Jerez de la Frontera, 15th March 2013. The BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team conducted another two days of testing

Testing – Jerez.
14th to 15th March 2013. 

Jerez de la Frontera, 15th March 2013. The BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team conducted another two days of testing at Jerez de la Frontera in southern Spain. Thus, the team made use of the long break between the first two rounds of the 2013 FIM Superbike World Championship. From the Superbike team, it was factory rider Chaz Davies (GBR) who was on duty on his own, as his team-mate Marco Melandri (ITA) is recovering at home from the shoulder surgery he underwent after the season opener at Phillip Island (AUS). In total, Chaz completed 489 kilometres of testing (114 laps) on Thursday and Friday. The squad mainly worked on electronic strategies in order to further improve the rideability of the BMW S 1000 RR. Weather conditions were good on both days, with sunny skies and mild temperatures from the late morning until the afternoon.

The Superbike team was joined by the Superstock squad, with riders Sylvain Barrier (FRA) and Greg Gildenhuys (RSA) using the test to prepare their new BMW HP4s for the 2013 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup. This series starts at the second round of the FIM Superbike World Championship, which will be contested at the Spanish Motorland Aragón circuit from 12th to 14th of April. In early April, the Superbike and the Superstock teams will conduct more days of testing at Aragón.


Chaz Davies:
Bike: BMW S 1000 RR
“We accomplished a lot of work over the last two days and it was a very productive test. We fully focused on working on the electronics and tested a lot of new strategies. It was really interesting and we came up with solutions that have a lot of potential. There is some more work needed but we have another test in a couple of weeks. I think all was very positive, everybody has worked well and I am reasonably happy.”

Marco Melandri:
“My recovery is proceeding well and according to plan. I am training in the pool and – carefully – in the gym. Overall, I am satisfied. Some movements that caused pain before the surgery are no longer a problem. I still have some bone pain, but that is normal after the operation. Now I have to work on fully recovering the joint and the muscle tone. Yesterday I had an ultrasound examination and a visit to Dr. Porcellini, and he was positive as well. Unfortunately I could not join the team for the tests but we are regularly in touch so I was constantly updated on how the tests proceeded and which solutions they were finding.”

Stephan Fischer (Technical Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport):
“The team is very happy with the test. It was clearly defined as an R&D and not as a performance test. Our intention was to confirm on track the strategies we had developed in theory and we were able to achieve this. Also Chaz’ feedback was broadly positive. The data we gathered will now form the base for the next tests, when we will also continue our work regarding the performance. The Superstock team had two productive days of testing, too. The squad collected important information for the work with the BMW HP4. In the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, the new bike will be raced regularly in an international championship for the first time.”

Serafino Foti (Sport Director BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team):
“The good weather conditions we had during our two days of testing Jerez allowed us to make a very good job. We were able to do on-track testing of new strategic solutions from our R&D department. They are doing an excellent job in developing the bike. In early April, we will continue testing and all of us wish Marco to get well soon; we hope to see him back with the team already at this test.”

Racebikebitz / Samco Sport Sponsored Heads & All Threads Suzuki 2013 Maxxis ACU Championship Press Release

Racebikebitz / Samco Sport Sponsored Heads & All Threads Suzuki :: Press Release




With the cancellation of Hawkstone this year, the wait is finally over and the British motocross season kicks off with the first round of the 2013 Maxxis ACU Championship this weekend in the sandy realms of FatCat Moto Parc, Armthorpe, Doncaster.

The Heads & All Threads Suzuki teams MX2 rider, Graeme Irwin, knows he's done everything he can to prepare and is 100% ready for this weekends event. He talks about his pre season testing and riding with complete confidence.
 "It went really, really, good. It couldn't of gone much better to be honest. I've done everything I wanted to do," Graeme explains.  "I've been to Spain for a couple of weeks just to get back on the bike and get back into it, everything is good, I'm just ready to rip now."

 Speaking of his expectations in the first round, Graeme says he's just racing his own race and letting the other riders ride theirs.
 "I haven’t really been worrying about anybody else. I've just been concentrating on the gym and getting myself ready to the best that I can and to where I feel that I'm at a level to be ready, and win races." Graeme goes on to say, "I think a lot of riders mistakenly worry too much about other people. It's pretty black & white, go to the race 100% prepared and you worry about yourself. Just get the job done."
 
Likewise, Luke Burton, the teams MX1 class rider, has been riding in Spain during the harsh British winter to make the most of bike time, but with the first round now a matter of hours away, Luke shares how he's feeling before travelling to FatCats.
 "I'm really excited but there are some nerves, the racing has come round real quick. The team is impressive and I can't wait to get started!"
 
MXY2 rookie rider, Olly Townsend, hasn't had a lot of time on the Suzuki, but he talks about the guidance he's received from the teams manager, Neil Prince.
 "I've only been on the bike for four weeks. I could be a bit more prepared but the help I have got from Neil and the team has made me feel confident. I'm really looking forward to the season ahead."

This weekend promises to be a great opener to the season. A lot of questions will be answered and many more asked. All in all, the Heads & All Threads Suzuki team are well prepared, focussed, and ready for 2013. 

Words: Kev Reid
Photography: Adam Duckworth

Samco Sport Sponsored Honda World Motocross 2013 CRF450R unveiled

With just a handful of hours left before the first MX1 World Championship practice session of the season, in preparation for Saturday's Grand Prix of Qatar at the Losail circuit, the Honda World Motocross team is excited to unveil its race livery for 2013. The factory Honda CRF450R, which will be raced by Evgeny Bobryshev and Max Nagl this season, is a new model for this year featuring a new design from the ground up with the focus around mass centralisation.   The Honda World Motocross team's race machine, which is developed by Honda's R&D staff in Japan alongside the team, has the benefit of full factory support from Showa suspension. This year the suspension manufacturer has provided Bobryshev and Nagl with the ultra-special Separate Function Fork Triple Air Chamber (SFF Air TAC), with development from Showa being available to the team throughout the season. In addition to that, Dunlop tyres provide the riders with the best t raction possible on different terrains with its range of quality products, again with the huge support from Dunlop's R&D department working closely with the team throughout the season. The design of the 2013 CRF450R race bike has focussed more on the Honda red over last year's design, and has been developed by Honda alongside ONE Industries, whom provide the team with its graphics, rider gear and protection while incorporating some special designs, which separates Honda's MX1 stars from the rest of the field.  This weekend is an incredibly special race, as it will be the first time a Grand Prix has been held at night under floodlights. The action starts at 17.00 local time with first free practice for the MX2 class and 17.45 for the MX1 class.  ORDER YOUR SAMCO SPORT HOSE KIT TODAY CLICK THE KIT BELOW