Motourage

MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider run Gary Mason will run a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R specially developed under the newly announced 2012 race regulations for the last three rounds of the British Superbike Championship starting this weekend at Donington Park. Next year’s rules, brought in to keep costs and rider aids under control, restrict engine tuning and crucially mean all teams will run a control ECU unit.

“These new rules have been brought in for 2012-2015 and are a major change to the spec of the bikes, so we’re looking to hit the ground running next year and where better to test and develop than at the races,” Team boss Nick Morgan explained. “Winter testing is always hit and miss, plus you never get to use the right tracks, so this is ideal.”

“We’ve chosen Gary to spearhead this development because he’s proved in both the wet and dry he has great throttle control, has had two years with the team and obviously knows the new ZX-10R inside-out, all of which will help with the new ECU. It’s obviously very early days but we know the chassis is great, the rider is focused and we have some top technicians, so I don’t see why we can’t have a proper go at this.”

“We welcome Ian to the team for Donington, which is a track we love as a team and I think he will certainly have a few points to prove there. Danny and Howie are always up for a battle in Superstock and I don’t see this weekend being any different, except Danny is the fittest he’s been since his run of bad luck and injury.”

Gary Mason (Championship position: 8th) added, “This season is already over in terms of the Championship, so it’s exciting to be looking at 2012 already. Testing is fine, but you can’t beat race data. There’s a bit of an unknown feeling, for example I’ll be looking at a new dash and it’s going to be a bit weird using a clutch again! I really believe I can get in amongst them though and show people what I can do on a bike that needs more throttle control.”

Ian Lowry joins the MSS squad for the first time this weekend and said, “I’m really looking forward to getting to Donington as it’s my favorite circuit. This is the start of the Showdown so the top six are fighting for the Championship, and everybody outside this is fighting for seventh place. But, the reality is I want to be battling with the top guys and throw a few spanners in the works. I’m feeling pretty good at the moment and got a good few miles done on the pushbike over the past two weeks. This week has been pretty mental at work, so I’ll be glad to get away for the weekend.”

In the Superstock class, Danny Buchan and Howie Mainwaring sit in second and fourth positions in the series, but both have tasting victory champagne this year and will be gunning for glory at Donington Park and to take points from series leader Richard Cooper.

Danny Buchan (Championship position: 2nd) said, “I like Donington Park although I’ve only raced on it twice, but I’ve ridden it a couple times on the new ZX-10 and put in some good times. Twenty points is a tough gap, but I’m a fighter, and I’m going to fight for every last point. I’ve been training as usual and have also been swimming lots to strengthen the shoulder, so feeling mint. The plan is to win all three of the last races and the championship. That’s obviously easy to say but I’m feeling full of confidence and when confident I go good! I’m going to dedicate this race to my mate Ben Gautrey who we all lost at Cadwell so I hope to win for his memory.”

Howie Mainwaring (Championship position: 4th) said, “This season hasn’t gone as planned, but the least I can do is put on a good show for the last three rounds and get that third position back. If I can help Danny to the title in the meantime all the better.”

MSS Colchester Kawasaki team boss Nick Morgan is looking for strong rides from his four riders as they head to Brands Hatch GP this weekend for a British Superbike Championship triple header. Gary Mason has a great opportunity to reach the all important BSB ‘Showdown’ top six if he gets three good rides in this weekend’s event. In the National Superstock class, Danny Buchan continues to lead the series in his debut year despite an injured shoulder.

Gary Mason discusses motorbike racing with his crew chief, Andrew Pitt

Mason is currently eighth in the Superbike class, 21 points away from sixth position. But, with two triple header rounds at Brands Hatch and Cadwell Park ahead, he still has a good chance to make the cutoff, which will determine the top championship positions.

Mason finished in fifth place at the last round at a rain-hit Oulton Park while his three teammates crashed out in treacherous conditions. His Superbike partner, Alex Lowes, has alternated between BSB and WSB with some flashes of brilliance plus some painful crash landings.

Gary Mason, championship position: 8th
“This is a massive round for me obviously and the focus is getting some good results and staying upright. If I can get three good outings, ideally I can get into that top six or thereabouts so we’re all set for Cadwell Park. I absolutely love the place; I won in European Superstock there for this very team, I like the flowing tracks and it suits the bike.”

Alex Lowes, championship position: 16th
“The World Superbikes have been an amazing experience, but I need to get back up the sharp end in BSB, this is so important to me. I’m really looking forward to Brands and I feel fine after Silverstone; most people thought I’d really hurt myself but I’m okay.”

National Superstock 1000 riders Danny Buchan and Howie Mainwaring both took nasty spills at the last round at Oulton Park with Howie falling while challenging for the lead on lap two and Danny crashing at the same corner. However, Danny still leads the series, and both riders got out at Brands on a test day recently to get themselves dialed in.

Danny Buchan, championship position: 1st
“Obviously I’ve been riding broken for a while now and I could really have done with the points to have created a decent lead at Oulton. I want to go to Brands, get some good points and then get myself fully fixed for Cadwell Park.”

Howie Mainwaring, championship position: 7th
“I was on a bit of a bounce back before Oulton so to crash there was mega frustrating. I’m better than my championship position and I need to remind everyone of that at Brands Hatch.”

“The focus for the team is always to get the most out of all of our riders, but I genuinely believe if we support Gary and he gets the breaks, he can still make it into the top six for this Showdown cut-off, said team owner Nick Morgan. “All I really want is four happy riders at the end of it.”

Kawasaki British Superbike team MSS Colchester Kawasaki achieved its best ever British Superbike finish with Stuart Easton taking second place in an action packed second round at Oulton Park. The Scot now lies second in the BSB Championship, a tremendous achievement considering the newness of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.

Stuart Easton followed a third place race one finish with a second place race two finish

Having secured the new 2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R’s first podium finish in BSB with a third place in race one, MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider Stuart Easton followed it up by going even better in the second race, leading for the majority of laps before finishing second overall. Having gained the holeshot, Easton fought off a determined Josh Brookes for nine laps until the Australian suffered a huge crash at Britten’s, firing his Suzuki in the air and narrowly avoiding taking out Easton. After the resulting safety car, Easton continued to lead the race before eventually being beaten into second by Suzuki rider John Hopkins.

Teammate Gary Mason also made strong progress having discovered a base setting in morning practice for his bike that allowed him to progress through the race and recover from a poor qualifying.

Stuart Easton, 3rd in race one, 2nd in race two. Championship position: 2nd
“For us and Kawasaki that’s two podiums and I lead the second race for a long time, so I can’t complain, but I’m just a bit disappointed that the pace car came out. Having said that I count myself lucky that Josh’s bike didn’t hit me, it was like a plane crashing over my head and was so close. We’ve had a fourth, sixth, third and second so far this season which has given the team so much confidence, we are really in the mix. Croft is a good circuit for me and I’m going there second in the championship.”

Gary Mason, 9th in race one, 10th in race two. Championship position: 12th
“Yesterday was hard for us and we didn’t qualify well. Overnight we completely altered the bike for warm-up and found a setting that I absolutely loved and from that we have just got stronger and stronger. The pace was a lot faster in race two and I was trying to hang in there but unfortunately the tire went off a cliff, but we can work with that and with this new setting I’m really looking forward to Croft.”

National Superstock 1000 riders Danny Buchan and teammate Howie Mainwaring dominated the early stages of the Superstock race, swapping paintwork before Mainwaring crashed on lap 11 while in the lead. Buchan looked set to repeat his stunning Brands Hatch debut win having taken over the lead but was overtaken on the last lap by Honda rider Tristan Palmer.

Danny Buchan, 2nd. Championship position: 1st
“That was a good race and I felt really comfortable out there but Tristan has a lot of experience and that counted for him today. I knew I was faster than him through the last sector so I thought I’d have a go there on the last lap but he protected his line well and to be honest I was thinking about the championship. Last year we had a few early non-scores and it affected our championship – two podiums in two races is a tremendous start to the 2011 season.”

Howie Mainwaring, DNF. Championship position: 11th
“I’m pretty gutted, as a team we had everything covered, first and second place, before my crash. I don’t think I did anything differently to the last lap but the rear let go and came round on me. Croft isn’t usually a good circuit for me but I’m going to make it one this year.”

Nick Morgan, team owner
“What a fantastic weekend, to come away from Oulton Park second in the championship is mega. For us as a team it is simply terrific, everyone is buzzing and got the results they deserved. Gary made some huge in-roads in race two, Stuart rode so well in both races and Superstock could so easily have been a double podium. And we have been lucky, that was so close with Stuart and Josh’s bike in race two, I was gutted that the pace car came out as he had built up a decent lead, but I’m happier seeing a pace car than an ambulance.”

MSS Colchester Kawasaki Superstock rider Danny Buchan

Kawasaki British Superbike team MSS Colchester Kawasaki had a fantastic start to the 2011 British Superbike Championship with both of their Superbike riders securing valuable points and Superstock rider Danny Buchan taking an exciting win. Stuart Easton now also holds a creditable third in the red-hot BSB series.

Brands Hatch was always going to be a tough round for the team as it was the first time they had competed with the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. Having struggled in qualifying, both Superbike riders found their feet in the race with Stuart Easton briefly taking the lead and nearly securing a dream podium finish. In the second race Stuart built on his impressive first outing on the Ninja ZX-10R to take a hard fought sixth place while Gary Mason overcome his first race difficulties to finish tenth. These results see Stuart Easton leaving Brands placed third in the BSB Championship, a result the team was not expecting due to the newness of the bike, which is getting stronger every outing.

“To be honest, I’m pretty shocked at our results,” said Stuart Easton. “We had some problems over the weekend and to leave Brands in third place in the Championship is a fantastic result. The chassis on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R isn’t quite there yet and we struggled towards the end of the race with side-grip and the front end. It’s still very early days for the team and I think this year will be about consistency, getting those points in the bag. I’m gutted to miss out on a podium in race one but I knew that whoever was behind was close and I tried to keep them off but nearly lost the front. With a fourth and a sixth I haven’t sprayed any champagne but I’m satisfied and looking forward to Oulton, which I think will suit the bike.”

“My second race was certainly better than the first, and I think we are getting there with the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R,” added Gary Mason. “Brands isn’t a great track for us, and with a new bike it’s hard to get on the pace; a few tenths here and there make a big difference around such a short track. But there is certainly potential, I went faster today than I ever have around Brands and as always the boys worked their guts out. I’m now really looking forward to Oulton which is a rider’s circuit and one I love.”
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MSS Colchester Kawasaki completed their final two British Superbike tests yesterday with all four riders in fantastic form and raving about their new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R machines

Danny Buchan at Cadwell Park

Superbike riders Gary Mason and Stuart Easton put in front-running lap times and completed full race durations with the bike running full BSB-spec engines for the first time.  Superstock duo Danny Buchan and Howie Mainwaring beat the existing lap records at each event they attended, proving the awesome pace of the new machine in almost stock form.

The squad were blessed with two dry days of full testing at Brands Hatch and Snetterton to bookend an extensive pre-season test program taking in Guadix, Portimao, Cartagena and Cadwell Park.

Danny beat the Superstock lap record for Cadwell Park at an MRO race over the weekend while Howie did likewise at Brands Hatch with an unofficial 46.5 second time around the short Indy circuit.

Team owner Nick Morgan
“It’s been a fantastic couple of days at Brands and Cadwell with all four riders in the form of their lives. The timing is spot on as all the components and team have come together at this last test so we can go into Brands with real confidence in the setup and riders. I’m not one to make bold predictions as they usually come back to haunt you, but it does feel like this could be our time, and to have four riders all showing such speed is brilliant. For this bike to be in such form so early in its development in both Superbike and Superstock guise really tells you something about its standard geometry and engine straight from the crate.”

Stuart Easton
“I’m really happy going into Brands after such a lengthy test schedule and trying so many settings with the bike. We are in good shape for round one, but there’s still so much more to come from the engine and chassis. It’s been good to go head to head with everyone else at Snetterton and I feel we’re in the right area with settings for there also.”

Gary Mason
“I’m really happy with all testing so far. Spain was great, first time getting to ride the new ZX10R and since then the last two tests we’ve had the new superbike engine which gave it more power and it was working the electronics and suspension more. Literally every lap we improved I can’t wait for Brands as that’s when all the hard work matters.”

Howie Mainwaring
“What a mega two days, we’re still learning and trying different things yet getting quicker with every change, it’s been incredible. We’ve been improving by over a second at every track so far over last year. I’m also enjoying having a team-mate pushing me which might sound weird but it’s really good for me and great motivation. It also feels like the team has taken another step forward.”

Danny Buchan
“Feeling really good on the new ZX10R, it’s an awesome bike. It suits my riding style down to the ground. We had a really positive winter and now we’re ready to put all in place at Brands. Knowing we did our fastest time on old rubber 30 laps into the tire today gave me a good feeling also. So we’re now ready and fit for the season.”

Gary Mason and Howie Mainwaring in the Superbike class will partner Stuart Easton and Danny Buchan in Superstock for MSS Colchester Kawasaki during the 2011 British Superbike season.

MSS Colchester's Gary Mason

Gary Mason had a disappointing 2010 British Superbike season with some bad luck and injuries, but, for 2011, he joins established front runner Stuart Easton who has tested the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R machine with the Paul Bird World Superbike squad and brings vital data as the MSS team starts its testing program.

“In my head it was always going to be a two-year project, but we didn’t know we were going to have such a poor year in terms of results, which may make people question the decision to carry on,” said MSS Colchester’s Gary Mason. “However, when everything clicked I was running good laps, especially in practice but often lost so much time in final qualifying. What I lacked was consistency and that meant I never got on a roll. But it’s easy to make excuses, this is a massive year for me, I have a mega new bike, great squad and a top teammate, so it’s down to me. I’m proud Nick is sticking by me and he knows I can do so much better. I can’t wait to get out on the new bike and start making it my own.”

In the keenly contested Superstock 1000 class, last year’s MSS Colchester rider Howie Mainwaring returns to unfinished business in the series. Having made a stellar start with two second places in the first rounds, Howie also impressed many with a podium at the one-off Superstock round held at the Silverstone MotoGP. Having held second place through much of the series, Howie eventually finished fourth in this competitive and closely matched series.

“I’m so glad to have a second chance with the Colchester lads,” said Mainwaring. “They helped me have such a mega year, and I should have finished higher up the final series board. So a great learning year but now with the new bike I’m looking to step it up and I also want that first win so much it hurts. I’ve been training and MXing loads, so I’m well prepared and I just want to get out there.”

Howie will be backed up by the team’s 2010 Superstock 600 rider, 17-year-old Danny Buchan who will step up to the 1000cc category and also experience the awesome new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki Team Manager Nick Morgan:
“To have four riders we’ve worked with before is so important to me and the technicians. Gary’s better than the results showed last year and he wants this second opportunity. Stuart needs no introduction and he’s already had miles under his belt on the new Ninja World Superbike which will be valuable to us. Howie really impressed us last year and with some more consistency I think he can be a challenger whilst it’s mega to be able to keep Danny in the Team Green family. He can only get better and there’s no pressure in his first year, we just want him to learn and develop. As everyone knows outright model power is so important in Superstock and that’s definitely something that the new Ninja has buckets of, so this could be our year.”

MSS Colchester Kawasaki is looking to a colorful future with 17-year-old Danny Buchan as he moves up to the British Superstock 1000 Championship in 2011. The young Team Green graduate, Buchan had an impressive season in 2010, his debut at national level racing, in the Superstock 600 class, and both MSS Colchester and Kawasaki UK are proud to continue their relationship with the promising youngster as he steps aboard the all-new Ninja ZX-10R for 2011.

Danny Buchan will make the move from 600s to literbikes in 2011

Buchan, who is local to the MSS Colchester Kawasaki race team workshop, has been supported through his still fledgling career by both Kawasaki UK’s Team Green race program and Nick Morgan’s MSS Colchester British Superbike race team, so it is a very positive step for rider, team and manufacturer. His astonishing 2010 season showed Buchan’s talent and potential as he put in amazingly mature and professional performances week after week while getting to grips with not only the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R machine but also racing at a national level in the highly prominent BSB series.

The step up to the 1000cc production-based Superstock class for 2011 shouldn’t be underestimated for the 17-year-old but it’s a very natural one for both Danny and the MSS Colchester team as they welcome the exciting new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R machine for the coming season. Danny tested the out-going Superstock ZX-10R machine recently at Mallory Park and put in impressive lap times for his debut on the larger capacity bike.

Danny Buchan
“I’m really looking forward to this massive challenge on the new Ninja, I loved 2010 with the team and I’m confident in doing well for the 2011 season. I feel really proud to be part of Team Green and know other young riders will get the benefit also.”

MSS Colchester Kawasaki Team Manager Nick Morgan
“It’s fantastic for us to continue our relationship with Danny, in fact relationship couldn’t be a better word because he really is part of the family round here. It’s a fantastic chance for Dan, us at MSS Colchester Kawasaki and Kawasaki UK because it is investment in all of our racing futures. Having Danny on the Ninja ZX-6R in Junior Superstock for 2010 showed his talent is right up there with a truly magnificent performance in his debut season. Ultimately it wasn’t the series win we had grown to think could happen but overall his season was terrific and we know it was only the smallest of steps away.

“It was always part of the grand plan for him to move up to the 1000cc bike with his height lending itself to the bigger machine but on the back of his great performance this year, and with the new Ninja ZX-10R arriving, the time is absolutely right for the lad. It’s a tough championship with some very professional teams and experienced riders but if Danny is going to progress it is a great series to continue his learning curve within.”

Kawasaki Motors UK Sales and Marketing Manager, Michael Johnstone
“Danny had a brilliant year in 2010 considering it was his debut season at national level. It proves his talent, of course, but it also proves Kawasaki’s investment in the young and talented riders in the UK is a success. We’re extremely happy that Danny is moving up to the Superstock 1000 class as it will continue his steep learning curve as a professional motorcycle racer. Good luck to him and Nick Morgan’s team for the coming season.”

The British Superbike Championship heads north for the Scottish Knockhill round. MSS Colchester Kawasaki riders Simon Andrews and Gary Mason look for a good points haul, while Superstock star Howie Mainwaring has the series lead in his sights.

Knockhill marks the midway point of the season, but with the new series format, riders know that to have a chance of being in the top six Title Fighters group, they need big points before the final Showdown phase kicks in at round nine at Croft.

The picturesque, forest-lined circuit has been good to the official Kawasaki squad over the years, with the team picking up good results in past events. At the corresponding round last year, Simon scored 4th and 6th placings so he knows that he and the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R work well together at this mountainside circuit. Simon has returned to the team with strong results at Mallory after a lengthy period of injury while Gary looks for a better set-up this time around.

Howie Mainwaring looks to move closer to the Superstock lead this weekend

Howie Mainwaring returns refreshed after the Superstock teams took a sabbatical at Mallory following a double-header race the week before at the Silverstone MotoGP. The 23-year-old lies second in a talent-packed championship field and is determined to reel in series leader Jon Kirkham.

MSS Junior Superstock rider Danny Buchan will ride a series double header at Knockhill but has never seen the track before. He must emulate his more-senior teammate who was one of only a few riders not to have ridden the new Silverstone circuit.

Simon Andrews
“I’m looking forward to Knockhill, I went well there last year and I’m happy with how Mallory panned out especially as it’s the first time I have been on a Superbike since the Valencia crash. It’s great to be back with Nick, Gary and everyone; it’s really enjoyable. There is a small hope I can get into the Showdown if other people take some of my bad luck, but we will have to see.”

Gary Mason
“I feel like I’ve got to turn it around at Knockhill, Mallory was really disappointing to be honest. It’s a relatively simple track so you’ve just got to get stuck in and that’s what I intend to do.”

Howie Mainwaring
“I feel really strong and up for the challenge at Knockhill after a mixed weekend at Silverstone for the GP. The plan this weekend is to keep maintaining good points as we’re right there in the Championship chase, saying that I do feel right up for a win now.”

Nick Morgan, MSS Colchester Kawasaki Team Boss
“As a team we like Knockhill circuit and it’s been good to us in the past. Simon has really bounced back with a vengeance and is looking for more. I think Gary will be motivated by that also and we need to help him get the right set-up to have the confidence to push. Howie knows he needs to beat Kirkham to reel in the points as he has big cushion behind him to the injured Steve Plater. It will be interesting to see how Danny gets on at his first trip to Knockhill, the last Junior Superstock race at Cadwell was pretty outrageous.”