Motourage

Swan Yamaha will defend their MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship title in 2012 as team principal Shaun Muir has confirmed the team’s lineup of reigning British champion Tommy Hill (@tommyhill33) and TT record-breaker Ian Hutchinson.

Reigning champion Hill will make his much-anticipated BSB return after claiming a maiden crown in sensational style in the final race of 2011 at Brands Hatch last October, in which the Lingfield, England native defeated rival John Hopkins (@jhopper21) by just 0.006 seconds following a last-lap battle. Hill’s return makes him the first British BSB champion to defend the number one plate since John Reynolds in 2005, and he is now determined to become the third rider in history to win consecutive BSB titles.

Hutchinson completes the team’s lineup as the record-breaking five-time Isle of Man TT winner embarks on his first full season of BSB after a dramatic comeback from a broken tibia and fibula which required several operations to save his leg. Hutchinson had been sidelined since the crash at the penultimate round of the 2010 season before making his comeback at the Macau Grand Prix last month where he celebrated a podium finish.

Tommy Hill: “At the end of last season after winning the title I was speaking to different teams and looking at the different championships, but I knew I needed to have the complete package. I have a lot of fans in BSB, and I think having a British champion trying to hold on to the number one plate is something to get excited about; I certainly am. I really wanted to stay with Yamaha and build on the results and our relationship. The Swan Yamaha team have won one BSB title but now we are looking at how we can improve so we can do it again. The consistency with the team is very important and they have already started looking at what we can do to move forward again. The rule changes don’t worry me as through most of my career I haven’t used traction control. I think it will now come down more to rider input and also working as a team to get the chassis set up right. I know there has already been hard work behind the scenes at the workshop and as a rider that really gives me confidence before we even begin testing.

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Pole Position Travel has added the Isle of Man TT to its growing list of motorcycle racing VIP tours. The travel package will include four days of TT action with the option to add days to the beginning and end of the official tour.

Included in the package will be top hotel options, Platinum VIP Senior Race Day hospitality, the team experience, a private guided track tour, many special guests including Irish road racing superstar Ryan Farquhar plus other exciting experiences yet to be announced. The Isle of Man TT VIP package is limited to 10 participants and two top Pole Position Travel guides, making this tour a true VIP experience.

The Motourage crew toured with Pole Position Travel for the 2011 MotoGP Italian Grand Prix in Mugello, so we can speak from experience when we say there is no better deal – and no more exciting experience – than a VIP package with Pole Position Travel.

For more information and to book your reservations today, check out the PPT IOMTT package details.

Northern Ireland-based TAS Racing is pleased to announce its continued involvement with Suzuki for the 2011 British Superbike and International Road Racing seasons. The team will employ a two rider lineup in each discipline.

“To say that my Father and I are honored to solely spearhead Suzuki’s official racing effort in 2011, taking in both British Superbikes and International Road Racing, would be an understatement,” said team manager Philip Neill. “2010 completed an unbroken decade for TAS Racing representing Suzuki. It’s a period of time that doesn’t even take into consideration my own racing efforts with the official Suzuki Motocross team, nor my Father Hector’s success in the halcyon days of pure road racing, operating as a semi-supported Suzuki team. So I think it is fair to say, deep down, the Neill family are Suzuki through and through.

“Taking the current economic situation into consideration, we fully understand that the commercial side of racing is very difficult these days. We also appreciate the tough decisions Suzuki had to make regarding their future racing plans, and with this in mind, we are delighted that TAS Racing will be entrusted with the overall Suzuki racing program within the UK.

“We understand and accept that with this new position will come a number of increased expectations – none more so than the delivery of results – but are determined not to let this affect our approach. As a team, we always apply one hundred percent effort to our racing and no one expects more from any given season than our team members themselves.

“Our approach will remain as it always has been: to carry out the role in a professional manner, build the strongest possible team structure, including our rider line-up, and just as important – we will continue to enjoy what we do.

“In addition to showing our appreciation to Suzuki and each member of the team, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our very loyal partners, some of whom have been with TAS Racing from the beginning. Without the support of Relentless, Beacon Security, Leo Vince and many others, we simply would not be in the position we are in today.”

Riders
As previously mentioned, the team will run a two-rider setup in the 2011 British Superbike Championship and also on the International Road Racing scene. A short list is currently under consideration, and an announcement on the lineup, including any changes or additions, will be made in the coming weeks.

Relentless by TAS Suzuki posted their second Superbike podium from the 2010 Isle of Man TT when Bruce Anstey fought through to third place in Friday’s re-started four-lap Senior TT.

It was Anstey’s 20th career TT podium and after a torrid week on the Isle of Man, the Windsor based Kiwi was delighted with the result, making the most of his good fortune after retiring from the first encounter, which was red flagged after an incident involving Guy Martin at Ballygarey on lap three.

Cameron Donald was forced to retire at the end of lap 1 with an intermittent electrical problem, which was very disappointing for the Australian, as he had been within two seconds of early leader Ian Hutchinson at Glen Helen on the opening lap.

Bruce Anstey:
“I got a second chance and grabbed it with both hands. I’m happy for the team who have worked hard all week making many changes to the bikes for me; I’m also delighted for Suzuki which is here celebrating 50 years of racing and I think today we proved – like Cameron did in the Superbike TT last Saturday – that the GSX-R1000 Superbike is a strong and reliable machine. I just kept chipping away; it is the Senior TT after all and to get a podium in the main race of TT fortnight is very pleasing.”

Cameron Donald:
“I’m obviously bitterly disappointed not to have finished the race, as I was fired up and ready to have a go today. For the Senior, we decided that my first lap pit-boards would show the deficit to the leader and not the man in front of me. So when I saw I was only two seconds back on my first signal, I knew we were on the money. I was catching Keith Amor in front of me on the run to Ramsey when the surging started and it gradually got worse over the Mountain. The bike just didn’t feel right and I didn’t want to take any chances. The boys did all they could for me today and I gave it my best shot.”

Philip Neill – Team Manager:
“It has been a rollercoaster TT for the whole team, but as I said earlier in the week, we have been coming here long enough to understand the pitfalls. We struggled with set-up this TT, and when riders start to swap back and forward trying to find the perfect set-up it doesn’t help their confidence. In saying that, we have come away with podiums in the two main races, again demonstrating the pedigree of the GSX-R1000 Superbike, and I have to say I’m proud of the effort from both riders today. Cameron had an electrical cut-out problem that is one of those horrible little things that can halt such a good run, and but for that, he was right in there with the leaders as we saw on lap 1 of the re-start. Bruce rode his luck a little, but stuck with it, and as he discovered, perseverance pays off. We are delighted to be able to close the TT with a podium for Suzuki, Relentless and all our sponsors, and I’m sure we will re-group and come back to the 2011 event as a much stronger team.”

Senior TT Results:
1 Ian Hutchinson [Honda] 1hr 10min:24.59s;
2 Ryan Farquhar [Kawasaki] 1hr 11min:02.36s;
3 Bruce Anstey [Relentless by TAS Suzuki] 1hr 11min:38.08s;
4 Ian Lougher [Kawasaki] 1hr 12min:0157s;
5 Michael Rutter [Honda] 1hr 12min:10.74s;
6 Dan Stewart [Honda] 1hr 12min:33.57s.

Ryan Farquhar took his first Isle of Man TT Superbike podium for MSS Colchester Kawasaki as he pulled off a great ride to second place in today’s Dainese Senior TT.

Ryan had earlier pulled out of the premier event at Cronk-Y-Voddy, but the race was then stopped after a serious incident involving Guy Martin. The squad quickly changed a fuel pump, and this correct diagnosis allowed Ryan to attack with confidence in the shortened, four-lap restart.

The MSS squad carried out their second major set-up change of the week; this time completely retuning the engine. The team altered the power delivery of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Superbike giving a smoother bottom end. The changes effectively meant creating Superstock power characteristics up to 10,000rpm and then full Superbike power further up the rev range to help the machine out of the slower corners.

Earlier in the week the team had radically altered the chassis on the Superbike including introducing a new swingarm, different fuel tank and major machining work.

An ecstatic Ryan said, “What a fantastic result. Guy’s unfortunate accident gave us a way back in, as I was sitting up on the course at the time. I’m over the moon to have got a second in both Superbike and Superstock. I’ve got to thank Nick and all the lads who worked so hard.”

MSS Colchester Kawasaki Team Owner, Nick Morgan said, “Total turnaround of fortune, I’m so happy for Ryan and all the mechanics Brilliant. To be sitting up at the Cronk to the second step of the podium, it just shows how your luck can go. We’ve definitely experienced both ends of the spectrum this week.

An MSS tuned ZX6R engine also fired Dave Molyneux to second in the Sidecar race earlier in the week.

Ryan Farquhar gets ready to put the MSS Colchester Kawasaki ZX-10R Superbike to its toughest test of the year as he takes over the controls for the Isle of Man TT road races.  In 2010, MSS Colchester Kawasaki again heads across the Irish Sea for the historic Isle of Man TT races, and the experienced road racing team’s hopes of success fall on the record-breaking Northern Irishman. Despite taking an unprecedented 61 road race wins in all competitions in 2009, last year’s TT week was one to put down to experience for Farquhar. But, the Dungannon man is looking to Nick Morgan’s MSS Colchester team for a return to success aboard the Kawasaki ZX-10R Superbike.

Farquhar, a two-time TT winner wasted no time in the initial practice sessions. After first practice was cancelled because of bad weather, the Northern Irishman didn’t take long to make up for lost time with a blistering 128.076mph lap in Wednesday’s practice session, the fastest so far.  Speaking during practice week, Farquhar, who last rode for Nick Morgan’s team at the TT in 2005 (where he bagged a Supersport win and third place in the Superstock races), was happy with progress so far.

“I know I’m riding well. We were quickest on the Superstock bike straight off and I know I’ve got things working well already with the Superbike. The chassis is really good on the MSS bike and I’m confident we can do well with that. Come Friday we should be ready to go on all the bikes.”

Early laps have been slightly tentative as Ryan and his crew attempt to correct the small problems of the North West 200. A fuelling problem traced to the foam in the fuel tank breaking down and starving the bike’s motor at high RPM is now rectified; “Were confident now we’ve sorted that problem out with the superbike.” said Ryan. The quiet-spoken but confident Farquhar is happy his 2010 TT will bring podium success again.

“I’d be happy with anything in the top five, but I’m confident we can get a podium or two; that’s what I’m aiming at. I’d like to thank everybody really. A big thanks to Nick for helping with the superbike, and for his help on all my bikes.”

MSS Colchester Kawasaki team owner Nick Morgan is well aware of the tough test ahead for his bikes and team. “We know this event well, and we know from past experience it pushes everything to the very limit, in a way that normal short circuit racing never does. That’s no more or less than anyone else, but it makes it a different job than is normal for us. We’ve had a few niggly things to work on with the superbike so far, which is a bit frustrating but we’re getting there and it looks like we’re in for a good week. All the riders we’re helping are looking good.”

No stranger to road courses, the diverse skills of the MSS Colchester Kawasaki race workshop stretches to three wheels for the TT this year with ZX-6R engines powering the Manx duo of Dave Molyneux and Patrick Farrance. The legendary sidecar pilot Molyneux posted a 114.355mph lap during Tuesday evening practice to put him at the top of the timing sheets and is looking for another record breaking year.

“It’s great to be helping Dave Molyneux out; he’s got off to a cracking start in practice,” commented Nick about the sidecar duo.

HM Plant Honda’s John McGuinness, Keith Amor and Michael Rutter took to the Isle of Man TT course again today for the second practice session, although lap times were affected by overnight rain which lingered for most of the morning and left some damp patches around the 37.73-mile mountain course. The mountain mist took a long time to clear, but eventually practice got underway at 6:20pm in clear and sunny conditions.

Michael was one of the first riders to tackle the course, taking the HM Plant Honda CBR1000 Superstock bike through to post the third fastest time on his opening lap. Having checked out the course for damp patches, Michael was more confident on his second lap and headed the leaderboard. But as the track dried out, the times began to tumble, and he ended his evening in third place with a lap time of 18:2.91 – 125.429mph, which is his fastest -ever lap around the Mountain course in all the years he has been competing on the Island.

Keith Amor improved his position from Monday evening, powering his HM Plant Honda Superbike through to fifth overall on the night with a time of 17m 57.63 – 126.043mph.

Teammate and multi-TT winner John McGuinness erred on the side of caution in the tricky conditions to end his evening in seventh place, a tad slower than Monday’s session, with a time of 18:01.9 – 125.546mph.

Keith said, “I really didn’t think we would be out tonight. But it turned into a beautiful evening and although a bit damp in places, it was fine. Last night was my first time on the bike, and the first night of practice here at the TT is more about me enjoying myself and not frightening myself. I didn’t frighten myself and just rode around to get used to the bike – which is awesome – and get myself settled into it. But tonight I got my head down and went for a quicker time. But of course it’s how fast you go on Saturday in the race that matters, not how fast you go on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.”

John commented, “Last night the times were just unbelievable. Everything felt pretty good and under control. My first lap was 125mph and the second 127mph, which is incredible on the first night of practice. The course is in pretty good shape, there was a bit of dust about but it wasn’t as bad as we expected. We were worrying about the bad winter over here and there would perhaps be more bumps but it’s exactly the same and the resurfacing they have done through the Black Dub and through Kirk Michael is really good. Tonight it was wet in places and I was not comfortable to go for a really fast lap in those conditions. The weather forecast is good for tomorrow and the rest of the week so we can work towards improving our lap times then.”

Michael said, “I am really enjoying myself, love the HM Plant Honda Fireblade and it’s going really well for me. I have posted quicker lap times than ever before here, which is great news and now we are promised some good weather so I am really looking forward to Wednesday evening’s practice session.”

Havier Beltran, HM Plant Honda Team Manager concluded, “The conditions here have not been ideal for us so far. The track was dirty on the first night and last night it was quite wet at Glen Helen and also towards the end of the course. The HM Plant Honda riders quite sensibly are not prepared to push it in those conditions, but with the weather set to improve from Wednesday onwards we can get on with tire choice and set-up in preparation for racing on Saturday.”