NEARLY READY TO GET STARTED

Simon Says in association with CIA Landlords Insurance

It’s been a busy time since the end of the 2014 season. With the last race in November and not getting the bikes back until nearly mid November, I decided with my senior technician Stuart Millen that we would not test in Europe in January and concentrate on getting our machine package and infrastructure to a higher level.

Also, we had done 2015 engine development at the last 2 rounds of 2014 with Wilairot so knew where our engine package was going. We have done extensive dyno work and explored every avenue to make our 2015 World Title Challenge as good as we can possibly get it in all areas.

In the winter break it became apparent that whilst I am honest and my word is my bond, the same cannot be said for some people who worked with us in 2014.

Wilairot had a signed contract with us agreed with him and his main personal sponsor Core Motorsport. I was willing to honour this despite apparent funding problems. They on the other hand felt that they needed to purchase a package from one of our main rivals for many years, Ten Kate.

Michael Van Der Mark did a fantastic job in 2014. A rider with a great future and it is good to see a Dutch rider looking like he can go all the way in the sport after so many years for this enthusiastic motorcycle nation not having a hero to cheer on at the top.

Now the fact is that in the recent years sometimes we have had the strongest rider package and in those years appear to be the best Honda team and in other years they have. I respect Ten Kate and all they have archived and I am also proud of our team competing with them over the years on a very tight budget.

Core Motorsport chief Mr Pawee then got Johan Stiggefelt, the man who I agreed to release Wilairot to ride for as he had problems in his Moto 2 team, to now help Pawee form his own one rider team in WSS.

Another lesson learnt. Stiggy, next time, if there is a next time, don’t even bother to ask the question.

Their next step as far as I could see was to try and take members of our team. I would like to thank them sincerely for their next step. They thought the people who talk the best story are obviously the main men in the set up. Whilst two staff members leaving to joining Core Motorsport Thailand did disappoint me at first, I would after consideration like to thank Mr Pawee, Stiggy and Ratthapark Wilairot for all their help in improving and strengthening our team structure going into the 2015 season. I also read all the banter on social media; from shall we say less than intelligent chaps in the new Core set up. Men, the season starts very soon; all I can say is bring it on.

Jack Kennedy is not with us and recently announced his intention to ride in BSB for the WD40 Super bike team. Despite more mistakes than Jack or I would have liked, I believed he could have mounted a much better challenge in 2015. I think it is a real shame he did not have the courage to trust in his own ability to do that and has taken short-term gain over what could potentially have been a great career at World level. It is hard to see any way back for him now back out of BSB. Jack is a nice guy who I really wish all the best for. I can’t see how he will be able to challenge seriously for the showdown with his Superbike experience and against teams of a higher level. That said I hope he does shine and get his chance to challenge for the BSB title in the future now he has decided that is his career route.

Anyway enough of the negatives, l am so excited with signing Ricardo Russo. Here is a rider with true passion and desire to succeed. Whatever the result I know he will be giving his all which is all anyone can ask. I think he is a dark horse and a real title threat for us. I can’t wait and know the whole team feel the buzz in the camp for this.

Re-signing Sheridan Morais also excites me and the combination of these two riders will give us our strongest position since 2012 with Cluzel and Lowes. Martin Cardenas is ready for his first full season and we are expecting a strong season from him starting on level ground with all the other riders from the beginning.

The rider who completes our line up is Kieran Clarke and I am very pleased that we have been able to sign a British rider and hope you will all back us as in the past years for success. Kieran has been away from racing for over a year working on stunt work for a movie and rider coaching. He feels this has given him more time to work on his riding skills. I have always liked Kieran and although it is a tough job I am sure he will rise to the challenge.

I am always optimistic going into the start of a season but this year I really have a good feeling throughout the team and can’t wait to get on the plane to Phillip Island and get started. Come and say hello whichever round you visit this year. We all appreciate your support.

Cheers

Simon