Category: Crew On Two

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

 

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Exclusive: Shane Byrne Interview: Why Not Carry On?

I felt privileged to chat to an icon of British Superbikes. Five time champion and the series’ defending champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne gave me a great insight into what it’s like at the top of British Superbike whilst also enduring a tricky start to the 2017 season. This is what he had to say in answer to some questions I put to him, way back at Snetterton.

2017 in your words…

The first part of the year has been really difficult. BSB is BSB and as much as some people dislike The Showdown, sometimes it can work for you. I think that as it turns out, even without The Showdown scenario, we’re slowly but surely clawing our way back to the top. We’ve got our difficult tracks out the way now so I’m very hopeful and here (Snetterton) is the start of a run of circuits that I really enjoy and the bike works very well at.

Whilst it hasn’t been the strongest of starts to the year, it’s not because we haven’t had the speed or because of problems. It’s because I got really unlucky at Donington Park and lost the front on a cold tyre, keeping me out of both races. Then at Brands, I really wanted to win and without question I was going to win race two, then, I lost the front on the bumps and down I went. That’s racing. I’ve been around a really long time and you learn to roll with the lows and enjoy the highs when they come.

Are you surprised at how competitive Glenn Irwin has been this year?

Not at all, why would I be surprised? He’s got exactly the same bike as I have. Glenn has come from a very fast family. His dad was a very quick racer. One of his brothers is leading the British Motocross Championship, his younger brother is doing well here in Supersport and you’d be mad to think that Glenn wouldn’t be there too. He’s had a relatively short circuit racing career but at the same time, he’s come through very quick. He’s had a season and a bit on the bike now and there has to be a point where you say, ‘time to do a job now’. As it stands, he’s got unlucky with an accident at Knockhill and all he needs to do now is get himself back and back strong again. The problem with these bikes is that they are so hard to ride. If you comeback injured, you might not be able to do a proper job. Then your confidence starts to go down and it’s spirals from there.

Do you think he will be in The Showdown?

I certainly think so. He’s a very strong and determined rider and if there’s anything I can do to help him secure a top six place then obviously, I will. However, first things first, I need to secure my own placing! I need to get myself up there in the podium points standings. He should be fine when he gets back at Brands Hatch.

Since joining the paddock in 1999, what has been the standout moment for you, excluding your 5 titles?

I don’t know really. I’ve seen lots of people come and lots of people go. I’ve seen lots of fuss made of some people and not so much of others. I’ve seen people where you think, ‘if you had a good bike, you’d do really well’ and others on good bikes where you think, ‘you’re not that good at all’! That’s not me being harsh, it’s the facts.

At Knockhill, I was 7th in the standings and well down on podium credits. I left Knockhill 3rd in the championship and with two podiums. In some ways, you could say ‘job done’. The problem is that it’s not enough. It’s only enough when you come away with two wins. I think the minute that I start accepting third place is worrying.

It’s not what I am here for. I have to push and your continuously looking for that extra something.

Talk about rider preparation in a top BSB team.

I’ve started doing something at this round in my personal preparation. I’ve never done it in my whole career! You may not find half a second in one change on the bike, but three changes on the bike and you might find 0.1 here, 0.5 there. Suddenly, you’ve found a second. It’s the same with your personal preparation. Everything you do and the way you go about doing it has to be in the manner of ‘chipping away’. You’re at the top of a very professional championship and sometimes, I might be the benchmark of the championship, so other riders will be taking chunks out of you. Therefore, you have to find ways to be faster, stronger etc. It’s good and I enjoy the challenge of that. People say to me “how much longer are you going to be around?” etc, but I’ve got some pretty big numbers I want to hit in the championship. The 100 victories is obviously a target. On average, since coming back in 2011, I win 8-12 races per year. The 100 victories is one of my little missions.

Do you feel that you never got a proper chance at World level?

I’d give up all five BSB titles for one WSBK championship. That’s my dream: to be a world champion. The day you stop dreaming of being world champion is the day to hang your leathers up. I still dream of it but the problem is I’m not in the WSBK series!

Could you return to WSBK in the future?

I don’t know. Listen, people look at me now, at 40 years old and think, ‘when are you going to retire?’, ‘do you think you can do this, do you think you can do that?’ and I feel like saying ‘f*** **f’, I’m here to race and win – which I am doing. When you can put on a performance like I have this weekend and show everyone that you can still do it, then why not carry on?

Who was your standout teammate throughout your career?

Carlos Checa was great as a teammate. Jeremy McWilliams was a lot of fun! Ryuichi Kiyonari is the standout one though. I had, and still have, so much respect for that guy. I’m gutted that he left because even when I was his teammate on the exact same bike, when things were going good for me and not so good him, you could never, ever discount him. There was enough mutual respect between us that we never discounted each other. Lots of things have to be right for Ryuichi but his speed is unquestionable. He’s doing the Suzuka 8hr this year, chances are he will win. He’s undoubtedly one of the fastest guys I’ve ever raced.

 Image by Gareth Davies of Full Factory Photography.

Story by Kiko Giles

@MotoGPKiko

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Exclusive: Jason O’Halloran Q&A

Sum up your year so far.

It’s been a lot of hard work. We have all had our heads down and have been trying to figure out the new bike ever since we got it. The previous model had been worked on by the whole team – not just me – making it very easy to figure out. When you get a new bike, it isn’t just new for me, it is new for the team. You have to figure out how things work. The flyby wire was knew for myself and also for the team. We didn’t get a great deal of testing prior to the season starting. We had 4 days in Spain, the Donington Park test was wet and then, we had the first race.

We knew immediately what it was we needed to work on. The throttle feeling and throttle connection were main things. How the bike delivered its power: it has more power than last year, and we just needed to control that. As you’ve seen, every round we are getting closer.

Is the bike as good as you expected it to be?

As a road bike, I’ve done six days on it. From the previous model road bike to the new model road bike, it is such a step forward and it is a beautiful bike to ride. In BSB, we are restricted to some of the stuff that we can use, due to the rules. In a way, we lose some of the good stuff that Honda have done, and then we need to work in other areas. As a road bike – it is fantastic. As a BSB bike – we are restricted – so we are still finding a feeling with it.

Have you experienced any gearbox issues?

I haven’t had any gearbox issues on the new Honda all year. I’ve got no idea what happened with Guy Martin at the TT but from my personal experience, from my first ride on it up to now, I haven’t had any problems with it at all.

If you had the dry test, do you think you could have been there from the start?

We were, and still are, on the back foot. I don’t think any of us anticipated just how much work that needed to go into the bike to get it feeling how we wanted it to feel. I think we thought ‘OK, some parts are the same, others are different, so we will just have 4/5 days working on the bike and we will find a setting fairly quickly’. That clearly didn’t happen. I think that if the bike came earlier or if we had another five days testing, we would be five days further forward. We have made massive steps in a very short space of time.

Are you or your team co-operating with Red Bull Ten Kate Honda in WSBK?

I don’t have a massive amount of communication with them, the guys at Honda Racing UK might and the team itself might but I don’t have any personal communication with them guys. We use similar components, such as brakes, suspension, swinging arms and the chassis is pretty much the same. One difference is that they use Cosworth engines and we use our own engine people. I don’t know exactly what their issues are compared to what we have but as you’ve seen, we have Shane Byrne – a world class rider – on a very, very fast Ducati and we are able to be competitive with that. What we are doing here must be working.

Following the death of Nicky Hayden, have you been contacted regarding a ride?

I haven’t had any communication with Honda yet. Unfortunately, pretty much every WSBK race clashes with BSB. I don’t think it will happen. It may happen if we have a good year but at the minute it isn’t in my plans.

Do you have ANY plans beyond 2017?

I don’t have any plans at the moment. It’s very easy to start talking about next season when you start winning races straight away but as you’ve seen, it’s taken us a little bit of time to get going. I’m enjoying BSB. As much as I want to go to World Superbike, the route there seems more difficult than it has ever been, especially to try and find a competitive seat there. You’ve got guys from MotoGP coming back to WSBK making it more difficult for new riders to get there. Like I’ve said, I’m happy here in Britain. I think over the last couple of years, we’ve improved quite a lot. I think I’m getting close to being able to challenge for the championship. I really want to be BSB championship.

Talk about your comeback from injury.

I broke my femur and my hand pretty badly in 2915 at Thruxton. It was a very long road to recovery. I came back last year and got on the pace pretty much straight away – I qualified 2nd at Silverstone. The races obviously took a little bit longer, because I wasn’t as bike fit as I thought or hoped. I had a great year last year and I feel as good as I’ve ever felt with the bike. I feel at home with the bike.

Where can the Australian Superbike championship improve, so it produces more successful riders like in previous years?

It’s a real shame for Australian Superbike riders because the Australian Superbike championship, when I came through, was at a very high level. Some of the guys who are there now are winning and are actually of a very high level. They just don’t get the recognition that they deserve, for a number of reasons. The championship is quite small being one, and Australia’s physical location being another, as it is so far from Europe.

I don’t really know what they can do to improve it – I know the organisers are trying really hard to improve it but in he last few years, there has been two separate championships which has really, really hurt them (FX Championship and ASBK). Now all the main teams are in ASBK, I think it will improve. The teams that are in Australia, such as the Factory Honda and Factory Yamaha teams, are as good as what we have in the UK. The personnel, the equipment and the workshops are all as good as top BSB teams.

It needs a bit more coverage and a bit more money behind it, which will bring in more support. It is very difficult for them though, as the country is so big. You can’t follow it like BSB. You get to recognise some of the fans over here and you see the same faces. In Australia, they can’t do that because it’s so vast.

Do you think you can make the showdown again this season?

Yes. I think the showdown for us is a number one target and we are in that position at the moment. However, it only takes one dropped result or a crash and you’re out of it, because the points are so close. It is really important to keep bagging the results and hopefully, we can make it!

Thank you to Jason for his time and to Gareth Davies of Full Factory Photography for the images.

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MotoGP German GP Preview: Honda’s Heaven

MotoGP arrives in Germany this weekend, for the ninth round of the championship, at the Sachsenring. Valentino Rossi reignited his championship hopes last weekend in The Netherleands, as he won at the Assen circuit for a 10th time, becoming the only rider to win 10 races across all classes at the circuit in Grand Prix. However, the Sachsenring is a happy hunting ground for Honda. They have won every race since 2010, with the last non-Honda win coming from Valentino Rossi in 2009. Marc Marquez is one to lookout for here, with his former flat-track experience coming in handy around a circuit which features seven consecutive left handers. He has won every race he’s been entered in at the circuit since 2010, making him a clear favourite to take honours once more.

As we approach the halfway point in the championship, Andrea Dovizioso and Ducati lead the championship standings. This is the first time since the 2009 Italian MotoGP that a Ducati has led the standings. It is also the first time ever that Andrea Dovizioso has led the championship in the premier class. His form around Germany isn’t anything too special, although a podium last year shows that perhaps he has found something at a circuit that is known for posing the threat of rain. Three podiums at the circuit since his career began in 2002 isn’t great but Dovizioso hasn’t finished outside of the top-five since we’ve been in Europe this season. Another solid result may sees him in proper title contention come the end of the ninth round.

Maverick Vinales comes to Germany off the back of a shambolic weekend at Assen, which saw the young Spaniard on the 4th row after qualifying, and on the floor during the race. He, like teammate Rossi, also suffered in Catalunya, making the previous two races his worst when you combine his points together. And if you’re expecting a Vinales victory in Germany, think again. He is yet to finish in the top 10 at the circuit in the premier class and hasn’t had a podium at the Sachsenring since his Moto3 championship year in 2013. Yamaha haven’t had a win since 2009 and with Vinales’ fragile state of mind following two awful events, he may be happier than others to reach the Summer break, to get his head together for the second half of the year.

Valentino Rossi showed us that there is life in the old dog just yet, with a superb victory at Assen. Using the ‘new’ Yamaha chassis has paid dividends to The Doctor, who slashed a 28-point deficit in the championship to just seven – three behind teammate Vinales. Rossi was only 8th at the track last year after the circuit dried out, with him ignoring his pit board. His most recent podium at the track came in 2015, when he was 3rd, making it the 11th podium for him at the circuit. Rossi hasn’t had back to back wins in MotoGP since 2009 at Catalunya and Assen, so he’ll be looking to update that particular statistic. Rossi’s last win at the Sachsenring was also the last time he qualified on pole at the track. If he does take back to back wins, he will be the second oldest rider to do so, after Les Graham in 1952, winning at Monza and Montjuic Park at the ripe old age of 41.

Reigning champion and Sachsenring specialist Marc Marquez slipped to 4th in the championship after Assen, despite finishing 3rd, achieving his 4th podium of the year. Marquez will be looking to surpass Valentino Rossi in premier class wins at Sachsenring, with both currently on four. He will also be hoping to become the first rider to take five straight wins at the German Grand Prix since Giacomo Agostini between 1967 and 1972 – although organisers were alternating the German Grand Prix between the Hockenheimring, Nurburgring Sudschleife and Nurburgring Nordschleife tracks. Marquez has not qualified on pole since the Americas Grand Prix five races ago. This is the first time since moving up to the premier class that he has gone five consecutive races without securing pole. Having said that, Marquez is yet to not start on pole at the German Grand Prix in the premier class.

Just when you thought Dani Pedrosa had rediscovered his old form and confidence, a 13th place at Assen suddenly questions it. He was 2nd in the series standings after Le Mans, but now finds himself 5th, although just 28 points off Dovizioso. The Spaniard is the only rider – other than Marquez – to win three or more consecutive races in the premier class at the track, and was the man who initiated Honda’s win streak at the venue. Pedrosa has seven premier class podiums at the track, although last year saw him yield just 6th. Dani Pedrosa’s 13th in the Dutch GP was only the 2nd time in his career that he’d finished in that position. The last time was at Welkom in 2001. The next race saw him finish 10th, at Jerez.

Revelation of 2017, Frenchman Johann Zarco will be seeking to repeat the feat he achieved last season, pinching the victory from home-hero Jonas Folger on the run to the line on the last lap. Although some may say that Zarco will not win a race, don’t be so sure. He’s led three races this season, the same as Valentino Rossi. Zarco has finished inside the top two in his last two Moto2 appearances, however, his only other podium comes from 2011 in the 125cc class. 14th at Assen was his worst finish of the year and the first time he had finished outside of the top 10. Zarco will be out to make amends in Germany.

The next two riders in the championship are Pramac Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci, with Jorge Lorenzo in behind. Petrucci has shown some incredible pace in the run into the mid-season, with two podiums from the last three rounds. Jorge Lorenzo on the other hand finished just 15th at Assen and has one podium less than Petrucci. Lorenzo has never won at the Sachsenring and hasn’t been on the podium there since 2014. Petrucci crashed out whilst leading last year – his best result is 9th from 2015.

Cal Crutchlow’s late surge in the final few laps at Assen saw him finish 4th, moving to 9th in the championship. Seven points behind him is Jonas Folger, who suffered his first DNF of the season at Assen. Both riders finished 2nd in their respective races at the Sachsenring last year. Cal has finished every race he has entered in Germany during his MotoGP career, with his only non top-10 finish coming in his rookie year, with 14th in 2011. Folger on the other hand has only 1 podium to his name at the track, which was last year. A German rider hasn’t won the German Grand Prix in the premier class since Edmund Czihak in 1974. This was also the last time a German won a premier class Grand Prix.

Jack Miller and Alvaro Bautista are next along in the championship. Miller took his best result of the year last time out, with 6th. The Australian was also a race leader in last year’s German Grand Prix, before dropping to 7th. He won the Moto3 race there in 2014. Bautista was running strongly at Assen before crashing. It was the Spaniard’s 4th crash of the year during a race which has resulted in him retiring. Apart from his rookie MotoGP year, he has finished in every premier class German Grand Prix, with a best of 5th in 2013. He finished 10th last year, on an Aprilia.

Scott Redding and Loris Baz are separated by just two points coming into the ninth round of the championship. Redding was riding well until his penultimate lap crash at the chicane last weekend. Loris Baz however, took a hard-fought 8th place – his best finish of the year. Redding was marginally beaten to the podium at the German Grand Prix last year, finishing 4th, whereas Baz is yet to score points in the country in MotoGP. He has never had a top 4 in the country at any circuit throughout his racing career.

Andrea Iannone showed something of a return to form last time out at Assen, with 9th place, riding as high up as 6th at one point whilst also setting the fastest lap of the race until Redding bettered it. Iannone has been 5th at the Sachsenring for the previous three years and if it was to happen again this year, it would be his best result on the Suzuki. Former Suzuki rider Aleix Espargaro is right behind Iannone in the championship. A run of mechanical gremlins were discontinued at Assen, with the Aprilia ace taking his first top-10 since Jerez in early May. Since returning to the premier class in 2012, Aleix has scored points in every German GP.

Tito Rabat is level with Aleix Espargaro on points, however he is yet to have his first top 10 of the year. The Spaniard is improving, although the Sachsenring is a track which he has never had a podium at across his career. Hector Barbera is next up in the championship in 18th. He achieved his best result of the year as Catalunya but dropped to 16th at Assen last time out. This was the first time since last year’s Japanese GP that he has actually finished a race outside of the points. The Spaniard qualified a sensational 2nd last season at the track, finishing 9th in the race – equalling his career best at the circuit in the premier class.

Karel Abraham achieved his first top 10 in MotoGP since Valencia 2012 last time out, equalling a career best finish of 7th in the MotoGP category. He has finished every race he has started in Germany in the top class, with a 5th place in Moto2 in 2010. Pol Espargaro follows him in the championship in 20th, although he achieved his best result of the year at Assen last weekend. His best finish at the Sachsenring in MotoGP was a 7th in 2014, although he has 1 podium from Moto2 in 2013.

Alex Rins made a name for himself at Assen for all the wrong reasons, by getting in the way of Danilo Petrucci. Rins crashed out of 2nd place at the German GP last year in Moto2, but was 3rd the year previous. He has one win, back in 2013 in Moto3. Suzuki as manufacturer haven’t won at the circuit since Kenny Roberts JR in 1999, although that was prior to the current layout.

Brits Bradley Smith and Sam Lowes bring up the rear of the table as far as full time riders are concerned. Both failed to finish last time at Assen. Smith was 13th in last year’s race in Germany, whereas Lowes failed to finish his Moto2 race. The last British premier class winner at the German Grand Prix was Barry Sheene in 1977.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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Knockhill: Should it Stay or Should it Go?

Image courtesy of Impact Images, from JG Speedfit Kawasaki.

After a crash-fest on Friday morning, Knockhill has come under scrutiny from British Superbike riders and fans, with the precedent being set that the circuit needs investment in safety. Whilst some riders like the track and enjoy it’s challenges, others have slammed it, with riders such as Josh Brookes in the Superbikes and Ryan Vickers in the National Superstock 600 class saying that a change has to come. Here’s what some notable people in the paddock had to say about visiting Knockhill.

“I like Knockhill! This circuit has always been really good to us and I actually really enjoy it”, said Luke Mossey, who now leads the BSB championship. “Yes, it’s a bit far from my home town but it’s just one of them things really. Like I say, it’s been good in the past and will be good again I’m sure”.

Also fighting the pro-Knockhill corner was Superstock 1000 ace, Danny Buchan. “I think Knockhill is safe enough, for sure. It depends on the nature of the crash”, began the ‘Basildon Bullet’. “Glenn Irwin’s crash was very unusual and could’ve had the same end result if it happened at any other circuit. If they took it off, we’d just have to adapt”, said Buchan, speaking pragmatically about the circuit’s future. “It’d be gutting for the guys in Scotland, like it is for the guys in Ireland with no Mondello Park”.

Pete Extance, team owner of the JG Speedfit Bournemouth Kawasaki Team was far more balanced in his response. “The circuit itself gives some great racing, riders enjoy it and yes there’s been a few accidents but the riders have to ride within themselves and the levels of the circuit”, Extance stated, having had his rider, Leon Haslam, wiped out of contention for the weekend by a cold circuit. “I think if you start considering Knockhill being removed, you’ve got massive problems. You’d have to start looking at Brands Indy. I think we should continue coming up north. It’s down to the organisers and the circuit to improve the safety”, although Extance goes on to say that the medical facilities are fantastic.

“One thing that is for sure is that BSB is the safest championship to be in. Great medical care and I think they are certainly very careful within safety”, he continued. The Bournemouth Kawasaki Team Owner did however acknowledge that there are improvements needed for the circuit. “There are some areas around the circuit which need more run off, whereas there are others that have sufficient amounts”.

Extance finished by looking on the brighter side of things at Knockhill, saying, “I’m not sure we can blame the circuit for the incidents on Friday Morning. Also, it’s a national championship and the tents that have been erected at the end of pit-lane, whilst not ideal, aren’t a bad working structure.

However, Ryan Vickers branded the circuit as “needing development”. It definitely needs development and their first port of call is to resurface the circuit”, said the 18-year-old. “The bumps into the first turn and then into the final turn are horrific. Things like the chicane, the bikes have outgrown it, even for a 600cc. I had a little run on in practice but because the distance from the circuit to the barriers are so short, I had to lay the bike down. The track doesn’t cater for mistakes”.

Vickers continued, saying, “I wouldn’t really miss it judging by this weekend but it wouldn’t be good for the people of Scotland. Knockhill needs looking into within the next couple of years, because it’s about rider safety at the end of the day. It’s not safe with the bumps and the cambers.

Former champion Josh Brookes back up the opinion of the National Superstock 600 riders, saying, “I would not miss this circuit if Stuart Higgs took it off the calendar”.

Brookes continued, also mentioning how the series itself needs to help Knockhill improve, with more funding required. “I kind of want to say that it needs to be on the calendar but it’s not like we are short for space. Why doesn’t Stuart Higgs get in with Jonathan Palmer and make some sort of business plan and sort the circuit out. We can have a bit of extension, buy more land to make more room and have some more circuit. Widen the track, resurface the place to take the bumps out and all of a sudden, you’ve got a pretty decent circuit and a round of the championship that everyone is looking forward to”.

The Australian also said, “This year, more than any, has illustrated that there needs to be change here. It’s not because we don’t want to come to Scotland, it’s because the circumstances are what they are. Something has to change. I’m sure that there is enough money between the big people of this series to invest in the track”.

The general consensus speaking to others around the paddock is that as much as it needs improvement, it would be a disaster for the Scottish people if they had no circuit to come to. However, improvements have to be made in order to keep everyone and every rider happy and safe. Whilst tradition is key, British Superbike directors will have to think carefully about whether it should override the modern times and demands of the modern bike. If a 600cc bike has outgrown the circuit, then investment will need to be required as soon as possible.

Having said all that, there are plenty of people who are enthusiastic about coming to the circuit itself. It is not far from the nearest town, Dunfermline, which is a massive plus compared to somewhere like Brands Hatch, which is similar to Knockhill if you compare them with the Indy layout. The circuit provides excellent racing and history suggests that there’s rarely been a serious accident at the circuit.

In 2013, Matthew Polanski was killed at the circuit, whilst a second rider was airlifted to hospital from a separate accident a day later – although it may be worth noting that these accidents occurred whilst running the circuit in the opposite direction to the BSB riders. This was only the 2nd time in 25 years that a rider needed to be airlifted to hospital. Knockhill’s safety record is far superior to the likes of Cadwell Park, Brands Hatch and Silverstone. This highlights that Knockhill, while some say it is dangerous, is no more dangerous than anywhere else and that in fact, is one of the safer circuits on the calendar.

Whilst this may not have been at British Superbike level, the fact that it was only four years ago will be alarming. As bikes get quicker and riders push limits, accidents are inevitable. However, it’s how you limit the risks and narrow the vulnerability of a rider on circuit that matters. The bottom line is investment is needed at the circuit, before there are any snap decisions to remove it all together.

Image courtesy of Impact Images, from JG Speedfit Kawasaki.

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