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.

Read more…

North West 200 204mph top speed record holder Stuart Easton teams up with 2010 Top Newcomer Gary Mason for a full road race attack for MSS Colchester Kawasaki.
 
The two riders are in fantastic form in British Superbikes and will be competing at the legendary event on the all new Kawasaki ZX-10R machine in two specifications; full Superbike (2 races) and the Superstock class (1 race).
 
Easton, who finished second in the 2010 feature Superbike event, is in great form racking up a third Macau GP road race victory over the winter and currently sits in third in the British Superbike Championship. “This is one of my favorite events in the World. I enjoy the whole week; away from the riding it’s really relaxed and you get a chance to really bond with the team. It’s obviously far less intense than BSB but then race day goes crazy! This new Kawasaki ZX-10R is all changed for this year so we’re not too sure how it will go at this particular place, it’s been incredible in BSB and only practice will show its capabilities here.”
 
Mason, who took his first British Superbike podium last weekend, is revved up for the event, saying, “It was my first time last year and I couldn’t believe the event. What an atmosphere and the fans were brilliant. I only did Superbike last year, so I’ll get a lot more track time doing Superstock also, plus Stuart is going to help me in practice, which is mega. I’m aiming for top six if I can get away with the group then it’s all down to slipstreaming.”
 
Team boss Nick Morgan added, “As a team we love this event and although we’ve had success here, we’re desperate for that first full Superbike win! With our all new ZX-10R and the form of both Stuart and Gary, this is a great time to be coming here and we have a good chance to make it happen.”
 
Considered to be one of the world’s fastest road races, the International North West 200’s 8.96 mile long 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.
 
The Superbike riders will slipstream each other at 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 120,000 spectators expected to gather at the famous triangle course. The Relentless International North West 200 takes place on Saturday, May 21.

Nick Morgan and his squad head to Macau with hopes of a strong performance. The team’s two-rider line-up for the 2010 will once again feature the team’s regular BSB runner Simon Andrews and Northern Irish road race specialist Stephen Thompson. For short circuit ace Simon Andrews, the Macau road circuit requires a change of tack, but it was one that the BSB star took to well in 2009, his debut at the unusual road course, with a fine seventh place.

MSS Colchester's Simon Andrews

Stephen Thompson takes the reins of MSS Colchester Kawasaki’s Ninja ZX-10R Superbike again following his outing at the NW200 for the team in May. Northern Ireland’s sole competitor for the 2010 race, Thompson is looking to improve on his best finishes of fifth (in 2005 and 2008) and will bring his considerable road racing experience to the team.

Kawasaki’s World Superbike Racing Team will also be present at the Macau GP with MSS Colchester Kawasaki’s new signing for the 2011 British Superbike season Stuart Easton aboard. Easton has a remarkable record at the Macau GP having won the event for the previous two years.

Simon Andrews is looking to build on a fine debut in 2009:
“Last year went far better than we anticipated for my debut on the road circuit and being the fastest newcomer was a real result. So we’re looking to build upon that this time now that we know what to expect but I won’t get too worked-up, I’m just going to concentrate on doing the best we can for the team and finishing our year well.”

Team owner Nick Morgan was buoyant ahead of his 17th visit to the Macau GP:
“I’m proud to be going to the Macau event again this year. It’s a fantastic event, we love it, we’re avid supporters of the Grand Prix and its organizers do such a fantastic job each year. I said last year that Simon did a mega job for us with great progress for someone not used to the road courses, especially this unique circuit. We’re hopeful we can build on his strong performance this time around. As this is my 17th year at the Macau GP I’m hoping our regular number 17 rider can put us on the podium! Stephen too has a good record at Macau so we’re looking to get ourselves and Kawasaki up there in the thick of it!”

Cameron Donald will partner new signing Guy Martin on the International Road Racing scene in 2011 for Relentless by TAS Suzuki, completing the Moneymore-based team’s ‘pure road racing’ line-up.

Donald will remain in the TAS Racing set-up for a third successive season and the double Isle of Man TT winner is very much looking forward to renewing his connection with the team, on a full stable of GSX-R machinery.

Cameron Donald:
“What can I say apart from, I couldn’t be happier to be racing for Relentless by TAS Suzuki again in 2011. My goal, as always, is to win International Road Races, and I know better than anyone I need to come out fighting in 2011. In saying that, I couldn’t have a better team in my corner for the job ahead and the only way I can thank Philip and Hector’s loyalty is by winning races next season. Securing this deal will also make the trip to Macau for the Grand Prix later this month a whole lot more enjoyable for all involved. Hopefully we can put on a good show in the Far East as it feels like the start of 2011 for me already.”

Philip Neill – Team Manager:
“After a lot of rumors on who we might sign for 2011, I think it’s very good news that Cameron is back onboard for 2011. It’s been well documented that this season has not been his best in Relentless Suzuki colors, but having fought back from a bigger injury than some people imagined in 2009, a TT Superbike podium was no mean achievement.

“He knows what it takes to win on the Isle of Man and with a 131mph lap also under his belt, we believe Cameron will be back to his very best on GSX-R machinery in 2011. We never enjoy having to let anyone go from our set-up, so we’re delighted to welcome him back into the fold alongside new signing Guy Martin. I’m sure both boys will be a credit to our sponsors and fans.”

Both Donald and Martin’s full program of races for 2011 will not be announced until the New Year, although the team can provisionally confirm the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix at this time.

British Superbike star Stuart Easton has signed with MSS Colchester Kawasaki stating he is looking forward to the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R and being reunited with his old team.

Stuart Easton aboard an MSS Colchester Kawasaki at his home circuit of Knockhill in 2008

The former British Supersport champion and Superbike race winner, who last rode for the official Kawasaki UK squad in 2008, sees his return as great timing with his extra Superbike experience and the new, race-developed Ninja ZX-10R machine. Stuart also has a long-term racing relationship with Kawasaki World Superbike squad owner Paul Bird, whose support and inside knowledge of the new machine certainly helped make up his decision.

The 27 year old Scot said, “Ever since I spoke to Paul Bird about the new bike and the opportunity came up to run in the MSS squad I’ve been really excited. I know the team from last time around and they had massive potential which was shown in Simon Andrews rides in 2009. Since then I’ve learnt a lot also and have racked-up wins and podiums, so it feels like a good time to be re-uniting. The new bike looks awesome and I’ve been watching the test times from the WSB team, very impressive. I’ll be riding for Birdy in Macau, and testing the bike in Aragon in Spain next week, maybe if I’m really lucky I’ll get out on the 2010 bike too. The close relationship between the two squads and exchange of info can only help so all-in-all I’m well happy.”

Stuart finished an impressive third in the MCE British Superbike Championship in 2009 but started 2010 with a knee injury that plagued his year giving 10 DNFs and finishing a disappointing ninth. Despite the setbacks he still logged a win and five podiums.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki team boss Nick Morgan said, “We’ve been pursuing Stuart for a long time, he is a class act and definitely our first choice of rider. With his increased Superbike experience and wins under his belt now there is no denying he can cut it at the very front of the BSB pack. Like us, he’s excited by the new Ninja ZX-10R and we can’t wait to get testing with both Stuart and this awesome new bike.”

The MSS Colchester Kawasaki squad will also be campaigning at the Macau GP and look forward to announcing their full lineup soon.

Stuart Easton has won the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix for the second consecutive year riding the Hydrex IGT Honda Fireblade 1000cc superbike.

Staring in pole position he lead the field into the first corner and by the end of the first lap had a lead of 1.516s over Connor Cummins on the PBM Kawasaki WSBK. By the end of lap 6 the young Scot had increased his lead to 6.172s and Stuart and Cummins had pulled away from the following pack.  However, by lap 10 Cummins had began to fight back and had reduced Stuart’s lead to 3.078s.  Cummins was now on a charge and the final five laps produced some dramatic racing. At the start of lap 14, the penultimate lap, Cummins was just 0.421s behind Stuart and during the lap passed Stuart at Fisherman’s Bend.  On the last lap Stuart dug deep and out braked Cummins on the approach to Lisboa, held his line and retook the lead. Pushing hard he kept Cummins at bay to cross the finish line just 0.381s ahead.

It was not such a good race for Hydrex IGT Honda’s other rider, John McGuinness, who had to retire on lap 7.

Stuart Easton: “The first half of the race went really well but as the laps past I realised I had been working my tyres really hard and I started to really feel the grip going off. Connor was pushing hard and with two laps to go I really felt I was in trouble. Connor passed me on the penultimate lap but I was absolutely determined to win again so on the last lap I pushed really hard and with what grip I had left I was able to out brake Connor into Lisboa. To win again and to set a new lap record has made this the perfect weekend. I must say a big thank you to Shaun Muir who gave me the opportunity to have my best season ever, all  the team who have been fantastic and, of course, our sponsors.”

John McGuinness: “It was a disappointing race for me. I never found my confidence on the bike and I was moving back through the field. The crew had done a great job and the bike was performing well. However, I simply couldn’t find any rhythm or pace and by the time I reached lap 7 I took the decision to retire.”

Shaun Muir, Team Owner: “This is a fantastic result and I’m delighted for Stuart and the team. He has performed well all year and I have seen a real determination in him since he first rode for SMR at last year’s Macau GP. This is the perfect ending to a great season for Stuart and I’m delighted to have signed him for the 2010 BSB season. A big thank you, of course, to all the team who have work so hard and all our sponsors for their enduring support.“

Race Top 6:
1: EASTON, GBR, Hydrex IGT Honda
2: CUMMINS, IOM, PBM Kawasaki WSBK Team +0.381
3: HUTCHINSON, GBR, PBM Kawasaki WSBK Team +9.792
4: JOHNSON, GBR, A.I.M. Racing +15.598
5: PENZKOFER, GER, BMW Macau Racing Team +24.609
6: RUTTER,  GBR, Team of Paris – AXA Racing +31.851

This week marks the 43^rd running of the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix. Held through the streets of Macau, the Motorcycle Grand Prix has drawn some of the biggest names in motorcycle racing from around the world.  Kevin Schwantz, Carl Fogarty and Ron Haslam are among the more notable competitors of previous races.

This year’s race features some well-known riders from the UK and the US.  Stuart Easton finished the 2009 British Superbike season in third place and will race alongside Isle of Man TT stalwart John McGuinness for the Hydrex Honda team.  Michael Rutter, who has raced in the BSB, World Superbike and MotoGP series as well as the Isle of Man TT and the North West 200, will saddle up for the Team of Paris/AXA Racing  Kawasaki team.

Among the notable American riders are AMA road racers Michael Barnes and Scott Jensen. Mark Miller, who retired from AMA Pro racing in 2001, will also line up on the grid as will Jeremy Toye, TT competitor and winner of the 2006 Willow Springs Toyota 200.

Motorcycle qualifying begins tomorrow, and the 15-lap race will be held at 3:15 p.m. local time on Sunday

Thursday, November 19

3:25-4:10 p.m.
Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix,  43rd Edition – Qualifying

Friday, November 20

7:30-8:30 a.m.
Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, 43rd Edition – Qualifying

Saturday, November 21

7:30-7:50 a.m.
Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, 43rd Edition – Warm Up
3:15-4:15 p.m.
Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix , 43rd Edition – 15 laps

Macau Grand Prix Rider Roster Read more…