Terence Steven "Steve" McQueen (March 24, 1930 – November 7, 1980)

JORDI TORRES IS GROWING QUICKLY, CLOSE TO THE PODIUM IN BOTH RACES

Buriram (Thailand), 22 March 2015 – Two races that followed almost exactly the same script marked the début of the Thai Buriram circuit on the 2015 WSBK calendar.

Determined and generous, Leon Haslam rode his RSV4 to the second step of the podium twice in two races pushed to the limit wire to wire, strengthening his position in the overall standings.

In Race 1 Leon Haslam got off the line well from the second spot on the grid in the lead pack made up of Rea, Sykes, Lowes and Davies. Overtaking quickly, Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils came up to second place to begin hunting down Rea. With an extremely fast central portion of the race, the Brit seemed to be worrying the lead rider, but in the end he had to "settle" for an excellent second place finish.

Race 2 also featured a duel between Rea and Haslam, who both demonstrated a decidedly better pace than their rivals throughout the weekend. Leon and his team made some changed to the RSV4 between the two races, managing to squeeze a bit more speed from it. The opposition from his adversaries, which is always fierce in Superbike, kept Haslam from staying in contact with the lead rider.

The double second place, on a brand new track, is an important result that confirms Haslam's role as a pretender for the title as SBK prepares to return to Europe for the next round.

Leon Haslam: “The team did a great job. Between the two races we took a big step forward. Rea was simply too fast today. We decided to use a harder front tyre and maybe with the softer one we could have been faster in the first part of the race, but it didn't gives us the guarantees we needed in terms of distance. In any case I'm pleased with the weekend, especially because compared to Friday we have really improved and I can't wait to get to Aragon. Being on the podium for the first two rounds of the season is definitely a great starting point.”

In Thailand rookie Jordi Torres once again showed great maturity and confirmed the quality of the Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils decisions. Improving constantly, the Spaniard took full advantage of the start he earned yesterday in Superpole on the second row of the grid, without taking any risks in the first laps, but staying within reach of the podium. The characteristics of this circuit did not help him in his efforts: Jordi is still familiarising himself with his powerful Aprilia RSV4's braking system and he was competing on the track with some of the best “brakers” in the Superbike Championship. Thanks to his excellent progress in the final phases, in both races he finished just short of the podium. So he'll be going to his home race in Aragon with high ambitions.

Jordi Torres: “I am really happy about the work we did this weekend because, despite missing a session, we were able to come back well. The FP2 session is important for me because in the first session I learn the new track, whereas I need the second session to set up the base from which to work. Then on Saturday I have to focus on being fast for the qualifiers and Superpole. When I found myself behind Sykes I thought back to Phillip Island, where I crashed whilst trying to overtake him, and I decided to stay calm and study him in Race 1 without taking any risks. That was useful for me in Race 2. In the end I finished in the same position, but I'm learning lap after lap. Like I always say, the Aprilia RSV4 was made to win, and only when I reach that goal will I be able to be 100% satisfied.”

ONLY 11 THOUSANDTHS OF A SECOND KEPT THE BRIT FROM HIS FIRST SUPERPOLE ON THE APRILIA RSV4

A NICE FIFTH BEST TIME AND THE SECOND ROW FOR JORDI TORRES IN HIS FIRST EXPERIENCE ON A QUALIFIER TYRE.

Buriram (Thailand), 21 March 2015 – First and second row on the starting grid for Aprilia, reigning world champion, on the Thai Buriram circuit.

It was a spectacular and heated Superpole right down to the end. Taking it with an advantage of just 11 thousandths of a second was Rea, followed by Aprilia standard bearer Leon Haslam, who put in two flying laps on a qualifier tyre.

For Leon Haslam (leading the standings after victory in Australia) this is the second start from the front row in two races since making his début with the Aprilia RSV4. Leon was among the front runners from the beginning even in the practice sessions, giving the fans a show and taking full advantage of his RSV4. After putting the best time on the sheets with his first attempt on a qualifier Leon kept on, further improving his performance. Just a small mistake in the final phases kept him from winning his first Superpole with Aprilia, in any case taking a promising second position on the grid for the two races tomorrow.

The excellent work done in the garage during the practice sessions allowed Leon to line up on the grid with comforting results in terms of race pace, on a track where the high temperatures make proper tyre management vital.

Leon Haslam: “I'm pleased with this Superpole. The first row was our goal. In the first lap with a qualifier I may have been a bit overly cautious, whereas in the second one I made a small mistake. In any case, in terms of race pace we are doing well. The guys at Aprilia have done a great job and the RSV4 adapted quickly to the new track. Tomorrow the track condition will be different and I expect that there will be several riders capable of making a play for the win.”

For Jordi Torres, a rookie in World Superbike this year, this was his first experience with a Pirelli Superpole tyre since in Australia the last session had been suspended. In any case, the Spaniard handled this new situation well, finishing with the fifth best time which earns him a spot on the second row of the starting grid for tomorrow.

Jordi Torres: “I would have needed a few more laps during this weekend, but unfortunately the rain this morning made us miss a session. In FP4 we managed to do a great job, getting back up front, but first and foremost increasing my feeling with the RSV4. In Superpole for the first time I used a qualifier and the second row is not too bad at all, but when you ride an Aprilia it's never enough! Tomorrow we'll have to use the warmup wisely to improve further, especially in the braking sections where I still haven't found the right solution to brake hard and keep the bike stable.”

Where we have a great competition to win tickets to The Farmyard Party and Stormin' the Castle, a BIKERS WELCOME banner for your event and a holiday @ the very Biker Friendly Portland House, Keswick in the heart of the Lake District National Park. 

South African Superbike Racer and former British Championship podium finisher Allann Jon Venter, has today confirmed he will once again be riding for Topgun Racing at this year's Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy.

He will once again be competing in the RST Superbike, Monster Energy Supersport and RL360 Superstock classes onboard the same two Hondas that he raced at the 2014 meeting. He came home with four Bronze Replicas and two finisher's medals from the six races that he competed in, finishing with a best placed 19th in the Lightweight TT Race and also finished a credible 36th in the PokerStars Senior TT Race. He recorded a fastest lap of 119.6mph, his personal best around the Mountain Course.

AJ commented: "As it's my 3rd year back at the famous mountain course, I am really happy to remain Topgun mounted for a secod year. I was over the moon with last year's achievement as they were my best to date. When Wurz rang me up and offered me the ride again this year, there was no hesitation in saying yes. Being my 3rd year at the course I am aiming to keep chipping away at the times and move into the 120mph bracket."

Wurz Cox (Team Owner) said: "AJ impressed us all last year with his pure passion and dogged determination to succeed at the TT, this along with the fact we all bonded so well last year made it a very easy decision to invite him back for 2015"

You will be able to follow AJ and the team's progress throughout the build up to 2015 TT at www.topgunracing.co.uk

Or follow them on facebook and twitter.