Monday 27 June 2011

Cadwell Park Rounds 3 & 4 - ACU Clubmans Championship

Following his lacklustre results from the first round, Phil and the Team headed to one of his favourite circuits, the fantastic rolling countryside of Cadwell, in the hope of improving his Championship position. Phil was looking forward to trying a new type of tyre this weekend and he’d also managed to spray the bodywork and replace the damaged petrol tank – and it looked fantastic!

With the meeting being held over the Bank Holiday, the test day was on the Saturday and the Team had plenty of time to set up the awning, etc.

The morning sessions were used to “get his eye in” and Phil then changed from the slicks he’d been familiar with for nearly 6 years to a new, treaded Bridgestone. Initial impressions were not that favourable – although there wasn’t anything radically wrong with them either! But after a few adjustments to the suspension Phil became more accustomed to them and improved his times slightly.

The Friday evening was spent changing to the newly painted bodywork and putting the bike through scrutineering - and the bike looked great!

After initially trying the tyres in practicing, Phil decided to use them in practice and Race One to see how they held up. Phil had also (finally!!) got the new Lindstrand Leathers back after adjustments and set off in practice......however he was so, so lucky as both the new paint and leathers were nearly ruined in the first 200 yards! As he'd rolled out of the holding area along with the other riders, a 600cc competitor ran underneath him at the hairpin. Lifting slightly, Phil followed him through Barn and just as they began to build speed the 600 simply crashed to the ground! Luckily, Phil narrowly managed to avoid both rider and machine and continued his practice.

In Race One Phil got an average start and the cold conditions were immediately highlighted when one of the front runners highsided exiting the Gooseneck. It turned out to be a fairly steady, uneventful race and Phil was really struggling with the jump over the Mountain finishing 8th. The tyres were ok but still felt vague, although they gave lots of grip.

Phil got a poor start in Race Two when the lights went on/off/on and then off! He wasn't the only rider caught out and was lucky not to get a jump start penalty. Struggling to maintain his quick pace his times dropped off, and after a few silly mistakes he was mugged on the last two laps finishing 11th, frustrated and annoyed!

Fitting a new set of tyres for Sunday's Race One, Phil got a better start and pushedfrom the off. He was just hanging onto the two riders in front but again faded on the last 2 laps as his times dropped off and he finished 8th. Although disappointed he was boosted slightly as he didn’t realise he was as high as 6th!

For the second and final race of the weekend the weather had deteriorated and it was much colder and extremely windy. Battling the elements as much as the track Phil didn’t feel fast and it showed, his lap times were slower and he couldn’t settle into a rhythm. Phil finished 11th but the bike and rider were upright and Phil gained vital points.

Again, frustrated and disappointed with both the results and his lap times Phil hopes to improve at Anglesey in June!!

Snetterton Rounds 1 & 2 - ACU Clubmans Championship

After all the frantic preparations over the winter it all came good in the end!

Arriving Thursday night for the test day on Friday, Phil spent most of the day figuring out the new 300 circuit and changing gearing. After his initial testing he said "it's quite a technical track but enjoyable".

On Saturday Phil used practice to scrub in a new set of tyres and brake pads.

Lining up on the grid for Race One, Phil started 14th (from his entry) and began to improve on his lap times but wasn’t able to make any progress into the pack and finished 14th.

In Race Two, Phil's start was worse than the first race and although he tried to improve on his racing lines and make progress he struggled. Again he finished 14th but improved his lap times.

On Sunday Phil checked the bike over and changed the gearing again. He went out in Race One and whilst the gearing felt better in certain areas it was running out of revs in others. Again Phil improved on his lap times and was able to hang on the back of the group, but again crossed the line 14th.

For the last race - Race Two - Phil changed the gearing back to the previous setting but simply ended up moving the problem from one part of the circuit to another. Trying his best he was frustrated at not being able to hold onto the group in front and, yes you guessed it, finished 14th again!!

From a results point of view the weekend didn’t have much to show. Phil was happy to have improved his lap times over the weekend and kept the bike upright and on the track.

Thanks to all those who made the effort and came to support us. See you at Cadwell next month.

Fantasy Riders Round 14


Interesting MotoGP racing at Assen on Saturday. Ben Spies takes his first win of the Season with Casey Stoner & Andrea Dovisioso rounding of the rest of the podium.

This weekend sees British Superbikes head to Snetterton and the 300 circuit and MotoGP back to back at Mugello. Deadline 5pm Friday 1st July.

Tuesday 21 June 2011

Fantasy Riders Round 13

With top results for BSB Swan Yamaha's Tommy Hill Knockhill, he takes Pole position, fastest lap and two race wins!

In World Superbikes Champion leader Carlos Checa has his first DNF and Max Biaggi takes his first win at the half way mark in the Season. Leon Camier and Marco Melandri share to podium too.

The next race is MotoGP at Assen, Saturday 25th June. Race weekend cut-off will be 17:00 Thursday 23rd June (this is a day earlier, Assen is Saturday NOT Sunday race).
This weeks standings in the Jagger Racing league are below:-

Monday 13 June 2011

Fantasy Riders Round 12


With the disappointing crash from Cal Crutchlow in his home GP at Silverstone, his team mate Colin Edwards, also with a recently plated and pinned broken collar bone, did him proud by achieving a podium third place. First and Second went to Casey Stoner and Andrea Dovizioso. Casey now leads the Championship.

World Superbikes at Misano gave us yet another double (2 in a row, third this season) for Carlos Checa on the Ducati. Carlos is now 72 points ahead of Biaggi.

This weekend is another World Superbike round 7 at Motorland Aragon circuit in Spain and the British Superbike teams head to Knockhill. Entry Deadline is 5pm Friday 17th June.

Wednesday 8 June 2011

Fantasy Riders Round 11

With Stoner, Lorenzo & Spies on the Podium last weekend, who will shine at Silverstone. The sun?



Fantasy Riders News is that Colin Edwards will be back in action for the British GP this weekend, however, no Dani Pedrosa. Deadline 5pm Friday 10th June.

Wednesday 1 June 2011

Fantasy Riders Round 10

With no racing on the weekend of 21/22 May there was double this weekend.

With a double for Checa in World Superbikes at Miller Motorsports in Utah, USA and a team two/three for Smrz & Guintoli (Effenbert-Liberty) and the same for Camier & Biaggi (AlItalia Aprilia).

British Superbikes saw Michael Laverty & Shane Byrne share the wins at a wet Thruxton. The current Jagger Racing League standings are below:-


This weekend sees the return of Moto GP and round 5 at Catalunya, Spain. Deadline for entries if Friday 3rd at 5pm.