Motourage

Swan Honda’s Stuart Easton is celebrating after securing his best-ever finish at the International North West 200, finishing second in the feature Superbike class race of the day after a race-long duel with fellow BSB rival Alastair Seeley and John McGuinness.

On his return to the event, Easton got off to a flying start, setting the fastest time through the speed traps between Station Corner and University in practice (Tuesday) with a top speed of 204mph.  On race day (Saturday) he started the day with a consistent fifth place in the opening Superbike race and was eleventh in the Superstock class, despite only completing one flying lap in practice earlier in the week and having to fight through from the second wave of riders.

Easton started from fourth on the Superbike grid and got off to one of his customary lightning starts to lead the four-lap feature race, before he dropped to third. Easton was determined to fight back, and on the next lap the Swan Honda rider was back in the lead. Seeley later took the advantage at the front, and despite Easton attacking back he finished the race second to score his best ever finish at the event.

Easton said: “It has been a good event for the Swan Honda team; I hadn’t really set myself any expectations before we arrived so to finish second was a good result. It is the best finish I have ever had at the event it is great to give the team their first podium with Swan.
The Superstock race was always going to be tough with the lack of time in practice as I only really had one flying lap due to the conditions but despite being in the second group I came through to eleventh. In the first Superbike race fifth wasn’t what I wanted so to finish second in race two was a much better result for me. Alastair Seeley was really strong along certain parts of the track and rode a great race so I was happy to be second. I now only have one place to improve when I come back again and that is to win.”

North West 200, Yoko Superbike race one result:

1. John McGuinness (Honda) 17:58.937
2. Connor Cummins (Kawasaki) +0.217s
3. Alastair Seeley (Suzuki) +0.553s
4. Keith Amor (Honda) +7.520s
5. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +16.668s

North West 200, Greenline Superbike race two result:

1. Alastair Seeley (Suzuki) 17:41.186
2. Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +1.143s
3. John McGuinness (Honda) +1.294s
4. Guy Martin (Honda) +7.214s
5. Ian Hutchinson (Honda) +9.809s

Swan Honda’s Stuart Easton will leave the hospital later today following his crash yesterday during testing at Cadwell Park.

Easton had an operation on his leg late last night and, according to his crew, chief Pete Jennings, no internal damage was discovered to the muscles or tendons. The wound was stitched, and he will be discharged to from hospital today.

The second Swan Honda of James Ellison will return to the track later today for the team’s final test.

James Ellison & Stuart Easton

James Ellison and Stuart Easton had their first chance to get to grips with the Swan Honda at Cartagena on Thursday as the team’s testing schedule kicked off in Spain.

Both riders made the most of the first day as a shakedown test to work on basic set-up with Easton focusing on the electronic system while Ellison readjusted to the Honda on his return to the team.

Ellison said: “It was great to get the first day of testing underway and get back out on the Swan Honda. The team has worked really well today and it is like being back with the family again and it’s like I have never been away. We have been in and out of pit lane all day getting the bike to feel like mine again and I have been working on the gearing as it is so different from the Yamaha. We made a few slight changes to positioning but for me it was valuable time back on the Honda. It is definitely all smiles here tonight.”

Easton said: “We had a plan of what we needed to work on today and we have surpassed that so it bodes well for the next three days here at Cartagena. We have mainly focused on the new electronic kit and I have to say that it already feels better than I was expecting. We haven’t been clocking up the laps today but have solved a few teething problems that you always have at the first test. Tomorrow we plan to work further on the electronics as this is vital but after day one we are heading in the right direction.”

Swan Honda has confirmed their completed line-up for the 2010 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship with James Ellison joining Stuart Easton to form one of the strongest teams on the grid in a bid to secure a maiden BSB title. The completed line-up was unveiled in front of thousands of fans at the Carole Nash MCN London Motorcycle Show this past weekend.

James Ellison & Stuart Easton

Former Tech 3 MotoGP and 2007 AMA Superbike Corona Honda rider James Ellison returns to the team focused and determined after finishing runner-up in 2009 following weeks of uncertainty over his BSB return when he was left without a ride. However, Swan Honda seized the chance to re-sign the Kendal rider who last rode for the team during the 2008 season. Ellison was the most consistent title contender in 2009 and was the only rider to score points in each of the 26 races taking 14 podium finishes, with four of those race victories.

Ellison said: “I’m so grateful to Shaun Muir and SMR for giving me the opportunity to race in BSB this year. I know the whole Swan Honda team have pulled out all the stops to give me this chance to fight for the title. It’s been a very difficult winter not knowing if I would be racing, as I was left in a really difficult position at the end of 2009. I knew that if I had any chance of winning the championship it was with this team, so my first phone call was to Shaun when I was left without a ride.

“The team was strong when I was with them in 2008, but they have moved on so much since then. This is all down to their work ethic and solid team structure, which is exactly what I need to go one better in the championship this year. I class the team as family and I know the Honda like the back of my hand, so I’m confident we will be strong out of the gates and I am really looking forward to working with my old crew chief Mick Shanley again. I want to thank my fans, friends, family and my wife Sarah for standing by me and always believing in me; I promise I won’t let you down this year!”

Team Owner Shaun Muir concluded: “To say I am delighted to have James back on board is an understatement. We were disappointed to lose him at the end of 2008, but James is determined and passionate about his racing and took his best opportunity at that time. He left us on good terms and for that reason have held him in high regard. He brings a real hunger and desire to challenge for the title and I have no doubts that Stuart and James will bring the best out of each other. The whole team have worked together for a number of years now and this is the first year where there is a real competition in our own garage, something that is vital in challenging for a championship. I am sure that it is going to be a great first year for Swan Honda.

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

It was fifth place all round for Hydrex Honda at Silverstone on Sunday when all three members of the team finished inside the top five in their respective races. Stuart Easton again led the way with a brace of fourths in the two Superbike races although new recruit Tommy Hill wasn’t too far behind with a pair of fifths and the results meant that for the first time ever, the team had both their riders finish in the top five in both BSB races. Meanwhile, Tom Grant added to the solid haul of results with an excellent fifth in the British Supersport 600cc Championship race.

Hydrex Honda's (and Motourage fantasy league rider) Stuart Easton

Having taken his first win of the year at the previous round, Easton was hoping for more of the same to continue to eat into James Ellison’s advantage in the race for second overall but a problem with the front tyre in the first race meant he was unable to challenge and had to settle for fourth. The team made a number of adjustments for the second race and they certainly helped as Stuart was able to run a lot closer to the front despite coming under extreme pressure throughout the race.

In the final third of the race, new Champion Leon Camier found his way through although third place and another podium looked on the cards for Stuart, It wasn’t to be though as fellow Honda rider Josh Brookes made a determined move on the last corner on the last lap and it was enough to push Stuart back for his second fourth place of the day, the first time since Mallory Park in July that he hadn’t finished on the podium in at least one of the races.

Read more…

Hydrex Honda's Stuart Easton

Leon Camier powered in his eighth pole start of the campaign ahead of the tenth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli at Croft in which he could clinch the sport’s premier crown.

Stuart Easton third best for Hydrex Honda with Josh Brookes putting in a late flyer to secure a front row start for his HM Plant Honda as he returns to action after a two event ban.

Tommy Hill who is making his Hydrex Honda debut, while Ian Lowry completed the second row, eighth fastest on the Relentless Suzuki.

Top ten qualifying times

1          L Camier           Airwaves Yamaha          1m 20.124s
2          S Andrews        MSS Colchester Kawasaki 1m 20.974s
3          S Easton           Hydrex Honda                1m 20.980s
4          J Brookes          HM Plant Honda            1m 21.072s
5          J Ellison            Airwaves Yamaha          1m 21.079s
6          G Mason           Quay Garage Honda       1m 21.136s
7          T Hill                 Hydrex Honda                1m 21.138s
8          I Lowry              Relentless Suzuki          1m 21.254s
9          G Gowland        Motorpoint Henderson Yamaha 1m 21.296s
10         C Walker           Motorpoint Henderson Yamaha 1m 21.626s

Superbikes on track

Sunday 13 September
12-12:10 (Warm-up practice)
1:30 Race one – 20 laps
4:35 Race two – 20 laps

Round ten – 11/12/13 September – Croft
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli

Leon Camier dominated the opening exchanges ahead of the tenth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli at Croft in which he could clinch the premier crown in domestic racing.

Stuart Easton, the former Supersport title winner who is targeting the runner-up spot in the standings, ran his Hydrex Honda third fastest with a lap in 1m 21.751secs, just ahead of Simon Andrews aboard the MSS Colchester Kawasaki.

Ellison, was fifth, though credited with the same time, 1m 21.540secs as Andrews, as he prepared for races in which he hopes to add to his three racing pedigree – he pegged back ground on Camier with a win last time out at Cadwell Park when his team-mate was excluded from the results for a flag infringement.

Tommy Hill marked his debut on the second Hydrex bike by setting sixth best time, 1m 21.575secs, ahead of the leader in the chase for the Mirror.co.uk Cup, Gary Mason, aboard the Quay Garage Honda. Motorpoint Henderson Yamaha’s Chris Walker was eighth fastest.

Top ten free practice times

1          L Camier           Airwaves Yamaha          1m 20.571s
2          I Lowry              Relentless Suzuki          1m 21.333s
3          S Easton           Hydrex Honda                1m 21.370s
4          S Andrews        MSS Colchester Kawasaki 1m 21.540s
5          J Ellison            Airwaves Yamaha          1m 21.540s
6          T Hill                 Hydrex Honda                1m 21.575s
7          G Mason           Quay Garage Honda       1m 21.629s
8          C Walker           Motorpoint Henderson Yamaha 1m 21.827s
9          J Brookes          HM Plant Honda            1m 21.828s
10         J Laverty           Buildbase Kawasa         1m 22.028s

Superbikes on track

Saturday 12 September
10-10:50 (Free practice)
1:45-2:49 Swan Combi 50 Roll for Pole

Sunday 13 September
12-12:10 (Warm-up practice)
1:30 Race one – 20 laps
4:35 Race two – 20 laps