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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.”

Simon Andrews bounced back to form yesterday with two seventh place finishes for the MSS Colchester Kawasaki at round five of the British Superbike Championship at Mallory Park. Gary Mason was less fortunate as he struggled with setup but came away with two solid point-scoring rides.

Simon Andrews holds off Swan Honda's Stuart Easton

As track temperatures hit 50°C (122°F) and fans’ attention was split between the Superbikes and the World Cup on a giant TV screen, it soon became apparent which discipline produces real heroes as a grid of battered riders ground out results.

At a super-physical track, Simon Andrews battled with pain and a massively swollen ankle to best many top-name riders and resurrect his campaign after missing two of the four events. The tight and tricky Mallory Park can throw up strange results as last year’s event saw Andrews lead the race, only to be taken out in the closing stages in a mass pile-up, but he kept out of trouble this time around.

Mason was left frustrated after starting practice strongly, immediately finding the pace but then hitting a wall on setup in the later stages. The team made a late gamble in qualifying throwing an ultra-soft tire on Andrew’s bike to hoist him several places up the leader board and giving him a useful third row start. Mason had continual setup woes leaving him with a mountain to climb from 18th on the grid.

Simon Andrews(7th and 7th):
“I’m really happy, I was hoping for two top ten’s and at one point I was down in twentieth in practice but it all came together well with the team. Rode in fifth for most of race one on a very demanding track. It’s my first go back on the Superbike so I feel really positive to be honest.”

Gary Mason (13th and 12th):
“Well that was pretty frustrating all round. We tried some changes but ultimately I didn’t have the confidence in the bike that I have had at other tracks. Saying that we only have a few days till Knockhill and so we can immediately put that result to bed I’m sure of it.”

MSS Colchester Kawasaki team boss Nick Morgan:
“Overall I’m pleased with the weekend, I’ve got both my lads back and their entourage, so team morale is good. We made fairly steady progress all weekend but Simon really pulled it out of the bag on race day. That was impressive considering he still has a foot like a balloon. Gary got down to the times quickly but then hit a bit of a wall and would have liked to have found another half a second for the race, he’s looking forward to Knockhill, and so am I except for the drive.”

The MSS Colchester Kawasaki Team prepare for the Mallory Park round of the British Superbike Championship as Simon Andrews returns from a prolonged heel injury to join Gary Mason with track temperatures set to soar.

Last year’s event saw Simon lead the race, only to be taken out in the closing stages in a mass pile-up, leaving rider and squad wondering what might have been. The accident left Simon with a broken wrist and put him out of the running for the Brands Hatch triple-header a few weeks later.

Simon will be looking to continue his return to fitness and form after two strong rides in last week’s Superstock support race at the Silverstone MotoGP, where he stood in for an injured Conor Cummins in the Blackhorse Kawasaki squad.

Gary Mason is another rider with points to prove after a Cadwell Park BSB round to forget. Gary showed his strongest qualifying performance yet, running as high as second in the phased knockout system before disaster struck with a big crash, leaving him concussed and unable to race.

The tight and tricky Mallory Park circuit suits the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, as shown by last year’s front running pace of Simon, while the team will also be buoyed by early previews of next season’s race-focused Ninja machine. Howie Mainwaring gets a deserved week off as Superstock skip a round after the Superstock double header, where Howie led much of the first race action, chalking up a podium and the circuit’s first lap record.

“I feel like I’ve been away forever,” said Simon Andrews. “It was ideal to get out on the superstocker at Silverstone, and this showed me where I was fitness wise and got me up to speed with riding fast. I got a good look at Brookes riding whilst I was there and he’s very much the man to beat at BSB at this moment. I have bitter-sweet memories of Mallory as I know me and the bike worked well there last year before that horrendous incident.”

Mason added, “Cadwell was a shocker for me; one moment on top of it and qualifying great; the next sparko and having to miss the races. I saw how well Gary and the ZX-10R went last year at Mallory so I can see no reason why we shouldn’t have a good outing.”

MSS Colchester Kawasaki team boss Nick Morgan added, “It’s great to have both the lads back and fully fit, we’ve had good stand in rides by Howie and Chris Walker who’ve both played a part for us but Simon and Gary were our chosen riders at year start. With no Superstock we can focus on the BSB riders and we know from last year that we can run at the front here. As England expects on Sunday so does Kawasaki.”

MSS Colchester Kawasaki’s Gary Mason has been declared unfit for tomorrow’s Cadwell Park British Superbike meeting after a medical inspection showed he had received a concussion during a qualifying crash.

Gary had been running strongly all weekend and was actually in second position in the second stage of qualifying when he fell heavily at Charlie’s. The Lichfield rider was particularly disappointed after such positive practice session times.

The team’s other rider, Chris Walker, qualified in a strong eighth position for tomorrow’s two BSB races as the sun beat down at the Lincolnshire circuit.

Howie Mainwaring could only manage 14th in the Superstock class, but the team is confident that he has a strong race set-up.

Despite extremely limited practice time Gary Mason took the honors of top newcomer at the testing North West 200 road race course. Gary’s skilled roads specialist teammate, Ryan Farquhar, took a hard-fought Superstock podium, but was plagued with handling issues in Superbike.

Ryan Farquhar took third in the Superstock race but was unable to poduim in the Superbike class

Gary had to try and learn the course as he raced due to his restricted practice with chaperoned slow laps and other sessions depleted by bad weather. He improved his lap times by more than six seconds during the two races as he got into the groove at the legendary course. He commented afterwards, “I’ve loved the event and the atmosphere; I got so little practice though and was learning where to go as I was racing. I really want to come back, and it’s also been vital extra seat time for BSB as we’re off to Cadwell next.”

Ryan Farquhar took a third on his MSS-powered Superstock machine within a second of the winner, but was frustrated in the two Superbike races not to have had a chance to battle with the leaders.

The team’s other rider, Stephen Thompson, logged two fourteenth places in what has been reckoned to be the strongest line-up for this historic event.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki Team boss Nick Morgan summed up, “We’re pleased for Ryan after his Superstock podium, but a real strange, unforeseeable technical reared its head for Superstock. So frustrating. Nice first outing for Gary as best newcomer, and he’s already talking about next year. Stephen will have wanted a stronger position, but you have to look at the grid – massive quality on depth this year. Loads of lessons for the TT, and we know we will have a stronger package for the event.”

The MSS Colchester Kawasaki squad are now gearing up for Cadwell Park British Superbikes next weekend. Howie Mainwaring lays second in Superstock, and with championship leader Steve Plater injured, he knows he has a good opportunity in front of him. Mason will again be teamed up with Chris Walker as Simon Andrews continues his comeback from injury.

Gary Mason faces a learning week as he joins his MSS Colchester Kawasaki teammates Ryan Farquhar and Stephen Thompson at the prestigious North West 200 road race course.

The 2009 British Superbike Privateer Champion is looking forward to his first road racing foray while Northern Irish roads specialists Farquhar and Thompson want to continue their form at the event on their MSS-prepared Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja Superbikes.

Gary said, “I’ve got out here early and am really keen to soak up the atmosphere and as much knowledge as possible; this really is a legendary place. The bike is real similar to my normal British Superbike machine and I know we’ll have the speed out here for sure. Being a newcomer brings its own pressures, but I want to just get in that slipstream and hang on.”

Three-time NW200 winner Ryan Farquhar has so far been eluded by Superbike class wins but knows this could be a good chance with top machinery and backup from the established MSS Colchester squad. Ryan managed to get some seat-time on the BSB machine at the Kirkistown short circuit and remarked, “First ride felt good, I could feel a big horsepower difference to the Superstock bike yet it was really light and nimble. We had some small changes to make but nothing major. I’m actually feeling excited about the event and last time I won here was on an MSS Supersport machine.”

Ryan was joined at Kirkistown by Stephen Thompson, who has had six top-six finishes against quality opposition at the North West, his local circuit. Stephen added “It was as good as I thought, and the mechanics really helped with all the techie bits which I’ve never used like the blipper box, launch and traction control. I’m glad we got out and I want to get some decent dry practice in round the Triangle. I’m concentrating on the Superbike and am feeling positive although it’s an unbelievably high-level field this time round.”

MSS Colchester Kawasaki Team Owner Nick Morgan summed up, “Ryan is undeniably quality on the roads, and Stephen is not far behind. Gary has had a mixed start to the season and as a Newcomer there’s not so much pressure but he’s a competitive sort of guy. The rider line-up is unbelievable this year but we know the bike has good speed which is essential here, so we’re all really looking forward to seeing how we can get on.”

The Superbike riders will slipstream each other at incredible speeds of more than 200mph on the long NW200 back straight. The North West 200 is recognized to be Northern Ireland’s largest single-day sporting event with around one hundred and twenty thousand spectators expected to gather at the famous triangle course. The Relentless International North West 200 in association with Black Horse takes place on Saturday May 15 (roads close 10am). Official practice sessions are scheduled for Tuesday May 11 (roads close 5pm to 9.30pm) and Thursday May 13 (roads close 9:30am to 3:30pm).

Howie Mainwaring finished in 5th place, allowing him to hold the number-two spot in the Supersport class

A difficult weekend for MSS Colchester Kawasaki, hampered by tricky track conditions, generated a mixed bag of results at Oulton Park.

There was formation flying in Superbike Race 1 as Gary Mason and stand-in rider Chris Walker circulated in close proximity to chalk up a solid 7th and 8th positions.  Gary put a fair but firm overtake on Chris at the end of the start-finish straight and the pair then closed in on Kiyonari forcing him into a mistake.

Race 2 was delayed as all the Superbike riders were given some vital wet practice after a deluge as qualifying had been completely dry.  After logging a good first race time both Gary and Chris moved up the grid for Race 2.  However, this was to no avail for Gary after he had to take the final grid position due to a warm-up lap front end problem, which needed checking, putting him behind the pace car.  He battled through the ranks but persistent problems forced him to pull into the pit lane leaving the team with some serious investigation to be done.  Chris had a poor start but got into his groove later in the race to finish in 11th position.

In Superstock, Howie had a very eventful race which mirrored his Brands Hatch performance by battling up to 3rd and then running straight on, resulting in him having to work extra hard to come back through to a creditable 5th place.  Howie beat the lap record by half a second and remains second in the series.

Chris said, “Overall I’m pretty happy with the weekend.  I was expecting top tens and I’ve learnt a lot about the bike and the team.  It would have been so easy to have slipped up in Race 2 but I just wanted a decent finish.  If I get the call up for Cadwell I’d be proud to be part of the team and I know wed be on the pace.”

A massively disappointed Gary commented, “Everything that could’ve gone wrong in that second race did go wrong.  I was frustrated to start at the back of the grid but at the end of the day we’d still have had to pull in I think.  If we’re looking for positives, Race 1 lap times pushed us up the grid and I know that if I could just get away better I could run further up the front.”

Howie added, “Man, that was so annoying running straight on.  We were definitely on for a podium up until that point.  I’m pleased I managed to salvage fifth and we’re still second in the Championship but it could have been so much better.  Still, not a bad weekend and it was good to be back up North as I had some good support.”

MSS Colchester Kawasaki team boss Nick Morgan summed up, “That was a tough weekend.  I’m disappointed for Gary but he had a solid ride in Race 1.  Chris was very workmanlike and we’re happy with his results, given that it was his first time on the bike.  Howie again had the ride of the weekend and his never-say-die attitude means we’re still second in the Championship.  So there were some positives but ultimately we need to do better as a team.”

With returning Green candidate Chris Walker on board, MSS Colchester Kawasaki intend to poll good results at this weekend’s Oulton Park British Superbike spectacular.

Walker is back in green on the grid at Oulton Park

Walker, who is standing in for the injured Simon Andrews, will partner the ever improving Gary Mason, both equipped with the well-fettled Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Superbike. The Stalker, who is seen as a hero to many Kawasaki riders from his British Championship ZX-7RR days, is a big fan of the sweeping Oulton circuit as is Gary Mason. Walker may also be looking to the skies as he is known as a wet weather specialist, having ridden an incredible race to win in the rain from stone cold last, at Assen World Superbikes in 2006, for Kawasaki.

Howie Mainwaring will be concentrating on the Metzeler National Superstock Championship after a hectic Thruxton event juggling both Superbike and Superstock duty. Howie goes into his home round of Oulton with a strong second place in the series after two impressive runner-up positions.

Chris said, “Oulton is one of the most technical tracks on the BSB calendar and also one of the most exciting… I’ve had some great races there over the years and also some controversial ones! My first Superbike pole position, first win and first clash with Neil Hodgson…! You need a really good setting on the bike to go fast there, so I know it’ll be tough first time out while I settle in but with the experience of the MSS Team and hopefully some dry track time we’ll have as good a chance as anybody of running within the top 10 come Monday.

Gary Mason is fit to fight this weekend

Gary agreed, saying, “Oulton is a mega track, a real riders circuit which always has a great crowd really close to the action. I love the place with the flowing ups and downs. We made a big step at Thruxton and showed the bike was capable of doing the times. We’ve just got to work hard on setting up fir the track and we stand a good chance of doing well.”

Mainwaring feels right at home at his hometown track

Howie added, “I feel good about Oulton, it’s my home circuit and another good track for us. I feel on top of my game at the moment, fitter and lighter than I’ve ever been for racing. So I feel a good plan is to try and stay calm and keep pushing Plater.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki team boss Nick Morgan summed up “It’s obviously frustrating to have Simon out still for both him and us but that’s racing unfortunately. Gary has really taken a step up at Thruxton and Chris brings an added dimension with his Kawasaki experience. Howie has surprised a lot of people in Superstock and it makes sense to leave him to get on with the job, Thruxton gave him a little too much to deal with”

Reigning British Superbike Privateer Champion Gary Mason will be standing in for injured teammate Simon Andrews to tackle the North West 200 course on his MSS Colchester Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.

Gary is looking forward to his first  true road racing foray while Andrews recovers from foot and heel injuries sustained at the World Superbike Championship Valencia round. The 30-year-old from Lichfield stated, “I’m really excited about this; the North West is a legendary place and if I’m honest I was a bit gutted to not be going. Now Simon has injured himself, the team have asked me to go out and I couldn’t be more keen!”

Team boss Nick Morgan added, “It’s another great opportunity for Gary, and he’s the obvious choice after Simon’s injury. Although Gary has never been to the North West before, I think he will be strong, as he’s a very precise rider and picks up tracks quickly. It’s also valuable extra seat time for the BSB season against some quality opposition.”

Mason found great form in the 2009 British Superbike Championship series, taking his privateer machine to a front-row start and 13 top-ten finishes, dominating the mirror.co.uk Privateers Cup and impressing many with his pace and consistency. He will join a strong MSS squad for the North West with successful Irish roads specialists Ryan Farquhar and Stephen Thompson. Gary is also fighting fit for the tough event having undergone a brutal martial arts training regime to prepare himself for the 2010 season.

Considered to be one of the world’s fastest road races, the International North West 200′s 8.96 mile course is a challenge to rider, machine and tires alike. The circuit tests handling and performance with differing surfaces, adverse cambers, first gear hairpin bends to super-fast open corners and straights. North West 200 Race Director Mervyn Whyte MBE confirmed Mason’s entry following discussions with team manager Nick Morgan during the weekend. “We’re delighted that Gary is able to compete on Saturday 15th May, and I know he’s extremely excited about taking part, and I’ve spent some time with him looking round the course in preparation for Race Week.”

The Superbike riders will slipstream each other at incredible speeds of more than 200mph on the long back straight. The North West 200 is recognized to be Northern Ireland’s largest single-day sporting event with 120,000 spectators expected to gather at the famous triangle course. The Relentless International North West 200 in association with Black Horse takes place on Saturday, May 15 (roads close 10am). Official practice sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, May 11 (roads close 5pm to 9:30pm) and Thursday, May 13 (roads close 9:30am to 3:30pm).  For more information visit www.northwest200.org.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki team boss Nick Morgan claims his squad have never looked sharper as they prepare for the intense cauldron of the Brands Hatch MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship opener this Easter weekend.

Team riders Simon Andrews and Gary Mason look to put the long off-season behind them after a positive test at the circuit last week. Andrews also has the added benefit of high-level track time with the Paul Bird Motorsport squad testing at Valencia this week. The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Superbike has been redeveloped over the winter with the important addition of a World Superbike spec Magneti Marelli engine management system.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki riders Simon Andrews and Gary Mason are ready to make serious runs for the BSB crown

MSS Colchester Kawasaki Team Owner, Nick Morgan, said, “We know this is potentially the most difficult season of British Superbikes yet, but we also believe that our riders are the strongest team we’ve ever put together. Both riders are mentally and physically strong, and our race machine is the most developed it’s ever been. We’ve never looked sharper so we definitely have all the ingredients for success!”

The team have retained 2009 sensation Simon Andrews who finished last season in sixth place and have added the super-keen, super-fit Gary Mason, who won last year’s Privateer Cup, for riders without full manufacturer support. The riders have been preparing all winter with fitness and never ending focus as they ready themselves to muscle round the 200mph, 200bhp Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Superbikes. Andrews has spent the winter climbing and skiing in the Alps while Mason has carried out a brutal martial arts fitness regime, seeing him train and spar with cage fighter Vaughan Lee at the Ultimate Training Centre in Erdington, Birmingham.

At the corresponding round last year, Andrews had a poor qualifying performance leaving him on row four, but he battled through to 5th at one point finally settling for a 7th and an 11th. Ironically, he had an all-race tussle with new rider Gary Mason in the first race with Mason coming out on top. This ride was especially impressive given that Gary was riding a three-year-old machine in the Privateer class.

Gary Mason commented, “Brands has always been a good track for me. I’ve had some good results, so fingers crossed, we can continue the form, and it’s so important we come away with two strong finishes. Nick is now my new crew chief so I’ll have great support from the off.”

Simon added, “I feel so ready for Brands now.  The WSB test at Valencia was great for saddle time, and with a year on the bike I feel I should now be pushing for good results at every circuit. It’s been a long winter; now it’s time to race.”

Although the team and riders have never been in better shape, they know that this year is potentially the most competitive season of British Superbikes ever, with several top names returning, including double World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson and Japanese ace Ryuichi Kiyonari, who has taken the BSB crown twice. Other top riders to look out for include Australian Josh Brookes and last year’s series runner-up and third placed men James Ellison and Stuart Easton, who find themselves as team mates for 2010.

The MSS Colchester Kawasaki sponsor line-up for 2010 includes: Kawasaki Motors UK, Mac Tools, Maxxis Tires, Hornee Jeans, Confused.com, Colchester Kawasaki, Rock Oil, B & C Express (Arrow Exhaust, Renthal and Tsubaki), NGK Spark Plugs Ltd, Goodridge, Skidmarx, Pro Bolt, MotoXclean, Icom, Talking Headsets, Brupac, TRW, Samco, Barrus, Touch 4, Colourlink, Sound Sense, Clinton Enterprises, Blackhorse Finance, JBL/Harman Kardon, Pipercross, GB Racing, Valta Moto.