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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.

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).

MSS Colchester Kawasaki are busy putting together plans for an intense racing season with new riders, sponsors, high-technology and a focused development schedule as they attack British Superbike (BSB), National Superstock and the Isle of Man TT.

The Essex-based team stepped up a level in 2009 with their riders regularly running at the sharp end of the pack resulting in a creditable BSB series finish of sixth and seventh. Star rider Simon Andrews lead races, finished on the podium and would have had an even stronger Championship position had it not been for injury.

For the 2010 season, Andrews will again spearhead the team, backed up by Privateers Cup winner Gary Mason, while the squad will also run a professional effort in the fiercely competitive Metzeler National Superstock Championship, having signed up Howie Mainwaring.

MSS Colchester Kawasaki hopes all the pieces have finally come together for 2010

Away from the short circuits, the team will run a fourth Kawasaki ZX-10R in the varied roads circuits of the Isle of Man TT, Ulster GP and NW200 utilizing the talents of roads specialist Ryan Farquhar.

During the winter, the team have picked up two state-of-the-art electronics packages, which have been developed by the Kawasaki World Superbike outfit of Paul Bird Motorsport. The Magneti Marelli Marvel system handles all on-board electronics to tackle both data collection and system management, with a myriad of datalogging and fine tuning options available. The electronics systems have been installed and the technicians have acquainted themselves with the technology, the team now track time to hone their set up.

Winter testing is scheduled to start on the 9th March at Guadix in Spain, which will give the team the opportunity to explore the new electronics for the first time.

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