News from Team STP Racing 2007

3 November 2007

BSN Autumn Challenge at Pembrey

Phil Bevan #13 continues his winning ways winning both Prince of Pembrey and Powerbike races at the BSN Autumn Challenge at Pembrey Circuit South Wales.

29 September 2007

Thruxton Final Round NG Roadracing Championships

The final round of the 2007 NG Roadracing Championship saw Phil Bevan #13 walk off with the overall Club Championship and a decisive 55 point lead in the Frasers of Gloucester Open and second place in the Phoenix Powerbike Championship.

Lee "the clippers" Wilson #214 finished a creditable 5th in the NG Virgin Media R6 Cup in this his first season racing.

29 August 2007

British Superbike Championship, at Cadwell Park on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 25, 26 and 27 August 2007 - report

20 August 2007

Cadwell Park August 16th 2007

• Photo Gallery

Photos taken at the MV Agusta Owners Club trackday, which Team STP Racing attended with its MV Agusta F4 312R superstock bikes.

13 August 2007

Non-Championship Meetings, at Brands Hatch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 3, 4 and 5 August 2007 - report

3 August 2007

Non-Championship Meetings, at Castle Combe on Saturday and Sunday, 28 and 29 July 2007 - report

24 July 2007

Castle Combe Superbike Grand National Invitation Race

Victor Cox to defend Castle Combe title on MV Agusta F4 312

Team STP Racing's very own 'Vicar', Victor Cox, will be at Castle Combe over the weekend of 28/29 July to mount a determined defence of his Castle Combe Superbike Grand National Invitational title.

A new Press Information section has been added to the site: look for the link just under the NEWS button on the News pages. At the moment, the full items are only available for download, but we are working to make them readable on-line as well.

21 July 2007

Mallory Park

It was with utter disbelief and shock that we heard about our friend Ollie Bridewell's tragic death following an accident at Mallory Park yesterday. Ollie was out in the free practice session when he lost control of the bike at the esses and crashed into the circuit barriers. He was taken to the circuit medical centre but succumed to his injuries.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Bridewell family and his many friends.

Everyone at Team STP Racing.

18 July 2007

British Superbike Championship, at Oulton Park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 13, 14 and 15 July 2007 - report

12 July 2007

British Superbikes - Round 8 - Oulton Park - 13/15th July

Phil Bevan wins 3 out of 4 races and now leads the Frazer's of Glouceser Open and is 2nd in the Phoenix Powerbikes. Report to follow.

12 July 2007

British Superbikes - Round 8 - Oulton Park - 13/15th July

This weekend we are off to Oulton Park for round eight of the British Superbike Championship. After a very disappointing weekend at Knockhill with our Superstock races being cancelled, we are keen to get the show back on the road.

Chris Burns and Warwick Nowland should be out on the MV bikes and Matt and Rod on the R1s. Vic has opted to miss this race in preparation for the Castle Coombe Superbike Grand National which is just two weeks away and which he won last year. Vic will be on hand at Oulton to support the other riders and make us laugh as usual.

We are hoping that our run of bad luck will change at Oulton but with free practice being on Friday the 13th who knows. Race reports will follow early next week.

If you are at Oulton this weekend we will be set up in the Superstock Paddock on the right of the main gate, next to our good friends Krystal Racing, so if you're about please pop in and say hello.

4 July 2007

NG ROADRACING - Rounds 10 and 11 - Pembrey - 7/8th JULY

This weekend we are at Pembrey, South Wales, to contest Rounds 10 and 11 with NG Roadracing.

Phil Bevan will be looking to close the gap in both the Frazers of Gloucester Open and the Phoenix Powerbike Championship: he is in second place in both championships. In the Powerbikes he is 24 points behind leader Joe Symonds and just 3 points behind Darren Neal in the Open. Phil usually goes very well at Pembrey so watch this space.

Lee "the clippers" Wilson will be out again in the NG/BSN R6 Cup, where he is placed 7th at the moment.

4 July 2007

Press Release - Burns on the pace before rain stops play

Chris Burns proved his talents at a rain sodden Knockhill in his first competitive ride on the Team STP F4 312R MV Agusta superbike

Having tested at Knockhill the previous week and gaining a lap time of 50.6 seconds, which, ironically would have given him pole for Sunday.s cancelled race, he was confident of achieving a good time in qualifying. When he achieved the 7th fastest time in free practice on Friday the team was reasonably happy. All except Chris. Using his experience he insisted on changes to the bike set-up in the hope of qualifying well up the grid for Sunday.s race.

An electrical problem saw him sit out most of the first qualifying session before he had posted a truly competitive lap and the subsequent rain put paid to any chance of moving up the grid. However he did post the fastest lap of the session by 0.4 seconds, putting the STP MV Agusta on top of the timing charts for the first time in British Superstock.

This improvement in fortunes continued in the morning warm up with Chris posting the second fastest time. Again it was all to no avail as the weather put paid to everybody.s afternoon when the race was stopped on safety grounds and was eventually cancelled.

"While the weekend will be looked upon as a disappointment for most teams," says Jon Strike, Team Principal "We will take away many positives in the knowledge that we now have a very competitive package of riders and machines within Team STP Racing. As a result of what we have seen we are looking forward to Oulton Park and, hopefully a rain-free weekend to put both MVs at the front of the grid."

For additional information contact Jon Strike (07768 847994) jon.strike@stpracing.co.uk

3 July 2007

British Superbike Championship, at Knockhill on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 29 and 30 June, 1 July 2007 - report

28 June 2007

Knockhill Scotland British Superbike - Round 7 - 29/30/June 1st July

This weekend we are off to sunny Scotland for Round 7 of the British Superbike Championship.

Unfortunately both Victor and Warwick are still off recovering from their broken wrists, so we have drafted in ex Moto GP rider Chris Burns to ride the MV Agusta for us alongside our regular R1 riders Matt Whitman and Rod Lynn.

We hope to get some points at Knockhill as Matt and Chris have raced there many times before, and Rod recently attended a trackday there and was pleased with his progress. For Rod this year is his learning year and he continues to improve race after race, so let's hope Knockhill is no exception.

Luke and Dean Jones will also be there. Dean is hoping to get a result after two DNFs last weekend at the R6 Media Cup race at Donington Moto GP. Luke however had a wildcard ride in the 125s there and finished first wildcard home in 22nd place and in front of a few regular Moto GP 125 riders. So Luke will be looking to extend his lead in the British GP 125 Championship.

So if you happen to be near Knockhill, do call in and say hello.

20 June 2007

British Superbike Championship, at Mondello Park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 15, 16 and 17 June 2007 - report - Superstock Champ results - British 125GP results

13 June 2007

Mondello Park and Brands Hatch

This weekend we are off to Mondello Park In Ireland for the 6th round of the British Superbike Championship and at Brands Hatch for NG Roadracing's rounds 8 and 9.

Unfortunately Victor and Warwick are still out with injuries and Rod's Superstock Cup and Dean's Virgin Media Cup don't have races in Ireland, so it's all down to Matt and Luke to fly the flag. Mondello is also a double header for Matt so a chance to get some more championship points. Luke Jones goes to Ireland leading the 125GP Campionship.

Back at home Lee Wilson and Phil Bevan go to Brands Hatch with Lee 7th in the BSN NG Roadracing R6 Cup and Phil Bevan 5th in the Powerbikes and 6th in the open, so let's hope we can get some more points this weekend.

6 June 2007

Fastbikes Magazine

Fastbikes Magazine asked if they could test the MV Agusta against the Yamaha R1 at Mallory Park a few weeks ago, which we were pleased for them to do. The results are in a 5-page article in their Summer edition, which hits the news stands tomorrow. Go out and grab a copy - I promise you it's worth it.

5 June 2007

Thanks

Matt Whitman would like to thank Tim from Piercy Plant Hire for kindly sponsoring his tyres at Snetterton.

24 May 2007

Moto GP star provides a silver lining for Team STP Racing

Following what can only be described as an eventful British Superstock round at Snetterton, Team STP Racing is remaining positive with the announcement that Moto-GP star Chris Burns has agreed to help the continuing development of the Team's MV Agusta F4 312R Superstock machine in the run-up to the Mondello Park round of the Championship.

Having just signed two times World Endurance Champion Warwick Nowland on a professional contract to race and develop the MV Agusta alongside Victor Cox the team suffered a setback at Snetterton. With Victor already sidelined with a severely broken wrist following a crash at the Oulton Park round, the team was devastated when Warwick crashed out in qualifying for the Snetterton race, breaking his wrist in the process. In a further upset to the weekend's racing, team mate Matt Whitman was also involved in a crash that prevented him taking out the team's Yamaha R1.

"This was a double blow to the team," says Jon Strike, team principal. "Warwick had made significant improvements in the short time he had been on the MV Agusta and we were looking forward to a positive result in the race. More importantly we had just taken delivery of a brand-new, factory prepared, F4 312R and planned to use the time between Snetterton and Mondello Park to develop this bike even further."

However, with the news that Warwick may be fit enough to ride at Mondello Park, although with a heavily strapped wrist the team is determined to push ahead with its ambitious plans. As a result Team STP Racing has announced that former WCM Moto-GP star Chris Burns is to join the team as development rider in the short term.

"The availability of Chris, who is an excellent development/test rider is a major boost to moral and our plans over the next few months," says Jon Strike. "With our ambition to step up to British Superbikes with the MV Agusta, as soon as possible, it was crucial that we continued with the important development work that Warwick has been brought in to undertake. I am confident that with Chris on board we will see the F4 312R move to the front of the grid and give the championship leaders a run for their money. We know that the performance is there with the MV and we remain excited by the prospect of what we can deliver with the package of bike and rider in what remains of the season."

"The opportunity to develop a bike with the potential of the MV Agusta as well as the history attached to the Marque is a fantastic opportunity for me," says Chris Burns. "I am looking forward to working with Team STP Racing as they are one of the most professional race teams in the Superstock Paddock and the entire team is full of enthusiasm and ambition for the coming season."

British Superbike Championship, at Snetterton on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 18, 19 and 20 May 2007 - report - Superstock Champ results - Superstock Cup results - Virgin Media Cup results - British 125GP results

Warwick Nowland on the MV Agusta

10 May 2007

Double World Champion to race MV Agusta

Two times World Endurance Champion, Warwick Nowland will be joining Team STP Racing to ride the MV Agusta F4 312 R with team mate Victor Cox in the British Superstock Championship.

Team owner Jon Strike said "I'm delighted that Warwick has chosen to work with us, he brings with him a great blend of speed and experience that will help bring the whole team on. He is also a perfect fit for our future plans."

Nowland added "I'm really fired up for this challenge, it gives me the chance to ride a fabulous bike with a young team in a seriously competitive championship. I'll be working with some up and coming riders who I can share my experience with."

The first outing for Warwick on the Team STP Racing MV Agusta F4 312 R will be at the Snetterton round on 18/19/20 May 2007.

10 May 2007

Update on Victor Cox

After Victor's unfortunate crash on Monday at Oulton, he has been waiting for an operation to realign the bones in his wrist. This should be carried out later today. All at Team STP Racing wish him a speady recovery and Vic has asked us to thank all the people who have sent him get well messages.

Vic will be with the team at Snetterton 18/19/20 to take up his new temporary appointment as tea boy!

9 May 2007

British Superbike Championship, at Oulton Park on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 5, 6 and 7 May 2007 - report - Virgin Media Cup results - Superstock Cup results - Superstock Champ results - British 125GP results

3 May 2007

British Superbike Round 4 - Oulton - 5/6/7th May

Well it's off to Oulton Park this weekend for round 4 of the British Superbike Championship and we are all looking forward to it.

Silverstone saw Vic and the MV get their first points with a good solid ride. Unfortunately the race was cut short, but at least we did get some points. Matt had a few problems and could not take part in the race, but Rod continues to improve race after race in the Superstock Cup.

Well done to Luke Jones for a great win in the British 125GP race and lets hope we can get a few more points at Oulton. As ever if you are around pop in and say hello.

3 May 2007

Sponsorship

All at Team STP Racing would like to thank Pete Bradshaw of CO-ORDIT Building Services for becoming our latest sponsor.

Pete, who races himself, has donated a 2007 Yamaha R1 for us to use this season in BSB. After so many incidents with our R1's it is a big big help for us all, so again thanks Pete - we'll look after it, promise!

30 April 2007

British Superbike Championship, at Silverstone on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 27, 28 and 29 April 2007 - report - Superstock Champ results - British 125GP results - Superstock Cup results - Virgin Media Cup results

27 April 2007

Silverstone - British Superbike Round 3

This weekend we are at Silverstone Circuit for round 3 of the British Superbike Championship. We are hoping that our run of bad luck is over now and are looking forward to a good meeting.

The weather as ever seems very changeable and could be an issue this weekend.

If you are attending over the weekend please come along and say hello. We are in the Superstock Paddock on the right hand side.

20 April 2007

Vital help at Brands Hatch

Team STP Racing would like to take this opportunity to thank Mitch from RED DOG MOTORCYCLES for lending us his MV 312R at Brands Hatch and for allowing us to borrow a part off it. Without the part we would not have been able to race.

Mitch has two outlets in the south, one at Edenbridge in Kent and another at Burgis Hill, Sussex. There is a third outlet opening on April 28th at Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. If you live near check them out. www.reddogmotorcycles.co.uk

All at Team STP racing wish Mitch all the best for his new outlet and thanks for your help.

20 April 2007

Barry Sheene sponsors Team STP Racing

Well almost! A big thankyou to Richard Adams, who auctioned a hard hat that he had signed by the late great Barry Sheene. He presented the proceeds to us to help Matt's Superstock challenge with us this year.

Also a big thanks to Bob Howison for again handing over some hard earned cash to go towards Vic's Superstock Challenge.

Please keep it coming and thanks for the support.

18 April 2007

Pembrey NG Roadracing - Rounds 2 & 3 - 21/22 April

This weekend NG Roadracing is at Pembrey in South Wales for rounds two and three.

Lee "the clippers" Wilson will be there, and after a trackday there recently is very confident. Dean Jones and Paul Johnson will be entering the 600cc races and Dean is hoping to find his form again after some disappointing results in the British Superbike Virgin Media R6 Races recently.

Phil Bevan #13 will be on hand to give encouragement and support to everyone. He will also be competing in the Powerbike, Open and Sound of Thunder races: expect to see him at the pointed end in all his races.

16 April 2007

British Superbike Championship, at Thruxton on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 13, 14 and 15 April 2007 - report - Superstock Champ results - Superstock Cup results - Virgin Media Cup results - British 125GP results

British Superbike Championship, at Brands Hatch on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 7, 8 and 9 April 2007 - report - British 125GP results - Virgin Media Cup results - Superstock Champ results - Superstock Cup results

5 April 2007

Brands Hatch British Superbike Round 1 - 09/04/2007

This weekend we are at Brands Hatch for the first British Superbike round of 2007. We are all looking forward to the season and hopefully we will get some good results.

We have a completely new set-up for the coming season and hope that it will work well. If anybody wants to come round and have a chat please feel free - the kettle is always on.

Straight after Brands Hatch we go to Thruxton so it'll be a very busy few weeks for us all. Race reports will follow as soon as we can.

2 April 2007

NG Road Racing, Round 1 at Silverstone on Sunday, 25 March 2007 - report - R6 Cup results - DTR 125 results - Mini Twins results

29 March 2007

British Superbike Championship, Official Test at Snetterton on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 23, 24 and 25 March 2007 - report

22 March 2007

A Busy Weekend Ahead

This weekend is the start of our season proper, with the first official British Superbike test at Snetterton and the first NG Roadracing round at Silverstone on Sunday.

The British Superbike test starts on Friday and runs through to Sunday. Luke Jones will be there on Friday and Saturday and will then be racing in the 125cc and 400cc races at the NG race on Sunday. His brother Dean, who is in the R6 Cup this year, does not get to test at Snetterton, having had the Croft test, but will be joining Luke at Silverstone to compete in the 600cc and Open rounds with Paul Johnson.

Sunday is Lee "the clippers" first ever race, and most of the team will be at Silverstone to give him and the other riders some moral support (and a lot of micky taking no doubt).

Our Superstock squad Vic, Rod and Matt will be at Snetterton on Saturday and then off to a test at Brands Hatch on Monday.

So all in all a busy weekend for Kev and lots of miles to travel. If you're about please pop along and say hello.

That reminds me, I must get a satnav!

Reports to follow next week.

19 March 2007

Testing the new MV Agusta bike

Victor's report on the Monza test session is now in the Forum.

NG Road Racing, Virgin Mobile R6 Cup Media launch and Test at Croft on Tuesday, 13 March 2007 - report

13 March 2007

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jon Strike (07768 847994)

DOWNLOAD: Press photographs -- contact Jon Strike.

STP RACING TAKES DELIVERY OF ITS NEW 2007 MV AGUSTA F4 312R TO RACE IN THE BSB SUPERSTOCK CHAMPIONSHIP

Hereford, March 12th 2007 -- Team STP Racing is delighted to confirm that it has now taken delivery of its new Superstock MV Agusta F4 312R which Victor Cox will race in 2007 in the BSB Superstock Championship.

The delivery of the new MV Agusta followed a test ride at Valencia in January and an extensive familiarisation and set up session at Monza last week.

Team principal Jon Strike commented 'The MV Agusta is a stunning bike with enormous potential to do well in the Superstock championship this year. Our technical partners are GI Motorsports based in Milan (Italy). They also prepared the bikes that Ayrton Badovini took to several wins in the European Championship in 2006 and they will be helping us this season.'

An excited Victor Cox added 'We haven't seen much from MV Agusta in the UK for as long as I can remember which is a shame because British riders and MV Agusta have a fantastic heritage. With this bike I think I can do well in Superstock this year and help to raise the profile of MV Agusta and STP Racing.'

The first of the 13 rounds of the 2007 season is at Brands Hatch over the Easter weekend and if any owners are interested in coming along to support the return of MV Agusta to UK racing please contact Jon Strike at the number above.

British Superbike Championship, STP Test Day at Monza, Italy on Sunday, 11 March 2007 - report

9 March 2007

Testing the new MV Agusta bike

This weekend we are at Monza with GI Motorsports testing our new 2007 MV Agusta F4 and, subject to the test, we should be bringing our new MV home with us.

Kevin and Steve Ellis have been in Milan this week preparing the bike, with the help of the GI Motorsports technicians, just to make sure how it all goes together and that it completely conforms to the British Superstock rules. Vic will be testing it, so lets hope he keeps it the right side up.

We will add a test report and pictures next week.

1 March 2007

Vic's Birthday

It was Vic's 21st birthday yesterday, and everybody at Team STP Racing wish him a belated happy birthday.

1 March 2007

Almeria Test Weekend

We have created a new section in the Forums for reports from the riders who went to Almeria last weekend. Click here to read them.

28 February 2007

NG Roadracing Test Day

This weekend is the NG Roadracing Test Day at Pembrey, South Wales.

Phil Bevan will be there helping out and giving a bit of instruction. Luke Jones will be there on his 125, but unfortunately Dean Jones probably won't be able to attend as his bike suffered a frontend crash at our Almeria test and won't be ready.

Our new boy Lee "the clippers" Wilson will also be there, attending the ACU course and taking to the track on Sunday.

The weather forecast isn't too good, but then it is Pembrey after all. See you all there.

British Superbike Championship, STP Test Weekend at Almeria, Spain on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 23, 24 and 25 February 2007 - report

25 February 2007

New Discussion Forum

We have just added a discussion forum to the web site - just click on Forums in the button bar.

You will need to register before you can post messages. When you have completed and submitted the registration form the system will send you an acknowledgement email. Please click on the link in the email to validate your account and then you will have full use of the forums.

16 February 2007

New Sponsor for 2007

We are pleased to announce KLOBER will be a new sponser for 2007.

Klober is a roofing accessory company from Leicestershire, and managing director David Arendall has agreed to sponsor the team for the 2007 season.

Thanks, David, from all at STP.

12 February 2007

News Update

With just over two months to go to the start of the British Superbike Season the tension is mounting. We still have lots to do before the first race at Brands Hatch, but at last things are coming together.

The first of our 2007 Yamaha R1 bikes is ready to roll, and is just waiting for race fairings to be fitted. Unfortunately our other new bikes have yet to be released by Yamaha, which is a pain.

We will be testing the new bike out when we go to Almeria on 23/24/25 of February, and we are looking forward to getting everything bedded in. The engine appears to be very strong, pulling well through all the rev range. The circuit at Almeria is a good place to test out the suspension, with lots of technical turns and some very fast straights.

The test in Spain also gives us all the opportunity to meet up and get to know each other: this year as well as the new riders, we have some new backroom boys to get to know.

We have a new awning being fitted to the lorry in March. This will give us much more room, and with the addition of new flooring we should be looking good for the new season.

Rod Lynn, BSB rider

25 January 2007

R1 Launch

• Photo Gallery

The Yamaha R1 launch at Hockey Racing last Friday evening was very well supported, but unfortunately no one there won the fantastic free draw prize of a new R1.

We all had a great evening chatting to Gareth's customers, and our Superstock R1 got a lot of interest.

We took the opportunity to get some pictures of our new signing Rod Lynn with Simon Woods, whose new role is Team Development Director, and Gareth Hockey, M.D. of Hockey Racing, who handed over the keys for our new R1.

20 January 2007

Rider Confirmation 2007

As promised we would like to confirm the riders so far signed up for our 2007 season

19 January 2007

Yamaha R1 Launch

Today is the official launch of the 2007 Yamaha R1 and we have one of our R1's on display at Ray Hockey Motorcycles just outside Abergavenny.

The launch starts at 6 o'clock and there's a draw for a new 07 bike at 8 o'clock. We will be there and will be confirming our lineup for the 2007 season. So if you have time pop along and say hello.

Ray Hockey Motorcycles
The Bryn Garage, Penpergwm
Abergavenny NP7 9AT
Tel: 01873 840170
Web: www.hockeyracing.com

13 January 2007

Autosport International Show

We had a good day at the Autosport International show at the NEC yesterday. Although the show is mainly biased towards four wheel racing, there are a lot of suppliers there that we use.

We took the opportunity to purchase a new, larger awning whilst at the show, as we have outgrown our existing one.

Our bike attracted a lot of attention and it looks like we have secured some sponsorship as well so all in all a very productive day.

Many thanks to the guys on the Open Mind Technologies stand for looking after us.

One of the STP Superstock Yamaha R1 bikes on show at the Autosport International Show

10 January 2007

Autosport International Show
11-14th January

We will again have one of our Superstock Yamaha R1's on show at the Autosport International Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

It is on Open Mind Technologies stand E396 in the engineering and technology section in hall 19. It will be there for the trade days on Thursday and Friday.

The team will be there with it on Friday so if your'e about, do pop along and say hello.

	The Three Stooges of Team STP left to right: Kevin Tompkin (Team manager), Stewy Rogers (Crew Chief), Jon Strike (Principal). The laying on of hands!
	Vic sets out on the MV Agusta bike

8 January 2007

MV Agusta News Report

• Photo Gallery

VALENCIA TEST

We are just back from Valencia after testing the MV Agusta F4 1000cc prepared by GIMotosports.

The weekend started with us nearly missing our flight and having to run to catch the plane -- not very professional! We arrived at Valencia midday on Saturday, quickly checked into our hotel and then went straight to the circuit to meet the GIMotosport Team. They were there testing with Pirelli, and as well as their Superstock bikes, they were testing the newly prepared MV Superbike with Ayrton Badovini aboard.

We spent the afternoon chatting with the team and getting to know a little more about the bike and its set up, ready for Vic's test on Sunday.

Two of the MV Factory technicians were there helping with the setup of the superbike, and test riding two brand new 07 machines -- one of them was unceremoniously dropped into the kitty litter by one of the GIMotorsport riders (oops).

One of the technicians was the works development test rider, and he explained the improvements that had been made to the new model, which include reworked cylinder head and revised engine mapping.

Saturday evening we met up with Nino and his wife Sue from NGRoadracing, They had made a stop off in Valencia to see Victor's test before going on to holiday with friends. It was good to see them and we all had a great evening.

On Sunday we had breakfast and headed off to the circuit, arriving there about 9 o'clock. It was a lovely blue cloudless sky but very chilly, and it was decided to wait for the sun to warm the track up a bit before Vic's first test session.

Vic had not ridden at Valencia since 2005, when he rode to 16th place in the European Superstocks aboard a Beowulf Suzuki K5. We suggested that Vic use the first session to familiarise himself with the bike and track. But we weren't too disappointed when Vic started backing the MV in on his second lap and he finished his first session just off his 2005 qualifying time and a couple of seconds off the GIMotorsport rider's times. Impressive stuff!

Vic's second session was at about 3 o'clock and by this time the track had warmed up nicely. Vic was awsked to do a couple of easy laps to bed in a new pair of pads and then come in to check everything was ok. This was done and Vic was then told by their team mechanic to give it some "gas". Vic didn't need to be told twice and before too long all the GIMotosport Team were on the pit wall watching Vic and one of their own riders dicing for position with Vic the eventual victor, but not before a few exciting backing in manoeuvres from Vic had us and the Team shaking our heads in disbelief.

Vic had managed to get his time down below his 2005 qualifying time and just a second off the GIMotorsport Team's rider -- not too bad considering that Vic had never been on the bike before and had not ridden on a track since the end of last season.

The GIMotorsport Team was very impressed with Vic's riding, as indeed we all were and we all felt that the test had been very worthwhile.

A big thanks to GiGi and all the Team at GIMotorsports for making us so welcome.

Watch this space!