Thursday, April 29, 2010
Assembling the grid
Imagine that you’re 18 and that you’ve never ridden a Harley before. That you are just about to put your leg over an XR1200. And it’s a Race Spec XR1200 from renowned specialist builder Harris. You’re on a race track – which, by the way, is the world famous Brands Hatch circuit. Nervous? Good. Now, take a deep breath, you’re up against racing legend Jeremy McWilliams.
Welcome to the world of Harley-Davidson’s XR1200 Trophy race series which will see young contenders pitted against former Grand Prix racers.
Yes – it’s good news. Since the last issue of American-V went to press, there have been two significant developments which have had me getting very excited.
First off, Harley-Davidson needed a minimum of 16 bikes to sign up for the series to actually take place. It’s now early April and the total is 24, so not only is the series going ahead, but there’ll be some strength and depth to the racing.
Secondly, over the last few weeks the teams have named their riders and the announcement that former GP racers Jeremy McWilliams and Sean Emmett are definitely riding (for Warr’s Racing and Riders of Bristol and Bridgewater respectively) will raise the profile of the series massively in the eyes of traditional race fans and ensure high expectations and, hopefully, decent audiences.
This could have made a few waves amongst the less well-known racers signed up for the series, but no. Some might have started out by doing their local Harley dealer a favour and getting a ride at five British Superbike events into the bargain, but they are now going to be racing against some seriously famous names. And they’re not intimidated: it turns out the younger riders are all-too keen to take on the older generation, to see if youth can triumph over experience.
The official BSB test date at the Brands Hatch circuit was held on 17th March and several XR1200 teams turned up to put the bikes through their paces alongside the Superbike and Supersport teams.
The series regulations and technical specifications are being finalised as I write, so the lap times and top speeds from the Brands test session shouldn’t give too much away, but with power outputs ranging from a reported 77 to 95bhp some teams’ bikes were left standing on the straight. However, once those regulations are finalised and each team has optimised their performance within them, and as long as those regulations are carefully policed at each round, the variation will be much reduced, placing a greater emphasis on the rider’s ability to get the bike round, and their team’s ability to make the bike run consistently quickly.
And, as a couple of teams have pointed out to me, the first time you ride an XR1200 in anger on a race track you’ve got plenty of things to get to grips with before you start worrying about a few horsepower here and there.
Of course, the younger riders haven’t had the opportunity to race Harleys – some of them were still at school the last time 883s were raced in the UK.
Joe Moore, at 18, is the youngest rider and comes from racing GSXRs and R6s. Rob McNealey, at 25, is a skilled SuperMoto rider determined to get his teeth into road racing and sees the XR1200 Trophy as an great way to start.
In fact all the racers I have spoken to have been enthusiastic about the bike and pleasantly surprised by the weight, its distribution, and the handling – once they’ve wrestled it off the truck, that is.
Some teams have been testing their bikes in Spain since January but now the grid has exceeded expectations, delays in getting final race kit parts from Harris have meant others are only just getting theirs out of the workshop, never mind actually riding it … and it’s just five weeks ’til the first round at Oulton Park!
Traditional wisdom would suggest that those teams that signed up first and have been meticulously testing for months have a clear advantage over dealerships that signed up just a few weeks ago and are still waiting for the last few bits and pieces to finish the bike, but this is motorcycle racing and a combination of Lady Luck and a huge range of variables means that you can chuck normal rules out of the window – and sit tight and watch to see what actually happens out on track.
To complicate matters, the tyres have been changed which is bound to have wrong-footed the first few teams to sign up as they will have set the bike up for the old Dunlop D209s. They’ve now been replaced by the D211. I did hear the expression “handles like a pregnant yak” … mentioning no names!
What this all boils down to is a real mixture of teams on the grid. A select few have direct experience with racing Buells and Harleys. Other dealers bring knowledge from other forms of motor sport, and some have no experience whatsoever.
Not only that, but team budgets and personal expectations will differ wildly too.
As I reported last issue, teams such as Warr’s Racing have been testing abroad and, having signed old ally Jeremy McWilliams, and more recently, four times Canadian Thunder Champion, Darren James, who has many years experience of racing Buells under his belt, their intention to win couldn’t be clearer.
Other dealers are taking a more laid-back approach: the boys from Jersey Harley-Davidson certainly see the series as a way to promote their dealership, but their aim, above all, is to have fun and enjoy the opportunity to go racing. They’ve teamed up with rider Bernie Price from Guernsey, who only got his hands on the bike a few days before we went to press and so missed the official BSB Brands Hatch test – but went ten days later and was pleasantly surprised with
the bike, first time out. With a lengthy ferry journey to even their nearest track they’re
likely to win the ‘most-travelled team’ award at the end of the year.
Having said that, Darren James will be racking up some serious air miles.
What this mixing pot of teams have in common is they are all linked to a UK Harley-Davidson dealer and they are all hugely enthusiastic about the whole adventure, and it’s getting close now.
So what now?
In case motorcycle racing is new to you, each team will usually get two sessions on track at each circuit before the races.
The first – usually on a Friday – is a practice session allowing the riders to familiarise themselves with the circuit, and for the teams to tweak the bike to suit the rider and the track.
The second session is “Qualifying” and the fastest time you set during this session determines a rider’s position on the race grid: this will be on Saturday at Oulton Park.
In some race series, qualifying can be very entertaining, so if you are planning a day or weekend at the races, check out the times of the qualifying sessions too.
While the last place on the grid is only a few metres behind ‘pole position’, it can make a huge difference to your chances in the race in terms of the traffic you can expect to encounter in the first few corners, and you’ll lose a lot of time trying to get past people – especially annoying if
your are quick but you didn’t do yourself justice in qualifying.
I have heard rumours of a two start race and even a reverse grid – but we will have to wait and see about that!
The points system is fairly simple: first place gets 25 points, second is 20, third is 16, fourth is 13, fifth nets you 11 and then it’s one point less all the way down to 15th place. So you can still get some good points even if you’re running at the back – and even just staying on the bike (or
getting back on after a fall) can make all the difference at the end of the series.
The prize fund for the overall series winner includes a road legal XR1200 and a decent amount of cash and tyres will be given to podium placed riders and ‘man of the meet’ at each round.
Might just cover the cost of taking part?
No, not really, but none of the teams are taking part to make money – more like the excitement of the challenge, being there, the publicity, the sheer outright fun and the potential glory.
Welcome to the world of Harley-Davidson’s XR1200 Trophy race series which will see young contenders pitted against former Grand Prix racers.
Yes – it’s good news. Since the last issue of American-V went to press, there have been two significant developments which have had me getting very excited.
First off, Harley-Davidson needed a minimum of 16 bikes to sign up for the series to actually take place. It’s now early April and the total is 24, so not only is the series going ahead, but there’ll be some strength and depth to the racing.
Secondly, over the last few weeks the teams have named their riders and the announcement that former GP racers Jeremy McWilliams and Sean Emmett are definitely riding (for Warr’s Racing and Riders of Bristol and Bridgewater respectively) will raise the profile of the series massively in the eyes of traditional race fans and ensure high expectations and, hopefully, decent audiences.
This could have made a few waves amongst the less well-known racers signed up for the series, but no. Some might have started out by doing their local Harley dealer a favour and getting a ride at five British Superbike events into the bargain, but they are now going to be racing against some seriously famous names. And they’re not intimidated: it turns out the younger riders are all-too keen to take on the older generation, to see if youth can triumph over experience.
The official BSB test date at the Brands Hatch circuit was held on 17th March and several XR1200 teams turned up to put the bikes through their paces alongside the Superbike and Supersport teams.
The series regulations and technical specifications are being finalised as I write, so the lap times and top speeds from the Brands test session shouldn’t give too much away, but with power outputs ranging from a reported 77 to 95bhp some teams’ bikes were left standing on the straight. However, once those regulations are finalised and each team has optimised their performance within them, and as long as those regulations are carefully policed at each round, the variation will be much reduced, placing a greater emphasis on the rider’s ability to get the bike round, and their team’s ability to make the bike run consistently quickly.
And, as a couple of teams have pointed out to me, the first time you ride an XR1200 in anger on a race track you’ve got plenty of things to get to grips with before you start worrying about a few horsepower here and there.
Of course, the younger riders haven’t had the opportunity to race Harleys – some of them were still at school the last time 883s were raced in the UK.
Joe Moore, at 18, is the youngest rider and comes from racing GSXRs and R6s. Rob McNealey, at 25, is a skilled SuperMoto rider determined to get his teeth into road racing and sees the XR1200 Trophy as an great way to start.
In fact all the racers I have spoken to have been enthusiastic about the bike and pleasantly surprised by the weight, its distribution, and the handling – once they’ve wrestled it off the truck, that is.
Some teams have been testing their bikes in Spain since January but now the grid has exceeded expectations, delays in getting final race kit parts from Harris have meant others are only just getting theirs out of the workshop, never mind actually riding it … and it’s just five weeks ’til the first round at Oulton Park!
Traditional wisdom would suggest that those teams that signed up first and have been meticulously testing for months have a clear advantage over dealerships that signed up just a few weeks ago and are still waiting for the last few bits and pieces to finish the bike, but this is motorcycle racing and a combination of Lady Luck and a huge range of variables means that you can chuck normal rules out of the window – and sit tight and watch to see what actually happens out on track.
To complicate matters, the tyres have been changed which is bound to have wrong-footed the first few teams to sign up as they will have set the bike up for the old Dunlop D209s. They’ve now been replaced by the D211. I did hear the expression “handles like a pregnant yak” … mentioning no names!
What this all boils down to is a real mixture of teams on the grid. A select few have direct experience with racing Buells and Harleys. Other dealers bring knowledge from other forms of motor sport, and some have no experience whatsoever.
Not only that, but team budgets and personal expectations will differ wildly too.
As I reported last issue, teams such as Warr’s Racing have been testing abroad and, having signed old ally Jeremy McWilliams, and more recently, four times Canadian Thunder Champion, Darren James, who has many years experience of racing Buells under his belt, their intention to win couldn’t be clearer.
Other dealers are taking a more laid-back approach: the boys from Jersey Harley-Davidson certainly see the series as a way to promote their dealership, but their aim, above all, is to have fun and enjoy the opportunity to go racing. They’ve teamed up with rider Bernie Price from Guernsey, who only got his hands on the bike a few days before we went to press and so missed the official BSB Brands Hatch test – but went ten days later and was pleasantly surprised with
the bike, first time out. With a lengthy ferry journey to even their nearest track they’re
likely to win the ‘most-travelled team’ award at the end of the year.
Having said that, Darren James will be racking up some serious air miles.
What this mixing pot of teams have in common is they are all linked to a UK Harley-Davidson dealer and they are all hugely enthusiastic about the whole adventure, and it’s getting close now.
So what now?
In case motorcycle racing is new to you, each team will usually get two sessions on track at each circuit before the races.
The first – usually on a Friday – is a practice session allowing the riders to familiarise themselves with the circuit, and for the teams to tweak the bike to suit the rider and the track.
The second session is “Qualifying” and the fastest time you set during this session determines a rider’s position on the race grid: this will be on Saturday at Oulton Park.
In some race series, qualifying can be very entertaining, so if you are planning a day or weekend at the races, check out the times of the qualifying sessions too.
While the last place on the grid is only a few metres behind ‘pole position’, it can make a huge difference to your chances in the race in terms of the traffic you can expect to encounter in the first few corners, and you’ll lose a lot of time trying to get past people – especially annoying if
your are quick but you didn’t do yourself justice in qualifying.
I have heard rumours of a two start race and even a reverse grid – but we will have to wait and see about that!
The points system is fairly simple: first place gets 25 points, second is 20, third is 16, fourth is 13, fifth nets you 11 and then it’s one point less all the way down to 15th place. So you can still get some good points even if you’re running at the back – and even just staying on the bike (or
getting back on after a fall) can make all the difference at the end of the series.
The prize fund for the overall series winner includes a road legal XR1200 and a decent amount of cash and tyres will be given to podium placed riders and ‘man of the meet’ at each round.
Might just cover the cost of taking part?
No, not really, but none of the teams are taking part to make money – more like the excitement of the challenge, being there, the publicity, the sheer outright fun and the potential glory.
Round 1: 1-3 May 2010. Oulton Park, Cheshire
In a picturesque setting in deepest Cheshire, the Oulton Park circuit is many racers’ favourite. There are great viewing points all round the track and the gradients and bends the riders meet pretty much straight off the start line make for exciting first laps.You can get there from the A54 or A49 (just off the M6) and there is camping at the site if you plan to make a weekend of it (but book ahead: its a very popular event). See their web site for tickets or to book camping.
Hint: If you’ve nerves of steel, spectate from Lodge corner, the final bend before the start-finish straight, for some wild passing manoeuvres.
XR1200 Teams: West Coast Harley-Davidson
Dealer: West Coast Harley-DavidsonLocation: Glasgow
Rider: Gordon Grigor
Racing is a new adventure for West Coast but the canny Scots have teamed up with fi ve times Scottish National Champion Gordon, who’s had a whale of a time testing the bike in Portimão, Portugal – he is having a ball and can’t wait for the racing to begin!
XR1200 Teams: St Leger Harley-Davidson
Dealer: St Leger Harley-Davidson
Location: Doncaster
Rider: Joe Moore
The youngest rider – with good backing from his family-based team and a hugely enthusiastic dealership – we wish them all the best.
Location: Doncaster
Rider: Joe Moore
The youngest rider – with good backing from his family-based team and a hugely enthusiastic dealership – we wish them all the best.
XR1200 Teams: Stratstone Group
Dealer: StratstoneLocation: Midlands and London
Riders: Alex Gault, Lea Gourlay, Dave Wood
The biggest team of the lot with a serious investment in three bikes and three strong riders – one for each of the Stratstone dealerships – it’ll be interesting to see if inter-team rivalry will come out during the season.
XR1200 Teams: Shaws Harley-Davidson
Dealer: Shaw Harley-Davidson Location: Lewes
Riders: Rob McNealey and Roland Sands
Shaws are out to win this – they’ve been taking testing very seriously and they are bringing Roland Sands of Biker Build-Off fame in for selected rounds on the second of their bright green bikes.
XR1200 Teams: Riders Group
Dealer: Riders of Bristol & Bridgewater
Location: South West
Riders: Sean Emmet and Mike Edwards
With a combination of Sean’s time on the XR1200 last year and “Spike” – well he’s just got experience of everything! A team to look out for – they will liven things up on and off the track.
Location: South West
Riders: Sean Emmet and Mike Edwards
With a combination of Sean’s time on the XR1200 last year and “Spike” – well he’s just got experience of everything! A team to look out for – they will liven things up on and off the track.
XR1200 Teams: Preston Harley-Davidson
Dealer: Team GFI - Preston Harley-Davidson
Location: Lancashire
Rider: Rhys Boyd
Rhys replaced Craig Foley just before the Oulton Park race as the rider for this team - real last-minute stuff!
Location: Lancashire
Rider: Rhys Boyd
Rhys replaced Craig Foley just before the Oulton Park race as the rider for this team - real last-minute stuff!
XR1200 Teams: Manchester Harley-Davidson
Dealer: Manchester Harley-Davidson
Location: Stockport
Rider: John Robb
A little bit of bias might creep in here as this is my local team, so they’re bound to do well: we’ll be there to cheer them on at Oulton Park.
Location: Stockport
Rider: John Robb
A little bit of bias might creep in here as this is my local team, so they’re bound to do well: we’ll be there to cheer them on at Oulton Park.
XR1200 Teams: Lind Group
Dealer: Lind Group
Location: Guildford and Norwich
Rider: Julian Tillotson
The team finalised Julian as their rider just before Oulton Park and more testing is underway for Mallory. If we can persuade Harley to give a prize for the best looking bike on the grid, these guys may well win it.
XR1200 Teams: Leeds Harley-Davidson
Dealer: Leeds Harley-Davidson
Location: Leeds
Rider: Dijon Compton
The bike’s ready, the rider’s ready – but events have meant that testing is only just getting underway. Dijon and his crew and the experience they’ll bring to the party should get the glamorous sounding maroon-and-white bike into point-scoring positions.
Location: Leeds
Rider: Dijon Compton
The bike’s ready, the rider’s ready – but events have meant that testing is only just getting underway. Dijon and his crew and the experience they’ll bring to the party should get the glamorous sounding maroon-and-white bike into point-scoring positions.
XR1200 Teams:Jersey Harley-Davidson
Dealer: Jersey Harley-Davidson
Location: Channel Islands
Rider: Bernie Price
Bernie was inspired to take up racing at the grand age of 37 whilst spectating at the Manx GP whilst dealer Owen has been riding a tuk-tuk around India – but he’ll be back to support Bernie at Oulton Park.
Location: Channel Islands
Rider: Bernie Price
Bernie was inspired to take up racing at the grand age of 37 whilst spectating at the Manx GP whilst dealer Owen has been riding a tuk-tuk around India – but he’ll be back to support Bernie at Oulton Park.
XR1200 Teams: Robinson's Foundry
Dealer: Robinsons Foundry
Location: Canterbury
Rider: James Webb
Former 883 Champion and Robinson’s Foundry staffer, Robin Kendall has stood down and let James Webb take his place on the bike –James may be young but racing is in his blood and his pedigree, combined with Foundry Racing H/D team’s experience make this another one to watch.
Location: Canterbury
Rider: James Webb
Former 883 Champion and Robinson’s Foundry staffer, Robin Kendall has stood down and let James Webb take his place on the bike –James may be young but racing is in his blood and his pedigree, combined with Foundry Racing H/D team’s experience make this another one to watch.
XR1200 Teams: Edinburgh Harley-Davidson
Dealer: Edinburgh Harley-Davidson
Location: North of Watford
Rider: Torquil Paterson
Two times Scottish Superstock Champion and runner-up three times, Torquil knows how to get a big bike round tight and twisty tracks. Another very recent team, the bike arrived only a matter of days before the last issue went to press, with testing in anger at Knockhill since.
Location: North of Watford
Rider: Torquil Paterson
Two times Scottish Superstock Champion and runner-up three times, Torquil knows how to get a big bike round tight and twisty tracks. Another very recent team, the bike arrived only a matter of days before the last issue went to press, with testing in anger at Knockhill since.
XR1200 Teams: Blade Group
Dealer: Blade GroupLocation: Oxford and Cheltenham
Riders: Darren Neal plus one TBC
Blade recently decided to run a two bike team so the pressure is on to get the second XR1200 up and running – an experienced team and one to watch.
XR1200 Teams: Black Bear Harley-Davidson
Dealer: Black Bear Harley-Davidson
Location: Newmarket
Rider: Warren Scott
One of the first teams to sign up, these guys have been waiting a long time and are champing at the bit to start racing. Warren and the team will bring a heady mix of experience and enthusiasm to the proceedings. Black Bear are confident!
Location: Newmarket
Rider: Warren Scott
One of the first teams to sign up, these guys have been waiting a long time and are champing at the bit to start racing. Warren and the team will bring a heady mix of experience and enthusiasm to the proceedings. Black Bear are confident!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Jeremy McWilliams signs for Warr's
"Warr’s Harley-Davidson, established on London’s Kings Road in 1924, is excited to announce the signing of former MotoGP star Jeremy McWilliams to its racing team. McWilliams will ride a Warr’s Harley-Davidson XR1200 race bike in the inaugural Harley-Davidson XR1200 Trophy race series at the 2010 British Superbike Championship.
Warr’s Harley-Davidson already has a successful pedigree in two-wheel motorsport. The dealership won the British Harley-Davidson XL883 Race Series two years running, and has extensive experience racing Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycles across Europe and the USA.
Jeremy’s signing to the Warr’s Harley-Davidson race team symbolises the dealership’s commitment to continuing its on-track successes and winning the 2010 XR1200 Trophy. McWilliams has a long career in motorcycle racing that spans more than two decades. The British rider’s most recent campaigns include dicing with multiple World Champion Valentino Rossi – in front of thousands of race fans – in the MotoGP Championship.
Warr’s has already worked closely with Jeremy at the Daytona 200, and in the US AMA Formula Xtreme series. The dealership is entering a two-bike team into the XR1200 Trophy race series. A second rider will be announced soon.
“We are delighted to have Jeremy back on board with us for our campaign in the XR1200 Trophy,” says Warr’s Harley-Davidson owner John Warr. “Racing Harleys is in our blood here at Warr’s so let there be no doubt about our ambitions for the most successful season.”
The XR1200 Trophy, which is officially supported by Harley-Davidson UK and Ireland, is designed to attract a varied mix of Clubman, Superbike and Superstock contenders as well as younger stars looking to develop their racing skills. The series kicks off at Oulton Park in Cheshire on 1-3 May. Subsequent events will be staged at Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park, Knockhill and Mallory Park, and all races will be shown on British Eurosport.
For more information, or to take a closer look at the Harley-Davidson XR1200®, please visit Warr’s Harley-Davidson, 611 Kings Road, London SW6 2EL, call 020 7736 2934 or visit their award-winning website, www.warrs.com
Warr’s Harley-Davidson already has a successful pedigree in two-wheel motorsport. The dealership won the British Harley-Davidson XL883 Race Series two years running, and has extensive experience racing Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycles across Europe and the USA.
Jeremy’s signing to the Warr’s Harley-Davidson race team symbolises the dealership’s commitment to continuing its on-track successes and winning the 2010 XR1200 Trophy. McWilliams has a long career in motorcycle racing that spans more than two decades. The British rider’s most recent campaigns include dicing with multiple World Champion Valentino Rossi – in front of thousands of race fans – in the MotoGP Championship.
Warr’s has already worked closely with Jeremy at the Daytona 200, and in the US AMA Formula Xtreme series. The dealership is entering a two-bike team into the XR1200 Trophy race series. A second rider will be announced soon.
“We are delighted to have Jeremy back on board with us for our campaign in the XR1200 Trophy,” says Warr’s Harley-Davidson owner John Warr. “Racing Harleys is in our blood here at Warr’s so let there be no doubt about our ambitions for the most successful season.”
The XR1200 Trophy, which is officially supported by Harley-Davidson UK and Ireland, is designed to attract a varied mix of Clubman, Superbike and Superstock contenders as well as younger stars looking to develop their racing skills. The series kicks off at Oulton Park in Cheshire on 1-3 May. Subsequent events will be staged at Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park, Knockhill and Mallory Park, and all races will be shown on British Eurosport.
For more information, or to take a closer look at the Harley-Davidson XR1200®, please visit Warr’s Harley-Davidson, 611 Kings Road, London SW6 2EL, call 020 7736 2934 or visit their award-winning website, www.warrs.com
Thursday, February 25, 2010
XR1200 Trophy Race Teams: start your PR engines
If you're not running your own blog, feel free to post your current status and team news here as a comment in response to this. Yes, it would have been nice to allow you to create your own posts but not practical, but if anyone wants help in getting a blog off the ground - and it is pretty painless - give us a shout and we'll help where we can.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Win a day at the races, courtesy of Warr's Harley-Davidson
XR1200 Race Series favourites, the legendary Warr’s H-D, of London are generously offering two readers a fantastic day out this summer.
They’ve given us two VIP guest hospitality passes for one lucky winner to the Mallory Park British Superbike round on 25-27th June!
These are no ordinary race day tickets: the winners will be official guests of the Warr’s team, and their day will include VIP parking, prime seating and paddock passes, with chance to chat to the racers and teams, and to check out the bikes close up.
You’ll get to meet the Warr’s team and they’re throwing-in lunch and refreshments, souvenir team shirts and even the chance for some parade laps on track. And, of course, you’ll get to see the second XR1200 race ever held in the UK!
To enter, all you need to do is answer this simple question ...
Name the Moto GP star who rode the Warr’s XBRR Buell in the 2006 Daytona 200?
Answers on a postcard to:
Warr’s Competition, American-V, PO Box 336, Crewe CW2 7WY
or by email
Closing date 26th March 2010
www.warrs.com
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