Motourage

MSS Colchester's Howie Mainwaring

MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider Howie Mainwaring took the first ever lap record at the new Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit with a fine podium in one of two Superstock support races this weekend. Howie took sixth in the second outing after a race long duel with returning MSS Superbike rider Simon Andrews, who this weekend deputised for the injured Conor Cummins in the Blackhorse Kawasaki Team. The race weekend saw two dramatic Superstock races with multiple leader changes. Howie lead the race for several laps before he was overhauled by the vastly experienced Josh Brookes and Glen Richards. The Superstock riders had a number of extra runners to add even more competitiveness to an already impressive field including Brookes, Andrews, Ian Lowry, Michael Rutter and Martin Jessop. With the added pressure of a huge crowd and MotoGP bosses in attendance, there was plenty on the line and opportunities to shine or crash out. Howie definitely shone in race one but with handling issues in race two he had to make the best of a bad job to finish sixth.

Afterward, a clearly disappointed Howie said, “I guess if this had been the other way round with a sixth on Saturday and a podium and fastest lap on race day I would be happier. I learnt loads about the circuit in race one but unfortunately I didn’t get to use the settings as we had a few problems in race two. Still awesome to ride in front of a big crowd and with all GP bikes parked up in pitlane.”

Team boss Nick Morgan summed up, “Overall, a cracking weekend and again so impressed with Howie, he really rode with maturity in both races keeping out of trouble. OK we lost a couple of points to Kirkham but we also cemented the runner-up placing with a big gap back to Plater, who’s still injured. I’m sure the fans loved watching the two Kawasakis battling it out in race two but I was genuinely surprised to see Simon cross the line in front of Howie.”

Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship
Rounds 5 and 6, MotoGP Silverstone

Race one result

1. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda)
2. Glen Richards (Padgetts Honda) +0.500s
3. Howie Manwaring (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +1.967s
4. Jon Kirkham (JK Racing BMW) +2.933s
5. Simon Andrews (Blackhorse Kawasaki) +2.970s

Race two result

1. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda)
2. Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com BMW) +3.336s
3. Jon Kirkham (JK Racing BMW) +5.043s
4. Sam Warren (Midland Motorsport Honda) +5.975s
5. Simon Andrews (Blackhorse Kawasaki) +8.864s

Championship standings after Silverstone:

1. Jon Kirkham (JK Racing BMW) 104
2. Howie Mainwaring (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) 86
3. Steve Plater (HM Plant Honda) 70

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”

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.