Millsport Ducati and Jakub ‘Kuba’ Smrz have grabbed the headlines this afternoon (2 August) by taking the first ever pole position for the 1199 Panigale in the British Superbike Championship. The sensational result came at the UK’s fastest circuit – Thruxton in Hampshire – as Smrz beat all of the championship front-runners to top spot.

Following a first front row earlier in the year at Snetterton, the team was confident that the elusive maiden pole was coming their way, but with conditions looking mixed at the high-speed Hampshire venue no-one dared predict it this weekend.

Smrz had been on the pace from the start of the race meeting, setting top ten times in both of the free practice sessions on Friday. With tricky conditions for FP3 this morning, the Czech rider proved he had the pace whatever the weather with another top ten time, and despite some huge downpours that threatened to half proceedings the track was dry when it was time for qualifying.

With confidence riding high, Smrz put in a great lap early on in the first part of the session, going third fastest and immediately returning to the pits happy that it would be enough. Times moved on another step in Q2, as Kuba made sure he progressed to the top-ten shootout with a tour two tenths quicker than his initial effort. The leap to pole position was, however, an incredible half a second, as the Ducati rider’s time of 1:15.281s outshone all of the established BSB contenders.

The team is understandably elated with the result, and it has been a long and committed road to this success by everyone at Millsport.

BSB pole-sitter Smrz said:

“It feels really good! Everything this season is new for us – we are working really hard to improve the bike, and it’s always good to have some reward for that. While today is good, we need to be fast in the races tomorrow as well but we are proving that we are going forward. To have pole with some things still to improve is cool.

“I really like tracks like this – it even reminds me a little bit of the legendary Phillip Island in Australia which is one of my favourite tracks. Pole is important, my team have found some solutions to our issues getting off the line, so hopefully tomorrow’s start will be good and we can fight for the podium.”

Millsport Ducati’s chief technician Steve Moore said:

“It’s been a long time coming, but we’ve proven that all the hard work has been worth it. The long-term commitment from our sponsors and team members have made this pole position possible, and I’d like to thank them, and of course Kuba for producing a fantastic lap!

“We’ve been working hard going through the data to help the Panigale get off the line better, so we’re hopeful that Kuba will be able to get away at the front tomorrow and bring home some silverware!”

Compass Expeditions is pleased to announce that Charley Boorman and his good friend, and manager, Billy Ward will be returning to Australia to lead his 4th Compass Expeditions Motorcycle Tour. This ride will be from Sydney to the Outback over the course of 10 days ending in Melbourne.

The 2015 Sydney to the Outback tour is set to depart Sydney on the 11th of March and travel via the Blue Mountains, Broken Hill, Flinders Ranges, the Grampians National Park and the Great Ocean Road before culminating in Melbourne on the 20th of March. Compass Expeditions includes a pre-tour bonus night of accommodation on the 10th of March in the hotel in Sydney and this is a good chance to meet Charley and Billy over a few drinks before beginning the adventure the next day.

“We’re really happy to be able to work with Charley and Billy again and we’ve already had several riders from the 2014 tour sign up and eager to do another adventure with Charley,” says Jerry from Compass Expeditions, “Previous trips have been a great deal of fun with Charley and Billy keeping things entertaining and they are again looking forward to this ride through the outback, which has a combination of paved and off-road riding”.

The tour can be undertaken on your own motorcycle or alternatively Compass Expeditions have a fleet of BMW GS Models and Suzuki DR650 available for rental.

To reserve your spot of for more information about the tour visit 

www.compassexpeditions.com

The penultimate race meeting on the sun blessed Derbyshire circuit and with sixty points maximum to gain at our final race meeting at Cadwell Park on 27/28th of September eight of our championships were concluded. This leaves five to be determined at Cadwell.

47 Mervyn Stratford on his beautifully engineered 250cc Rudge has secured the Tuers Garage pre 1949 and the pre 1963 up to 250cc championships. This is despite being led home four times by 2 Ian Bain Norton CS1 in the pre 1949 races.

The Palletforce pre 1963,251-350cc Championship winner is 195 Graham Buller Norton 40M despite have to abandon the meeting half way through after becoming ill, get well soon Graham, and 59 Jack Hebb not able to close the gap.

The Goodwin 1963 to 1972, 251-350cc Championship winner although beaten four times by 261 Richard Hawkins Ducati Mk111,is 74 Dave Matravers Norton Manx by 99 points.

The Classic Racer Magazine BEARS F1, 751cc to unlimited and F2 501 to 750cc championships have been settled. 257 Richard Stubbs BMW R100 is more than 100 points clear of 55 Ben Kingham BMW K110RS in the F1 championship and 229 Bobby Bevan Norton Commando in a similar position in the F2 championship.

The Bonhams Auctioneers vintage members aged over 50 years solo Championship winner is 253 Scott Harris Norton Kirby. Joint second place are 26 Tim Woolley and 68 Keith Riley.

The Penguin Speed Shops B3 Cyclecars & Morgans unlimited to 1972 champion is 34 Bill/Maggie Tuer Morgan Racing having a comfortable 90 point lead over 27 Steve Hutchinson/Norma Prime Berkeley T60.

The 1963 to 1972 up to 250cc solo championship will be a two man battle at Cadwell between 100 Andy Hunt Ducati and 97 Rob Butler Ducati with a points difference of 31.

The Footman James pre 1963 solo pre 351 to 500cc Championship is being led by 239 Mike Bevan Norton Dommi from 59 Jack Hebb Norton Manx but with a 59 point difference Mike only needs 2 point to secure the championship.

The Bob Newby Racing for 1963 to 500cc solo’s is probably the closest championship battle with only 4 points separating 33 Mike Powell and 74 Dave Matravers both Seeley G50 mounted a cliff hanger for Cadwell.

The 1963 to 1972 over 500cc solo Championship races was dominated by 114 Rob Walker Velocette Venom Seeley winning all four races but the championship is a battle between 239 Mike Bevan Norton Seeley and 253 Scott Harris Norton Kirby with 50 points separating them. The sidecar based twin cylinder two valves per cylinder up to 750cc three wheelers will be a three team battle at Cadwell with only a few points separating the top three of 77 Phil Holt/Jeff Gamble Crick BSA A65, 61 Denis Whitehouse/Ben Weston Triumph NMS and 197 Adrian/Robert Dawson BMW 70 , bring on Cadwell. Sidecar outfits of pre 1959 is being led by 29 Adam Pope/John Christopher Triumph Thunderbird by 48 points from 12 Mark and Sue Whittaker BSA Road Rocket.

The BEARS Sidecars is being led by 13 John Lorriman/Jim Steel by 8 points from 49 Phil Jones/Claire Duplock both BMW K100’s. 29 Adam Pope/John Christopher who came into the fray late in the season are out of contention.
The BSA Bantam championship race became a battle all weekend between 33 Mike Powell and 51 Michael Brown with 3 wins to Mike and one to Michael.

The BSSO Geared Scooter races became a battle between 2 Damon Tunniclife and 41 Stuart Day winning two race each. The minor places behind them was a close battle all weekend between 5 Steve Conneely, 3 Michael Bonett, 69 Tom Russel and 51 Bert Conneely.

The BSSO Zip Scooters (twist and go) became a battle between 6 Jon Davis and 52 John Woods winning two races each.

Next up is Cadwell Park 27/28th September, see you there.

Ace Cafe London's presence and involvement with the forthcoming Brackley Festival of Motorcycling; www.bfomc.org.uk once again includes a ride-out from the cafe to the event, departing the Ace at 8.30am on Sunday 17th August, in aid of the Air Ambulance Service.

This year, the "Rescue Ride-In", will depart the Ace and head to the Silverstone Circuit, joining other riders with a police escort into the Brackley Festival of Motorcycling.

The Air Ambulance Service needs you to get involved. Your donations will help keep the helicopters flying and get you refreshments and free entry into the festival.

Register online or sign up on the day.

www.ace-cafe-london.com

The Slovenian tyre producer Savatech is voluntarily recalling Sport Force radial motorcycle tyres from the market. These tyres were sold to customers mostly in Europe. The tyre sizes subject to recall are:

120/70 ZR17 (58W) TL SPORTFORCE MI

150/60 ZR17 (66W) TL SPORTFORCE MI

160/60 ZR17 (69W) TL SPORTFORCE MI

180/55 ZR17 (73W) TL SPORTFORCE MI

190/50 ZR17 (73W) TL SPORTFORCE MI

During sustained high speed riding a bulge may appear on the tread of the tyre causing vibration and in the most extreme of cases some of the tread may become detached. This problem has only been simulated in controlled and the most severe of conditions. The Sport Force recall is pre-emptive.

Customers can determine whether their tyre is subject to recall by checking the brand name “MITAS”, tyre name “Sport Force,” inscription “tubeless” and DOT* codes from 0114 to 2614, on the tyre sidewall. No other tyres are affected. The recalled tyres were made in Slovenia.

The recall follows a quarantine of stocks at tyre dealers. All customers are advised to contact the point of purchase to discuss options for replacement. The improved Sport Force tyres will be made available at the shortest possible term.