Team SRC Kawasaki France captures Le Mans EWC victory
Australians Hook and Parkes endure difficulties in France.
Image: Supplied.
Team SRC Kawasaki France has captured victory at the Le Mans 24 Heures Motos for round two of the 2018-2019 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) in France.
The 42nd edition will be remembered as a 24-hour edge-of-seat duel on the track, as Honda Endurance Racing’s Randy de Puniet and Team SRC Kawasaki France’s Jeremy Guarnoni rocketed away from the grid, and the race came to an equally fast-paced finish featuring the same two teams, this time with Yonny Hernandez and Guarnoni in the saddle.
The suspense reached an even higher pitch when the safety cars came out to clean the track 15 minutes from the finish. Team SRC Kawasaki France carried the day thanks to Guarnoni, David Checa and Erwan Nigon’s determination to shake off Honda Endurance Racing’s de Puniet, Hernandez and Sebastien Gimbert.
Their amazing duel overshadowed a third-place finish by Suzuki Endurance Racing Team, who got back on the podium for their team manager Dominique Meliand’s last-ever 24 Heures Motos. The Suzuki’s riders Vincent Philippe, Etienne Masson and Gregg Black finished in practically the same lap as the duo in the lead.
Wepol Racing (Yamaha), Bolliger Team Switzerland (Kawasaki), 3ART-Moto Team 95 (Yamaha) and National Motos (Honda) also pulled off praiseworthy performances to finish fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth respectively, more than 10 laps behind the three squads leading the race at a scorching pace.
Thanks to their win, and the fact of staying in command of the race from the fourth hour to the finish, Team SRC Kawasaki France has gone to the top of the provisional standings of the EWC, ahead of Suzuki Endurance Racing Team.
Reigning champions F.C.C. TSR Honda France, which includes Australian Josh Hook, endured a significant loss of points following two crashes, which had the Japanese team plunging to the bottom of the rankings. Compatriot Broc Parkes also suffered a difficult weekend with Yamaha Austria Racing Team, the team suffering engine damage in a crash.
The next stop on the Endurance World Championship calendar is scheduled on 11 May for the 8 Hours of Slovakia Ring.
Ride with our teams as we travel the backroads of Temecula to March Air Field Museum. $20 per vehicle, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Road Warrior Foundation. Auctions, raffles, 50/50, and free prizes just for joining
Join the Adventure
All vehicles welcome, register for the event online: www.roadwarrior.org
Veterans, we want to hear from you! RWF is a 501(c)(3) 100% nonprofit with an all-volunteer staff for Vets by Vets. Sign up to join us now!
A stiffer chassis and larger 15-inch front wheel increase the Burgman 400’s stability at freeway speeds. Photo by Julia Lapalme.
Odometer: 619 miles MSRP (as tested): $8,099
OK, you long-time Suzuki Burgman owners are probably thinking that 619 miles isn’t much for a long-term report, but try to finish reading this before you bombard our email inbox with tales of your cross-country trips and high-mileage Burgmen. The 400 was all-new for 2018, and it’s a testament to how good it’s become that we put more than 500 miles on our test bike in just a few short weeks.
The styling is updated, comfort and wind protection upgrades make it more pleasant to ride and a stiffer chassis and larger 15-inch front wheel increase stability at freeway speeds. Power output is similar to before but the liquid-cooled, 399cc single with four valves and twist-and-go CVT transmission have been refreshed for more torque down low, better power delivery off idle and a throatier growl from the airbox (which some us felt was a bit loud).
Underseat storage holds 42 liters, or one full-face and one open-face helmet.
Despite the updates it weighs a claimed 15 pounds less and gets 12-percent better fuel efficiency–our test bike averaged 50.2 mpg over three fill-ups, with a high of 61.4 and low of 45.1, and an average range of more than 180 miles from its 3.6-gallon tank.
The windscreen is smaller than before but said to be more aerodynamic, and though it’s been some time since we last rode an earlier 400 it does seem like wind protection is up and noise down. Nevertheless Suzuki offers a larger screen for the Burgman 400, as well as a top trunk, which would be a welcome addition to its 42 liters of storage under the seat.
Large storage pockets flank the Burgman’s parking brake and ignition console. One includes a 12V power outlet, but neither pocket locks.
With its nimble but stable handling, excellent ABS brakes, spry power and linked single rear shock that provides a firm but complaint ride, we found little fault with the 2018 Burgman 400, and with 619 miles on the clock almost everything in our initial reports in the June 2018 issue and here still stands, with the exception of the new fuel economy figures above. We’d also like the lumbar support to adjust farther back for the taller among us, since it can’t be removed entirely without modifications.
At a $2,950 savings over the larger Burgman 650, the 400 may be the Goldilocks just-right maxi-scoot for a lot of riders who want a lot of luxury and performance in a smaller, more maneuverable size.
Warm & Safe heated apparel is available for men and women.
In 1993, Warm & Safe founder Mike Coan developed the first rheostat-like Heat-troller to adjust the temperature of heated motorcycle apparel instead of just an on/off switch. Since then the technology has been improved and Warm & Safe now offers a range of Heat-trollers that connect directly to a motorcycle’s battery, as well as heated apparel like shirts, jacket liners, pants liners, gloves and socks. Heat-trollers start at $59; heated apparel starts at $189.95.
So it seems the future for motorcycle engines might be blown, either with forced induction or exhaust.
Blown filing
The Yamaha patent filing shows drawings of a turbo in an MT-09 which is actually powered by a triple-cylinder engine.
However, patent drawings don’t necessarily mean they will build the engine, the bike or use the MT-09 to house the engine.
If it’s the MT-09 engine with a cylinder lobbed off, it would be about 588cc which would be the same engine capacity as the Suzuki Recursion turbo concept unveiled in 2013 with a single-overhead-cam parallel-twin turbo engine.
Suzuki Recursion
Blown era
The switch to smaller, lighter, more powerful yet more fuel-efficient blown bikes makes a lot of sense given the stricter emissions rules in Europe and California, as well as tough imposts such as a charges for or restrictions on older bikes entering CBDs.
Turbo was the “next big thing” back in the ’80s with models from several of the Japanese manufacturers, including the Honda CB500 Turbo, Yamaha XJ650 Turbo, Suzuki XN85, and Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo.
Honda CX 650TC Turbo
1984 Suzuki XN85 Turbo
1984 Kawasaki GPZ750 Turbo
They had manic light-switch power that made them not only difficult to control, but dangerous. They were also temperamental and unreliable.
However, modern low-boost mini turbos and superchargers which have revolutionised the car industry in recent years would be a lot more controllable and reliable than the temperamental rocketships of the ‘80s.
Turbo problems
Turbos and superchargers require a fair bit of plumbing and coolers.
They are easy to fit in a car where space is not scarce like on a motorcycle.
The Yamaha patent presents two different solutions to the problem.
In one filling, the exhaust headers merge into one to pipe the gas through an intercooler into a low-mounted turbocharger in front of the engine with the catalytic converter underneath.
The other filing (top image on this page) has the turbo upside down and closer to the headers, allowing the cat to be mounted in front of the cylinders.
It is not only more compact but would also heat the cat faster and decrease emissions.
76,000 spectators watched a spectacular Le Mans 24 Hour on the weekend, the second round of the 2018-2019 FIM Endurance World Championship.
Video – 2019 Le Mans 24 Hour Start
ERC-BMW Motorrad Endurance Team started the race from pole position but a poor start put them behind the eight-ball from which they never really recovered.
2019 Le Mans 24 Hours
Heartbreak too for YART Yamaha. A machine failure cost them any chances of a good result while reigning World Endurance Champions F.C.C. TSR witnessed Mike DiMeglio crash their Fireblade SP2.
2019 Le Mans 24 Hours – Motors Events rider James Westmoreland
Broc Parkes – YART Yamaha EWC Team
“I had really good pace in all my stints and I felt really strong, but our race was done after just 10 hours. Endurance can be cruel sometimes! Now we need to put the disappointment of Le Mans behind us and focus on the next race at the Slovakia Ring, as it’s a good circuit for us and one at which we won last year.”
Video – YART Engine Failure
Onboard with Marvin Fritz
F.C.C. TSR Honda fought back to eighth in the race’s ranking before encountering another issue in which the complete brake system had to be changed and replaced. The squad went back out on track just for Freddy Foray to collide with another rider in a racing incident. The bike slid along the track and that made damage to the engine’s cover’s where oil was lost. The team still kept on working hard to not only fix the hole, but to replace some engine internals also, which meant another loss of two hours in the pits.
F.C.C. TSR Honda in the pits
The team even then never gave up and sent the bike back out with no chance of having a shot for world championship points but to “fulfil” the spirit of endurance by finishing the race.
Other high qualifiers VRD Igol Pierret Experiences and GERT56 by GS Yuasa also suffered similar fates.
2019 Le Mans 24 Hours – Team VRD Igol Pierret Experiences
That notwithstanding the 42nd edition of the 24 heures Motos will be remembered as a 24-hour edge-of-seat duel on the track.
2019 Le Mans 24 Hours – SRC Kawasaki France lead Honda Endurance Racing Team
Honda Endurance Racing’s Randy from Puniet and Team SRC Kawasaki France’s Jérémy Guarnoni rocketed away from the grid, and the race to the same fast-paced finish featuring the same two teams, this time with Yonny Hernandez and Jérémy Guarnoni in the saddle.
2019 Le Mans 24 Hours – Honda Endurance Racing Team
Team SRC Kawasaki France with Jérémy Guarnoni, David Checa and Erwan Nigon ‘s determination to shake off Honda’ s Endurance Racing ‘s Randy de Puniet, Yonny Hernández and Sébastien Gimbert.
2019 Le Mans 24 Hours – Team SRC Kawasaki France
Team SRC Kawasaki France’s victory will be one of the closest-fought and most gripping one in Endurance history to date. Kawasaki has a memorable duel with Honda Endurance Racing.
Le Mans 24 Hour Video – Closing Stages
Suzuki Endurance Racing Team finished third in a thriller of a race.
2019 Le Mans 24 Hours – Suzuki Endurance Racing Team
Their amazing duel overshadowed a third-place finish by Suzuki Endurance Racing Team, who got back on the podium for their team manager Dominique Meliand’s last-ever 24 Hours Motorcycles. The Suzuki’s riders Vincent Philippe, Etienne Masson and Gregg Black finished in practice the same lap as the duo in the lead.
2019 Le Mans 24 Hours – Wepol Racing Yamaha
Wepol Racing (Yamaha), Bolliger Team Switzerland (Kawasaki), 3ART-Moto Team 95 (Yamaha) and National Motos (Honda) also pulled off praiseworthy performances to finish 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th respectively, more than 10 laps behind the three squads leading the race at a scorching pace.
2019 Le Mans 24 Hours – World Championship Podium
Motors Events seventh place finish gave them victory in the Superstock class. Their strong comeback and determination to chase the win at Le Mans have earned them the Anthony Delhalle EWC Spirit Trophy. Motors Events also won the EWC Dunlop Independent Trophy.
James Westmoreland, Johan Nigon and Adrien Ganfornina rode the Suzuki # 50, finishing ahead of Yamaha Ain Moto (Robin Mulhauser, Roberto Rolfo and Stefan Hill) and Kawasaki-mounted Team 33 Coyote Louit Moto (Enzo Boulom, Chris Leesch and Kevin Manfredi).
2019 Le Mans 24 Hours – Superstock Podium
Thanks to their win, Team SRC Kawasaki France has gone to the forefront of the provisional standings of the 2018-2019 FIM EWC, ahead of Suzuki Endurance Racing Team.
2019 Le Mans 24 Hours Results
TEAM SRC KAWASAKI FRANCE – EWC 839 laps – 24:00:54.139
Honda Endurance Racing Honda – EWC 839 laps – 24:01:54.689
Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Suzuki – EWC 838 laps – 24:01:08.610
WEPOL Racing Yamaha – EWC 828 laps – 24:00:56.861
Bolliger Team Switzerland Kawasaki – EWC 827 laps – 24:02:19.550
3ART- MOTO TEAM 95 Yamaha – EWC 822 laps – 24:02:36.039
MOTORS EVENTS Suzuki – SST DIT 821 laps – 24:01:11.430
National Motos Honda – EWC 821 laps – 24:02:05.048
MOTO AIN Yamaha – SST DIT 818 laps – 24:01:17.039
Team 33 Coyote Louit Moto Kawasaki – SST 816 laps – 24:01:15.537
FANY GASTRO BMW MOTORRAD- by ME… BMW – EWC 812 laps – 24:01:09.587
Wójcik Racing Team Yamaha – EWC DIT 808 laps – 24:01:12.871
Junior Team LMS Suzuki Suzuki – SST 808 laps – 24:01:36.144
OG MOTORSPORT BY SARAZIN Yamaha – SST DIT 807 laps – 24:02:23.814
Motobox Kremer Racing #65 Yamaha – EWC 806 laps – 24:02:23.008
AM Moto Racing Competition Kawasaki – SST DIT 804 laps – 24:02:15.823
BMRT 3D MACCIO RACING Kawasaki – SST DIT 802 laps – 24:02:12.350
PITLANE ENDURANCE Yamaha – SST DIT 801 laps – 24:01:14.322
The opening British Superbike race at Silverstone on the weekend was a battle of the McAMS Yamahas for victory, but it ended in drama as team-mates Jason O’Halloran and Mackenzie went head-to-head on the final lap before O’Halloran was eventually taken out from behind by his team-mate. To add insult to injury O’Halloran’s McAms Yamaha did an engine in the second race, likely due to the tip-over in the opening stoush.
Jason O’Halloran walking back to the pits
It was also a tale of woe for the bookies favourite for the 2019 British Superbike Championship, Josh Brookes. The 35-year-old suffered an engine failure in qualifying that saw him start from 18th place on the grid, only to then have another machine failure in the opening race. In the second stanza Brookes blew another engine on the Be Wiser Ducati Panigale V4 R to finish the opening round with no points.
Josh Brookes pushes his expired Ducati
Superbike Race One Report
Jason O’Halloran launched off the line into the lead of the pack at the start of the race ahead of Mackenzie and Scott Redding, but a crash involving the Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki pairing of Glenn Irwin, Ben Currie and rookie David Allingham bought out the BMW Safety Car.
Jason O’Halloran leads race one
When the race resumed O’Halloran, Mackenzie and Josh Elliott edged away at the front of the pack and the McAMS Yamaha pair were intensely mirroring each other as the O’Show held the advantage.
Jason O’Halloran leads Tarran Mackenzie and Josh Elliott
On the final lap however Mackenzie went for a lunge on the inside, causing contact with O’Halloran, who subsequently crashed out of the race. Mackenzie took the chequered flag ahead of Elliott, claiming his first Bennetts BSB podium finish and Redding on his debut.
Post-race following an investigation, Race Direction imposed a Long Lap equivalent time penalty of 3 seconds on Mackenzie for contact causing O’Halloran to crash at Turn 6 on Lap 30.
Tarran Mackenzie got to celebrate being on the top step of the podium before officials sanctioned him for the crash with O’Halloran, demoting him to second place.
The penalty awarded the victory to Elliott and the first for OMG Racing Suzuki, pushing Mackenzie back into second ahead of Redding with OMG Racing Suzuki celebrating both riders in the top five as Luke Mossey claimed fourth place.
Josh Elliott – OMG Racing Suzuki – Race One Winner
“I am a bit shocked with today if I am honest! It has been a mega weekend and we have been improving all through the weekend. It was mega to be up fighting for the win in both races and I just don’t have words for it! I would never have expected for the weekend to have gone as well as it has. The OMG team have done a fantastic job and I can’t wait for Oulton Park now.”
Tommy Bridewell and Andrew Irwin fought all race long with the Oxford Racing Ducati rider having the edge at the line from Luke Stapleford and Claudio Corti for Team WD-40 Kawasaki. Danny Buchan and Xavi Forés completed the top ten.
Andrew Irwin and Tommy Bridewell tussle
2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship
Round One – Silverstone – Race One
Josh ELLIOTT – OMG Racing Suzuki 27:44.547
Tarran MACKENZIE – McAMS Yamaha +0.017
Scott REDDING – Be Wiser Ducati +4.118
Luke MOSSEY – OMG Racing Suzuki +5.472
Tommy BRIDEWELL – Oxford Racing +7.505
Andrew IRWIN – Honda Racing +8.236
Luke STAPLEFORD – Buildbase Suzuki +11.554
Claudio CORTI – Team WD-40 +11.900
Danny BUCHAN – FS-3 Racing Kawasaki +12.024
Xavi FORÉS – Honda Racing +13.210
Christian IDDON – Tyco BMW Motorrad +17.124
Ryan VICKERS – RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki +19.372
Dan LINFOOT – Santander Salt TAG Yamaha +20.305
Peter HICKMAN – Smiths Racing +22.321
Keith FARMER – Tyco BMW Motorrad +22.977
Bradley RAY – Buildbase Suzuki +23.620
Sylvain BARRIER – Brixx Ducati +26.220
Matt TRUELOVE – Raceways Yamaha +33.244
Dean HIPWELL – CDH Racing +33.360
Fraser ROGERS – Gearlink Kawasaki +33.522
Joe FRANCIS – Lloyd & Jones Bowker Motorrad +34.574
Sam COVENTRY – Team 64 Motorsports +43.723
James HILLIER – Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki +1 Lap
Conor CUMMINS – Milenco by Padgetts Motorcycles +1 Lap …DNF. Jason O’HALLORAN – McAMS Yamaha …DNF. Josh BROOKES – Be Wiser Ducati …DNF. Ben CURRIE – Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki
Superbike Race Two Report
On the opening lap of race two Mackenzie hit the front of the pack, but he didn’t hold it for long as Dan Linfoot stormed ahead onboard the Santander Salt TAG Yamaha with Elliott in close contention after winning the opening race.
Tarran Mackenzie, Josh Elliott and Danny Buchan
There was more disappointment for O’Halloran who was forced to retire with a technical problem on lap four.
At the front Elliott and Linfoot were scrapping for the lead and the OMG Racing Suzuki rider was able to get back to the front, but behind a collision between Andrew Irwin and Redding caused the Be Wiser Ducati star to crash out on lap six. Andrew Irwin was subsequently handed a Long Lap penalty that dropped him down the order, but he was able to climb back into seventh before the chequered flag.
Josh Elliott, Danny Bucha and Dan Linfoot
A breakaway of four riders at the front was led by Elliott with Danny Buchan, Linfoot and Mackenzie giving chase. By lap 14 Mackenzie had grabbed the advantage and was holding off Elliott and Buchan, but the pack was closed up when Josh Brookes suffered a technical problem and was forced to retire the second Be Wiser Ducati out of sixth place, causing a BMW Safety Car intervention.
When the race resumed Mackenzie was immediately under pressure but held on to edge out an advantage over Elliott to score his first win ahead of Elliott and Buchan, who returned to the podium for the first time since Knockhill.
Tarran Mackenzie – McAMS Yamaha – Race Two winner
“To get my first proper victory is amazing. We didn’t have the best pre-season and struggled quite a lot but we found something on Friday that made the bike a little easier to ride and gave me a lot more confidence. It was unfortunate what happened in race one, I tried to put that to the back of my mind and got on with race two. I was gutted to see Jason break down as I genuinely wanted to have a proper race with him. The safety car coming out towards the end of the second race made things more difficult, but I was able to maintain the gap and take the win.”
Bridewell and the Oxford Racing Ducati team celebrated an incredible fourth place after a challenging start to the weekend, holding off Stapleford who continued to fight his way through the field into fifth place ahead of Mossey.
Andrew Irwin held off his team-mate Xavi Forés for seventh with Linfoot and Bradley Ray completing the top ten.
Superbike rookie Ben Currie bagged some points for 13th place ahead of Peter Hickman, Ryan Vickers and Sylvain Barrier.
2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship
Round One – Silverstone – Race Two
Tarran MACKENZIE – McAMS Yamaha 30:43.837
Josh ELLIOTT – OMG Racing Suzuki +0.635
Danny BUCHAN – FS-3 Racing Kawasaki +1.004
Tommy BRIDEWELL – Oxford Racing +2.257
Luke STAPLEFORD – Buildbase Suzuki +3.944
Luke MOSSEY – OMG Racing Suzuki +4.813
Andrew IRWIN – Honda Racing +7.368
Xavi FORÉS – Honda Racing +7.587
Dan LINFOOT – Santander Salt TAG Yamaha +7.815
Bradley RAY – Buildbase Suzuki +7.987
Glenn IRWIN – Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki +8.101
Keith FARMER – Tyco BMW Motorrad +8.302
Ben CURRIE – Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki +8.502
Peter HICKMAN – Smiths Racing +10.929
Ryan VICKERS – RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki +11.211
Sylvain BARRIER – Brixx Ducati +14.090
Christian IDDON – Tyco BMW Motorrad +14.903
Matt TRUELOVE – Raceways Yamaha +15.145
David ALLINGHAM – EHA Yamaha +15.422
Joe FRANCIS – Lloyd & Jones Bowker Motorrad +15.626
Sam COVENTRY – Team 64 Motorsports +18.135
Dean HIPWELL – CDH Racing +19.574
James HILLIER – Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki +27.928 … DNF. Josh BROOKES – Be Wiser Ducati … DNF. Jason O’HALLORAN – McAMS Yamaha
2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship Round One – Silverstone – Race Two Tarran MACKENZIE – McAMS Yamaha 30:43.837 Josh ELLIOTT – OMG Racing Suzuki +0.635 Danny BUCHAN – FS-3 Racing Kawasaki +1.004
2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship Points
Josh ELLIOTT (Suzuki) 45
Tarran MACKENZIE (Yamaha) 45
Tommy BRIDEWELL (Ducati) 24
Luke MOSSEY (Suzuki) 23
Danny BUCHAN (Kawasaki) 23
Luke STAPLEFORD (Suzuki) 20
Andrew IRWIN (Honda) 19
Scott REDDING (Ducati) 16
Xavi FORÉS (Honda) 14
Dan LINFOOT (Yamaha) 10
Claudio CORTI (Kawasaki) 8
Bradley RAY (Suzuki) 6
Christian IDDON (BMW) 5
Glann IRWIN (Kawasaki) 5
Ryan VICKERS (Kawasaki) 5
Keith FARMER (BMW) 5
Peter HICKMAN (BMW) 4
Ben CURRIE (Kawasaki) 3
Pirelli National Superstock 1000
Alex Olsen struck back in the third Pirelli National Superstock 1000 race with a dominant victory. As he did in both races yesterday, it was Richard Cooper who grabbed the holeshot but the series leader was unable to fend off a fast charging Olsen, who moved into the lead on lap six.
Setting a string of fast laps, Olsen was able to stretch a gap to the chasers to take his maiden victory of the season and move in to just four points of the Championship lead. Taylor Mackenzie secured another second place whilst Cooper finished third. Lee Jackson was again fourth whilst Superstock rookie Eemeli Lahti was fifth.
Billy McConnell finished the weekend with a seventh place result while fellow South Australian Levi Day took 12th place. Brayden Elliott finished just outside the points once again in 16th.
Pirelli National Superstock 1000 – Race Result
Richard COOPER GBR Suzuki – Buildbase Suzuki 22:53.340
Taylor MACKENZIE GBR BMW – Bathams Racing +0.221
Alex OLSEN GBR BMW – Team IMR +0.390
Lee JACKSON GBR Kawasaki – FS-3 Racing Ltd +2.103
Eemeli LAHTI FIN Kawasaki – STAUFF Quick Connect Superstock 100 +7.656
Lewis ROLLO GBR Aprilia – IN Competition +8.155
Billy McCONNELL AUS Suzuki – OMG Racing Suzuki +8.759
Tom NEAVE GBR Honda – Honda Racing +8.884
Leon JEACOCK GBR Suzuki – Geo E Davies Racing +10.245
Luke HEDGER GBR Kawasaki – CPD Kawasaki +10.710
Paul McCLUNG GBR BMW – Paul McClung Racing (PMR) +14.539
Levi DAY AUS Aprilia – IN Competition +19.118
Barry TEASDALE GBR BMW – TwoTwoFour Motorsport –
Michael RUTTER GBR BMW – Bathams Racing +19.303
Craig NEVE GBR BMW – Callmac Scaffolding +19.713
Brayden ELLIOTT AUS Suzuki – No Bull Racing CPE Motosport +22.075
Rob McNEALY GBR BMW – McNealy Brown +22.282
Tom TUNSTALL GBR BMW – Integro +22.988
Daniel COOPER GBR BMW – Impcross Engineering Racing +23.932
Max ALEXANDER GBR BMW – R&T Racing +34.278
James WHITE GBR Kawasaki – Team Afterdark +36.236
Sam WEST GBR BMW – PRL +41.217
Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Standings
Richard COOPER 46
Taylor MACKENZIE 43
Alex OLSEN 42
Lee JACKSON 26
Eemeli LAHTI 21.5
Tom NEAVE 18
Lewis ROLLO 16
Luke HEDGER 14.5
Billy McCONNELL 10.5
Leon JEACOCK 9
Michael RUTTER 8
Levi DAY 8
Chrissy ROUSE 4.5
Paul McLUNG 4.5
Andrew REID 4
Benjamin GODFREY 3.5
Tom WARD 3
Barry TEASDALE 3
Joe COLLIER 2
Tim NEAVE 1
Aaron CLARKE 0.5
Craig NEVE 0.5
Dickies British Supersport
Colin Appleyard Macadam Yamaha rider Jack Kennedy doubled up on Dickies British Supersport wins after an epic scrap in the second outing. Alastair Seeley was the early race leader, grabbing the holeshot but with six riders covered by less than one second for the entire 26 lap race it came down to the very final corner as Kennedy slipped his way past to double on wins.
Despite hitting the grass on the final bend, Seeley was able to hold off the pursuing pack to take another second place whilst Brad Jones was again third in the Supersport class. Kyle Ryde finished third on track to win the GP2 class.
Sam Wilford was fifth overall, second in the GP2 class ahead of Lee Johnston and Jamie Perrin, who completed the GP2 podium.
Dickies British Supersport & GP2 Race Two – Silverstone
Jack KENNEDY – Integro Yamaha +24:42.420
Alastair SEELEY – EHA Yamaha +0.463
Kyle RYDE – Kovara by RS Racing +0.557
Brad JONES – Integro Yamaha +0.685
Sam WILFORD – IDWe Racing +1.126
Lee JOHNSTON – Ashcourt Racing +2.408
Jamie PERRIN – Nova Racing Transmissions/Go R +10.437
Harry TRUELOVE – Truelove Property & Construction +14.124
Tom OLIVER – SGR Racing +14.263
Bradley PERIE – Diamond H Racing +15.702
Richard KERR – Campbell Motorsport +17.491
Kurt WIGLEY – Sorrymate.com Racing +18.688
Tatsuya YAMAGUCHI – Team ILR/Mark Coverdale +22.545
Ben WILSON – Gearlink Kawasaki +25.526
Charlie NESBITT – Hisc/Rapid Fulfillment Racing +25.741
Jorel BOERBOOM – JB50 Racing +34.260
Thomas STRUDWICK – Case FTR Moto / Spirit Motorcycles +37.860
Ross TWYMAN – Gearlink Kawasaki +8.688
Matt WIGLEY – Sorrymate.com Racing +43.337
Phil WAKEFIELD – PWR +50.199
Jake ARCHER – Kovara projects by RS Racing +1 Lap
Tomás DE VRIES – DAT Racing – Chassis Factory +1 Lap
Public support for learner riders to first have L-plate car driving experience for one year has been rejected by South Australian riding group Ride to Review.
Tim Kelly of Ride to Review has rejected an ABC Adelaide Facebook poll which found 72% public support for the plan.
He says “no specific evaluation of the measure has yet been undertaken”.
“RTR believe improved rider education and training are the key areas to be development in order to produce safer riders,” he says.
Licensing laws
The only other state with similar licensing laws is Queensland where learner riders must have held a provisional, P1, P2 or open car licence for a year. South Australia’s suggestion is that riders must only have a learner plate for a year.
It runs contrary to practices in countries such as Italy where 15-year-olds can first ride a two-wheeler up to 50cc before getting a car or motorcycle licence.
Proponents say it gives young motorists more road awareness and makes them more aware of motorcyclists on the road when they get old enough to obtain a licence.
On the other hand, modern cars are so safe with crash cells, stability control and various driver aids and warnings that they may give young drivers a false sense of invincibility.
It may also lead drivers to ignore vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists who pose no danger to them, leading to SMIDSY crashes.
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) motorcycle spokesman Rhys Griffiths says tougher licensing laws across the nation have put the motorcycle industry under “more pressure than we’ve ever had in the past”.
He says the tougher licensing laws have dramatically increased the price of obtaining a motorcycle licence and may have led to an increase in unlicensed riding.
Fatal statistics
National statistics from 1995 to 2019 show a steady decrease in fatalities among under 30-year-old riders from 562 in the five-year period from 1995 to ’99 to 312 from 2015 to ’19.
Over the past five years, under 30s have not had the largest number of fatalities, being overtaken for the first time by over 50s with 323 deaths.
This could be the result of tougher licensing laws.
However, it could also be due to the fact that the number of young riders getting licenses has declined while the number of returned riders has increased.
The statistical trends are similar in all states including Queensland and South Australia where under-30s fatalities have halved since 1995.
Licence review
RTR has rejected plans to require car L-plates before getting a bike licence
The South Australian review of the Graduated Licensing System was undertaken by the University of Adelaide’s Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR).
The 15 key recommendations included increasing rider age to reduce the crashes involving 16- and 17-year-old riders and reducing crashes involving motorcyclists holding a learner permit or R-Date licence class.
Under the recommendations, pre-learner and learner age would be lifted from 16 to 18 and unrestricted licence from 20 to 21 and six months.
Other recommendations include displaying correct plates, restricting pillions, mandatory carriage of licence, a night curfew, zero blood alcohol, a lower demerit point threshold for disqualification, no mobile phones and hi-vis vests for novices as in Victoria.
A total of 1553 participants responded to the consultation, while key road safety stakeholders, motorcycling industry representatives and other interested parties provided feedback through formal submissions.
It was Horsman, Hart, Ogden over the line for the final lap and Hart attacked immediately into Turn 1, before Horsman hit back at the first opportunity. Jack Nixon then looked like he was going to try a multi-buy manoeuvre into Brooklands, but he couldn’t quite make it stick as Hart was able to stay ahead and Horsman hung it round the outside to hang on to the lead. Ultimately, he’d manage to do just that to the line – but Hart was tucked in close behind round the final corner and it was incredibly close as the two blasted towards the chequered flag. 0.048 separated them over the line, just in favour of Horsman as he shut the door to avoid losing out to another pickpocket move on Sunday.
TCX Street Ace Air boots join the booming trend in recent years for commuter riding shoes that you can wear on and off the bike in equal comfort with some protection.
The trend is understandable. The last thing most city riders want is to have to carry a spare pair of work/casual shoes because their motorcycle boots look like SS stormtrooper boots.
Most of this new generation of commuter boots wouldn’t look out of place in a casual office, at the movies, in a restaurant or bar, or most other social occasions.
TCX’s Street Ace Air boots cost $219 which is about average for these types of shoes. They come in sizes EU 36-48 and US 3.5-13.
Tough boots
TCX’s Street Ace Air stand out from the commuter crop as a slightly tougher-skinned boot.
They are made of a thick and stiff leather that is perforated all round, except the toe and heel. Inside is a breathable lining so your feet are less likely to sweat and stink out the office.
After several weeks of use, my gear shift has hardly scuffed the left boot. Perhaps that’s because the aged or vintage “anthracite” leather disguises any rubber marks from the shifter.
The branding is also discrete so they don’t look like kids’ gym shoes.
Unlike most other commuter boots we’ve tried, these have a very stiff, non-slip rubber sole.
They actually feel a bit too stiff for a lot of walking. They may soften with age.
However, that stiffness protects your foot from rotational forces in a crash.
TCX has also added tough toe, ankle and heel impact protection that is padded on the inside so they still feel comfortable.
Laces or no laces?
These TCX boots feature a lace system which some riders claim can be dangerous because you can get them caught in the pegs or levers.
That happened to me once and I quickly learnt the lesson to tie the laces short or tuck them into the top of the boots.
Despite that incident, I actually prefer lace-up boots because you can get a good solid fit as you can vary the tightness along the length of the laces.
This works particularly well for me as my right foot is bigger than the left thanks to breaking it in an off-road jump (even though I was wearing expensive MX boots).
Elasticised boots can be more dangerous than lace-ups as they will pull off in a crash, while zip-up boots never fit as well.
Besides, these TCX boots have a high ankle so the laces would have to be tied up very loose for the loops to get caught in any levers or pegs.
I didn’t even do them up to the top eyelet and the laces still don’t droop low enough to cause any concerns.
About TCX
TCX is an Italian company that started in 1999 as Oxtar. They make a range of road and off-road race, touring and leisure boots for male and female riders.
The company has patented their TCS (Torsion Control System) that controls the movement of the riders foot in both directions to protect from ankle injury.
TCX was the first boot company to have CE Certification on all its products.
These TCX boots feature a lace system which some riders claim can be dangerous because you can get them caught in the pegs or levers.