StoneBaker square up to Schumacher at "Racedays" Magny Cours event
13-07-2008
StoneBaker Racing riders Gino Rea and Dan Linfoot found themselves up against some unexpected competition whilst competing in a "Racedays" endurance event at the Magny Cours circuit in France yesterday (Saturday). Along with a mixture of continental racers and road riders, seven-times F1 world champion Michael Schumacher was also in attendance.
Travelling across the continent from their test session at Brno in the Czech Republic last week, the team have been present at the track for the past three days. Their aim was to give both riders the opportunity to familiarise (or in the case of Rea, re-familiarise) themselves with the 2.7-mile circuit ahead of their appearance there at the penultimate round of the European Superstock 600 Championship in October. The three days have comprised of open track time mixed in with short races. Saturday's activities centred around a two-hour endurance race which had to be red-flagged and restarted towards its end. The StoneBaker duo took the win, with both riders completing two half-hour stints aboard their YZF-R6 Yamahas. Schumacher, who has competed in several motorcycle events in his native Germany this year, made a private entry riding a Honda Fireblade. The former F1 world champion took the decision to retire after completing the first third of the race with no problems.
There was further cheer for the team on Sunday when Rea won the Supersport race, despite having to set off from the pit lane after being asked to remove his bike's on-board camera just before the start.
The weekend marked the first-ever entry into endurance racing for the StoneBaker team who now face an endurance challenge of different type - the 14-hour trek back to Brno to prepare for the sixth round of the European Superstock 600 Championship which begins on Friday. Currently Linfoot lies third in the series standings, with Rea seventh.
Gino Rea:
"Saturday was the best day for me with the endurance race win. There were too many damp patches around the track throughout the test to concentrate on lap times though. I had a good run round with Michael Schumacher during the qualifying session and talked with him about lap times before we were due to go out on the track. He seemed like a genuine guy and appeared to be enjoying himself."
Dan Linfoot:
"The three days went pretty well, overall. It was definitely worth doing the test as I have never raced here before. Today (Sunday) we matched Gino's sprocket settings as well as stiffening up the front suspension. That helped a lot and gave a good increase in speed. I chatted to Schumacher a few times and he came over as a pleasant enough bloke. He's not a bad rider either, even though he is relatively new to the sport. Racing's obviously in his blood which I suppose is to be expected when you've won seven world championships."
StoneBaker leave Brno in confident mood
10-07-2008
Despite having to contend with more rain on the final leg of their three-day test at Brno in the Czech Republic today, StoneBaker Racing's Dan Linfoot and Gino Rea are both in confident mood ahead of their sixth-round race in the European Superstock 600 Championship at the track next weekend.
The weather prevented any serious attack on lap times aboard their Yamaha R6's today. However the three days have proved invaluable to both riders in terms of refamiliarising themselves with the 3.4-mile track and dialling in a range of suspension settings to cope with a variety of conditions - wet or dry.
The test may be complete but work is far from over for the StoneBaker crew. Tomorrow (Thursday) the team heads across the continent to begin another three-day test on Friday, this time at the Magny Cours circuit in France which will host the penultimate round of the Superstock 600 series in October. Once that is over, they will return to Brno straight away to begin preparations for next weekend's race.
Currently Linfoot lies third in the Superstock 600 championship and Rea seventh. With five rounds remaining and a maximum of 125 points up for grabs, there's still all to play for come the season's finale in November.
Dan Linfoot:
"We've had another good day testing here in Brno today. We had mixed conditions which halted our progress this afternoon, however the bulk of the work was done this morning. We have found a good base setting and I am getting a good feeling from my bike to start the Brno Superstock 600 race with. I am confident of putting in a good showing here in two week's time."
Gino Rea:
"We have had a successful test and have found a good setting so I am confident for the race. Today we made slight suspension changes which were positive and also cured the tyre wear problem which many people seem to suffer from around here. Despite the rain and amount of traffic on the track, we still managed to put in our fastest times of the three days this morning and I am looking forward to our race here on the 19th of July."
Andrew Stone (Join Team Owner):
"I think we have had a very successful three days with both riders. I am quietly confident heading into the race here next Saturday - watch this space!"
More progress at Brno
08-07-2008
It's been another day of progress for StoneBaker Racing on the second part of their three-day test at the circuit of Brno in the Czech Republic.
Riders Gino Rea and Dan Linfoot both completed six sessions. Due to the rain yesterday, the track this morning was quite dusty and slippery but as more riders took to the circuit the dirt was blown away and grip levels improved substantially during the afternoon.
Gino Rea rode his Superstock machine throughout the day and concentrated on fine-tuning his suspension settings. Dan Linfoot rode the squad's Supersport machine for his first two sessions, adapting very quickly to the traction control system, before reverting to his Superstock bike and making gearing alterations.
The former teenager from Yorkshire turned 20 today and the team celebrated with a barbecue in the evening.
Both riders are keen to up their pace tomorrow but with mixed forecasts predicting both sunshine and showers at the track on Wednesday, the weather will need to play its part in the proceedings too.
Sponsors
Team Beowulf Racing.
The great race at the new Portimao circuit brings an end to our season in World Superbike Superstock 600, with riders Gino Rea and Dan Linfoot.
The season has been a success with Gino third and Dan fifth in the championship standings following three victories and five additional podiums in total. The results have also acted as a stepping stone to the riders for next season, with both securing high profile, career progressing rides for 2009.
Thank you for all of the emails, calls, texts and visits throughout the year. It has been much appreciated.
