Andrew Tasker - 2014 Scottish Superbike Champion

Congratulations to Andrew Tasker on becoming 2014 Scottish Superbike champion using Maxton GP10 rear shock and GP30 fork cartridges.

Farquhar and KMR Kawasaki return in force in 2015

CHARLIE KING JOINS ACR KAWASAKI

Norfolk racer Charlie King (18) from Great Yarmouth has joined forces with Lincolnshire rider Aaron Clarke to campaign the 2015 Superstock 600 championship.

Charlie found success in the series last year with Team Haribo Starmix, his best result being seventh at Oulton Park.  But shortly after that he suffered a crash which resulted in a fractured shoulder but although he missed the next round of the series he rode through the discomfort of his injury scoring  more points for his team before leaving them at the end of the year.

"I am anxious to get my season underway and after some success last year before my crash  I know I am capable of running at the front of the field. I will be aiming for top 10 finishes and hope to be on the podium before the end of the year."

Aaron Clarke (19) from Kirton near Boston contested the Superstock 600 class in 2014 but his season was curtailed after a nasty accident at Knockhill when he suffered a badly broken arm. He was hoping to get back out before the end of the season but the injury was slow to heal which put paid to his plans. Now back to full fitness he and Charlie King have teamed up and will both contest the Superstock Championship.

Aaron said: "The team name will remain the same as it was ACR Kawasaki (Aaron Clarke Racing)  last year and coincidentally will be known as Aaron and Charlie Racing this year. I am changing my race number to #33 and Charlie will sport #76. I am really looking forward to getting back in the saddle after such a long layoff and my aim for this year is to complete my races in the points and I will be looking for top 10 results by the end of the year.

"We have a new design on our leathers and bikes and the colours are those of the Lincolnshire flag. Lets hope it brings us luck!"

The team will undergo some winter testing and hope to take part in the official BSB test at Donington Park on March 26 to prepare for the first round of the championship at the Leicestershire circuit over the Easter weekend of April 4 - 6. 

Team ILR moves into the British Motostar Championship

Team ILR (Ian Lougher Racing) will have an additional presence in the BSB paddock in 2015 when the team fields two riders in the exciting Motostar British Championship.

With the highly experienced and respected Lougher at the helm, ILR has always maintained a strong ethos in encouraging and developing promising young riders and the Motostar Championship, which continues to produce up and coming talent, is the perfect stage for the team to expand its race programme.

The two riders who have put pen to paper are Vasco van der Valk and Joe Thomas.

15 years old Vasco van der Valk comes from Amersfoort in the Netherlands where he still attends college, and has race experience in abundance that belies his young age.

He started out at just four years of age on a Yamaha PW50 with a sidecar and had his first moto-cross club race.

From 2009-2011 he raced in the Molenaar NSF100 Championship and finished 2nd overall in 2011.

He spent the 2012-2014 seasons in the Moriwaki 250 Junior Cup, finishing a well deserved 3rd in both the Dutch and European Championships in 2013 and 8th in the European standings last year, after some bad luck and injury in the early part of the season. In 2014 he also had wild card outings in the European Junior Cup at Magny Cours (5th) and in the BSB Moto3 round at Oulton Park finishing a strong 8th.

Vasco always races with Number 62, and outside of racing lists physical training, computer games and of course motorcycles as among his interests.

Despite being only 16, Thomas from Pencoed in South Wales also brings a wealth of experience to the table. Racing in hill climbs and mini-moto events from the age of 7, he soon graduated to GP50s and GP70s in the FAB British Championship. In May 2009 he graduated to a national licence after only 10 rounds as a novice, taking 7 wins and 2 seconds and tried his luck at a selection of club meetings with Darley Moor and North Gloucester Road Race Clubs when he was 13, taking his first win at only his second meeting.

In 2012 Joe secured the NGRRC F125 Championship and the Newcomers 500 Open Championship on his Aprilia RS125, and in September that year at the age of 14, he took his first steps in the BSB Monster Energy Motostar GP125 class at Donington Park, qualifying in an impressive 12th position and finishing an excellent 15th overall.

Due to limited finances in 2013, he competed as a wild card, again in selected BSB Monster Energy Motostar GP125 rounds, and once more demonstrated great potential and showed his ability to compete at this high level of competition. He registered three top 10 finishes with his best result being 4th at Brands Hatch on the GP circuit.

Last season Joe continued to compete in the Monster Energy Motostar GP125 class on his RS125, loaned by Moto UK Racing. It was his intention to do the complete championship but financial difficulties and continuous mechanical problems forced him to leave the series after just 5 rounds, but not before he had made his mark by finishing in the top 10 on four occasions with a 7th place at Knockhill his best result.

A young man with a strong work ethic, Joe is currently undertaking a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering at Bridgend College as he hopes in the future to enter Swansea University to study for a BSc in Motorsport Engineering, he also works part time for a national chain store.

In what little spare time he has, Joe enjoys cycling and skateboarding, and is also a competent snowboarder. He enjoys spending time with his friends and family but above all his greatest passion is racing!

Both Joe and Vasco will test with their new team in Spain in mid-March.

Strong presence for KMR Kawasaki at the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races

KMR Kawasaki/SGS International will again have a strong presence on the grid at the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, with Ryan Farquhar’s team fielding four riders across the solo race programme.

The three-time TT Race winner recently announced he would be returning to the 1000cc classes, campaigning a ZX-10R Kawasaki in the RST Superbike, PokerStars Senior and RL360º Superstock Races, in addition to his expected outing in the Bikenation.co.uk Lightweight event. He will also be running Lee Johnstone, Danny Webb and Connor Behan.

Johnstone will line up for the first time on a KMR Kawasaki with the 2013 TT Privateer’s Trophy winner already having confirmed his rides for the East Coast Construction team in the other solo races. The 26-year old took ninth place in the corresponding race in 2013 and is sure to line up as one of the favourites in the three lap race on board one of Farquhar’s immaculately prepared machines. He already has International Road Race success on his CV in this class, with wins at both the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix.

Webb, meanwhile, enjoyed an excellent first time appearance at the TT in 2014, taking a best finish of 13th in the Lightweight race on the KMR Kawasaki, and backing this up with a trio of bronze replicas in the 1000cc events where he lapped at close to 121mph. The former 125cc and Moto 3 GP rider has set his sights on the British Supersport Championship this year but will once more ride one of Farquhar’s ER-6 Kawasaki’s in the bikenation.co.uk Lightweight TT Race.

Connor Behan made an impressive TT debut last June, finishing an excellent ninth in the bikenation.co.uk Lightweight Race as well as taking a brace of bronze replicas in the two Monster Energy Supersport Races where he also lapped in excess of 120mph. With the 23-year also having secured the 2014 Irish Road Race Supertwins Championship, Farquhar has had no hesitation in fielding the Cheshire rider again this year.

Confirming the final line up for his team for the TT, Ryan Farquhar added:

“I’m really excited about this year’s TT. I’m putting a lot into my own on track efforts this year and that is a priority for me, but I am also excited to be working with three of the brightest prospects in the sport in Lee Johnston, Danny Webb and Connor Behan. Lee has shown his class for a few years now and is ready to make the big breakthrough and we are delighted to have him on one of our Kawasaki 650’s for the Lightweight TT where he will start as one of the favourites.”

“Danny is a truly world class rider and was a joy to work with last year. He showed straight away how talented he is with a very strong TT debut and I am pleased we are able to work together again in his second year. Connor has a lot of natural talent and I was very impressed by how well he did at the TT last year. I am sure he will build on that this time around and will continue to progress further up the leader board. He is still very young but he has the makings of a great TT career ahead of him.”

Team ILR - On the Roads in 2015

Team ILR (Ian Lougher Racing) are pleased to announce that they will renew their partnership with Dan Hegarty on the roads in 2015.

Hegarty rode for the team at the Isle of Man TT last year and gave a good account of himself with 21st in the Superstock race his best result and averaging over 120mph with a fastest lap of 122.434 mph. As part of a working relationship between Team ILR and Downshift Motorsport, Dan will again compete on the Team ILR Superstock machine on the island, and in addition to this he will have the bike at his disposal for the Spring National at Oliver's Mount in April, the Southern 100 in July, the Ulster Grand Prix at Dundrod in August and again at Scarborough in the Gold Cup meeting in September.

Hegarty is training hard for the upcoming season in which he will also compete for Downshift Motorsport in the National Superstock 1000 Championship where he will be partnered by James East who rode for Team ILR at selected rounds of the series last season.

Team ILR manager Ian Lougher : ''At Team ILR we have always had the ethos of bringing on and nurturing new up and coming talent, whether it be on the short circuits or pure road race tracks, and I see Dan as someone in that category.

Last year I could see Dan's fitness was a small problem, largely down to a previous arm injury, and this was holding him back. This season a lot more riding leading up to the Isle of Man festival and competing in a few more races should see him sharp and raring to go. I'm personally really looking forward to working with Dan again, he will be a Newcomer at Scarborough, the Southern 100 and the Ulster GP, but he's a fast learner with a mature head on his shoulders, so that shouldn't deter him in any way.''

Dan Hegarty : ''I'm delighted to be able to work with Ian Lougher and his team once again. Last year's bike was faultless and Ian's guidance helped me in many ways. Now that we have established this relationship we can build on it and keep progressing through the ranks.''

Successful test in the Spanish sun for Team ILR

Team ILR unveiled their new Moto 3 bikes at last week's Official BSB test, with team owner Ian Lougher more than happy after four days of activity at the Cartagena Circuit in Southern Spain.

The test was also the perfect opportunity for riders Vasco van der Valk and Joe Thomas to not only get accustomed to their new bike, but also meet each other and their new team.

It soon became obvious from the first day that everyone was gelling perfectly, with the new recruits enjoying themselves immensely and, with Lougher himself putting in some laps on their bikes, both lads were making the most of the opportunity to learn new things from the vastly experienced Welshman and his team personnel.

By the third day, progress was such in areas like suspension settings etc, that the team decided to take part in two of the four scheduled sessions on the last day to bring a very promising test to a successful conclusion.

Team owner Ian Lougher: ''Cartagena was a good shake down for both riders and bikes. This is a new venture this year running Moto 3 bikes at Team ILR, so I must admit I was a little nervous to see how it would pan out. With new bikes, new class and new riders I was probably more nervous than the riders, but everything worked out really well.

Everybody worked together as a team, 15 yr old Vasco and 16 yr old Joe displayed a great deal of experience for their young age, giving us good feedback which in turn allowed us to make the changes they required. We were turning out the bikes for the very first time, but still missing a lot of engine tuning parts, especially on one bike, which meant that they had to share the bikes between them which is never ideal, and concentrate on finding a good suspension setting and getting to know the basics of their 250cc machines. We achieved this, so I am very pleased and looking forward to working with both lads throughout the 2015 season''.

Vasco van der Valk: "I was quite nervous when we flew down to Cartagena. But after the first meet with the team, I knew that the coming season is gonna be great!

We had a lot of time so there was no pressure and we had time to learn as much as possible about the new bike. Joe and I were equally fast but we have a totally different riding style. It was really fun and we really enjoyed ourselves. Even Ian did ride on our bikes and trust me, he is still fast. At the end of the weekend I was really happy about the setting of the bike, now the kit will be put in so I can be even faster! Bring on the first race in Donington!

Joe Thomas: "What an amazing four days testing. I had such an incredible time, the team was awesome and I learned loads. I felt the test went very well, I progressed gradually through the week, the bikes are fast and possibly very competitive, all in all I am ready to get out for the first session at Donington."

Positive test in Spain for Lintin and RC Express Racing

RC Express Racing recently completed their first test in preparation for the 2015 International road racing season and it proved to be an extremely positive three days of work at Cartagena, Spain for Ivan Lintin and the Bristol-based team.

In a week of firsts, Lintin, last year’s Isle of Man TT Privateer’s Champion, was having his first outing with the team and their Kawasaki machinery as well as having his first experience of the Cartagena circuit. However, the 30 year old was able to complete over 70 laps on each of the three days, gaining valuable mileage on the ZX-10R Superbike, ZX-10R Superstock and ZX-6R Supersport machines.

Throughout the test, Lintin consistently lowered his lap times as he got more and more adjusted to the switch from Honda to Kawasaki machinery and, aside for a spill on the Superbike machine on the final day, declared himself extremely happy with his and the team’s work and the progress made.

Ivan Lintin: “It’s the first time I’ve ever done any overseas testing and with it being my first time on a bike since last September’s Gold Cup and my first time out with the team and on the Kawasaki’s, there was a lot to take on board but I can’t fault how the week went. I gelled really well with the team and worked well with my mechanic Danny and Richard of Maxton to gradually improve the set-up of all the bikes and aside from flinging myself over the handlebars on the Superbike on the final day, it’s been great.”

“We got a terrific amount of track time on all the bikes and it proved invaluable as the Superbike and Superstock are certainly a lot more powerful than anything I’ve ever ridden before. The 600 is a bit more ‘work in progress’ but it’s a lovely bike to ride and all in all it’s been a good shakedown. I was positive about the season ahead before we came testing but now even more so and I can’t wait to get to the International road races and show what we can do."

Ben Constable, Team Co-Owner: “It was the first time for Ivan to get a run out on the bikes and he put in some good, positive lap times from start to finish and I’m really pleased with how everything’s gone. He had a small off on the Superbike when he was chasing lap times a bit on the final day but other than that, it’s all gone to plan. Ivan went well on every bike and with the whole team together – myself, Danny, Adam and Richard from Maxton – we’ve been able to make some strong progress with all of the bikes.”

“Everyone gelled with each other and Ivan’s very much a thinking rider so he was able to give good feedback to the boys and any issues were resolved straightaway. We’ve got a lot of work to do before out first main race of the season at Scarborough in April but the test in Spain couldn’t have gone any better and we’re all excited about the season ahead.”

Reeves and Cluze aiming to retain World Championship for Team E-Aide Motorsport

Tim Reeves and Gregory Cluze are gearing up for the forthcoming 2015 World Sidecar Championship season with the Anglo-French pairing going all out to retain their title under the new banner of Team E-Aide Motorsport.

The new partnership will see Reeves and Cluze run their LCR Kawasaki under the all-new colour scheme of title sponsors Team E-Aide Motorsport, headed by Glennis Toms, with the World Championship again top of their agenda for the season ahead.

The duo took last year’s title – Reeves’ fifth crown in total – in commanding style, taking five wins and nine podiums in the ten races held and will get this year’s campaign underway at Donington Park on Sunday April 12th. The Leicestershire venue will host the first of eight rounds with the series going on to visit Le Mans (France), Grobnik (Croatia), Pannoniaring (Hungary), Brands Hatch (England), Assen (Holland), Oschersleben (Germany) and Paul Ricard (France), where it concludes on the 19th September.

There’s welcome news for British race fans too as Reeves and Cluze will also make a number of guest appearances in the Hyundai Heavy Industries British Sidecar Championship with the pairing intending to contest five rounds which don’t clash with their World Championship commitments.

Tim is also delighted and thankful to be retaining the continued and loyal support of Gunther and Jutta Reuschling of Prof Dr Sallmon, H&S Contractors, DFDS Seaways, MJW Specialists, Maxton, Silkolene Oils, Arai, MJK Leathers and Daytona boots.

Tim Reeves: “After such a successful year in 2014, I’m delighted to be in a strong position for the 2015 season and retaining my world title is obviously at the top of the agenda. I’ve got a really strong team in place and after being introduced to each other by fellow racer and mutual friend Craig Chaplow, I’m pleased to welcome Micky and Glennis Toms from E-Aide Motorsport on board and am really looking forward to working with them throughout the year. The World Championship will be our priority but it’s great to get the chance to race in front of our home fans and sponsors once more with the five British Championship rounds and I can’t wait for the season to get underway.”

Glennis Toms, Team Principal: “Having had a successful British F1 season last year, finishing 4th with the pairing of Craig Chaplow & Patrick Farrance who are not available this year, we are very happy to be involved with a multiple World and British Champion to carry the Team brand through 2015. We’re looking forward to some podium results including wins in both the Worlds and the British rounds this year!”