Beowulf Racing switch to Yamaha
23-02-2008
Suzuki-based since 1997, Beowulf Racing has decided to switch to Yamaha for their 2008 UK and European campaigns. The reason behind the change largely comes down to machinery availability, as Joint Team Owner and Technical Head Andy Stone explains:
"We've undertaken a major winter testing programme during the off-season this year, he says, with four sessions already completed in Spain and the UK, and another five or six still to come. Two of our riders, Dan Linfoot and Geo Rea, were granted a brief test ride aboard the Virgin Media Supersport Yamaha R6's at Barcelona during November and from that we knew the bike would be competitive. With the new R6 being available ahead of the 2008 Suzuki, the benefit to our testing programme was clear so it made sense to make the switch."
"I am already very impressed with the racing division set-up at Yamaha in the short time we have been working with them", he added. "They have provided a lot of support so I do not foresee any major problems with changing manufacturer and I am confident that we will be bang on the pace by the start of the season."
The first batch of the squads six new machines were ridden in anger for the first time at Brands Hatch last weekend. Following further development, another test is set to take place at Oulton Park in two weeks time.
The opening races of the Somerset-based squads 2008 European and UK campaigns take place on the first weekend of April at Valencia and Brands Hatch respectively.
Coming soon: FREE Valencia WSB Passes
22-02-2008
Hot on the heels of our recent London Motorcycle show ticket giveaway comes another exciting offer from Beowulf Racing: we will be running another competition with two Valencia WSB passes as the prizes.
Be sure to keep logging onto www.beowulf-racing.com over the next week or so to learn more about this fantastic offer.
Supersport Cup R6 makes first appearance
22-02-2008
The Yamaha YZF-R6 which Beowulf Racing's Pat McDougall will be riding in this year's British Supersport Cup Championship made its first appearance this weekend on the 9th February at Snetterton. Previously, the 22-year-old Guildford rider had been testing aboard the fleet of R6's which the team will be using in the European Superstock 600 Championship.
McDougall completed five 20-minute sessions aboard his new machine and along with Team Owner and Technical head Andy Stone reported himself happy with the bike's potential.
"The machine is still in development," said McDougall, "so apart from the close-ratio gearbox there's really not much difference between this and the Superstock bikes at the moment. I'm happy with our times today as a starting point and as we get additional parts fitted, the speed should start coming."
Andy Stone agreed: "You can't just bolt one of these Supersport machines together, everything has to be set to the most precise levels of tolerance. I'm happy with what we've achieved so far - the engine build, the cams and the gearbox, but this is a development year on this bike. By the end of the season we want to be running a full World Supersport-specification machine with the aim of entering that championship in 2009."
McDougall's teammates Gino Rea and Dan Linfoot were also in attendance and completed the same number of sessions aboard the machines they will be running in this year's European Superstock 600 Championship. Both riders were similarly happy with their machines, particularly in terms of manoeuvrability.
The team's next test will take place at the Spanish circuit of Cartagena beginning on the 28th February.
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.
