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 has signed Ian Lowry to ride a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R in the last three rounds of the British Superbike Championship.

The Essex, England-based squad are looking to the young Northern Irishman to fill in for the injured Stuart Easton after the team recently parted company with stand-in rider Alex Lowes.

“It’s well known things haven’t gone that well since my first year in BSB, and I tried a few other options, but this is a massive lifeline from MSS Colchester Kawasaki to really prove my worth,” said Lowry, who finished fifth in his rookie year in British Superbikes in 2009 and has also had top-ten results in World Superbike for PBM Kawasaki. “The bike looks great out on track when I’ve followed it, and it’s clearly good enough for podiums – as both Gary and Stuart have shown – so I’m really excited to ride it. I like all three of the tracks we’re going to, and Donington is my favorite by far, so that’s positive. I have a good relationship with some of the Kawasaki guys after Paul Bird ran me out in World Superbikes, so everything is in place. It’s just down to me.”

Team owner Nick Morgan added, “Ian is a class act as he showed in his debut year in BSB, and we’re delighted to have him on board for the rest of the season. It may seem very soon after our announcement of Alex leaving, but the reality is the team needs two riders on board every week for results and development. We’re going to try and let him get a run-out before Donington, although it’s quite late notice and we have a bit of crash damage to fix still.”

As the long Easter Weekend draws to a close, the Buildbase BMW Motorrad team leaves Brands Hatch with their first British Superbike Championship points of the season and some much-needed track time on their new BMW S 1000 RR race bikes.

Monday’s first race saw Richard Cooper bring his S 1000 RR home in sixth position in the Superstock 1000 race. The first of the day’s British Superbike/BSB-EVO races was a mixed bag with Buildbase BMW Motorrad rider Barry Burrell finishing 21st overall and sixth in the EVO Championship. However, the race wasn’t so productive for the team’s two BSB riders, John Laverty and Ian Lowry, who were both knocked off by rivals at Druids on laps four and 27 respectively, which put paid to their race one hopes.

John Laverty lost the tip of his right index finger in race one and did not start race two

John Laverty was unable to return for Race Two having lost the tip of his right index finger in the race one incident, leaving Ian Lowry the sole Buildbase BMW Motorrad rider in the BSB class. As with the first race, his times were improving and he was steadily climbing positions until, late in the race, an electrical fault caused him to return to the pits. Barry Burrell brought his S 1000 RR home and secured his second top-ten EVO finish of the day with a 22nd overall/seventh place in class result.

Stuart Hicken, Buildbase BMW Motorrad team principal, said: “Richard Cooper did very well, delivering a solid race and taking home a nice haul of points. In the first Superbike race, both my BSB riders went down, both knocked off by other riders, which is very annoying as it was a good day until then! Barry did very well today, taking a respectable sixth place finish. He was a little nervous, I think, to be taking his first EVO Championship ride, and I think he’ll only get better.

“Unfortunately, in the second race – while John Laverty was being checked out at the hospital – Ian suffered from a small electrical gremlin which ended his race. But Barry finished in a similar way to his first race, bringing his bike home seventh in class.

“There’s a lot of positives to take from this meeting, the overall results do not do justice to the hard work and the huge progress the team has made this weekend. I’m not unhappy with where we are; our times were getting very close to the front runners and I see huge potential in the riders and the S 1000 RR.”

The Buildbase BMW Motorrad team will be taking to the track next weekend for round two of the season at Oulton Park.
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Ian Lowry

The Relentless Suzuki team will be looking to capitalize on their recent success when the action kicks off later today at Croft for round 10 of the 2009 BSB series.

Despite recent media speculation, 2009 National Superstock Champion Alastair Seeley will remain in the Superstock class this weekend, riding his all conquering 2009 GSX–R1000. With only three races remaining in the series, Seeley is still on course for an unprecedented season-long clean sweep – having already won the opening nine races of 2009.

Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing will remain fully committed to Ian Lowry and Atsushi Watanabe in the British Superbike class for the final three meetings.

Ulsterman Lowry, proved his pedigree at Cadwell Park with a fine fourth place in the opening race at the ‘mountain circuit’ and is confident of building on that result this weekend at Croft.

Ian Lowry
“I’m looking forward to this weekend, especially as I’m now back to full fitness and feeling really good. Croft is one of my favourite circuits and I’ve had a lot of success there in my Supersport days. Our Superbike package is getting stronger as the season goes on, thanks to our team at Relentless Suzuki, so I’m confident of another successful weekend on my GSX–R1000.”

Philip Neill – Team Principal
“Alastair will continue with the Superstock class at Croft on the 2009 GSX–R1000. It was never in our plans to run a third rider in the Superbike class during 2009 as we are fully committed to Ian and Atsu; and, if Alastair could make it 12 from 12 in the ’stock class it would be a phenomenal achievement for Suzuki, Relentless and all our loyal sponsors.

“As I say, our attention and priority must remain with our current riders in BSB, but Alastair will now take in the final seven races in the Irish Superbike class, as winning that championship is also a realistic goal.

“He has been competing in selected ISB rounds on his Superstock machine so far this year, but he will be furnished with a Superbike for the final two rounds in October at the end of season Sunflower Trophy races. Our full line-up for that meeting will be announced in the coming weeks.”