Tommy this weekend but he couldn’t have done more in that race. Big thanks also have to go to Michael for his support in the final race as he did a great job of acting as Tommy’s wingman. We want to take this opportunity to thank all of our sponsors, partners and supporters who have made this possible.”

For more information visit www.swanyamaha.co.uk

Performance Parts Ltd are please to support, sponsor and supply Swan Yamaha. For more information about the performance parts we have for YOUR bike please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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HOPKINS SECOND IN BSB CHAMPIONSHIP – BY 0.006secs

Samsung Crescent Racing's John Hopkins has missed out on the British Superbike Championship by the smallest ever recorded deficit: 0.006-seconds.

In a day of tough breaks at the final round of the 2011 British Superbike Championship, Hopkins suffered an electrical glitch on the first lap of the first race today, but was able to reset the bike's ignition trackside and recovered from last place to 12th. His championship rival Tommy Hill meanwhile finished fourth, to narrow Hopkins' championship lead to just two points. Hopkins' team-mate Jon Kirkham was able to help in damage control by placing a superb second, ahead of Hill.

Hopper: brought something special to the BSB

In the final race of the series Hopkins held third place for 16 laps before being passed by Hill. Both then passed James Ellison to be second and third going into the last lap with the gap between them just 0.060-seconds. In a lap which saw countless pass and re-passing, their race – and the championship – was decided by the final lunge for the finish line, which Hill made by the smallest advantage measurable. Jon Kirkham had been challenging for fifth place when he crashed (uninjured) at Druids on the fifth lap.

John Hopkins: "Well I don't feel great obviously, but I don't feel completely empty either. This has been a great season, I gave it everything I had but it just wasn't to be. So hats off to Tommy for taking the title.

"I couldn't be more grateful to the Samsung Crescent Racing team, they gave me everything including the best bike out there. I came into this year on a make or break basis in terms of my racing career but with their help I'm now set for a world championship ride next year. The team has put me there. I'm hugely grateful."

Jon Kirkham: "I had a great first race today, it was good to show what I could do, to be on the podium again was brilliant – and it secured me the Riders' Cup, for being best of the rest (first non Title Fighter)!

Kirkham: Rider's Cup winner

"In the second race I didn't have the rear tyre performance I had for the first, it was spinning up and when I pushed it – I really wanted to be in the top-five there, helping Hopper – it just let go.

"I sit here now and the year has just gone so quick; it's been an enjoyable year and to race with the Samsung Crescent Racing team has been brilliant. Big thanks to them for a giving me such a great year."

Jack Valentine, team manager: "I'm speechless. It's impossible to put into words how this feels. It's hugely disappointing, yet I find I'm happy as well – I think that's the pride I feel for the team. What they've achieved this year has been brilliant, an unbelievable job.

"Racing will always be a story of ifs and buts and we've plenty of those to take away from this weekend – what if Hopper's electrics hadn't suffered that glitch in the first race; what if JK had stayed on and got in the mix? But the story of the championship isn't down to one or two isolated moments like those, there's more to it than that and everyone has those moments during the year. We just have to take away the positives. We were there and we got to within literally an inch or so of the title. We did everything we could.

"So I'd like to say a big thank you back to my riders as well, I've appreciated everything they've done this season. Hopper has been an inspirational rider to work with, very giving, very open and always positive – we'll have so many great memories of this season with him. JK has been through an incredible journey this year, making the step up to the big time – and today he showed he's now one of Britain's top riders for sure. Then huge thanks to Lez and Dale and their crews, all of them have been incredibly professional – and inspirational – this season. It's been a great team. And finally, to Samsung, FIXI and all our sponsors – thanks for everything, without their support we wouldn't be here, the support has been brilliant. We hope they enjoyed the ride as much as we did.

"One more thing, then: bring on 2012!"

Performance Parts Ltd are please to support, sponsor and supply Samsung Crescent Suzuki. For more information about the performance parts we have for YOUR bike please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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