MSS Colchester Kawasaki riders Simon Andrews and Gary Mason got to test the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R complete with Magneti Marelli electronics, but only after snow was cleared from the circuit of Guadix in Spain.
Gary, Simon and new Superstock rider Howie Mainwaring each rode more than 30 laps in the test to dial in the new electronics systems.
On Tuesday, the team awoke to a thick blanket of snow, but unlike in their British home, the show soon melted, allowing the riders to gain meaningful practice and log valuable data.
MSS Colchester continues testing through Thursday.

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.

Swan Honda has confirmed their completed line-up for the 2010 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship with James Ellison joining Stuart Easton to form one of the strongest teams on the grid in a bid to secure a maiden BSB title. The completed line-up was unveiled in front of thousands of fans at the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show this past weekend.

James Ellison & Stuart Easton

Former Tech 3 MotoGP and 2007 AMA Superbike Corona Honda rider James Ellison returns to the team focused and determined after finishing runner-up in 2009 following weeks of uncertainty over his BSB return when he was left without a ride. However, Swan Honda seized the chance to re-sign the Kendal rider who last rode for the team during the 2008 season. Ellison was the most consistent title contender in 2009 and was the only rider to score points in each of the 26 races taking 14 podium finishes, with four of those race victories.

Ellison said: “I’m so grateful to Shaun Muir and SMR for giving me the opportunity to race in BSB this year. I know the whole Swan Honda team have pulled out all the stops to give me this chance to fight for the title. It’s been a very difficult winter not knowing if I would be racing, as I was left in a really difficult position at the end of 2009. I knew that if I had any chance of winning the championship it was with this team, so my first phone call was to Shaun when I was left without a ride.

“The team was strong when I was with them in 2008, but they have moved on so much since then. This is all down to their work ethic and solid team structure, which is exactly what I need to go one better in the championship this year. I class the team as family and I know the Honda like the back of my hand, so I’m confident we will be strong out of the gates and I am really looking forward to working with my old crew chief Mick Shanley again. I want to thank my fans, friends, family and my wife Sarah for standing by me and always believing in me; I promise I won’t let you down this year!”

Team Owner Shaun Muir concluded: “To say I am delighted to have James back on board is an understatement. We were disappointed to lose him at the end of 2008, but James is determined and passionate about his racing and took his best opportunity at that time. He left us on good terms and for that reason have held him in high regard. He brings a real hunger and desire to challenge for the title and I have no doubts that Stuart and James will bring the best out of each other. The whole team have worked together for a number of years now and this is the first year where there is a real competition in our own garage, something that is vital in challenging for a championship. I am sure that it is going to be a great first year for Swan Honda.

Join the Motourage Fantasy Riders Race League.

It’s simple. Just visit FantasyRiders.com and Create a New Team.

Once you have a team name, login and password, go to Join Personal League.

The league number is 80033, and – if needed – the password is veryfast.

There’s plenty of time to choose your riders, but make sure your picks are locked in by Feb 26 as no more changes will be allowed until after the first round.

As always, we’ll have a really cool prize for the league winner at the end of the season.

Good Luck!

-Dave

MSS Colchester Kawasaki have signed Howie Mainwaring to showcase the production Kawasaki ZX-10R in the fiercely competitive Metzeler National Superstock Championship.

Twenty-two year old Mainwaring has been in the British Superbike and Superstock series for many years and the team believe he will be a front runner with a good level of support.

This year’s Superstock class has an unparalleled level of ex-Superbike riders making it a must-see event for spectators. The team have prepared numerous high-level Superstock machines and are excited to be entering the series in their own right for the new season.

Howie Mainwaring has Superstock experience on a Suzuki and Yamaha.

The Superstock effort will run alongside the blue riband Superbike development meaning Howie will benefit from testing and R+D from the famed performance house. Superstock machines must run standard engines and chassis parts with only minor alterations, making them a class that proves the prowess of the original production machines bought in showrooms.

Howie is the fourth member of the MSS Colchester Kawasaki squad. Simon Andrews and Gary Mason are confirmed for British Superbikes while roads specialist Ryan Farquhar is signed up for the Isle Of Man TT and NW200.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki Team Owner, Nick Morgan said, “It’s great to be competing in Superstock, we know the ZX-10R is a quality machine straight out of the crate with good power and we think Howie is ready for the challenge. He’s been around for a while but this could be his big break and he knows it.”

Howie Mainwaring added, “I am really looking forward to the 2010 season with MSS Colchester Kawasaki and I feel that I have a fantastic opportunity with such a professional team and package. I love the Kawasaki ZX-10R having rode one last season with several top 6 finishes and equaling the fastest lap of the race at Thruxton. I genuinely feel I can be a championship contender despite the level of the series this season and testing starts soon, so I can’t wait to get started!”

Name: Howie Mainwaring
Age: 22.
Job: Engineer/Bike Racer.
Hobbies and Interests: Mountain biking, going to the gym and motocross.
Favorite Films: Rocky 3 and 5, Days of Thunder.
Best Career Moments: Getting the first win for MV Agusta in the British Championship for 37 years.
Worst Career Moments: Breaking my neck in Monza in World Superbikes.

Honda (UK) and the HM Plant Honda team have announced their continued commitment to the British Superbike Championship, Isle of Man TT and North West 200 road races for 2010.

The duo of Ryuichi Kiyonari and Josh Brookes will compete on the CBR1000RR in the British Superbike class, with the 2009 British Supersport Champion, Steve Plater, moving to the British Superstock Championship.

Plater, the 2009 Senior TT Winner, will also line up on the TT and NW200 grids alongside 15-times TT legend John McGuinness, for a second season.

Building on their long-term relationship since 2004, Honda (UK) Racing and HM Plant will be looking to continue their successful partnership and performance for the seventh consecutive year, in what is considered the strongest domestic motorcycle racing championship in the world.

Steve Martindale, General Manager of Honda (UK) Motorcycles:
“I’m pleased to confirm Honda’s commitment to the British Superbike Championship for 2010 and also the team’s continued relationship with HM Plant. The British Superbike Championship is very strong and the high standard of rider talent and racing can be seen at every round.”

John Jones, HM Plant Chairman:
“We have been delighted with our relationship with Honda and the exposure achieved from the HM Plant Honda team partnership over the last six years and look forward to that continuing with some great and exciting racing in 2010.”

Honda (UK) Racing will also continue its long-standing relationship and support of Clive Padgett’s Honda squad in 2010. Former HM Plant Honda BSB racer Glen Richards will compete in both the Superstock and Supersport classes, with John McGuinness alongside Glen in the Superstock Championship and Ian Hutchinson also in the Supersport series on the CBR600RR.

Honda (UK) Racing has a long and successful history in both British and world motorcycle racing championships, taking the World Superbike Championship title in 1997, 2000 and 2002 before wrapping up the British Superbike title in 2006 and 2007 as HM Plant Honda with Ryuichi Kiyonari. The team has also won many other events, including British Supersport titles with Karl Harris and many North West 200 and Isle of Man races, most notably with TT legend John McGuinness.

The British Superbike Championship is the most hard-fought domestic motorcycle racing championship in the world, attracting sponsors and riders from across the globe. The championship’s profile has risen over the last few seasons as television ratings and attendance at the tracks have increased.

Suzuki GB and the Crescent British Superbike Team have today confirmed an agreement that will see current Worx Suzuki British Superbike rider, Sylvain Guintoli, move to the Alstare Suzuki World Superbike team for the 2010 season.

Guintoli, who recently signed a contract to remain with Worx Crescent Suzuki in BSB for 2010, was offered the alternative to move to the world series after Suzuki factory bosses and the Alstare team witnessed his impressive migration to the Superbike class in the UK during the 2009 season.

Yasuharu Osawa, Suzuki GB managing director:
“Sylvain has proven to be an incredible asset for Suzuki this year, despite his unfortunate injury early on. We want to support Sylvain’s career while also doing what is best for the Suzuki family, so following Alstare’s request we have unanimously agreed for him to move to World SBK for the 2010 season. We would like to thank the BSB team sponsors, especially Worx, for their complete support in this decision.”

In addition to Guintoli’s move, Suzuki GB is also delighted to announce that current World Superbike rider, Yukio Kagayama, will make a return to the BSB series in 2010 for the Worx Crescent Suzuki team as part of a new two-man team.

Jack Valentine, Worx Crescent Suzuki team manager:
“To have Yukio back in the UK is great news. He is still a class act and was incredibly popular with UK fans during his two year stint in the series last time. He is as determined as ever and will be back here with one goal in mind – to challenge for the title. Our decision to run two riders in 2010 is also good news for the BSB Championship, for Suzuki and for all of our partners.”

While the Worx Crescent Suzuki team have confirmed their two rider 2010 championship assault, confirmation of the full rider line-up will be confirmed at a later date.