Long-time Shoei guy Shane Byrne has said it felt good to get back to winning ways on his return to the British Superbike Championship, wrapping up the race-one victory at Brands Hatch before dicing for the win again in the second outing.
Shakey's looking comfortable on the podium...
The two-time champion, who partners reigning BSB king Ryuichi Kiyonari, cruised away in race one but had a great scrap with Tommy Hill in the second leg which almost saw him run off the track with a handful of laps to go.
“I didn’t have any excuses if I didn’t have a result today riding for the championship-winning team! It was a hectic race and I got a good start and then Michael’s crash happened in slow motion right in front of me and I was lucky that I managed to miss him,” said Byrne.
“That incident then bunched us all up and then I had a fight with Stuart Easton but I knew I had to get passed him as soon as possible. It’s fantastic to have won the first race of the season.
“I felt good again in the second race and I had another good start so I was happy with that! I was able to lead for a few laps and I was pushing but then Tommy came past me and I wanted to get back to the front. I had been losing to Tommy a bit coming out of Clearways and then with three laps to go I got a better drive out of the corner.
“As we approached Paddock Hill Bend I thought ‘I can make this’ then I realised ‘no you can’t’ so I had to scrub off some speed which lost me the place. It was one of those things, but to come away from here with a first and a third ahead of Oulton Park next weekend is a good start to the season and all credit has to go to the HM Plant Honda team.”
Thanks to David Miller at Bike Sport News for the content and the guys at Double Red for the images.
Shoei man Tommy Hill is not letting the fact he is once again the British Superbike Championship series leader following two sterling rides at Brands Hatch, saying there is a long way to go before the trophy is lifted.
Tommy recovers from injury to show a promising start.
Hill came back from a 160mph off-track excursion along the Brabham Straight as he avoided fallen team-mate Michael Laverty to finish second in race one and then bagged his first win of 2011, crossing the line ahead of Ryuichi Kiyonari in the second race.
“It has been a long four days as it has been the most I have ridden for a while! Last week I was concerned about my elbow and I had a lot of treatment throughout the week to be ready which has paid off. It is fantastic to be leading the championship but it is only round one and it is early days still,” said the Lingfield man.
“The bike has been working well and we couldn’t have asked for a better start today. We are now looking forward to Oulton Park and getting the bike to work around what is a completely different track. Hopefully we can get there and come away with a very similar result.”
Thanks to David Miller at Bike Sport News for the content and the guys at Double Red for the images.
Feridax & SHOEI proudly support ‘The Great Escape 2’ charity ride in aid of Help For Heroes and The Royal British Legion Birmingham, UK, March 2011 – Feridax, the UK’s largest independent distributor and brand marketer into the motorcycle clothing and hard parts channels, have today confirmed their proud support for ‘The Great Escape 2’ charity ride, and will be supplying the new SHOEI QWEST helmets for all nine participating riders.
‘The Great Escape 2’ will see the riders travel some 3,000 miles across Europe over the course of two weeks, starting on the 4th June. The aim is to acknowledge and remember all prisoners of war during the Second World War whilst raising much-needed funding for the UK’s more recent heroes who have been engaged in conflicts in the Middle East and beyond.
All funds raised will be given to the Help For Heroes and Royal British Legion charities. The Great Escape is one of the most critically acclaimed war films ever made, is based on a true story and strikes a chord with many motorcyclists due to the iconic scene where Steve McQueen jumps a barbed wire fence aboard a Triumph.
The film is based on the exploits of Squadron Leader Roger Bushell, who was shot down and captured during the evacuation of Dunkirk but vowed to cause as much disruption as possible for the German forces.
“The Great Escape 2 is an arduous ride across varied terrain, where rider safety is absolutely paramount, so the quality of the helmets that we will be using, really is of critical importance” Commented Peter ‘Spud’ Spowage, Event Organiser:
“I just want to say thank you, I have now had the opportunity to use the SHOEI QWEST helmet over some miles and I am delighted with its performance. I was always a ARAI man but I have to be honest and compliment SHOEI, this helmet is silent, light and does not cause any buffeting in the unfaired speed of 70mph, which has certainly changed my choice of any future purchase. It lives up to the advertising claims and we the team will certainly be emphasising the virtues of the QWEST whenever possible”
The ‘Great Escape 2’ rider team will follow Squadron Leader Bushell’s route, starting at RAF Biggin Hill, proceeding via Dover to the Beaches of Dunkirk then onto Belgium, Holland and Germany, ending at Trier train station where Bushell was finally caught – all the time wearing their SHOEI QWEST helmets. You can learn much more about the ‘Great Escape 2’ and make a donation, by visiting www.greatescape2.net, which is also well worth book-marking, as the site will be regularly updated with the latest news and an on-going Blog.
For further information about the new Shoei Qwest, or to discuss broader editorial possibilities, please contact Mark Ingleby on either: 01384 413 841, 07974 077960 or email feridax.markingleby@gmail.com
You can learn much more about the ‘Great Escape 2’ and make a donation, by visiting www.greatescape2.net, which is also well worth book-marking, as the site will be regularly updated with the latest news and an on-going Blog.
Swan Yamaha have concluded two successful tests in Spain as the team ended
on a high at Cartagena with Tommy Hill setting a blistering time to be the only
rider to break into the 1m:32s barrier as Michael Laverty came close to equalling
his team-mate’s performance.
Tommy Hill setting a blistering time to to break into the 1m:32s
Laverty had initially set the pace on the opening day as the team continued to
build on the progress made earlier in the week at Calafat. On day two Hill was
the rst rider to dip into the 1m:33s lap times before their final session of the
test yesterday when he became the only rider to break into the 1m:32s barrier.
The team now leave the track and return to the UK in a con dent mood ahead
of further tests in the UK prior to the opening round at Brands Hatch.
Hill said: “What a great fi nal day. I had been doing some race simulations with
some longer stints on track and was comfortably running in the 1m:33s region
so I was happy with that. I wanted to see if we could go faster so in our final
session, we put in a new tyre and did the 1m:32s which was an awesome way
for us to end the test. It showed we can do consistent runs, but when we need
to we can put in a fast lap when it counts. We have made some real improvements
over the last few days and there is still more to come when we get back
to the workshop and strip the bikes down. We can then have a look through
the data and then plan for our next tests in the UK. I have to thank the whole of
the Swan Yamaha team for all of their e orts over the last week as we really
achieved what we needed to in Spain.”
Everyone at Shoei wishes Tommy a great season ahead…
Suzuki racers Alvaro Bautista and Toni Elias took to the track this week for official MotoGP testing.
Bautista wearing new Shoei in Sepang
Former 125cc world champion, Bautista, is the sole Rizla Suzuki rider this year as he embarks on his second season in the elite class. The Spaniard, using a new design on his Shoei X-Spirit II for this test, was suffering from flu for the second consecutive test but remains positive.
Alvaro Bautista, Rizla Suzuki: “It seems like at this moment the bike has better durability than the rider! This has been bad luck to get sick at two consecutive tests – I feel very drained but I am confident that I will be ok tomorrow after maybe 12 hours sleep! But there was also some positive points today – my best lap was with race distance already completed on the tyres, so for sure I can go quicker with new tyres but today my condition was not the best for a ‘qualifying’ style lap. I’m frustrated but happy – we have improved the Suzuki quite a lot since the end of 2010.”
Reigning Moto2 champion, Elias, is still getting reacquainted with MotoGP power on his LCR Honda RC212V after a season onboard a 600cc. The Spaniard suffered a bout of flu during the test session held at the track earlier in the month, but is now healthy, upbeat and motivated at the task ahead.
Toni Elias, LCR Honda: “We still have a lot of work to do because I am struggling to find the right setting for me but this is normal as I am continuing my adaptation to the RCV.”
The three day test concludes today (February 24, 2011).
Courtest of the Team Suzuki Press Office – February 2.
Rizla Suzuki’s Alvaro Bautista continued the first test of 2011 in encouraging form today by recording his fastest ever time at the 5’548m Sepang circuit.
Shoei MotoGP rider, Alvaro Bautista
Shoei racer Bautista clocked a time of 2’01.687 during the morning session of today’s test, faster than his qualifying time at last-year’s Malaysian Grand Prix. He completed 63 laps and finished in eighth place on the time-sheets, 0.917 from the quickest but only 0.253 from second place.
The team was again able to evaluate many new developments to the Suzuki GSV-R, including different chassis and rear swing-arm, and to make comparisons between previous parts and updated components for the machine. Bautista was happy with his day’s work and is looking forward to finishing the test on a positive note. Today’s fastest time was set by Dani Pedrosa on his factory Honda.
Rizla Suzuki has one more day at Sepang in which it plans to complete race simulation runs as well as continuing with the remainder of its intensive test schedule.
Alvaro Bautista:
“Immediately I left the pit lane this morning the feeling was more normal than yesterday – after my first day back at work it was easier to understand everything. On my first run I set a good lap-time and this was very close to the fastest guys, except Dani who made a real qualifying lap! Much more important was that I could make high 2.01 lap-times with very old tyres, and my rhythm felt good. Also, I tried three different chassis today and the results of that test were quite clear, and we have made an improvement to front feeling and turning. The engineers have also done some good work with the traction control and this is helping me get out of the corners more smoothly.
“Anyway, now I am quite tired after 63 laps and I didn’t push for a fast time at the end of the day like many guys did – it’s more important to understand the bike on old tyres. I am very happy with the developments Suzuki has made, and I’m enjoying myself – I think we can have some fun this season!”
MotoGP Official Test Sepang ( Day 2): 1.Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 2’00.770: 2. Casey Stoner (Honda) +0.664: 3. Ben Spies (Yamaha) +0.738: 4. Andrea Dovizioso (Honda) +0.742: 5. Marco Simoncelli (Honda) +0.752: 8. Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) +0.917.
Shoei racer Tommy Hill is asking his fans to design a helmet colour scheme for him.
Go to Tommy’s new Facebook page where, posted on his wall, you’ll find a blank version of the design he wore throughout 2010 on a Shoei X-Spirit 2 where the British Superbike title narrowly evaded him.
- Get your crayons out and colour Hill’s Shoei
Simply get out the crayons or use computer wizardry and then post your design back on Tommy’s Facebook wall; the Swan Yamaha Rider will then pick the best design before Christmas and the winner will receive five Tommy Hill 2011 calendars and perhaps even see their design in action on British Superbike grid next year.
So, what are you waiting for?
Tommy Hill will once again be wearing Shoei helmets for the 2011 British Superbike Championship.
Having led the 2010 championship for the majority of the season, Tommy will be gunning for the title that eluded him with his new team, Swan Yamaha.
Another memorable moment for Tommy in 2010 was the release of his first replica Shoei on the popular XR1100; a reflection of his loyalty to the Japanese brand and his popularity with race fans.
- Tommy Hill with his replica Shoei
On continuing his Shoei relationship for the fifth consecutive year, Tommy Hill said: “I’ve been working hard to prepare for the coming season and I’m very pleased to have secured a continued relationship with the premium helmet brand Shoei.
“Feridax, the importers of Shoei helmets in the UK for over forty years, and I both really wanted to continue our relationship and maintain our success of the Tommy Hill replica; which for me is an interesting project to be part of.
“To be using the Shoei X-Spirit 2 again for 2011 is all part of the confidence you need as a rider; to be using what I feel is the best helmet on the market is just what I need.”
Feridax Sales Director, Steve Clifford, quoted: “We are delighted to announce that we will be continuing our support for Tommy with his efforts to secure the 2011 BSB Championship title.
“We felt it important to continue our relationship to show our respect for the amazing courage and skill that Tommy displayed throughout the season to become a main contender for the 2010 British Superbike championship – these are the personal values that we admire and wish our brand to be associated with.
“We’re looking forward to an exciting season ahead with Tommy and we are especially excited about the new Tommy-designed ‘Hill Replica’ that is now available for 2011.”
Shoei racer Stuart Easton won his third successive Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix with victory in the 44th running of the Far East classic Saturday (November 20, 2010) to make it an all-Shoei podium.
Stuart Easton wins his third Macau GP
The 27-year-old Scot, riding the Paul Bird Kawasaki Racing Team WSB machine, had to do it the hard way though, beating off a strong challenge from fellow Shoei rider, Michael Rutter, on board the Team of Paris AXA Ducati. Rutter, fastest in qualifying, chased his young rival in the first part of the race until it was red flagged after six laps following a crash.
In the restart, Easton made another attempt to open up a gap over his older rival and at one stage, had got a lead of almost two seconds, but Rutter, the 38-year-old British star, closed the gap again and threatened to catch and pass the Kawasaki man. Easton responded by setting a brand new lap record of 2:23.616 seconds on the seventh of the nine-lap race, breaking Rutter’s spirit.
Easton said: “When I saw that Rutter had caught me, I was devastated after trying so hard to break free. I thought if he could catch me after all that, there was no way I could beat him. But I tried again and managed to open a gap once more.” At the chequered flag Easton’s winning margin was almost 11 seconds over second placed Rutter.
Shoei podium in Macau - Rutter, Easton, Toye
Jeremy Toye, the 39-year-old American on the Lee’s Cycles Racing BMW grabbed a dramatic third place within sight of the finishing line after fellow Shoei rider, Simon Andrews (MSS Colchester Kawasaki), had struck mechanical problems on the final lap.
Macau 44th Motorcycle Grand Prix results
1st Stuart Easton (Shoei)
2nd Michael Rutter (Shoei)
3rd Jeremy Toye (Shoei)
4th Simon Andrews (Shoei)
5th Gary Johnson
6th John McGuinness (Shoei)
Shoei racer Toni Elias wrapped up the first ever Moto2 World Championship title with three races to spare on October 10 at Sepang, Malaysia.
Shoei's Toni Elias is 2010 Moto2 Champion
Despite starting the season with injuries, Elias has been the consistent and dominant force in the burgeoning class. Despite only 27, the former MotoGP race winner used his many years as a world championship rider to bring home the no.1 plate.
The Sepang race saw drama across the field, with Elias’ main rival Julian Simon saving a near highside only to crash later in the race. A fourth place finish from the Gresini rider was all he needed to create an unbeatable points margin.
Toni celebrated the championship by changing into some special leathers and a very special Shoei X-Spirit 2 helmet on the slow down lap, as well as changing his customary no.24 to a well-deserved no.1.
Elias' special championship Shoei
Toni Elias, 2010 Moto2 World Champion, said: “When I crossed the line and saw all the guys on the edge of the
track with the World Champion flag I got emotional and started to cry because my dream had become a reality. Then I thought of something my uncle told me before he died four years ago. “I will be watching you from the sky when you cross the line on the day you become World Champion.” It has been an incredible, marvellous, fantastic day. So many people come to mind – those who are unfortunately no longer with us and those who are here today, including my parents and my sister, who are always behind me, my team, Moriwaki, my family, friends and everybody who has worked with me and helped me achieve this objective. I want to share this day with all of you. I am the World Champion and so is my team. I have realised my dream and I want to be everybody’s World Champion.”
Congratulations Toni from all at Feridax (UK Shoei importer).