Motourage

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!”

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).