[Road Racing] News des pilotes

Guy Martin a la Cookstown 100 les 26 et 27 avril prochain




By Kyle White


International road racing superstar Guy Martin has confirmed his entry for next month’s Cookstown 100 road races.

The Tyco Suzuki rider has been a regular at the national meeting in County Tyrone over the past few seasons and will kick-start his 2013 roads campaign at the event, which traditionally raises the curtain on the national season.

Last year, Lincolnshire protagonist Martin was a somewhat controversial winner of the Open race on his Suzuki GSX-R1000 at Cookstown after home favourite Ryan Farquhar claimed his rival had made an illegal overtaking manoeuvre under a waved yellow flag.

Despite his protestations the result stood, although Farquhar had the final say as he turned the tables on Martin to triumph in the Grand Final – a victory that would prove to be his final race at the Cookstown 100 after the KMR Kawasaki team boss called time on his career following the death of his uncle, Trevor Ferguson, at the Manx Grand Prix.

Press officer Kenny Loughrin said he was thrilled to have Martin back at the Cookstown 100.

“Guy has confirmed his entry for the Cookstown 100 on April 26-27,” said Loughrin.

“He has been a regular with us for the past few years and to have him on the grid for 2013 is just fantastic news.”

In Farquhar’s absence, Martin will line up on the grid on the narrow Orritor circuit as the race favourite based on his results over the past few years.

His rivals are likely to include Michael and William Dunlop plus new KMR Kawasaki signing Brian McCormack from Waterford and team-mate Jamie Hamilton, Derek Sheils on Chris Dowd’s Kawasaki ZX-10R, Michael Pearson and Davy Morgan.

Gary Johnston avec une MV F3 en supersport dans le team de Jack Valentine, ex manager du team Suzuki en WSBK l'année dernière pour la NW, le TT et l'UGP. Gary garde ses Honda pour le superstock et le superbike.


Présence aussi Ryan MC Cay sur une autre MV engagée par le concessionnaire Robinsons of Rochdale avec le support de l'importateur anglais et de aussi de l'usine MV. Sans oublier Tim lui aussi sur une MV.

John Mc Guiness dans la categorie des lighweight ou supertwin avec la nouvelle CBR 500. A voir ce que ca va donner compare aux ER6 qui dominent la categorie, principalement avec le team de ryan Farquhar



John McGuinness enters 2013 Lightweight TT race for RLR Racing on new CBR500R Honda
Nineteen-time TT race winner John McGuinness has confirmed that he will race in this year’s Lightweight TT onboard Honda’s all new CBR500R. The race is scheduled to take place ahead of this year's PokerStars Senior TT, on Friday 7th June.

The Morecambe man will ride for Phil Morris's RLR racing team, which has already begun preparing the all-new CBR500R. McGuinness last road for the team close to a decade ago when he took back-to-back victories at the Lightweight TT onboard a Honda VFR400.

Team owner Phil Morris said:

“We got the new bike delivered last week and we’ve already spent time with it on the dyno. We know we have a lot to do, but it’s an exciting opportunity and John is really up for it. We have a great bike and the best rider so the aim is to be on the top step of the podium this year.”

Last year’s Lightweight race was dominated by riders onboard Kawasaki’s ER6. Ryan Farquhar took a convincing win with a time of 59:29.27 (114.155mph) from James Hillier with Michael Rutter completing the podium. Michael Rutter clocked the fastest lap of the inaugural race and his time of 19:35.45 (115.554) will be the benchmark to beat in 2013.

The top eight positions in the 2012 event, the first TT run for SuperTwin machines, were all secured by Kawasaki riders, but the dynamic of the race is set to change in 2013 with McGuinness's entry.

Ryan Farquhar has retired from racing, but will however continue to field a team while Suzuki are bolstering their efforts with a bigger presence of riders using their SV650 and Honda are now back on the scene with McGuiness and their CBR500R.

Commenting on his participation in the race in 2013 John McGuinness said:

"It was strange sitting on the sidelines last year while the race was on, particularly as the Senior was cancelled as well. It's an interesting class and will present different challenges to the other races but I'm looking forward to having a crack. The team undoubtedly has a lot to do in a short space of time to be ready but I've got every faith in them."

Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Manager, Isle of Man Government, commented:

"The class continues to go from strength to strength and it will undoubtedly attract more interest this year with broader manufacturer involvement. John's entry will also further add to the race and I'm sure he'll be going all out to add to his TT titles."

Martin Jessopp qui detiens le record envitesse de pointe a la Northwest avec 208MPH, soit 334,7km/hr espere atteindre 212MPH cette annee avec la BMW en ayant une bonne aspiration.



West Country racer Martin Jessopp is eyeing a possible 212mph top speed at this year's North West 200 if conditions are right for his BMW S1000RR on the Golden Triangle.

Jessopp, who blew through the speed trap at 208mph last year on the Riders Ducati, says that a good slipstream could see him push on to 210mph or even 212mph this year.

"I broke the top speed barrier in practice last year. I was out on my own with no-one to slipstream and I hit 206mph on the first lap," said Jessopp.

"It didn’t even get reported back to the pits because the guys with the speed gun thought that it couldn’t be working properly to record that speed so soon. I did the 208mph on the third lap.

"My mechanics were really excited about it when I pulled into the pits but I was more concerned about getting the bike properly set-up for the race."

Jessopp revealed that he had been struggling with ‘some handling issues’ during those runs down through the Coleraine Road speed trap on the Riders’ Ducati. But he admitted that it felt ‘very quick’.

"When you are doing 180mph on a wide track like Silverstone it doesn’t really feel that fast but at the North West the road is so much narrower and everything is going past so quickly," he explained.

"It is so bumpy and there is even a jump along the fastest stretch! It is like you are going down a tunnel and the white lines and hedges become a blur. University Corner appears like a tiny little dot in the distance and then all of a sudden you are there, pulling on the brakes like mad to get stopped and get around it."

Cette semaine, en faisant mes courses dans un supermarché du pays de Gex, j'ai aperçu un "pur et dur" portant un joli blouson TT bleu et gris agrémenté de tous les logos qui vont bien.

Pas osé l'aborder mais je me suis demandé s'il n'était pas sur le forum...

Fin du

Karl harris et David Johnson au TT avec le team PR racing kawasaki pour les 3 courses des 1000cc, sperbike, superstock et le senior


David Johnson and Karl Harris will contest the 2013 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy after signing up to compete in all three 1000cc races for leading British Superbike team PR Racing Kawasaki.

The pair will line up in the Dainese Superbike, Royal London 360° Superstock and PokerStars Senior TT races on board Kawasaki ZX-10Rs.

Australian Johnson will be making his third appearance at the TT and having picked up five bronze replicas from five rides during his debut in 2010, as well as setting the third fastest newcomer lap ever, he deservedly picked up the coveted Newcomers Trophy for his efforts.

After missing a year he was back in 2012 where he recorded two top 15 place finishes in the Dainese Superbike and Royal London 360 Superstock races, and a new personal best lap of 125.831mph.

Harris made his TT debut last year and, like many of the short circuit stars who have turned their attention to the roads, he impressed on the Mountain course. Riding for the SMT Racing squad, the triple British Supersport Champion lapped in excess of 121mph on his way to 21st and a bronze replica in the Dainese Superbike TT, before backing this up with 28th and another bronze replica in the Royal London 360° Superstock race.

Harris will contest this year’s British Superbike Championship for the Liverpool-based team, with Johnson competing independently in the National Superstock 1000cc Championship.

PR Racing Kawasaki Team Principal John Jameson said:

“We dipped our toe back in the water with the TT last year, but we’re taking things to the next level for 2013, with a full on assault on the event. With Dave and Karl as our riders we believe we have two of the most exciting new riders in the event and we’re looking towards breaking into the top ten with both riders for the first time.”

“We see this as the start of a long relationship with the TT. PR Racing is particularly grateful to John Birch, Lloyd & Jones, for his long-standing support of the team and specifically for the TT, which he has attended for many years and now as a team sponsor.”

“This should add some real zest to the occasion for him!”

TT & Motorsport Development Manager Paul Phillips added:

“PR Racing Kawasaki are a very well established team in the British Superbike paddock and it is great to have them fully supporting the TT in 2013.”

“Their rider line up is one of the most exciting in the paddock and both riders have the natural ability to go on to challenge for honours at the TT for many years to come.”

Rico Penzkofer qui a pris sa retraite apres le dernier grand prix de macau engage son team pour la Northwest et le TT avec 4 pilotes, dont le suisse Herve Gantner. Le team est le champion du monde sortant en endurance, categorie superstock.


A strong line-up of racers has been assembled by TeamPenz13.com for the 2013 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy.

German Endurance Superstock World Champion team will contest the three 1000cc races.

Led by the recently retired TT racer Rico Penzkofer, the team will field four riders, with Steve Mercer heading the line up, ably supported by Swiss racer Herve Gantner, Japan’s Yoshinari Matsushita and exciting German newcomer Steven Michels.

They will ride BMW machinery, with Mercer on the HP4 Superbike and the other three on the S1000RR.

Mercer will come into his 5th TT keen to crack the top 10 for the first time having taken 12th place for the last two years in the Dainese Superbike race. Last year saw him record his best ever lap of the Mountain Course at 126.323mph, also earning his first silver replica. He will contest the Dainese Superbike, Royal London 360º Superstock and PokerStars Senior TT races.

Mercer said:

“I'm delighted to be part of Penz13.com for 2013 - I've raced Rico in various different races over the last couple of years and have always been very impressed by the standard of his bikes and team.”

“I welcome the opportunity to ride for a team with so much experience - particularly as for 2013, the team has been working with the BMW S1000rr and HP4 from day one. Hopefully I can add my experience into the team and between us we can get the results we are all looking for.”

Gantner made his TT debut in 2010, and has already broken the 120mph barrier and picked up two bronze replicas. Having missed the 2012 races after injuring his hand in a practice spill, he’ll be looking to better his results of 2011 when he took a best finish of 27th in the second Monster Energy Supersport race.

He said:

“After the bad luck during last year, where I had to miss the races due to injury, I am ready to bounce back this season.”

“That this possibility comes with the squad of Penz13 is a great pleasure. I know the BMW machinery from previous seasons and I will try to lower my best lap time at the TT once again.”

Matsushita is also coming into his 4th year of competition at the TT and both he and Gantner will line up in the same three 1000cc races as Mercer.

He said:

“I am just overwhelmed to having reached an agreement with this team once again. It will be my third TT in the team of Rico and I am really looking forward to it.”

The fourth member of the ambitious team is young German Michels, who will also contest the Dainese Superbike, Royal London 360º and PokerStars Senior races. The 22-year-old contested the International Road Race Championship last year where, despite missing the final round, he took an excellent 5th place overall in his first season of racing on the roads.

After taking a win at the opening round at Schleiz, he went on to take further podium positions at Hengelo and Chimay and only finished outside of the top 5 once. A product of the Red Bull Rookies Cup, Michels has also been a regular top 10 finisher in the German IDM Superbike and Supersport Championships.

Michels explained:

“After on year in the IRRC, where I gained my first experiences in Real Road Racing, this is another big step for me. The TT at the Isle of Man is one of the most famous races in the world and I will be part of it. Road Racing thrills me and I am happy about this opportunity.”

“This will be my highlight so far! I want to learn the track as good as possible and hope to be amongst the fastest rookies. Furthermore I am excited what Penz can teach me about the Isle of Man as he is the fastest ever German around there.”

Team Manager Penzkofer added:

“I am disappointed not to be racing myself but being a team manager is the next best thing. I was keen to stay involved in this great event and I think that we have a good team line up that will help and complement each other.”

“The roads have always been my passion and that’s why I want to heighten their profile by bringing my own team and a strong German squad. I want to push the topic of Road Racing and that’s why we are bringing 4 riders to the TT.”

Isle of Man Government TT and Motorsport Manager Paul Phillips said:

“If there was one line up that highlighted the international nature of the TT this is it. Rico made a great impact at the TT and was unlucky to have to retire with injury as I felt he would have gone on to establish himself as a leading rider. I'm delighted that he's chosen to stay involved in the event.”

Related Products

Supportez Timothée Monot qui roule pour la seconde année au TT et la 3éme fois au NW200.

http://www.orrt.fr/

Maria Costello au TT, a l'ulster grand prix et aussi en irlande, circuit et route avec une Triumph. Premiere course sur route avec la triumph a la Cookstown 100 fin avril et aussi en moto3, supertwin.



Maria Costello MBE is targeting success on the roads after signing a deal to race for Bob Wylie Racing this year.

The former Isle of Man female record holder will ride a new Triumph 675R at events including the Isle of Man TT and the Ulster Grand Prix as well as other selected Irish short circuit and real road races.

The Triumph 675R has been enjoying rave reviews since its launch and Northampton-based Costello says she cannot wait to get onboard and try it for herself. As well as the 675R, Maria will also compete on the Bob Wylie Racing Honda NSF250 Moto3 bike that she rode to two top-eight places last season; 7th at Walderstown and 8th at the Ulster Grand Prix.

Maria’s first road race event of the season will be the Cookstown 100 at the end of April when she will compete on both the Bob Wylie Racing Triumph 675R and Moto3 bike, her own Kawasaki ER6 Supertwin and the Bob Jackson Racing Suzuki T20.

Bob Wylie commented:

"I am delighted to have Maria riding for me again this season. The 675R is set to be a very capable race bike and the Moto3 bike has recently had the HRC race kit fitted, which should provide a substantial horsepower increase. Maria went very well on it last season and I'm sure this season she will be even more successful on both machines."

Maria added:

"I'm so pleased and fortunate to be riding Bob Wylie's bikes again this year. The 675R has the potential to be a brilliant race bike and I get to race the Moto3 bike again. Great bikes and a fantastic opportunity. I'm very excited about this season, what with these and the other rides I have planned.”

"My season has been given a real boost by this opportunity and I can’t thank Bob Wylie enough. I will savour every moment competing on these fantastic bikes and aim for yet more success on both of them."

Maria would also like to thank Triumph Motorcycles and Pure Triumph in Wellingborough for their help and support.

Costello's first outing for Bob Wylie Racing will be on the Triumph 675R at back-to-back short circuit races at Bishopscourt and Kirkistown over the Easter weekend at the end of March. The Bob Wylie Racing team will be launched on Easter Friday. If media would like to attend please contact maria@costelloracing.com

Maria Costello will also continue to support breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel! through 2013. She will be carrying their logo on all of the race bikes she competes on, as well as displaying CoppaFeel! collection tins at all the race events she attends.

Image by www.beckphotographic.com Maria Costello MBE and the Bob Wylie Racing Triumph 675R in road trim ready to be prepared for the 2013 race season.

Confirmation de l'engagement de l'australien Josh Brooks pour la Northwest en preparation a sa 1ere participation au TT.




After much speculation and anticipation, we can now confirm Josh Brookes will make his pure road racing debut this May at the International North West 200, alongside his enigmatic Tyco Suzuki team-mate Guy Martin.

The British Superbike number two has been an avid road racing fan since joining the team in 2011, and despite already making his intentions clear to compete at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races in June – he is equally delighted to be racing at the team’s home international in May.

Josh Brookes:
“The North West 200 is another box I wanted to tick in my career and being my local race while I’m based in Northern Ireland, it’s going to be an exciting place to make my road racing debut. I’ve been asked many times this past few days what my expectations are, but until I get out there and sample the public roads and negotiate strange obstacles like road traffic roundabouts, I’ll not know what to expect.

“Obviously my main focus this season will be to win the British Superbike Championship, but as a competitor I’ll want to give a good account of myself at the North West on my debut, and in the Tyco Suzuki guys, I believe I have the best machinery and back-up to do that.”

Team Manager Philip Neill firmly supports Brookes’ claims regarding their responsibility in British Superbike, but with nigh on twenty career wins at the Triangle, and it also being his favourite race of the year – the Moneymore man and his father Hector are excited at the prospect.

Philip said: “Obviously it has taken a while to sort out all the details, but this now completes Josh’s racing campaign for 2013, which will be quite a busy programme. Winning the British Superbike title remains our number one goal as a team, but the North West 200 is also a very important event for Tyco Suzuki and all our associated sponsors, as we have had a lot of success there over the years.”

He added: “Like any newcomer to the North West, there is no pressure on Josh, other than to enjoy the experience. Once he has completed his road racing campaign at the North West and TT, only then can we evaluate his future on the roads. But granted it is an exciting prospect for the organisers and the fans, to have one of the leading BSB riders on the grid, and with both he and Guy camped under our awning – I expect it to be a very busy event for all at Tyco Suzuki.”

Le Team Milwaukee Yamaha a effectué des essais à Cadwell park afin de préparer au mieux le North West qui approche à grands pas ! (crédit photos Milwaukee yamaha)

En voila un autre qui continue de préparer sa saison , c'est Timothée (Tim la casse) , Il a roulé à croix en Ternois le week-end du 13-14 avril, durant une manche du championnat Belge afin d'engranger les kilomètres au guidon de sa belle italienne !

Tim a roulé à Croix en Ternois en Championnat Open Belge pour parfaire les réglages de sa MV F3 Optimark et avoir le nombre de courses nécessaires à l'obtention de sa "Mountain Licence" obligatoire pour le TT et le MGP, il reste du travail à effectuer, c'est pourquoi le team Optimark sera à Spa les 27 et 28 Avril pour des tests à haute vitesse plus en rapport avec la North West et le TT.
Pour la North West:
Timothée aura le N°39
Il y aura un autre pilote français Xavier Denis qui roulera en Superstock (Kawasaki ZX10R) et en Supersport (Yamaha R) avec le N°82.
N'oublions pas notre Suisse francophone Hervé Gantner (BMW S1000RR teamPenz13.com) qui roulera en Superstock et en Superbike avec le N°21
Pour le TT:
Timothée roulera dans 2 catégories: Supersport avec sa MV F3 Optimark avec le N°76 et en Lightweight TT avec une Kawasaki ER6 Martimotos louée à McKinstry Racing avec le n°65.
Fabrice Miguet (Kawasaki ZX10R) sera présent en Superbike, Superstock et Senior avec le n°61
Hervé Gantner roulera sur la BMW S 1000 RR Penz13.com en Superbike, Superstock et Senior avec le N°52
Pas de nouvelles de Denis Bouan....

MERCI !!

Mickey, tout le team Milwaukee etais a Cadwell park, y compris Josh Waters et james Ellison.

Impact images

Guy Martin, passage interressant concernant le fourche Ohlins factory.

And we’ve got some new factory Ohlins forks – I mean they all come out of a factory so I don’t know what that means – they flex a bit different to the customer forks so I’ve got a bit more give when I’m leant over.”

http://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/racing/british-superbikes/2013/guy-martin-yeah-its-alright-but-its-not-world-peace-is-it/?utm_source=twfb&utm_medium=social&utm_content=guymartininterview&utm_campaign=bikesocial#.UXpCE0r44pI

Suite a sa chute a la Horrice 300 le weekend dernier, Michael Pearson ne participeras pas au TT.

http://www.bikesportnews.com/news-detail.cfm?newsid=9351