Harrison and RC Express Racing claim maiden TT win

Dean Harrison and the RC Express Racing by MSS Performance team claimed their maiden victory at the Isle of Man TT Races on Friday when the Bradford rider brilliantly won the 3-lap Lightweight race, leading from start to finish.

Grabbing the race by the scruff of the neck, Dean signalled his intentions from the off and immediately slotted into the lead at Glen Helen on the opening lap, although the gap was only half a second. With fastest man in practice Ivan Lintin retiring early, Dean was under pressure from last year’s race winner James Hillier, but the 25-year old was riding superbly and with an opening lap of 117.897mph, his lead had risen to an impressive 9.7s.

Both riders opted to refuel at the end of the opening lap but Dean continued to extend his lead all the way round the second lap and, going into the third and final 37.73 miles, he was in the ideal position of controlling the race. A lap of 118.666mph ensured he came home for a brilliant, debut victory with Hillier some 14s in arrears at the chequered flag.

The closing race of the 2014 festival, the Senior, took place later in the afternoon and Dean’s superb form continued on the opening lap as he posted his first ever 130mph lap of the Mountain Course. A speed of 130.261mph placed him in a strong fifth place, less than three seconds off the race lead and although eventual race winner Michael Dunlop opened up a gap over the rest of the field on lap two, Dean maintained his fifth place. However, his race ended soon after as he was cruelly forced to retire at Sulby on the third lap.

Dean Harrison: “Ivan had been fastest all week in the Lightweight and I expected him to be pushing hard so my plan was to go as fast as I could right from the off. My first board said ‘P1, +0’ but I just kept plugging away and the gap kept getting bigger and bigger. I felt really comfortable with the pace I was running and had no issues, no slides or anything and the bike was absolutely faultless. To win my first TT is something special and with Dad having won one of the Sidecar races early in the week, the job’s a dream.”

“I was all set to go to the pub after taking the race win but we had the Senior to get through and I couldn’t have wished for a better start with my first ever 130mph lap. We were looking really good in fifth and everything was going great but, sadly, a mechanical problem brought my race to an early end. It’s a shame race week ended with a DNF but I’m delighted with how the races have gone and the team have been absolutely mint so a big thanks to all the boys for doing such a mega job.”

Ben Constable, Team Co-Owner: “After taking second place earlier in the week, to finish with a win is unreal and I must admit, it all got a bit emotional in parc ferme! My head went off the rails and I was shouting and screaming I was that happy – winning a TT is like a dream come true for everyone connected with the team and to do it in just our second year as a team is brilliant.”

“We came to this year’s TT with a couple of things on our mind – ours was to get a podium and Dean’s was to record a personal best lap and break the 130mph barrier – so to have achieved them all, and more, is brilliant. It’s a pity our week ended with our first ever DNF at the TT but it’s been a great TT for us and we've received plenty of recognition for our efforts. It’s great that people are recognising what we’re trying to do and people are already talking to us about 2015 and this year’s TT has only just finished! All I can say is that it’s been absolutely mega and everyone in the team has worked their absolute socks off so a massive thanks to each and every one of them.”



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Strong TT2014 campaign for KMR Kawasaki

Ryan Farquhar and the SGS International/KMR Kawasaki team enjoyed an extremely profitable week of racing at the Isle of Man TT Races with the four riders – Ryan, Keith Amor, Danny Webb and Connor Behan – finishing all nine races they started, picking up a total of four silver and five bronze replicas.

The highlight came in Friday’s three lap lightweight race when all four riders finished inside the top 13 on the ER6 650cc Kawasakis winning four silver replicas in the process. Amor took the best finish in fourth, only three seconds off a podium place, and also set the fastest lap of the race at 118.989mph, which was just outside the class lap record. Team owner Farquhar finished in a strong seventh with Behan, who made the step up to the TT after a year at the Manx GP, in a superb ninth and newcomer Webb having a brilliant ride into 13th.

Behan was also out in the two 4-lap Supersport races finishing 36th in the first and improving to an extremely strong 20th in the second. He won a bronze replica in each whilst the second race saw him lap at an excellent 120.331mph. Webb, meanwhile, lapped in excess of 120mph on the team’s Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock machine in each of the 1000cc races finishing 30th, 36th and 37th in the Senior, Superbike and Superstock races respectively. He won a bronze replica in each, which made it four replicas from four starts, with his fastest lap of the week coming on the final lap of the Senior at 120.991mph.

The only low point for the team was the injuries sustained by Joe Faragher in the Superstock race. The Manxman, who was due to ride a KMR-prepared Kawasaki in the Lightweight race, was involved in an incident which sadly claimed the life of former British Supersport Champion Karl Harris.

Speaking at the conclusion of the event, Farquhar said: “First of all, on behalf of everyone connected with SGS International/KMR Kawasaki, I’d like to pass on my deepest condolences to all of Karl’s family and friends. Joe was involved in the incident and although he’s suffered some significant injuries and faces a long spell on the sidelines, he should make a full recovery and we’re all thankful of that.”

“On a personal level, this year’s TT was probably my best in terms of enjoyment as there was less pressure on me and I’m really pleased to have had every bike finish every race. Both Connor and Danny did extremely well with great results and excellent lap times so I couldn’t be more pleased with how they performed at their first TT. Keith did a great job too and if he’d have got going from the start, he’d have been in with a chance of winning. His first lap was probably what made the difference but he got stuck in and with the fastest lap of the race on the third and final lap, he only just missed out on the podium. To get four bikes in the top 13 in the Lightweight race was spot on.”

“My race could have been better and I think I paid for a lack of track time. With only the one bike, I didn’t get many laps in so if I’m back for another go next year, I’ll look at riding in another class. I had to rebuild the engine the day before the race and took a bit of a gamble with the gearing, which didn’t work out, but it probably wouldn’t have mattered too much as I wouldn’t have been comfortable pushing any harder. I definitely enjoyed the race though and had some fun. Many of my previous TT’s have been nothing but stress from start to finish and although it was a massive job getting all the bikes ready, this year was different and more enjoyable.”



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Cooper Ends TT In Fine Style

Stroud's Dan Cooper ended his 2014 Isle of Man TT campaign on a high note today by taking his best ever finish with eighth in the morning's Bikenation Lightweight race and then posting his personal best lap of the Mountain Course on his way to 14th in the PokerStars Senior TT.

With perfect conditions all around the island, the three lap Lightweight race got the action underway in the morning with Dan having a last minute switch to the CMS/Tony Morris Kawasaki. Despite having only completed one practice lap on the machine the day before, a strong opening lap of 114.769mph placed Dan in seventh place and although he was pushed back to eighth a lap later, a final flying lap of 115.432mph ensured he held onto the position to pick up another silver replica and record his best ever result in five years of racing at the TT.

There was little respite for Dan with the six lap Senior starting at 1.00pm and a near standing start lap of 124mph placed Dan in a solid 22nd place. Despite being on his own for almost the entire six laps, Dan's pace on the Tsingtao Kawasaki stayed high and he continually advanced forward. His first ever 125mph lap on the second lap moved him up inside the top twenty and by two thirds race distance, he was up to 15th. However, he saved the best until last and a final flying lap of 126.375mph moved him up to 14th although he agonisingly missed out on his second silver replica of the day.

Dan Cooper: "It's been a good end to what's been a tough fortnight although I'm a bit disappointed to have missed out on a silver replica in the Senior, being the first rider to win a bronze! Apart from overtaking Ben Wylie on the first lap, I never saw another rider for the entire race so it was quite a lonely ride. However, that makes my lap speeds more pleasing as it shows what pace I can do on my own without being towed along by anybody. It was a last minute decision to switch to the CMS machine and I only managed one practice lap on it the day before so to finish eighth is a great result. I had a good clean race and I'm sure, with a bit more set-up time, I could have been higher up the order. We've had to work hard throughout but at the end of the day, we've only had one DNF from six races which isn't a bad return. I've picked up more silver replicas, had my best ever finish and posted my best ever lap so I can't complain too much. Thanks to everyone who's helped me."



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Harrison gives RC Express Racing debut TT podium

Bradford’s Dean Harrison gave the RC Express Racing by MSS Performance team their debut podium at the Isle of Man TT Races with a stunning second place in Tuesday’s 4-lap Superstock race.

Held over from Monday due to poor weather on the island, the race eventually got underway at 1.45pm on Tuesday afternoon in perfect weather conditions and a superb opening lap of 128.768mph placed Dean in a brilliant second place, just over six seconds adrift of Saturday’s Superbike race winner Michael Dunlop.

Despite suffering with a technical issue, Dean’s second lap was quicker still at 128.956mph but Dunlop was able to increase his advantage to almost 14 seconds after setting the fastest lap of the race. However, a good pit stop and strong opening sector on the third lap by Dean brought the margin down to nine seconds with one and a three quarter laps remaining.

The Northern Ireland rider wasn’t to be denied though but Dean had a comfortable margin over third placed rider Bruce Anstey and he completed the four laps and over 150 miles of racing in a brilliant second place, his second podium position around the Mountain Course and the team’s first in just their second year of TT competition.

Dean Harrison: “I’m over the moon with second place and just want to say a big thank you to everyone involved with the team. Conditions were great but the quickshifter stopped working on the opening lap and I had to completely change my way of riding, rolling the throttle to change gear when normally you can just change without even thinking. It compromised my race a bit but once I got used to it and settled into a rhythm I was still able to lap at almost 129mph and I can’t ask for much more than second place. I had good pit boards all the way round the course and was surprised by how many people I caught on the roads but I passed them all in clean, safe places and couldn’t have finished second to a better man.”

Ben Constable, Team Co-Owner: “I’m lost for words to be honest and am quite emotional with today’s result! We’ve only been involved for just under two years so to get where we have done in that short space of time is a fantastic achievement by all concerned. Our aim from day one was to get onto the top step of the podium and we continue to get closer to that goal.”

“Last year, we took 11th and eighth in the first two races and this year we’ve taken eighth and second so it’s clear we’re moving forward all the time. Dean had a slight technical issue in the race but he made Michael work hard for the win and his pace was high throughout the race. We’ve proved our capabilities again, as well as our reliability, and have finished as the top Kawasaki rider so we’re absolutely over the moon. We’ve still got two more races to go though so won’t rest on our laurels and will aim for more of the same on Friday.”



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Top eight for Harrison and RC Express Racing in Superbike TT

Dean Harrison and the RC Express Racing team got their 2014 Isle of Man TT Races campaign underway in fine style on Saturday with a strong eighth place in the opening Superbike TT race.

The Bradford rider had been holding onto fifth in the early stages, after posting a new personal best of the Mountain Course at 129.198mph, and although he slipped back to ninth at two thirds race distance, he battled back to claim a top eight finish after almost two hours of hard fought racing.

Conditions were ideal for racing around the 37 and 3Ž4-mile course and Dean signalled his intentions from the off as he swept through Glen Helen, the first timing point on the course, in fourth place on the opening lap. He was pushed back a position by the time he completed his first lap but the speed of 129.198mph was still his best ever and fifth place was a great start to the race.

However, the 25-year old was already experiencing a few handling issues after changes made on Friday evening had seen them go in the wrong direction, and with an oil leak also hindering his progress, it was a case of damage limitation for the reminder of the race

.

By the time he pitted for the first time, at the end of lap two, he had been pushed back to eighth place, despite another 128mph+ lap and this had become ninth place by two thirds race distance. Still in ninth place going into the sixth and final lap, Dean dug deep and called upon all his Yorkshire grit and determination and with his second fastest lap of the race, 128.434mph, he pulled himself back up to eighth at the chequered flag.

Dean Harrison: “I can’t complain with eighth place too much as it proved to be quite an eventful race. The first lap was mint and I had a great run to Glen Helen to put myself right into contention but the changes we made after Friday evening’s practice session saw us go in the wrong direction and the bike was quite unstable over the bumps, especially the Ginger Hall to Ramsey section. I also started to experience an oil leak half way round the lap so after that, I just had to dig deep.”

“To lap at 129.2mph from a standing start was very pleasing given the few issues I was experiencing but I had to slacken the pace due to the oil leak as my foot slipped off the peg a couple of times. It was very much a case of bringing the bike home for a good result and with an eighth place I did exactly that. It’s a good, solid start to the week and we’ve got plenty more opportunities this week.”

Ben Constable, Team Co-Owner: “We’re very happy with our first result of race week and having taken 11th place in the same race last year, we’ve moved forward in terms of both the result and the lap speeds. Dean’s recorded his best ever lap of the Mountain Course from a standing start, which we’re all delighted about, and that proves that he’s got the speed to challenge. If it wasn’t for the oil leak, I’m sure Dean would have been able to maintain his top six challenge but eighth place is still a good start to the week.”



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Team SBR - Press Release Snetterton - Race

After the qualifying session on Saturday, both Adam Jenkinson and Victor Cox were looking forward to the race, although with Victor starting in 16th he knew he had to get a good start in order to get through the pack in the first few laps. With Adam starting 3rd on the grid, he was pretty confident he could get a win. Due to a crash in the race after a few laps in, and with a bike dropping oil, the race was red flagged. It was re started later on in the day.

Adam Jenkinson ‘Overall I was pretty happy with the weekend. We had a good qualifying session which put us 3rd on the grid for the race. I felt confident in the bike and felt we had good pace, although I had some gear box issues which lead me to miss a few gears, causing me to fall back a few places. We came away with a 7th, which wasn’t what I’d hoped for but its points, and I’m looking forward to our next race at Knockhill in 2 weeks’.

Victor Cox ‘Today could have gone better but unfortunately I struggled with the bike and finished 10th. It was frustrating as I know we are perfectly capable of running at the front. I got a good start in the race and managed to get up to 6th place, then unfortunately it was red flagged. When the race was re started I managed to get off the line well and tried to make up the positions. After a couple of laps I had to adjust my brake lever because I lost pressure in the lever. I tried to hold the pace with the others guys but I felt I also struggled on corner speed. I then got hit by another rider, causing me to run onto the grass and lose time. I am looking at the positive side and we still got some points to take to Knockhill in 2 weeks time. My training is going really well and I feel fitter than ever. We just need to stay focused and look ahead to the next round.’

Team Manager Steve Brogan ‘The weekend was looking really positive with Adam setting his fastest ever lap round the Snetterton 300 circuit to put him 3rd on the grid for the race. Despite Victor qualifying 16th due to a rear wheel issue, I knew he had a much faster pace to qualify much further up the grid, which he went on to prove in the race. Victor came through from 16th to 7th place in the first race run before the red flag, with Adam in a comfortable 2nd challenging for the lead. I was gutted to see the pace car come out and the race be red flagged! Then, in the sixth lap restart, full credit has to go to both our riders to still get top ten finishes and score points despite both having gear box issues. The atmosphere in the team all weekend has been fantastic, with all the lads having good banter despite the financial crisis our team is in with our main sponsor pulling out. Full credit to our whole team for all pulling together and working hard for the results we deserve through this tough time! A huge thanks has to go to Nick Philbin for making Snetterton possible for us. I am currently speaking to a number of people with hope to secure some finance for the team.



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Harms Returns to Action at Snetterton

Having missed the previous round at Oulton Park, Robbin Harms returned to the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship and scored his first points of the series, as the action moved to the third round at Snetterton on Sunday.

Having spent the last two weeks at the Isle of Man TT races, it was also a return to the premier domestic short circuit scene for the team.

Free practice and qualifying saw Harms well on the pace. In qualifying he was never out of the Top 10 in the three sectors both in top speed and fastest sector times, and eventually qualified the Ninja ZX-10R in 10th place on the grid, just over one second off pole.

As is often the case in one of the most fiercely competitive classes, the race was not short of incident. Five laps in, the safety car was called into play and two laps later the race was stopped with a 6 lap re-run announced, to take place after the first British Superbike race. Robbin at this point had been amongst the traffic in 18th and lucky to still be in the race. Struggling with a fading front brake, he ran of the track twice, but still managed to post the tenth quickest lap.

The much shortened re-run was always going to be something of a sprint compared to the full race distance, and from 17th at the end of the opening lap, Robbin made up a few places to register his first points in 13th place, just over a second outside a place in the top ten.

Once again he was strong in all three sectors and posted the ninth fastest lap of the race.



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Successful weekend at Scarborough for Farquhar

Ryan Farquhar enjoyed a successful weekend of racing at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough with the Dungannon ace taking a hat-trick of victories to become just the second rider to break the 100-win mark around the 2.43-mile woodland circuit.

Competing at the Barry Sheene Road Race Festival, Farquhar was using the meeting as preparation for August’s Classic TT races and was on board Roger Winfield’s 500cc Paton and 1100cc Harris Yamaha over the course of the two days, the same machines he’ll use in the 500cc and Formula 1 Classic TT events.

With perfect weather conditions at the seaside venue, Ryan opened his account for the weekend on Saturday with a comfortable win on the Paton in the first leg of the 500cc Pre-73 Classic, coming home over eight seconds clear of the similarly mounted Ian Lougher. He then followed that up with an even more emphatic win in the Geoff Barry Classic Superbike, his winning margin on the Harris Yamaha some 24.9s.

Sunday saw a repeat result in the 500cc Pre-73 Classic race although it was a lot closer this time around with Lougher crossing the line just 0.2s adrift and it moved Ryan on to a total of 101 victories at the Mount. For his final two races, the Barry Sheene Classic Superbike and second leg of the Geoff Barry Classic Superbike, Ryan had to give best to Dean Harrison but runner-up spot in the latter was enough to give him the overall victory.

It was also a good day for Farquhar’s KMR Kawasaki team with Connor Behan taking victory in the Supertwins race at Kells to extend his lead in the Irish Road Race Championship.

Speaking at the end of the day, Ryan commented; “It’s been a good weekend and with three wins and a pair of seconds, it’s been the ideal shakedown for the Classic TT. It was my first time out on the Harris Yamaha and the speed of the bike is undoubtedly there as I was able to lap comfortably quicker around here than what I’ve done before on a Classic bike. I found out a lot about the bike in terms of areas that we can improve and if we can fine tune the chassis to handle the bumps of the Mountain Course, we’ll be in a good position.”

“Dunlop had given me a developmental tyre to use and it worked really well, probably the best tyre I’ve ever had so that bodes well too. The Paton was working very well too and it was good to have a close race with Ian on Sunday and we pushed each other hard all the way. It was great to be back on a bike I enjoy riding so much and I’m really looking forward to getting back to the Isle of Man in August.”



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Harrison masters the Mount with hat-trick of wins

Fresh from his victory at the Isle of Man TT Races, RC Express Racing’s Dean Harrison was back out in action at the weekend, contesting the Barry Sheene Road Race meeting at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough and it proved to be another successful weekend for the Bradford rider with a hat-trick of victories chalked up.

The meeting saw races for both modern and classic machinery and as well as riding the RC Express Racing by MSS Performance Superstock ZX-10R Kawasaki, Dean was also out on the Mistral Racing Kawasaki ZXR750 in preparation for August’s Formula 1 Classic TT race.

With conditions perfect throughout the two days, Dean opened his account for the weekend on the ZX-10R with a hard fought victory over Ivan Lintin in Saturday’s Senior race. It was Lintin who held sway in the early stages but there was never more than half a second between himself and Dean and, aided by the fastest lap of the race – 1m46.384s – Dean was able to edge ahead in the closing stages and run out eventual victor by 2.3s.

The ZXR750 had expired during Saturday’s Geoff Barry Classic Superbike race but with a new engine fitted for Sunday, Dean opted to use the machine for the entire day, keen to get in as many laps on the bike as possible prior to the Classic TT.

It proved to be an invaluable decision as he took comfortable wins in the Barry Sheene Classic Superbike final as well as in the second leg of the Geoff Barry Classic Superbike event. Just for good measure, Dean then rode the same bike in the Senior race – for modern machinery – finishing in a good third and just nine seconds adrift of race winner Lintin!

Dean Harrison: “Overall, it’s been a good weekend and the main aim was to get some time on the old ZXR in preparation for the Classic TT and the meeting’s more than served its purpose. I brought the RC Express Racing Stocker along with me just in case there were any issues with the Classic bike as I didn’t want to be sat idle and it proved to be a good decision on the Saturday. The Classic engine went bang and so I took the Stocker out for a good win in the Senior.”

“The Mistral boys got me back out on Sunday and with a new Maxton shock that worked a treat, I got plenty of laps in on the bike and took two good wins. I also took third on it against all the modern machinery in the second Senior race and I’m surprised at how good it is. For saying the bike’s well over 20 years old, it stops well, handles well and has good top end speed so I’m really looking forward to getting out on it at the Classic TT.”



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