Anvil Hire Yamaha Ready For Season Opener At Silverstone

The long awaited winter is now over, as the MCE British Superbike paddock rolls into Silverstone for the first round of the 2016 championship, with the Anvil Hire Yamaha duo of James Rispoli and Shaun Winfield ready to do battle.

Both riders have enjoyed a positive pre season campaign, working on many different components of their brand new Yamaha R1’s, setting themselves up well for a busy season.

For Rispoli it’s his first season in the premier superbike series, after two great seasons in the Supersport class. The former two time AMA Supersport Champion has felt at home on his new machine, after completing over 150 laps during testing, ‘The Rocket’ will be ready to hit the ground running at the home of British Motorsport.

Equally, Shaun Winfield has enjoyed a fantastic pre season programme, where his times have equaled those he set during the races last year. The characteristics of the R1 suits the riding style of the 22 year old, and he is hoping to achieve his first points of the season in the opening two races.

Silverstone is the setting for the first round of the season, and the home of British motorsport always throws up great racing. The Northamptonshire track has been a happy hunting ground for Rispoli, who has tasted the champagne three times at the 3.6-mile circuit, once in 2014, and twice in 2015.

Ahead of the first round an excited James ‘The Rocket’ Rispoli said: “It’s been crazy this past week, but I’m definitely excited. We have been working hard this past week receiving some upgrades and we’ve now got where we want to be with the engine in terms of performance so hopefully that will show in the speed traps at Silverstone this weekend.

“Our objectives never change, and we really want to come in really strong as best we can but we have to remember this our first race and we have to take it as it comes, we don’t know what the weather will be and we haven’t ridden our bike in the rain yet but myself and the team want to have a solid weekend. I have a good pedigree at Silverstone, it is different riding a superbike there but it is a great circuit to start off at. It’s a long season and there are lots of points to play for throughout the year, we want to carry on progressing and come away with two solid point scoring rides to start the season, we are definitely confident in our package, so rain or shine, we are ready!”

Looking forward to the season kicking off Shaun Winfield commented: “I’m really excited for this weekend, it feels like years since we left Brands Hatch in October, and I can’t wait to get back out on track. I’ve had a great pre season, one of my best really because of the times we’ve achieved on a machine I’m still getting used too, and with upgrades still to come that will help us. The team have worked hard since last week to improve the performance of our bike, and that will help this weekend.

“The test at Silverstone last week helped us a lot because we worked on what we wanted to test, and we gained some great useful data to help us this weekend. My time was more or less on a par with that I set in the race last season, so to say I’m excited about this weekend is taking it lightly.”

Ahead of the short trip to Silverstone, Team Manager Gary Winfield summerised: “It’s finally time to go racing! It’s been a long winter, but we have worked well and are excited ahead of what is already set to be a great season. The riders worked well when we tested at Silverstone last week, and we know we need to hit the ground running this weekend.

“Both James and Shaun have progressed well through pre season, working hard on the setups and achieving what we had planned. This weekend will be a great leveler and show exactly where we are because, since the official tests last week we have worked hard on the engine to gain as much as we can in terms of performance, to help the riders on the long straights at Silverstone, so we’re excited and can’t wait to roll out of pit lane on Friday morning.”

More, from a press release issued by Paul Bird Motorsport:

Be Wiser Ducati Set For Silverstone

The Be Wiser Ducati Racing Team of Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and Glenn Irwin head for the opening round of the 2016 MCE British Superbike Championship at Silverstone this weekend in confident mood as they begin the latest chapter in the Paul Bird Motorsport success story.Shakey and Ducati

After four years aboard Kawasaki machinery in MCE BSB, which has seen 39-year-old Londoner Byrne claim two titles and finish runner-up twice also, the Penrith-based team has switched to fully factory-supported Be Wiser Ducati Panigale Rs for the 12-round campaign this year.

The team and riders have done lots of work during pre-season testing, which culminated in four-times MCE BSB champion Byrne heading the timesheets for much of last week’s test at Donington Park, whilst 26-year-old Irwin, from Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland, finished inside the top eight to continue his transition from the British Supersport class, where he was a former Cup champion.

The return to Ducati heralds a move back to the marque which gave the PBM team many of their early successes and which saw the late Steve Hislop and Byrne winning back to back BSB titles in 2002/2003. Shakey also won two World Superbike Championship races for the MonsterMob Ducati team at Brands Hatch in 2003 and five years later lifted his second MCE BSB title for the Airwaves Ducati team.

Shane Byrne: “It’s seemed to take forever for the season to come round this year for some reason, but finally, the MCE BSB season is upon us and is getting underway. It’s been a very long winter, especially after losing my title last year, so I can’t wait to get started even more so than normal. Testing has been good and it will be good to get back on track on the Be Wiser Ducati to start another attempt to win both me and the team the title back. I have a reasonably good record at Silverstone in recent years, so I hope we can continue that as it would be a fantastic start to the season.”

Glenn Irwin: “Now that testing is over, I’m really looking forward to starting my MCE BSB career in earnest by getting out there and doing some racing on the Be Wiser Ducati. I’m absolutely buzzing Irwin and Ducatifor this opportunity, I have a great team around me and I’m feeling pretty good going into Silverstone. I won a Supersport race round there last year and finished on the podium in the other one so the track suits me, although this weekend is going to be a totally different challenge. The plan this weekend, first and foremost, is to score points and then to see how high up the leaderboard we can get, but it’s a case of being realistic.”

For further information, please visit www.pbmuk.net and www.pbmuk.net

More, from a press release issued by ePayMe Yamaha:

ePayMe Yamaha’s Hopkins and Easton gearing up for Silverstone season opener

The ePayMe Yamaha team will make their MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship debut this weekend (April 8/9/10) at Silverstone as John Hopkins and Stuart Easton line up for the opening race of the season in Northamptonshire.

The team have been working hard over the winter in preparation for their debut in the UK’s premier motorsport series and following the most recent test at Silverstone last week, both American Hopkins and Scot Easton are looking forward to getting the season underway on the YZF-R1s at one of the fastest circuits on the calendar.

Hopkins narrowly missed out on the title in 2011 against new team manager Tommy Hill and the Californian is relishing the potential of the 2015 title-winning Yamaha, whilst Easton is keen to battle back to the sharp end after recovering from injury at the end of last season.

Hopkins said: “It was a really productive test for us at Silverstone, although the temperature was fairly cool. We have worked through some different areas and the bike felt really good; the chassis works well there with its fast and flowing nature and the throttle delivery suits the track. We were at the top of the times for a bit and we didn’t put a new tyre in towards the end of the day like some of the other teams, so I was happy with where we ended up.

“Honestly I feel that I have adapted to the Yamaha straight away and immediately I have felt comfortable on the bike. It had the comfort and throttle connection and everything that felt positive on the bike that I rode last year but the chassis feels like it has a GP feel to it and of course that is what I have spent the majority of my career riding. The potential with the Yamaha is huge and I don’t feel like we have even began to scratch the surface with it, but as the season goes on and we have more track time we are going to get stronger and stronger. That is a really positive thing that we are so far towards the front already despite our lack of testing compared to the other riders. I think we should be right there from round one.

“I definitely feel in a good position for the first round and the recent test has got me even more excited for the first round. We have an awesome base setting, the bike is working well and we feel ready to get underway. I feel we will be ready to be in a good position from the get go.”

Easton said: “We had a few little glitches during the test at Silverstone that cost us some time, which was a shame as we had quite a few areas we wanted to work on, but that is what testing is for and we would rather these things happened then rather than at round one. There are certainly areas of the bike already that shine through, but I just haven’t quite had the chance to have a good stab at it yet and testing isn’t really any kind of indication from my side that is for sure!

“We have learnt a lot so far, even in the short time we have been testing so that is really promising already and I feel that there is so much more to come. The pre-season has been about me adjusting to the Yamaha and getting comfortable and now we move into the first weekend and looking for the best results possible. I am definitely ready to come and play catch up after losing some time last week and I know that we will be in a position ready for raceday come Sunday to do the best job we can.”

Team manager Tommy Hill commented: “This is the really exciting part now as we countdown to our first race event as the ePayMe Yamaha team. It was quite overwhelming to see John at the top of the times at a point during last week’s test at Silverstone and we didn’t have to put a new tyre in to make it happen. He is feeling really confident and happy, and that is what I want from our riders this season.”

“We know that Stuart still has a few areas he wants to work on this weekend to make him even more comfortable with the Yamaha, but we have looked at everything after the recent test and we have a good idea on what we need to focus on, starting on Friday in free practice.

“I am proud to see that everything has come together and how well the team have been working at our recent tests and that makes me even more excited for the weekend. We have had a great reception so far as we prepare for our debut race and we want to do the best job we can to showcase all of our partners.”

More, from a press release issued by Quattro Plant Kawasaki:

Quattro Plant Kawasaki all set for BSB opener

The Quattro Plant Kawasaki team head to Silverstone, Northamptonshire this weekend for the opening round of the 2016 MCE British Superbike Championship and it promises to be a busy weekend with four races on their expanded schedule.

The Bournemouth-based squad has doubled in size over the winter months with Luke Mossey and Filip Backlund contesting the British Superbike Championship, Andrew Reid the Dickies British Supersport Championship and reigning champions Ricky Stevens/Ryan Charlwood the Hyundai Heavy Industries British Sidecar Championship.

Superbike riders Mossey and Backlund have both enjoyed a strong programme of pre-season testing, both at home and abroad with Mossey, in particular looking strong on the Quattro Plant Tec-care Kawasaki. Having won the BSB Rider’s Cup in his debut year in 2015, the Cambridge rider placed fourth overall in the final test last week at Donington Park and is now ready to challenge for the race wins from the word go.

Backlund had a solid season in 2015 and since joining the team has shown excellent progress in testing on his Quattro Plant Cool Kawasaki, none more so than at the final test at Donington where he ran inside the top ten for the majority of the day. However, a spill in the closing minutes left the Swedish rider with a broken collarbone and he faces a race against time to be fit for the opening races of the season although he’s determined to be on the grid come race day.

A new venture for the squad in 2016 is the British Supersport Championship but in Andrew Reid they have one of the favourites for the title in their ranks. The Northern Irishman finished ninth overall in his maiden campaign in 2015 taking a debut victory at Oulton Park and, like his team-mates, has been in strong form throughout testing so is looking to get his campaign underway in perfect style.

Luke Mossey: “Despite the Kawasaki ZX-10R being an all-new bike for 2016, testing went better than we thought and we didn’t have to do anything major, just a few little changes here and there. I was able to be on the pace straightaway in testing but it’s all about the racing now and I can’t wait. With a full season under my belt, I know what to expect now and podiums at every round has to be the goal. I’m in a good position with the bike and team and my aim is to be more consistent, challenge for the podiums week in week out and hopefully take my first win as soon as possible!”

Filip Backlund: “Everything went really well in testing up until the crash and I’ve been really enjoying myself. The team are absolutely brilliant and are very professional and that’s translated onto the time sheets. Last year was my first full season in BSB and I learnt a lot which has helped a lot in testing as I’ve been able to make good progress and run consistently in the top ten. The crash was really unfortunate and whilst the collarbone is still very sore, I’ll be doing everything to be on the grid for the opening round.”

Andrew Reid: “I’ve adapted to the Kawasaki really well and it’s a really enjoyable bike to ride whilst there’s lots of confidence in the team so we’re approaching the first round in a really good frame of mind. The bike’s very nimble, changing direction very well, has great power and is a very user friendly bike so I’m just looking forward to going racing now. We had a really strong testing programme in Spain and that rolled over to the UK tests so we’re looking to maintain the momentum and kick off the season with two race wins.”

Pete Extance, Team Principal: “We have had a really positive pre-season testing programme and we can’t wait for the season to start although it’s going to be hectic with a three solo rider team, as well as the Quattro Plant Cool Kawasaki sidecar team, but it’s a season that we are really looking forward too. Luke proved in the second half of last season that he has the potential to be a BSB front runner and we hope we can get the season off to a flying start and secure some early podium places and that coveted first BSB Superbike win.”

“Filip has been a great signing and really settled in well with the team. His performances in testing were excellent especially at Silverstone, where he recorded the third fastest time in two of the three sessions, and although he’s had surgery, he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of riding this weekend. This is our first attempt at Supersport and we have built a ZX-6R for Andy that will hopefully put him at the sharp end from the opening round and ultimately pushing for the Supersport crown.”

Practice and qualifying take place on Friday and Saturday with the Supersport class having one race on both Saturday and Sunday whilst the two feature Superbike races both take place on Sunday.

More, from a press release issued by JG Speedfit Kawasaki:

SILVERSTONE BECKONS AS JG SPEEDFIT KAWASAKI BEGIN 2016 TITLE CHALLENGE

After a busy pre-season of testing, the JG Speedfit Kawasaki trio of James Ellison, Leon Haslam and Peter Hickman head to the opening round of the MCE British Superbike Championship at Silverstone this weekend, ready to kick start their 2016 title challenges.

With the all-new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R arriving last year, the JG Speedfit team has been working around the clock throughout the winter building the three Superbikes James Ellison, Leon Haslam and Peter Hickman will contest in the 2016 MCE British Superbike Championship.

Enjoying closer ties with the Kawasaki factory, and working alongside the official World Superbike Kawasaki Racing Team, the JG Speedfit squad enjoyed an extensive pre-season testing programme which allowed them to develop and refine the new machine. Working through a number of engine and chassis settings over the twelve testing days, the team concluded their programme last week with a final day at the official BSB test at Silverstone. Despite bitterly cold conditions, all three riders were able to set up their machines ready for the opening free practice session this Friday, with Leon topping the time sheets.

As the longest circuit on the calendar, Silverstone poses a unique challenge for the riders as the high speeds and impressive grip offered from the asphalt can lead to increased tyre wear. A circuit all three riders know well, the 2015 BSB event saw James set a new lap record whilst Peter enjoyed a rostrum finish.

Looking forward to kicking off the 2016 season, James Ellison said, “I can’t wait to get going! I’ve had a good history at Silverstone, we currently hold the lap record and I led both races last year but some tyre issues prevented us from showing our true form. It’s been a busy winter with testing, and the team hasn’t stopped working. We’ve still got a few things to try during practice this weekend, but I think we’re in a good place. My first impressions of the ZX-10R were very positive and that hasn’t changed since, it’s a completely new bike still so we still have some things to refine but its potential is strong. I love the circuit too, it’s very fast and flowing and is one of the best tracks in the country so I’m looking forward to getting back out and stretching the ZX-10R’s legs in a race!”

Eager to make his racing return to the British Superbike Championship, Leon Haslam added “I really can’t wait to get racing. It’s been a long winter and although we’ve covered plenty of miles in testing I just want to get out and race now! I don’t think we could have worked any harder during testing and that means we’re in a real good position to come out and get some great results from the off. Topping the timesheets here in the test last week is positive and definitely means we come into this weekend confident. Silverstone is a great circuit to make my BSB return too, it’s a Grand Prix level track and one I love to race on…so roll on Sunday!”

Equally as excited to get going, Peter Hickman said, “It’s the same for James and Leon, I’m really looking forward to getting out there and racing again. We’ve had a really extensive testing programme this winter, which means we’re in a great position for round one. Behind the scenes, everyone in the team has been flat out to get us here so full credit to them and hopefully we can repay them with some good results. The test here last week was real positive. We had a slight issue with chatter but we made great progress with that and have got some ideas to try during practice to improve things further. Silverstone is one of my favourite circuits and I’ve had some great results in the past, so I’m excited to see what me and the Kawasaki can do this weekend!”

GBmoto Racing Team Principal Mark Smith-Halvorsen concluded, “It’s been a very big winter for the team. Not only have we strengthened out ties with the Kawasaki factory, but we also expanded to a three rider team as we welcomed Leon to the fold. On top of that we have a brand new bike to develop as well as a new suspension partner and product to adapt to, so yes, for sure we have taken a lot on. The effort that has gone in across the team, especially from the guys in the workshop to get us here, has been incredible. We achieved nearly everything we set out to, during our testing programme which has been a big commitment and all three riders head to Silverstone, capable of achieving some good results.

The opening round last year saw us secure our first BSB win and I see no reason why we can’t replicate that this weekend and climb the top step of the rostrum. It’s going to be a very exciting year, and I’m confident we’ll be fighting to the very end to secure our first Championship title!”

More, from a press release issued by GR Motosport:

GR Motosport previews BSB 1st round at Silverstone

The lead up to the first round of the 2016, MCE British Superbike Championship at Silverstone has been quite traumatic for Sheffield based GR Motosport. With everything ready to start testing on the 11th of March, the Team suffered a break in where thieves stole 2 bikes, spare parts and tools, leaving impossible time scales to be ready for the first race.

The Team with help and support from our partners and the BSB community, worked miracles to build new bikes in just 20 days, to be ready for the official BSB test day at Silverstone on the 28th and press day at Donington on the 31st of March.

Our Team WD-40 Superbike riders Jack Kennedy and Sam Hornsey although seriously lacking in track time proved their worth with some great times. Both Jack and Sam suffered crashes where unfortunately bikes and riders did suffer a little but both bounced back with good times.

Jack Kennedy:- All credit to the team for all their hard work after what we’ve been through to get us back on track. We used the testing to iron out any issues with our new bike and to make it feel like mine again. At Silverstone I got a neutral and the rider behind me ran into the back of me causing us both to go down. It’s just one of those racing incidents but unfortunately I picked up a small wrist injury too. Hope to be fully fit or close as possible for this weekend to repay the team for all the hard work.

Sam Hornsey: – Firstly I cannot express how impressed I am with the team for getting us through such difficult times. Considering we have been seriously limited regarding testing we got a lot done and by the end of Donington we found something that we can take to round one. We had a crash at Silverstone that I’m just putting that down to a rookie error, but I’m really happy with the bike and can’t wait for round 1 now..

Our ‘Stauff Connect Academy’ Kawasaki ZX6r was also taken by the thieves! We have to thank Kawasaki UK for their support in supplying a new ZX6r road bike for the team to convert into a Supersport race bike in just 5 days. Danny and new Team member Garry R with support from STAUFF UK, FW Developments, Scorpion Exhaust, Motec, Ohlins and Paul Gilbert made it happen; the stunning part was Tarran pushing this brand new bike into the top 4 at both the Silverstone and Donington tests…

Tarran Mackenzie:- Really excited to start the first race now, testing obviously hasn’t been ideal but from the two test days I’ve completed on the new bike they have been really positive. It just goes to show what an awesome team I have, not only to build me a brand new bike within a week but for it to be very competitive straight away! I can’t wait just to do more laps on it!

Sweedway – Danny Wright Minimoto – Amanuel and Josh MotoX – Sam Atkinson

After all the bad news of the theft it’s great to be able to report some exciting new projects for 2016 in Minimoto, MotoX and Speedway.

Minimoto:- As you all know we have had a huge amount of fun with 6 year old Josh Bannister, racing the Team WD-40 MiniMoto. We love the fun of racing and these guy’s supply oodles of it, so we looked at a bigger presence in the ‘Kool Milk Fab Racing’ Championship. It was time for Josh to get a new bike with the favourite being the Czechoslovakian ‘BLATA’. After a conversation with Michael Milne of BLATA UK plans were soon put in place for ‘Team WD-40 Factory Blata’

A factory team should have 2 riders and Michael had the perfect suggestion in 7 year old Amanuel Brinton to become Josh’s team mate. Team WD-40 factory BLATA with support from Stauff UK and Dunsley Heat, made their debut last week with both riders bursting into the top 10 of the Championship and setting the standard for their season ahead.

MotoX:- After securing GR Motosport’s first MotoX title, Alnwick school boy Sam Atkinson has taken his ‘Stauff Connect Academy’ KTM to the 2016 British Youth Nationals. Sam has been working hard all winter with guidance from Carlton Husband; this pairing has put together a stunning result today with Sam taking 8th over all at Fat Cats Motopark, we are all looking forward to Sam’s next race.

Speedway:- GR Motosport / Team WD-40 crew chief Danny Wright has taken his hobby and passion to the next level and is now representing Team WD-40 skidding on the shale with top results something everyone is proud of!

Brent Gladwin, GR Motosport Managing Director:- “To say the last 3 week have been stressful is an colossal understatement.. The support we have received has been phenomenal, we have reached nearly 3.5 million on social media all trying to help recover our stolen bikes. I keep being told its character building, but I was sure before the event we had some great characters involved with us. I can tell you it is Team building and I do have a great Team. I have to thank Jack, Sam and Taz for their patience and support, it’s been tough on them watching others testing while they have been waiting for us trying to catch up.

“My Team has worked all hours to make sure we will be at Silverstone for the first round of BSB and I am proud to say yes we will be there and competitive!

“2 of our bikes are still missing and I would ask for your vigilance, 90% of the bikes are unique to this team so sooner or later something will turn up somewhere…..

“Our new projects have been overshadowed by events but it does not belittle their importance to GR Motosport and our ethos of helping and developing young talent. The launch of Team WD-40 Factory Blata at the first race surprised the Fab Racing paddock with both cheeky chaps Amanuel and Josh getting solid results. I am sure they are going to be very successful and enjoy every moment too. Sam Atkinson continues to impress me, the quiet lad doesn’t say much but on track his improvements speak for themselves ‘Awesome’.

Our Danny dragged us into speedway, he is ultra competitive and the results are there his riders need to watch out for who is getting the best results ?

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