StoneBaker prepare for Brands Hatch
27-07-2008
StoneBaker Racing go into the seventh round of the European Superstock 600 Championship, to be held at the Brands Hatch World Superbike meeting this weekend, in confident mood. Yamaha-mounted riders Dan Linfoot and Gino Rea, along with joint team owner Andrew Stone, are all determined to put on a good show for the home crowd.
The highlights of the season so far for the squad have been a win and a third for Linfoot at Assen and Valencia along with two additional thirds for Rea at the Nurburgring and Brno. This year, they are the only team in the championship to have placed both their riders on the podium.
In terms of the series standings, Linfoot currently lies in third place overall and Rea fifth. Frenchman Loris Baz (Yamaha) heads the table with the Honda-mounted Czech rider Patrick Vostarek in second. There are four races remaining in the championship with 100 points still available.
At the last round at Brno, the StoneBaker riders crossed the finishing line less than two-tenths of a second apart having battled for third place against each other and a pack of other riders throughout an action-packed race. This weekend both men are looking for an even better result.
Normally held on a Saturday, the 11-lap race at Brands Hatch is scheduled to start at 4.45pm on Sunday August 3rd. Practice and qualifying sessions will take place as normal on the preceding two days.
Gino Rea:
"I can't wait for the Brands race with my family and friends watching. It's my home round and I enjoy riding there. I would liked to have done some testing at the track as the only time I've ridden on the Grand Prix circuit before was at the race there last year where I finished 11th, but I still think I can be up at the sharp end as long as we get a good setting from the beginning of practice. I would like to get a win before the end of the season and I think it is possible. I also want to be in the top three of the championship at the end of the year which won't be easy, but it's still very possible and I believe I can do it. My goal at the start of the season was to be in the top five and I am lying fifth at the moment with 100 points still up for grabs in the remaining four races."
Dan Linfoot:
"I'm feeling confident going into Brands. I feel I'm riding well at the moment and I'm going to be racing at home, with my friends and family supporting. So I'm sure if there is anywhere I'm going to put on a show it will be at Brands Hatch, along with the next round at Donington Park. We have a one-day test scheduled before the race where we are hoping to dial out some corner entry issues, which should stand us in good shape if we can improve our stability into the turns. I like the Brands Grand Prix circuit, although I haven't done many laps of it. Obviously as I'm still third in the championship and the front two are getting away, I need to claw some points back. So, if the elbows are needed, the elbows will come out!"
Andrew Stone: (Joint Team Owner)
"Our objective this weekend is quite simple: to get on the podium, preferably with a race win. The riders and team are working flat out to give all the home fans the result they deserve. No-one wants to win this championship more than we do. We've had one win and three additional podiums so far this year and I genuinely believe we can be on the podium at all of the remaining four races."
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.
