StoneBaker to stop at the end of 2008
25-07-2008
StoneBaker Racing today announce their decision to cease activities at the end of the 2008 season.
Currently the squad's riders, Yamaha-mounted Dan Linfoot and Gino Rea, lie in third and fifth position respectively in the European Superstock 600 Championship.
The team had planned to step up into the World Supersport series in 2009. However, joint owners Andrew Stone and Richard Baker were unable to agree on the way forwards for next season and have hence made the decision to disband the squad at the end of this year.
StoneBaker Racing remains fully committed to continuing its run of successful results in the remaining four rounds of this year's European Superstock 600 Championship, although Dan Linfoot will now not be fielded in the final two rounds of the British Supersport Championship as had been planned.
StoneBaker will next be out in action at the Brands Hatch round of the World Superbike Championship which begins on Friday August 1st.
Andrew Stone, Team Owner:
"2008 has been a very successful season so far with StoneBaker being the only team to have had both their riders on the podium in the European Superstock 600 Championship. Richard and I have both fully delivered on our commitments to each other, the team and our sponsors this year and will continue to do so until the end of the season."
Richard Baker, Team Owner:
"With one win and three additional podiums so far, 2008 has been a highly successful year for StoneBaker. I would like to say a huge thank you to all our sponsors for their assistance. It is unfortunate that Andrew and I have been unable to agree the way forward for 2009, but by making this announcement now our riders and team members have clarity for the rest of the season and can begin to plan for the year ahead."
FREE Brands Hatch WSB pass offer open now!
20-07-2008
On the back of our third and fourth place race finish at Brno, comes what could turn out to be our most popular ticket offer of the season - a pair of complimentary passes for the number one World Superbike meeting of the year at Brands Hatch on the 1st-3rd August, 2008 are up for grabs, courtesy of StoneBaker Racing.
To enter, simply select the "Contact" option along the above menu bar of this website and enter your name and email details along with "Brands Hatch WSB Pass Offer" in the comments section. This point is VERY IMPORTANT - without it we won't know if you want to enter this particular draw or are simply registering with the website.
Entries are limited to one per person. Multiple entries, where detected, will be deleted.
The draw will close at midnight, Saturday 26th July. All the entries will go into the hat and a name will be selected at random for the passes. Everyone will be notified if they have won or not and the winner will be asked to provide contact details so we can get the passes to him or her.
Please note - anyone who has already registered with the site and wishes to enter this draw must still send a message, your name will NOT be added to this draw automatically.
All applicants will be added to the StoneBaker Racing email list and will receive regular notices and bulletins relating to the team's progress. Please inform us when you enter the draw if you do not wish to receive these updates.
Good luck everybody - and keep your eyes peeled for more offers from www.stonebakerracing.com coming up soon!
Impressive podium for StoneBaker in thrilling Brno race
19-07-2008
The StoneBaker Racing team of Gino Rea and Dan Linfoot secured impressive third and fourth places respectively in a thrilling race held at the spectacular Brno circuit in Czech Republic today.
Onboard the StoneBaker Racing Yamaha R6 the two men traded places with each other and their championship rivals throughout the nine lap race with Rea holding off a spirited challenge by Linfoot at the final corner to secure a place on the podium.
The strong results mean that both StoneBaker Racing riders are now in the top five in the championship standings. Linfoot holds third, whilst Rea's podium has escalated him up to fifth spot with four rounds still to go.
Having narrowly missed out on a front row start, Rea lined up on the grid in fifth spot and once again made his trademark strong start, which saw him move into the lead at the start of the opening lap. By the end of lap one eventual race winner Patrick Vostarek and second place man Loris Baz passed Rea relegating the 18 year old from Surrey to third. He then came under a ferocious attack from his Italian and Czech rivals, but refused to let them pass and even when they did he was able to pass them back immediately.
In the final laps Rea had an exciting battle with his own team-mate, which saw the two men nearly make contact on numerous occasions. On the final lap the two riders swapped position with Rea just able to hold off Linfoot's charge at the final turn to secure his second podium in three races.
StoneBaker Racing team-mate Dan Linfoot also started on the second row of the grid and after initially making a good start got boxed in at turn one and then again at turn three, which lost the 19 year old valuable places. Despite the set back, Linfoot showed his undoubted pedigree by mounting a determined fight back, which saw him charge back into contention to challenge for the podium. Having worked his way up into fourth place, Linfoot was hit from behind by Yamaha rider Renato Costantini, but stayed composed and in contention for the podium. On the final lap the former 250GP rider swapped places with Rea yet again, but had to settle for fourth spot at the chequered flag.
Gino Rea, Race 3rd, Championship position 5th
"That was brilliant and it has to be one of the best races I've ever had because there was so much passing going on. I tried to go with the leaders but I just didn't have as much front grip as them so had to let them go. After that I was in a really good battle and whenever anyone passed me I just fought straight back and never gave anyone a chance to pull away.
At the end of the race I realised I wasn't going to pull away, the front tyre was sliding a lot and I started to think that I was going to have to slow down because I knew I had to finish the race, but at the same time I wanted to be on the podium. Dan passed me into the second corner but I was able to get him back and then just manage to hold him off at the last turn to get on the podium."
Dan Linfoot, Race 4th, Championship position 3rd
"Championship wise it's OK because we're still in third in the championship, but I'm really disappointed not to get on the podium today. I lost my chance at the start because I got beaten up and was way down in about 11th position and had to fight my way through once again. After about five laps I was back in contention and battling with Gino, but he was really hard to pass. He was struggling with tyre wear in the corners but seemed able to get really good drive and pass me down the straight. If I'd got on the podium I'd be happier and it's obviously hard to take being beaten by your own team-mate, but Gino rode really well and I'd like to congratulate him on getting on the podium."
Sponsors
Team Beowulf Racing.
StoneBaker Racing contests the 2008 World Superbike European Superstock 600 championship with riders Dan Linfoot and Gino Rea.
We have just recorded our second-best result of the year with Gino Rea taking the runner-up spot at Brands Hatch. In the championship standings, Gino currently lies fourth and Dan fifth.
There is now a month-long break in the series before the action resumes at Donington Park between September 5th-7th.
