A new look

Take a look at what's arrived! A bit of a change this year :) Thanks to my Uncle, Martin for getting this sorted! 

A Feature in BSN

Very Proud to read this in BSN. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this position! 

The issue or any future issues of the magazine can be purchased from the following link: 
http://www.bikesportnews.com/buy-bsn.cfm

Racing Action from Brands Hatch

See the following video or check out the Media page above for my latest race weekend at Brands Hatch! The sun was shinning and many happy faces going around the paddock.

http://www.thebikeinsurer.co.uk/video/thundersport-elite-round-1-brands-hatch/#.UyyaWiMbsd4.facebook

Throughout the videos check out David Allingham breaking lap records and his spectacular crash, Lewis Osler working hard to get back to full fitness and up to speed after a terrifying crash last season, Brad Jones adapting well to the Sportsman Elite grid, Alex Heaton getting back into racing again with podiums and to be standing on the podium with Danny Murphy was brilliant. It was great to be back on the grid with all of my other friends who I have not mentioned in this post.

Brands Hatch RD1, Race Report

Hi and welcome to my first race report of the 2014 season. The winter has flown by for me but I have been very excited to get the racing underway. Prior to our first race weekend this year we attended a series of tests to set ourselves up, to be in good shape and as prepared as possible for what lays ahead. Like last season I will be contesting the Van Insurer Sportsman Elite 600 championship which consists of two categories, Formula 600 and Superstock 600. My Yamaha R6 falls under the Superstock 600 regulations meaning a slight disadvantage to the formula machines where engine tuning is permitted. The first round of this season was held at the prestigious Brands Hatch where its undulating nature and intensity are the biggest factors of the race circuit, where outright power is not essential. This is how it went for me in the beautiful sunshine we had all weekend.

Friday testing was a very productive day having learnt a number of different set ups and configurations I was happy that I could get the best out of me and the Yamaha R6. Over the course of the winter we had developed a number of parts on the bike to aid performance throughout the season and they seemed to be working, having qualified fourth on the grid overall and third Superstock 600. I was very proud of this and it was the best grid position I have ever had within this championship. I felt my riding had improved since the previous season.

The first race of the weekend on the Saturday saw me take a good start off the line and I settled in sixth position. After a couple of laps I felt I had got in to my rhythm and comfortable to press on. By half distance the race leader and I had dropped two tenths of a second bellow lap record pace, matching each other’s times and I had moved in to fourth place. Unfortunately the leader David Allingham had made a break due to his blisteringly fast first lap the rest of us were not quite able to close the gap, and crossed the line in fourth position overall and third in class. A fantastic result made even better with the lap times that I had achieved. Unfortunately I was not able to hang on the lap record to Allingham beating it by another one tenth of a second on the final lap, but that didn't dampen my spirit as I elevated to second on the grid for Sundays races, my first front row within the Sportsman Elite championship. 

 

Having been out on circuit with all of my friends who ride larger capacity 1000cc machines during testing on Friday I had really enjoyed myself and I felt comfortable on the bike. I therefore entered the Bike Insurer GP1 championship to gain extra track time and enjoy myself in front of my friends who visited to watch me. I knew my 600cc bike would not be at too much disadvantage round the Brands Hatch Indy circuit due to the lack of straights. Having qualified in tenth position on the grid I was able to progress in race one to eight place and third in the GP1 class, which was a fantastic result.

Race two on Sunday in the Sportsman Elite I was able to improve on my race one result finishing in a strong third place overall and second in class to Allingham. The race for second placed Superstock rider was hard fought between myself and Adam Shelton trading places a number of times throughout the race, before I was able to get the better of him on the penultimate lap of the race.

During race three I gained a great start sitting in third place through the first corner behind Allingham and Dan Frear. Allingham was unfortunate to crash out on the opening lap of the race promoting me up to second overall and first Superstock rider. Frear was able to make a made a slight break off the start and I was just not able to close in on him, although it was fun trying to reign him in throughout the race. I am very proud with the outcome of this race. Achieving a class win this early on in the season on TV day was great and to be mixing with the formula bikes is a real positive to take into the next round at Donington.

Throughout the two GP1 races on Sunday I was able to cross the line with two twelfth places with some more great racing. I really enjoyed myself in these races securing a 4^th and further podium with 3rd in GP1 class, and I hope I can continue to participate in a few more of the GP1 races throughout the season.

In all the weekend was a huge success and exceeded my hopes from the weekend massively. I would like to say a big thank you to the marshals who were positioned at Druids Hairpin for voting me rider of the day on the Saturday. I now need to bring myself back down to earth and start working hard for the next round at Donington. 

As all ways I would like to say a massive thank you to all of my sponsors who work hard to support me and help me race. Special mention to Tony and Nigel at DNA Technical Services who have kindly agreed to support me in 2014 and Mark Nutt who was instrumental in this. It is greatly appreciated. I would also like to say thank you to all of my friends and family who joined us over the course of the weekend, and I hope we showed you just how far we have come over the years!

Dave and Bernadette Stewart of Thundersport GB,

Ian and Myra Newton of INCompetition,

AF Switchgear,

Power System Partners,

DNA Technical Services,

Electro Pro Solutions,

Rod Harwin,

Seton Tuning,

Arc-on leathers,

Nitro race helmets,

Daytona Paint designs,

KS Performance

SPRING11,

Mum and Dad,

Ami-Louise Coleman,

Chris and Laura Moore,

Jamie Wilkins

Photographers: Brad Cox, Martin Cox, Laurence Smith & the Bike Insurer,

Medics and Marshals,

And all of my supporters who follow me and my racing dream.

Race season looming...

Another great day of testing at Snetterton on Sunday. 

We're all very excited for Round 1 this coming weekend at Brand Hatch. 

Keep tuned to find out the results! We hope to see you there. 

Check out the Thundersport GB link - http://www.thundersportgb.com/

What a view at 7.00am at Snetterton!!

The wait is over...

Testing for the 2014 season got underway over the course of last weekend at Brands Hatch and Donington Park. I thoroughly enjoyed my time back in the seat of my Yamaha R6 and I now cannot wait to put more laps in and continue to have fun.

Photo taken by Dave Jackson from The Bike Insurer at Donington Park

News Flash

Hi all,

Just a quick news flash of what Is new for the 2014 season. One of my recent road trips I made was to Staffordshire for a meeting with a long term loyal sponsor Power System Partners. Having had a fantastic meeting with the Director Mark, he has confirmed his support again for the coming season. I hope I can continue to do them proud. Thank you once again!

I would also like to say a massive thank you to AF Switchgear, who alongside Power System Partners are another loyal sponsor to me having been involved with motorcycle racing since my first ever season have confirmed to their continued support throughout this season.

DNA Technical Services LTD is a new addition to the racing family who have kindly got on board to help support a dream. I really do hope they enjoy the journey of a racing season and I look forward to keeping them update with the steps I take throughout the year.

I really hope I can do them all proud and thank you once again!