Blog / Race Reports

Wulfsport British Masters MX Championship

May 27, 2010 – 12:53 pm

Round 4 – Foxhill’s – 5th & 6th June

www.britishmastersmx.com

 

 

The fourth round of the Wulfsport British Masters Championship will be staged at the ultra fast Foxhill’s track on the 5th and 6th June. Round three at Whitby produced some impressive results by young Irishman Martin Barr on the PAR Homes Honda who dominated the proceedings throughout the day winning three of the four races, taking the overall win in the MX1 and MX2 classes. He will be back in force at Foxhill’s, hoping to repeat the same results and add to his points scores in the overall Championship standings.  

 

He will be joined in battle at Foxhill’s by his team-mates, Ray Rowson and Scott Elderfield. Elderfield will as always be on a mission to get some strong results and he will be ensuring that the crowd will be treated to some close racing. Elderfield currently stands in second place in the Pro MX1 Class and he is currently leading the Pro MX2 class so it is all to play for.

 

At the top of the Championship table in the MX1 class is another Irishman Gordon Crockard, who has had some spectacular results during the 2010 season after missing most of 2009 after a hideous crash at Hawkstone Park at the start of the season. Crockard will be working hard to ensure that he puts his Paul Bird Kawasaki on the podium and further extend his lead in the series.

 

Other top riders expecting to ride at Foxhill’s on the 5th and 6th of June include James Noble, Kristian Whatley, Matt Mophett, Lee Dunham, Ben LaMay, Neville Bradshaw, Jamie Lewis, Nathan Parker, Jamie Law, John May, Wayne Smith, Luke Mellows and many more high level riders.

 

Adult entry tickets on the gate is only £10, kids under 14 are free.

 

Not only will the Pro’s be out in force but the two days will be packed with all action packed racing, rough timetables are below for the Saturday and Sunday.

 

Qualifying will start at 8:30am on both days and will be followed by two days of action packed racing. This will include the MXY2, SW/BW 85’s, Open Michelin, Kawasaki Masters, Amateur MX1 and MX2 and the two main Pro MX1 and MX2 races.

 

 

PRO MX1 Championship Standings

 

1

7

Gordon Crockard

268

2

60

Scott Elderfield

258

3

30

Ben Lamay

177

4

50

Martin Barr

173

5

11

Jamie Lewis

169

6

16

James Noble

168

7

33

Wayne Garrett

157

8

42

Nathan Parker

154

9

94

Kevin Wells

139

10

35

John May

129

 

PRO MX2 Championship Standings

 

1

60

Scott Elderfield

274

2

26

James Dodd

194

3

50

Martin Barr

192

4

36

Matthew Moffat

189

5

1

Brad Anderson

182

6

44

Luke Mellows

175

7

28

Lee Dunham

172

8

57

Richard Bird

167

9

220

Wayne Smith

142

10

10

Carl Benjamin

137

 

By Carly | Posted in Press Releases | Comments (0)

Blog / Race Reports

Fighting Back Fundraiser

May 5, 2010 – 5:15 pm

20th November 2010

Nottingham belfry

 

 

I am delighted to announce that I will be running my first, of what I hope will be many, Charity Dinners.

 

I have chosen two Charities that have touched my heart and I’m sure many others over the years.  The first being Cancer Research and the second being Help for Heroes – two very worthy causes and both Charities have given me their full backing.

 

I will also be putting cash prizes back into the sport I love and believe in and will be rewarding the best Under-21 Rider from Trials, Moto-X and Road Racing – this will be done by a public vote and also from riders and team managers. 

 

The dinner is at the Q Hotel – The Nottingham Belfry (NOT Birmingham!), on the 20th November 2010.  http://www.qhotels.co.uk/hotels/the-nottingham-belfry.aspx . Ticket prices are a minimum of £65 per person, if you choose to donate more than £65 then the extra monies will go towards the two Charities.

 

I am actively looking for sponsors for the event, along with auction and tombola prizes for the evening.  If you are able to help with this, and want further details, please contact me on carlyrathmell@yahoo.co.uk.

 

The Nottingham Belfry have kindly offered bookers a special room rate of £70 per room per night for a single and £80 per room per night for a twin/double – these prices include breakfast.  Bookings should be made direct with the hotel, (0115 9739393) and you can get this special rate by quoting FBF or Fighting Back Fundraiser.

 

They have also arranged a special rate with the Premiere Inn (Phoenix Centre – NG8 6AS) only 5 mins away of £60 per room per night. This special price will be held until the 30th September 2010 and the code to quote BELL 123, for this rate call 08701 977200 and press option 1.

 

To book into the dinner please contact me on carlyrathmell@yahoo.co.uk or carly.rathmell@btinternet.com for a booking form and return the form and cheque to the address stated.  It is also possible to donate or pay directly into the bank account please message me for details.

 

 

If you are paying for tickets directly into the bank account please state this on the booking form.

 

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Many thanks

 

Carly

 

Carly Rathmell       

E-mail – carlyrathmell@yahoo.co.uk

 

 
By Carly | Posted in Press Releases | Comments (0)

Blog / Race Reports

Stunning Top Ten Finish For Battered O’Halloran

April 19, 2010 – 2:01 pm

jasonohalloran.co.uk

 

Oxford TAG Triumph rider Jason O’Halloran secured a fantastic tenth place finish in the second round of the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport race at Thruxton Circuit today, 18th April. O’Halloran, who was involved in a massive crash during first qualifying on Saturday morning, causing the session to be red flagged as his Triumph skipped the fence and Jason was thrown heavily into the Armco barrier and he battled through the pain to gain a great 10th place. The crash destroyed Jason’s bike and therefore it had to be totally re-built from scratch, a lengthy process for the team and with only two hours to do it in before the second qualifying session.

 

Jason was taken to the medical centre and was checked over for any serious injuries and was declared fit to ride for the second qualifying session. The Oxford TAG team were working exceptionally hard to get the Triumph fixed for the second session, but after the extensive damage caused in the crash they were unable to get out on the track for more than a couple of laps for qualifying two, forcing the young Australian the qualify in 17th place on the grid.

 

A flying start saw O’Halloran in 12th position after the opening lap and he was locked in a battled for the 18 laps with Dan Kneen and Lee Johnston. Johnston and O’Halloran began to bridge a small gap but swapped positions for the last eight laps of the race with the Irishman, the pain took advantage in the closing stages and Jason eventually crossed the line in 10th position gaining some solid points in his Championship campaign.

 

O’Halloran commented “It’s been a really tough weekend and considering the crash that I had yesterday I’m just pleased to come away with no broken bones and some Championship points in the bag. The new one bike rule made things a little more difficult as it didn’t give the team much time to try and fix the one that I managed to destroy! I’m very sore and was certainly feeling worse for wear this morning when I got up but I knew I had to just get out there and do what I could. I got a great start which helped and I just had to roll with it, the injuries from the crash made the closing stages of the race hard work as I was just having to move with the bike and couldn’t really change the direction as fast as I would have liked. I would like to thank all the Oxford TAG Triumph team for working so hard and getting me back out on the grid and the Championship points I secured could make all the difference at the end of the season.”

 

Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport 600cc race (18 laps)

James Westmoreland (Yamaha)
Graeme Gowland (Honda)
Tom Grant (Yamaha)
Billy McConnell (Yamaha)
Jack Kennedy (Yamaha)
Ian Hutchinson (Honda)
Ben Wilson (Kawasaki)
Chris Martin (Kawasaki)
Lee Johnston (Kawasaki)
Jason O’Halloran (Oxford TAG Triumph)

 

2010 Calendar

 

Round 3

Oulton Park

1st - 2nd - 3rd May

 Round 4

Cadwell Park

21st - 22nd - 23rd May

Round 5

Mallory Park

25th - 26th - 27th June

Round 6

Knockhill

2nd - 3rd - 4th July

Round 7

Snetterton

16th - 17th - 18th July

Round 8

Brands Hatch GP

6th - 7th - 8th August

Round 9

Cadwell Park

28th - 29th - 30th August

Round 10

Croft

10th - 11th - 12th September

Round 11

Silverstone

24th - 25th - 26th September

Round 12

Oulton Park

8th - 9th - 10th October

 

By Carly | Posted in Press Releases | Comments (0)

Blog / Race Reports

Fox Clothing

January 25, 2010 – 6:32 pm

Hi All

I’ve got a special discount code for all people wishing to buy any Fox Items.

Shop at www.foxeurope.com and select all items you require in your shopping basket.

Once it lists all your items and the total value please enter the promotional code 55555 in the box provided under the item list, highlighted in red. Pres…s UPDATE LIST and this will apply the discount.

Happy Shopping!!

By Carly | Posted in Press Releases | Comments (0)

Blog / Race Reports

MAP Centurion Triumph

January 20, 2010 – 6:02 pm

 

TRIUMPH BACKS NEW MAP RACING TEAM FOR 2010
 
 
Tech 2 Racing’s David Fairbrother and Centurion Racing’s Paul Rees have joined forces to establish an exciting new race team with full Triumph Factory Support. MAP TRIUMPH RACING will enter the British Supersport and National 600 Superstock Championships in 2010.  The new, four-rider team will compete on Triumph Daytona 675’s in these two prestigious BSB support classes.
 
David Fairbrother has a long established racing pedigree; in 2002 he ran the young Cal Crutchlow, Tom Sykes, and the late David Jefferies with his own team Tech 2, before co-managing NW200 Ducati in 2008.
 
Former Royal Marine Commando Paul Rees established Centurion Racing in 2006, and the team quickly won two consecutive Supersport Cup Championships, and achieved fifth in the overall Supersport Championship with Dan Cooper in 2009.
 
The team are delighted to gain the support from MAP Group Ltd, MAP is one of the leading independent providers of professional technology services to the UK communications sector, including network operators, service providers, equipment vendors, utility providers, government and public bodies and private enterprises. They have been involved in racing since mid-way through 2007 when they joined forces with AJ Venter, whilst he was riding an R1 then have backed him ever since including his year on the Triumph in 2008. 
 
Integral to the new team is engine builder and Chief Engineer, John Trigger. John has taken the Triumph to new levels of Supersport success for two consecutive years, winning the British Supersport Championship with Glen Richards in 2008, and achieving third with James Westmoreland in 2009.  Joining his team of technicians are Jason Jones (Supersport Crew Chief) and Steven Bradley (Superstock Crew Chief).
 
The team is delighted to announce its rider line-up for 2010:
 
Dan Cooper and AJ Venter will contest the British Supersport Championship. 22 year-old Dan Cooper from Stroud finished the 2009 Supersport season in fifth place, having achieved first, second and third place podiums during the season.  AJ Venter, the team’s 21-year old South African rider, finished fourth in the National 600 Superstock Championship in 2008, and 14th in the 2009 Supersport Championship in his rookie year.
 
The team will also compete in the Superstock 600 National Championship.  The Junior Superstock team will be 20-year old riders Jimmy Hill and Josh Caygill.  Jimmy, from Lingfield, finished in the 2008 National 600 Superstock Championship in sixth place, and showed real potential in 2009.  The youngest member of the team, Josh Caygill, who rode in the Triumph Triple Challenge in 2007 and the National 600 Superstock Championship for the last two years, complete the team line up.
 
The MAP Triumph Team is pleased to announce that they have gained the backing of British based oil company Fuchs-Silkolene. Fuchs-Silkolene has one of the most comprehensive ranges of high performance motorcycle and motorsport lubricants, developed on the race track to ensure ultimate performance and protection.
 
Speaking of the new team, Dave Fairbrother said: “Today’s announcement is the culmination of 12 months hard work and I am very pleased with every aspect of the team. I’m delighted to have the involvement of Mike Carlin and the MAP Group and thank him for all their support in this new Triumph project. John Trigger is in my opinion the best Triumph engine builder in the country, so combine these factors with quality riders and top quality sponsors and I have every faith this project will continue the Triumph success story….”
 
Paul Rees said:  “I’m delighted to be working shoulder-to-shoulder with Dave in establishing this new team.   I’m sure that together as a team we can bring the same success to MAP Triumph Racing that we achieved with our former teams and prove to be a formidable force in both classes.  We are extremely grateful to Triumph and to our sponsors for demonstrating their confidence in us, and look forward to an exciting 2010 season.”
 
Hinckley-based Triumph, one of the longest established motorcycle manufacturers in the industry, said of the new Triumph team:  “MAP Triumph Racing brings together a wealth of experience and talent and we’re delighted to be part of the project.  The Daytona 675 is already well proven on the track and we’re confident the new team will continue this success.  Roll on next season!”
 
 
For further information:
Dave Fairbrother: +44(0) 7920 189189 · email: dave@mct-racing.co.uk
Paul Rees +44 (0)7785 248934 · email: paul@mct-racing.co.uk
Carly Rathmell (PR/Media): carlyrathmell@yahoo.co.uk
 
ENDS. 

By Carly | Posted in Press Releases | Comments (0)

Blog / Race Reports

Help For Heroes Auction

November 3, 2009 – 1:41 pm

CENTURION RACING LAUNCHES REMEMBRANCE DAY AUCTION FOR ‘HELP FOR HEROES’ (11/11/2009)

Centurion Racing is delighted to announce the forthcoming auction of two unique Arai Chaser Helmets, which have been precision-painted to showcase the stunning Help for Heroes Medal logo, and signed by some of the world’s top motorbike racers.

The helmets will go to auction on Ebay at 1100 hrs on 11 November, with the start of the auction timed to commemorate Remembrance Day.  All proceeds will go to the Help for Heroes charity, which raises money to support members of the Armed Forces who have been wounded in the service of their country.

These helmets, donated by ‘Why-Arai’, are a ‘one-off’ design by specialist race artist Rich-Art Concepts commissioned by Centurion Racing.  The helmets will be auctioned on Ebay, and bidders will have just 10 days to secure two very collectable pieces of bike racing memorabilia. 

Both helmets are signed by riders from MotoGP, World Superbikes, British Superbikes and British Supersport , including:-

Bradley Smith
Leon Camier
James Ellison
Steve Brogan
Michael Rutter
Tommy Hill
Leon Haslam
Cal Crutchlow
Gino Rea
Stuart Easton
Simon Andrews
Ian Hutchinson and many more.

A number of other items have also been donated to Centurion Racing for auction including a miniature wooden motorbike signed by James Toseland and a miniature wooden motorbike in the Centurion Racing colours donated by Footprint Copy & Design Ltd, two sets of superb Arlen Ness leathers donated by Pink Express/Harpers, and a unique photo montage of the Apache Longbow helicopter donated by the pilots of the Apache Flying School at Middle Wallop.

Paul Rees of Centurion Racing said:  “Remembrance Day seemed like a very fitting day to auction these items for Help for Heroes.  I hope that race fans and supporters of our armed services will dig deep and help us to raise as much money as possible for the Charity through the auction. I’d like to thank everyone who donated these items, or gave their time or skills for this wonderful cause. As a team we will be doing more for the Charity next year.”

For further information about the auction, please visit the Centurion Racing website (www.centurionracing.net).  To find the helmets on Ebay 11 November, search ‘Autographed Arai Helmet for Help for Heroes’ under the category Sports Memorabilia.

For further information contact:
Paul Rees, Centurion Racing, Tel:  07785 248934

By Carly | Posted in Race Reports | Comments (0)

Blog / Race Reports

Fundraising Night - 21st August 2009

August 14, 2009 – 1:26 pm

Fundraising Night for Nick Crowe and Mark Cox

21st August, The Yorkshire Suite, Northallerton, DL7 8PP

 

 

The Auction night on the 21st August at Northallerton is all set to become fantastic evening with some very special auction items, including items signed by the great Agostini and Rossi! The night which has been planned is to raise money for Nick Crowe and Mark Cox who were injured in this years second TT Sidecar race will take place at The Yorkshire Suite, behind the Golden Lion Hotel in Northallerton, DL7 8PP.

 

Confirmed riders attending on the night include TT legend John McGuinness who is also expected to bring some goodies for the auction. He will be joined by TT star Ian Hutchinson, 2008 British Superstock Champion Steve Brogan and Brands British Supersport winner, James Westmoreland. Also hoping to attend are 2009 Senior TT winner Steve Plater and funny man Guy Martin. The hosts on the night will be Eurosport commentator Jack Burnicle and pit lane reporter Larry ‘Scoop’ Carter. 

 

All being well and injuries permitting Nick Crowe and his wife Danny are hoping to attend as is the fiancée of Mark Cox, Amanda. An auction, raffle and disco will enable those attending to win some great TT and racing memorabilia, as well as non-motorcycling, but exciting, goodies!

 

The evening will kick off at 8pm and will run until late, with entertainment throughout the evening. Tickets are £10 each and entry will be by ticket only, which can be booked by calling Emma Hudspeth on 01969 625111 or Eve Vanner on 07518 021137. There are only 50 tickets left and entry is strictly by ticket only!

 

Commenting on the fundraising, the Nick and Mark’s families said, “We are overwhelmed at how generous people have been and we can assure everyone that the money raised so far, or the proceeds from fundraisers still in the planning, will not be used for our daily living. It will be used to buy the equipment that Nick and Mark are going to need to help them re-establish as much as a normal life as possible, as well as fund any costs incurred while the boys are injured. Thank you so much to everyone who has both organised fundraising activities, such as the sidecar pull around the Isle of Man and the evening event at Northallerton later this month, and also got involved and been so generous with their giving. We are truly amazed and humbled. Thank you.”

 

Auction Items so far include: -

 

  • Dainese ladies leather jacket – donated by Dainese

 

  • Dainese back protector – donated by Dainese

 

  • Arai Helmet – signed by Colin Edwards – donated by Arai (reserve price)

 

  • Set of Nick Crowe’s Leathers – donated by Nick

 

  • 2 x VIP Tickets (Entry and Hospitality) with MSS Kawasaki at either Croft, Cadwell, Silverstone or Oulton BSB – winner to choose a circuit.

 

  • BBC Shirt donated by Steve Parrish – signed by Valentino Rossi, Giacomo Agostini and Steve Parrish – donated by Steve Parrish (reserve price)

 

  • Arai helmet donated by Bertie Simmonds – Signed by Shinya Nakano

 

  • Arai helmet, as worn by Glen Richards in the crash at Knockhill – signed and donated by Glen. (reserve price)

 

  • Framed Worx Suzuki shirt, signed by Tommy Hill, Sylvain Guintoli and John Reynolds – donated by Harley Stephens

 

  • Photo of Nick and Mark by Mark Lobley

 

  • 2009 HM Plant Polo Shirt signed by Steve Plater

 

  • 2 x Honda ‘Realising The Dream At The TT’ special 50th anniversary of racing books, signed by John McGuinness and Steve Plater

 

  • 1 x tour of the Coronation Street set with a signed cast photo and signed script

 

  • Hospitality for 2 on race day at the Croft round of the 2009 BSB Championship (Sun 13 Sept) with HM Plant Honda

 

  • 1 x off-road enduro experience at the new Honda Mick Extance off-road school in Wales

 

  • 1 x pillion ride around Donington with Ron Haslam

 

  • Full refurbishment of a motorbike frame and wheels (shotblasting and powder coating in the colour of the bidder’s choice) from R n R Coatings

 

  • A3 photo of Nick and Mark at TT (Big Wally)

 

  • Hospitality for two on Sunday 20 September at the FSRA round at Cadwell (from Team Hudspeth)

 

  • Richard Britton -600 Kawasaki - SIGNED centre pages picture from Road Racing Ireland magazine. Donated by John Newton

 

  • Martin Finnegan - SIGNED centre pages picture from RRI magazine. Donated by John Newton

 

  • Giacomo Agostini - SIGNED - Double page picture taken at what is now known as ‘Ago’s Leap’ published in an early 70’s magazine donated by John Newton

  • Silver TT replica from Pat Farrance

 

  • Signed Team Birchall shirt from the Birchall Boys

 

  • Two ‘ Honda 50 years of Racing’ posters issued at the TT this year. One has small photos along the bottom edge of riders associated with Honda, i.e. Hailwood, Dunlop, Hislop etc. The first photo is of the Japanese rider, Taniguchi, who rode a Honda in 1959, Honda’s first year. The second poster is signed, in Japanese, by Taniguchi.

 

  • Signed Fabrizio Ducati top donated by Ducati UK

 

  • A3 photos of John McG, Guy Martin, Steve Plater and Hutchy all at TT to be signed on night of auction (from Big Wally)

 

  • Set of Karl Harris’ boots

 

  • Shoei Visor signed by Agostino, Phil Read, Paul Smart, John Cooper, John Reynolds and Mick Grant

 

  • Visor signed by Colin Edwards

 

 

Raffle Items to include

 

  • Dainese men’s sweatshirt – donated by Dainese
  • Dainese Textile Jacket – donated by Dainese
  • Various signed and unsigned pictures by Mark Evans (Camier, Haslam, Cooper, Brogan, Muggeridge etc)
  • Photos by Mick Lobley
  • 12 x A Street, A Track, An Open Road DVD
  • 3 x pairs of 2008 HM Plant Honda team jeans
  • 2 x 2008 HM Plant Honda team shirts
  • 3 x white Honda The Power of Dream baseball caps
  • Ryan Farquhar SIGNED poster.
  • Ian Hutchinson SIGNED poster.
  • Cameron Donald SIGNED poster.
  • John Burrows SIGNED poster.
  • Steve Plater SIGNED poster.
  • Unsigned framed pictures of McGuinness, Hutchy and Ago.

 

If you have Facebook you can view some of the items here: -

 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=98699&id=507281865

 

or

 

http://www.carly-rathmell.com/gallery/?album=30&gallery=31

 

More items are due to be added over the next week and on the evening so don’t miss out!
  

If you have any items that you could donate for the Auction or Raffle then please e-mail me on carlyrathmell@yahoo.co.uk.

 

For more details and an update on the progress of Nick and Mark please visit www.honda-racing.co.uk

 

-END-

By Carly | Posted in Blog | Comments (0)

Blog / Race Reports

Another season…..

April 18, 2009 – 1:56 pm

Here we go again, the British Superbike season finally got underway last weekend at Brands Hatch, after a winter that seems to have taken an age to pass, I walked into the paddock at Brands and it felt like I’d never been away! It won’t be long I’m sure before the season is over again, wishing it away already, no not at all, bring it on I say!

I managed to pass the time in the winter and attended a number of off road events, including the first couple of rounds of the British Motocross Championship at Canada Heights and Langrish. Dad has put me in charge of the sponsorship side of things with our Gaerne Motocross boots, we’re helping a number of teams and riders during 2009 and so far, fingers crossed, the boys are going well and the Big ‘G’s are P1 in a couple of Championships so keep up the good work!

Brands, well it didn’t snow – that’s a good start. However, the fog was set in and looked like it was set to stay. The weather for the weekend was miserable. It was good to see everyone again; there had been a few new changes, new teams, new mechanics, riders walking into the wrong garages, new colours, new bikes and the odd new girlfriend and a few new hairstyles (suzy!!)! Keeps us all on our toes but it was good to be back.

I’m working for Leon (Camier), Brendan (Roberts – WSBK) and Centurion Racing for the 09 season and as always everyone was a little nervous before the first session on Friday morning. I stayed well out the way in the press room and kept a watchful eye on what was going on. The weather didn’t improve for the entire weekend up until the minute the racing stopped on Monday when the sun decided to shine – typical.

I was a little curious to see how Leon would get on with his new toy, a Yamaha that he’d never ridden until Friday and there he was banging in times, which saw him sitting near the top of the time screens. He was more than happy, unusually happy for Leon but I wasn’t complaining as a happy rider is a good one in my eyes! The weekend progressed and as did he, a fourth in race one with a trip through the gravel and a race win in the second race. It didn’t surprise me as I knew he’d be able to do it but not at the first race so fair play to him! Ok ok I was a tad nervous (well very!) before the first race. Let’s just hope the rest of the season will follow that path, fingers crossed.

Centurion had a steady weekend with Tom (Grant) and Dan (Cooper) but I’m very sure that things will head in the right direction at the remaining races, still a long way to go that’s for sure.

Brendan’s had a hard introduction to the World Superbike scene with two monster crashes, one in testing in Portugal and one during the race in Valencia. Both big high sides, luckily no major injuries but not the ideal start he was hoping for in his debut World Superbike season with Guandalini Ducati. I’m just hoping things will settle a little more as the racing goes on and that he gets the results we all know he’s capable of, have a good one Bren!

So it’s all go again and I’m hoping for a good season!

Cheers

Carly

By Carly | Posted in Blog | Comments (0)

Blog / Race Reports

2008 Season Review

February 18, 2009 – 9:08 pm

 

Well another season has once again drawn to a close, the more the years go by the faster the season seems to become!

 

Here I am again thinking what to do before it all starts again but I have no doubts that it will be here before I know it.

 

I finished the last blog just after my trip away to Cyprus, that seems an awfully long time ago now and so many more things have happened since. Snetterton, a dry weekend for a change, one of the few last season. Also British Superbike win number one for the boy Mr Camier! What an awesome memory that will be, I paced up and down the press room for the entire race as he battled with his team-mate Shakey, who wasn’t letting him have it easily.

 

As he crossed the line I ran down into pit lane to by greeted by Storka, Mr Jewson and then Colin (Wright). I was trying to hold back the tears as it didn’t seem that long ago being with him track side at Cadwell when he broke his femur and to watch him take his first win was just magical!

 

That was a good weekend, as whilst Leon was taking his first win, Brendan was taking win number two in the European Superstock race in Germany, as I left Snetterton I ended up with six podiums between all my riders – perfect!

 

Mallory, that was a mixed one, Leon had a nightmare, but the Blade, Mr Rutter pulled it out the bag, after hurting himself crashing in race one, we were just hoping for a good top eight finish but Michael had other ideas as he shot off the start. That was it, he was gone and that race was without any doubt, his race, amazing for all the North West team as they all worked so hard all season.

 

Oulton and Knockhill seemed to be the weekends for my riders getting injured, Leon gave himself severe concussion at Oulton after a fast crash on the approach to Shell Oil and then at Knockhill by Friday lunchtime, J Lav had knocked himself clean out as had Dan Cooper. I spent the day nursing Dan as he was in cuckoo land for the majority of it, must have asked me 30 times if he crashed and what happened, like a broken record but luckily all were ok. The Blade notched up another podium for the boys and up to that point J Lav had been pretty dominant in the Privateer Cup Championship.

 

In between that I went to Brands Hatch World Supers and once again had to face the fear that we all hope never happens in our little racing game we play. Craig Jones, a good friend of mine since 2001 sadly lost his life in the sport he loved at one of the circuits he loved. Battling for the lead with Jonathan Rea and Andrew Pitt, Jonesy sadly rode his last race at Brands and crashed at Clark Curve on the re-started race. It’s the news you never wish or want to hear in racing and puts a downer on everything that we live for in our sport. He died doing what he loved on August 4th and he’ll live in my memory forever as the happy, go lucky person that he was. He’s up there in the racing heaven now and is in great company but it doesn’t ease the pain of losing another friend – read my tribute to him here: - http://www.carly-rathmell.com/memorial-page/craig-jones/

 

Sadly in this sport we have to pick ourselves up and move on as I know for a fact Jonesy wouldn’t want us just mulling around and being sad, I know he’s still with us and watching us and the racing.

 

We once again held the CJ Cycle race at Cadwell Park which was highly amusing and some of the outfits were more than worrying, why the lads have this obsession to dress up in lycra at the first opportunity is beyond me lol! We managed to raise about £8’000 that weekend which was perfect and covered us being able to pay for an Air Ambulance to be on the site for the entire weekend.

 

Leon made a great comeback at Cadwell despite his horrific accident there the year before and he secured two solid fourth places with Airwaves. He went on to take win number two and three at Croft and Silverstone respectively, as he watched team-mate Shakey take the title. We’d (Leon, Storka and myself) had been venturing out to a Chinese every Thursday night with Shakey, Petra and Reggie. Silverstone, was for us all one of the most memorable!! See win number three for Camier at the following link to find out what happened! http://www.leoncamier.co.uk/category/rider-blog/. He ended the season on a high with a podium at Brands, we waved goodbye to Shakey and the laughs we’ve had this year and wish him all the best for 09 and we’ll be backing him all the way!

 

Meanwhile, Brendan was having his own dilemma’s trying to win the European Superstock championship as disaster struck at Magny Cours when he was forced to retire from the race with gear box problems. This dropped him from Championship leader to fourth place in the series as he headed for the final round at Portimao, there was no option, he had to win the race and he knew that! Luckily the boy pulled it out the bag, set the lap record, took pole and the race win, which saw him lift the Championship crown. A very nerve wracking weekend, but he pulled it out the bag and hits the big world Superbike stage in 09!!

 

For me, the season carried on with me working for the Future West Supercross, The Dirt Bike Show and also the CJ Rider Fund annual dinner. All in their own way were great, I’m in my second full year of working for the Supercross and they raced at Sheffield, Liverpool and the O2 arena, all were great and the O2 brought a fantastic crowd in also which added to the excitement of it all.

 

It was my first year working for the Dirt Bike Show and it was a great honour and privilege to work with such a fantastic group of people, the show was a little down on numbers through the door but I think in the current times it was to be expected. The CJ Dinner once again was a huge success and everyone of the 520 plus people had a great night, all the riders turned up and made it the special night that it was. With cheque donations over the evening we reached a sum of around 50’000, which will be vital in the purchase of essential medical equipment for 2009 and beyond.

 

All in all, the 2008 season was a good one, bar the loss of friends! I just hope 2009 will be just as good if not better and that all the boys enjoy happy safe racing! I’m looking forward to it all starting again now and eager to get back out there! My next stop is the Hawkstone International MX meeting on the 1st March, maybe see you there!

 

Cheers


Carly

 

 

By Carly | Posted in Blog | Comments (0)

Blog / Race Reports

Long overdue update!

June 12, 2008 – 8:28 am

Once again it s been another busy season and I can t believe we re already half way through it. I ve been keeping busy writing for a number of riders this year but I m really enjoying it.

Where do I start, I guess at the beginning, the off season went pretty quickly as I kept myself busy doing some Supercross stuff, those boys are crazy but it took me to Sheffield Arena, the new Liverpool Echo Arena and the big O2 Arena in London. All were good events and hopefully the 2008 series will be just as entertaining.

The season started a little bit different to how everyone expected and that was snow, and lots of it! We went to Snetterton for the pre-season test ‚ it snowed and then to Brands for the first race ‚ and it snowed again! It was a bit serial really to see the track totally covered in snow, especially at Brands! I think the only person who was quite happy about it was Leon Camier as he was still getting over quite a nasty shoulder injury.

The season finally got underway at Thruxton and finally the weather was half kind to us, all-be-it a little on the cold side, but we were back racing so that was the main thing. The season all seems to have rolled into one since then. From Thruxton we had Oulton, Brands Hatch (re-run), the North West 200 (more about that later), then Donington all on back to back weekends. I felt like I lived out of a suitcase for six weeks but that wouldn t be far from the truth!

I ve been fortunate enough this year to work for the North West 200 Ducati team, which gave me the opportunity to go to the North West 200 race over in Ireland. I have to say it was something else, having never been to a pure road race before, apart from Scarborough. The NW200 is an amazing experience and if you get the chance next year to go then do! We were extremely lucky with the weather and the sun shone down on the Emerald Isles and it produced some of the most spectacular racing. Thanks must go to Mervyn White and Alistair Kennedy for putting on such a great show! Here s to next year!

After Donington I managed to get a week away to Cyprus to mainly catch up on sleep. I went over with Oli (Leon Haslam s girlfriend). It was nice to chill out and do nothing for a week, very hot though and I m not the best at sunbathing as I get bored easily! Back to reality now and Snetterton this weekend, I don t think we ll get weather like Cyprus but it d be nice if it didn t rain!

Cheers

Carly

By Carly | Posted in Blog | Comments (0)
 
 
 

Blog / Race Reports

I write for a number of Teams and Riders in the British Championship and also European Championship, to read my race reports please click below.

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