MAGsport
For the fast ones
I was really looking forward to the final round of the British Supermono Championship at Cadwell in October, having only raced at one other Supermono meeting in July where my brand new engine expired. It was good to be back on the Rampisham Garage Yamaha. There was no pressure on me because I didn't figure in the championship. whereas usually I'd be fighting for a position. The weather was brilliant and I thoroughly enjoyed the morning warm up session, especially as Cadwell is one of my favourite circuits. A short break allowed me to inspect the bike as it was the first serious run after the old engine went back in.
In Qualifying, I got out on track behind a big group so it was a while before I settled into clear track and put some good flowing laps in. I'd been trying a different gear approach to Park Corner, on one lap and reverted to my old ways. I came into the gooseneck in too high a gear, couldn't scrub the speed off and threw the bike so hard into the turn that the exhaust hit the deck and lifted the rear off the ground. This loaded the front and washed it out. I saved it but it didn't look very polished! I came in soon after and was very pleased when I found out that I'd qualified 6th.
Tim Pearson, one of my closest school friends, travelled across from Lincoln to watch and help out. He'd not been racing before and was soon mucking in helping us start the bikes on the rollers before the race.
I took my place on the grid, pleased to be on the second row and got a great start when the lights went out. I got on the inside around Coppice, Scott Richardson dived up the inside into Charlie's and I stayed with him as the melee of the first lap settled down. We caught up with Jeff Claridge and Dutch champion Henk From joined the Fray. It was a brilliant close race in which I eventually finished 5th in the water-cooled class.
The atmosphere amongst the Supermono competitors is fantastic and we hold a prize presentation after each race. On the Saturday evening, Supermono sponsor Joe McBurnie of Concurrent Systems Inc hosted a BBQ, a fantastic way to end a year's racing. It was also my sponsor Brian Wyles' birthday so it was a nice way to celebrate with him.
On Sunday Brian & I decided to swap bikes. He runs a bigger engine in a lighter Harris frame which might give me the extra I need to stay with the leaders. However this involved swapping the gear changes over and although mine worked by hand, when I pressed it with my foot it hit the exhaust bracket and wouldn't go into gear, by the time I'd adjusted it the warm up session was over so I reverted to my bike for the race.
This time I got an even better start but it was short lived because the race was red flagged. We eventually reformed on the grid thanks to all the people with mobile starters getting us all going again. My second start was just as good and I was soon battling with Scott who I managed to pass and catch up with Jeff. We had a great dice for several laps, regularly trading positions; my new approach to park was really working as I was carrying so much more speed onto Chris Curve. I eventually finished 4th overall and put in a personal best time on the Supermono of 1min 41.7secs. It was a brilliant end to the 2006 season for the Rampisham Garage Racing Team. If you are interested in racing a Supermono or might be able to sponsor the class, visit www.supermononewsletter.co.uk for more information.
Many thanks to MAGSport Racing, Brian Wyles, Rampisham Garage for a superb race bike and so much more! Brian Richardson of Richardson's Honda for the Bridgestone tyres, Kev Spurr, KS Performance for the suspension set up and finally all the Supermono riders, teams, organisers and sponsors.
Mark Castle
Fifteen year old Alex Gault has been proud to have been sponsored by MAGSport for many years and was overjoyed to have been able to win the coveted CB500 CUP for them this year as MAG stepped up their backing and became title sponsors for his attempt to lift the CB500 crown.
After winning the CB Championship the team surrounding Alex made a unanimous decision to stop racing for the rest of the year and concentrate on 2007 . The team manager commented "We have had a very successful season and Alex's results prove we can afford to race at that level. Funding plays a very big part in racing and in 2007 we take Alex into a much more competitive and expensive class. After talks between all concerned, we took a decision.
Rather than waste time and money where there was no more to be gained, we have withdrawn from all other racing that we had intended to compete in for the rest of this year. We are now going to put all our efforts into next year's plans to the point were I am very glad to say we are already ahead of schedule and in the strongest position we have ever been at this time of the year."
Alex now plans to contend the inaugural MotoStar GSXR Trophy, an 8 round Championship which is to take place around the British Isles from April till September 2007. This is billed to be one of the most exposed race series in the media and will also be one of the most hotly contested series to be run in Britain. If Alex is successful in this series it will lead directly to the 2008 British Super Bikes Championship. The team is now looking to attract a title sponsor for that championship and any interested parties can contact them through Alex's dedicated web site at www.minimotoracer.com
Alongside the GSXR Trophy, every thing else is falling into place. The guys at YPE "Scotland's Number 1 Dyno Centre" were pleased with the way things went last year and Alex will again be part of the YPE POWER TEAM in 2007. As part of the GSXR Trophy Championship Alex will campaign a new Suzuki GSXR 600 K6 in the Scottish production 600. This looks like being the fiercest challenge in any club championships in the UK. Bike preparation is already underway with the bike being made identical or as close as possible to the bike he will use in the MotoStar / GSXR Trophy series.
In other news relating to next year's plans for the team, we know they have just invested in a brand new hospitality unit which will follow the team to most of the race meetings next year. Though we are there to win races and look after bikes, with the team growing we find ourselves with other responsibilities and entertaining sponsors now plays as big, if not a bigger part in racing as bike preparation. Alex said, "I think it's really cool and it'll be great to be able to have somewhere my supporters can enjoy a race day in comfort."
Now everything depends on the level of support we can raise and if everything goes to plan we hope to start testing in late February / early March, which would get Alex up to speed in plenty of time for the start of the season. Alex and the team would like to thank everyone who played a part in 2006, it was a really good year. Lets hope 2007 is as successful.
Alex said, "This year has been fantastic and I would really like to thank all those who have helped. I know it's a bit of a roll call and please excuse this but their help has meant so much to me.
Trevor and all at MAG & MAGSport, YPE Power Ltd, M-Tech, Vemar, and W2. Dave at Specialised Coatings, Wil at WIZ, Scott-Fibres, Wilbert at The Minimoto Shop & ZPF Minibike, Loctite & Duck Tape, Robert at Dream Sofas and John and Colin at JMT. Geoff Coxon, Mick Holden and Stuart Trangmer, Chris Wrigley, William and Gillian, Garry & Vikky, Derek, Steve, John & Chris.
Last I have to thank my family for the effort and money they have put in. I am really looking forward to next year, I can't wait to get out on the 600. It looks like it might be over to Europe for testing in early March. If anyone would like to join or think they can help our team in any way, please contact me through my web site at www.minimotoracer.com Thanks Again and I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and an Excellent 2007."
Alex Gault
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