Worx Crescent Suzuki’s Yukio Kagayama stole the honor of recording the fastest lap-time from the Cartagena 2010 BSB test today in Spain after he slashed nearly a second off the previous best times and lapping at a scintillating 1:33.51.

With team-mate Tommy Hill only 200ths-of-a-second behind, the pair easily bettered the official lap record and finished first and second at the top of the BSB test times.

Jack Valentine – Team Manager:
“We’re very, very pleased with today’s outcome. We had only planned for three days’ testing here but considering the high workload and the teething issues we’ve experienced, we felt the extra day would help prepare the team better for the next test at Guadix on Tuesday.

“Yukio’s had his work cut out these last few days, but today he was able to put in 42 laps – nearly equal to what he did over the entire three previous days. This brought him up to Tommy’s pace and it was a real pleasure to see the pair of them all-but sharing the best lap time. But, just as importantly, those lap times weren’t one-offs for either of them as they were able to lap consistently at this very fast pace.

“So we’re really happy with the progress made: We’ve come here with a team that’s much bigger than we had last year and we’ve come with new kit in the form of the Öhlins suspension and Motec engine management. The bikes, the riders; and the team are really starting to gel and we’ve achieved everything we set out to do.”

Unofficial overall top 10 test times:
1 Yukio Kagayama (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 1m: 33.51s
2 Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) 1m: 33.53s
3 Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki) 1m: 34.3s
4 Dan Linfoot (Motorpoint Yamaha) 1m: 34.4s
5 James Ellison (Swan Honda) 1m: 34.5s
6 Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) 1m: 34.8s
7 Neil Hodgson (Motorpoint Yamaha) 1m: 34.9s
8 Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki) 1m: 34.9s
9 Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 1m: 35.0s
10 Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 1m: 35.2s

Worx Crescent Suzuki riders Tommy Hill and Yukio Kagayama concluded their three-day British Superbike Championship pre-season test at Cartagena in Spain today having made important progress – and taking the unofficial lap record in the process.

While Hill unofficially broken the lap record and set the fastest time – and with his team-mate only tenths-of-a-second behind – Team Manager Jack Valentine warns that these tests aren’t about lap times; but detailed bike-preparation in readiness for the BSB season, which gets underway at Brands Hatch in just 26-days time.

The BSB test, following on from private tests at the Portimao circuit in Portugal in February, has not been without its problems: Kagayama’s bike has suffered teething problems with its new engine management system, which has limited his track time. Both riders have suffered crashes too: Hill crashed yesterday while passing another rider and Kagayama high-sided in the final session today. Both riders escaped injury and both bikes have been fully repaired.  During the three days, Hill completed 90 laps of testing, while Kagayama made 52.

Tommy Hill:
“The testing has been really good and I’m very happy with progress. We came here with a big list of jobs to work through and it’s been good to get through these; working with different chassis and suspension settings. The lap times have come down and now the bike is really starting to feel my own. This circuit is really tight and twisty and so I’ve been able to ride the bike in a way that’s similar to how we ride the UK circuits, so everything we’re doing here is relevant. It’s going well.”

Yukio Kagayama:
“It hasn’t been easy for me with the problems we’ve had, but even on my side of the garage we’ve still made good progress and the speed is there. We’ve focused on working through many settings. We need to try many settings as there are many circuits in the season, so we need many ideas, many answers so that we can always be fast. So, good progress, but still more work to do!”

Jack Valentine – Team Manager:
“Testing is a serious business and it’s not at all straight forward. It’s been fairly-cold here and it’s been a job for the riders to find grip, so to get the lap times they have is excellent progress. As well, this test has been organized in sessions – rather than an open pit lane – and this has given the team a good taste of the kind of approach we’ll need to take in race-qualifying under the new one-bike rule. So far, all is good.”

The team had intended to conduct only three days testing at Cartagena but will now take part in the fourth and final-day of testing tomorrow, before moving onto the Guadix circuit later in the week for the final tests before the BSB season begins.

James Ellison & Stuart Easton

James Ellison and Stuart Easton had their first chance to get to grips with the Swan Honda at Cartagena on Thursday as the team’s testing schedule kicked off in Spain.

Both riders made the most of the first day as a shakedown test to work on basic set-up with Easton focusing on the electronic system while Ellison readjusted to the Honda on his return to the team.

Ellison said: “It was great to get the first day of testing underway and get back out on the Swan Honda. The team has worked really well today and it is like being back with the family again and it’s like I have never been away. We have been in and out of pit lane all day getting the bike to feel like mine again and I have been working on the gearing as it is so different from the Yamaha. We made a few slight changes to positioning but for me it was valuable time back on the Honda. It is definitely all smiles here tonight.”

Easton said: “We had a plan of what we needed to work on today and we have surpassed that so it bodes well for the next three days here at Cartagena. We have mainly focused on the new electronic kit and I have to say that it already feels better than I was expecting. We haven’t been clocking up the laps today but have solved a few teething problems that you always have at the first test. Tomorrow we plan to work further on the electronics as this is vital but after day one we are heading in the right direction.”

After a massive learning curve in 2009 whilst competing in their inaugural British SuperBike season MIST Suzuki continued to develop their Suzuki GSXR1000 over the Winter months. The preparation for the 2010 season resulted in a vastly improved machine with over 200 hp at the rear wheel coupled with a significantly improved electronics and suspension package.

Longtime MIST Suzuki Rider Matt Bond retired halfway through the 2009 BSB season

Plans for 2010 began in early November with promising talks with both sponsors and potential riders alike. As time moved on an agreement was reached with a top level sponsor and plans continued with a view to hiring an established rider, someone of the calibre of former race winner Chris Walker for example, and other experienced staff who could help take the team to the next level.

In the past week the team has learned that the company that had agreed to support the sponsor’s new business venture would be reviewing their partnership which means that by the time any money is available, if at all, it will be too late to allow everything to be ready in time for the start of the season.

It is with regret that MIST Suzuki find themselves in a difficult position with such a short time before pre-season testing is due to begin. Every effort is being made to secure the necessary funding to compete in the British SuperBike class this season and hire a rider capable or proving what the team can do. In addition there is potentially the option to run a second rider in the new SuperBike Evo class should the opportunity arise.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki are busy putting together plans for an intense racing season with new riders, sponsors, high-technology and a focused development schedule as they attack British Superbike (BSB), National Superstock and the Isle of Man TT.

The Essex-based team stepped up a level in 2009 with their riders regularly running at the sharp end of the pack resulting in a creditable BSB series finish of sixth and seventh. Star rider Simon Andrews lead races, finished on the podium and would have had an even stronger Championship position had it not been for injury.

For the 2010 season, Andrews will again spearhead the team, backed up by Privateers Cup winner Gary Mason, while the squad will also run a professional effort in the fiercely competitive Metzeler National Superstock Championship, having signed up Howie Mainwaring.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki hopes all the pieces have finally come together for 2010

Away from the short circuits, the team will run a fourth Kawasaki ZX-10R in the varied roads circuits of the Isle of Man TT, Ulster GP and NW200 utilizing the talents of roads specialist Ryan Farquhar.

During the winter, the team have picked up two state-of-the-art electronics packages, which have been developed by the Kawasaki World Superbike outfit of Paul Bird Motorsport. The Magneti Marelli Marvel system handles all on-board electronics to tackle both data collection and system management, with a myriad of datalogging and fine tuning options available. The electronics systems have been installed and the technicians have acquainted themselves with the technology, the team now track time to hone their set up.

Winter testing is scheduled to start on the 9th March at Guadix in Spain, which will give the team the opportunity to explore the new electronics for the first time.

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Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing is pleased to announce its rider line-up for the 2010 British Superbike Championship after Team Manager Philip Neill secured the signatures of reigning British Superstock Champion Alastair Seeley and fellow Northern Ireland rider Michael Laverty earlier this week.

Laverty needs little introduction, having secured the 2007 British Supersport title in Relentless Suzuki colors before spearheading the team’s maiden effort in the British Superbike Championship in 2008.

Seeley was something of a phenomenon during 2009, taking the British Superstock title with nine wins from nine starts on his GSX-R1000 Suzuki, before dipping his toe in the British Superbike pond as an end of season bonus.

Michael Laverty & Alastair Seeley

Both men will ride factory supported Relentless Suzuki Superbike machines with iconic Suzuki numbers – Seeley will run number 34 and Laverty number 7 for the 2010 season – and team manager Philip Neill is confident of immediate success.

Philip Neill:
“Not many teams can boast the services of two British champions, which we have secured in Michael Laverty and Alastair Seeley.  It’s fair to say our plans for this season have taken a little longer than normal to finalise as we did our best to consider the requirements of our sponsors.

“With this in mind, 2010 carries increased expectations from TAS Racing and its riders, but I am more than confident, we have chosen the correct line up in order to meet these requirements.

“As a team we will enter our third term in British Superbike, and having already secured both the British Supersport and Superstock Championships, we are now ready to challenge the front running teams for the Superbike title. We fully believe the Relentless Suzuki GSX-R1000 is the correct tool for the job and with one year’s development behind us already, we will hit the ground running when our testing program begins in Spain during early March.”

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MSS Colchester Kawasaki have used the winter break to show their British Superbike intentions with the addition of the latest spec WSBK Magneti Marelli electronics package.

Team owner Nick Morgan visited the Kawasaki World Superbike outfit of Paul Bird Motorsport to collect the valuable electronics systems, which the squad believes will help them bridge the gap to the best funded, factory-backed teams. The system has been extensively developed by PBM’s engineers Phil Borley and Stuart Bland, which gives the MSS Colchester a development short-cut with the new equipment. The Magneti Marelli Marvel system [Download product description pdf here] handles all on-board electronics to tackle both data collection and system management, with a myriad of data logging and fine tuning options available.

MSS Colchester team owner Nick Morgan (center) with 2010 riders Gary Mason and Simon Andrews

Electronics have become a big factor in modern racebike development and it has become apparent that big horsepower is not always enough if it cannot be controlled adequately, especially on tight, technical circuits such as some of those seen in the British Superbike Championship. The MSS Colchester squad now intend to utilize their new tools as well as special swing arms and chassis upgrades with extensive dyno and track development over the winter.

The official Kawasaki UK British Superbike entry recently announced their 2010 rider line-up of Simon Andrews and Gary Mason, both of which are excited to be using the new system.

Nick Morgan , MSS Colchester Kawasaki Team Owner:
“From a technical point of view we’re so excited to be using the latest spec World Superbike electronics and as motivation we know we now have the best kit available, so there’s no excuses! I can’t thank Birdy and his team enough for giving us such amazing hardware, especially as they have put in huge development time over the course of the year. The kit is straight off Broc Parkes machine which he used so effectively at Brands Hatch, so we know it works well there and that’s where we race!”

GSE Racing, who ran the Airwaves Yamaha and Airwaves Ducati teams and scored BSB championships with Troy Bayliss, Neil Hodgson,  Shane Byrne and Leon Camier will be forced to pull out of racing if it fails to land a title sponsor by the end of the month.  All team members have been notified, but the team is making one final push for a sponsorship deal.  Wrigley’s Airwaves made the announcement mid-season that they would not be continuing their motorcycle racing endeavors past 2009.

Airwaves Yamaha's James Ellison

Darrell Healey, Team Principal:
“It is with great regret that we have had to issue the team with their notice of redundancy, with a view to withdrawing from the British Superbike Championship at the end of 2009. We have enjoyed tremendously our time racing in the most competitive domestic Superbike series in the world, and therefore this decision was not taken lightly. Alongside Yamaha, we will be doing all we can to try and secure a partner in the remaining time available, and greatly hope we can return to once again successfully defend our Championship title.”

Colin Wright, Team Manager
“Everyone at GSE Racing is incredibly saddened that we may no longer be able to compete in the British Superbike Championship. We enjoyed our most successful season ever in 2009. Leon Camier and James Ellison were the only two riders to have finished every race in the points (barring Leon’s exclusion at Cadwell) and we enjoyed numerous double race wins and double one two’s on our way to first and second in the Championship standings. We were very much looking forward to continuing this success on into 2010 as we entered our second year in partnership with Yamaha, but unfortunately it looks like this will now not be.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank the whole team for their unrivalled dedication and hard work, our previous sponsors for their support, and of course the British Superbike fans.”

Buildbase Kawasaki are pleased to announce their 2010 British Superbike line up with John Laverty being partnered by Adam Jenkinson.

Laverty, who celebrated the birth of his first child last week, is delighted to be staying with the team that he rocketed to being a podium contender with during 2009.

John Laverty will remain with Buildbase Kawasaki for the 2010 British Superbike Season

John Laverty:
“After the 2009 season finished there was no doubt in my mind where I should be for 2010. I have a great relationship with the team and I’m sure it will only get better for next season. With all the data from 2009 we should be challenging for podiums from the start.”

Adam joins the team for 2010 after a strong season in the National Superstock 1000cc saw him take numerous podiums and a win at Silverstone.

Adam Jenkinson joins the Buildbase team after a successful season with SMT Honda in the Superstock 100 series

Adam Jenkinson:
“After joining the team for the Sunflower meeting in October there was only one place I wanted to be for 2010 and here I am! Bring on 2010 and let’s see what we can do. It will be great to be in the team with John and I am sure we can work well together to achieve the right results.”

Stuart Hicken, Team Principal:
“We have a great line up for 2010 with John and Adam, both riders are full of confidence and after a good season in 2009 I’m sure we can push on in 2010 with some top results. Our thanks must go to Buildbase who have proved to be an excellent company to work with and we look forward to working together for many seasons to come. We are working very hard with our technical partners pre-season especially Cosworth who are providing the expertise for our engine development program. We will be completing initial testing in the UK before attending the official Bitubo Suspension test in Cartagena in February.”

John Laverty secured a top-ten finish in the MCE British Superbike Championship with 10th and 6th place finishes before missing out on a possible 4th place when crashing out on the penultimate lap of the final race of the season. Seven places higher than his 2008 overall position, Laverty showed excellent pace throughout the weekend, again making the final phase of qualifying. Starting from 10th, John got away well in the first race of the triple-race weekend, before the race was red flagged. A poor get-away in the restart saw John battle his way back through to finish 10th just 1.5 seconds behind 5thplace. In race 2, John got way much better and was involved in a race long battle with Josh Brookes eventually getting the better of him and finishing 6th. In race 3, after the second red flag of the weekend – this time on lap 1 – John got away but soon became entangled in a battle with Sylvain Guintolo and Ian Lowry for 4th. On the penultimate lap, John pushed hard into Brittens chicane where he unfortunately crashed out of the race. A tough way to end the 2009 season but filled with promise for 2010.

It was fifth place all round for Hydrex Honda at Silverstone on Sunday when all three members of the team finished inside the top five in their respective races. Stuart Easton again led the way with a brace of fourths in the two Superbike races although new recruit Tommy Hill wasn’t too far behind with a pair of fifths and the results meant that for the first time ever, the team had both their riders finish in the top five in both BSB races. Meanwhile, Tom Grant added to the solid haul of results with an excellent fifth in the British Supersport 600cc Championship race.

Hydrex Honda's (and Motourage fantasy league rider) Stuart Easton

Having taken his first win of the year at the previous round, Easton was hoping for more of the same to continue to eat into James Ellison’s advantage in the race for second overall but a problem with the front tyre in the first race meant he was unable to challenge and had to settle for fourth. The team made a number of adjustments for the second race and they certainly helped as Stuart was able to run a lot closer to the front despite coming under extreme pressure throughout the race.

In the final third of the race, new Champion Leon Camier found his way through although third place and another podium looked on the cards for Stuart, It wasn’t to be though as fellow Honda rider Josh Brookes made a determined move on the last corner on the last lap and it was enough to push Stuart back for his second fourth place of the day, the first time since Mallory Park in July that he hadn’t finished on the podium in at least one of the races.

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