Test ends on positive note for Beowulf Racing
24-03-2008
High winds again worked against Beowulf Racing on the final leg of their four-day test at Valencia. However, the Somerset-based team leaves the Spanish circuit in high spirits, having made significant improvements to the handling of their YZF-R6's, and are confident of a strong performance in the opening rounds of their respective championships.
Gino Rea (European Superstock 600 Championship):
"I completed over 65 laps today and have had a brilliant test overall. I am getting on really well with our new mechanic Andy Williams and I can't wait for the first race of the season. Even the wind has helped us - if it is gusty when we come back here next week we'll know what to expect and if it isn't we'll know we can go faster."
Dan Linfoot (European Superstock 600 Championship):
"Despite the wind it's been another good day for me. We've concentrated on the ignition maps of my machine in the final sessions. I got plenty of laps in today and it is just such an advantage to be testing at a circuit where we'll be racing in under a fortnight's time."
Pat McDougall (British Supersport Cup):
"We've gained a lot more mid-range power today, along with testing out new brakes. Even with the wind it's been a great four days and I definitely made the right decision coming here than attending the official British Superbike test at Snetterton - I heard they were pretty much snowed off for most of their sessions!"
Whist the majority of the team are now returning to the UK, Team Owner Andrew Stone and WSB Team Manager John Preston are remaining at the circuit for a further two days to attend an official Yamaha Technical Briefing. Will these two ex-racers be tempted to take to the track at any point we ask ourselves? If they do, you'll hear about it first on www.beowulf-racing.com!
Beowulf win again despite gusty conditions
23-03-2008
High winds today at the the Valencia racing circuit in Spain caused a slight hiatus to the testing schedule of Beowulf Racing, but the blustery conditions didn't stop team riders Gino Rea and Pat McDougall scoring a first and second place finish in this afternoon's 600cc race.
After achieving their target of lapping the 2.5 mile circuit in the 1:40 zone yesterday, the team had been looking forward to upping their pace into the 1:39's today. However, with howling winds battering the Ricardo Tomo track it was clear from the outset that this would not be possible. Instead the squad concentrated on fine-tuning the machines of all three riders. When the afternoon race came around, Rea and McDougall upheld the team's honour with with a one-two finish, whilst yesterday's runner-up Dan Linfoot elected not to take to the track due to the hostile conditions.
Team owner Andrew Stone commented afterwards: "Because of the wind, we didn't get to where we wanted today, but it's still been a successful day overall. We spent our time honing the electronics on Gino's machine and tomorrow we'll turn our attention to Pat and Dan's bikes. We're testing for the full day tomorrow, not racing, so hopefully we'll be able to make up the time we lost today."
Race win for Beowulf at Valencia
22-03-2008
There's been further success for Beowulf Racing during the second day of their four-day test at Valencia. Today's session took on a race format with free practice in the morning, timed qualifying in the afternoon and a 14-lap open-class race in the afternoon. Running against a number of full-specification Superbike machines, the YZF-R6's of Beowulf riders Gino Rea and Dan Linfoot held their own and finished in first and second position respectively. With rain starting to spit down at the half-way point, teammate Pat McDougall decided to retire from the proceedings early. It proved to be a wise decision - the race was red-flagged on lap nine when the shower turned into a monsoon.
Although the team is under no illusions about the race not being a truly competitive affair, there are many positive points to come out of today's performance:
Firstly, the lap times set today by Gino Rea and Dan Linfoot at 1:40.84 and 1:40.85, are well within the circuits Superstock 600 lap record of 1:42.628, although it should be borne in mind that better tyre compounds are permitted now than when the record was set.
Secondly, Rea and Linfoot crossed the finishing line only a couple of wheel lengths apart which is a sure sign of a competitive, yet fair, rivalry within the team when the season starts next month.
Next, the fourth, sixth and eighth place qualifying positions of Rea, Linfoot and McDougall ensured they were the top three 600cc machines on the grid.
Finally, although the Superbike machines all were running on slick tyres and thus had to retire as soon as the rain began, they were all entered by professional European race teams. The Beowulf riders more than held their own against the larger-capacity machines during the opening laps.
Tomorrow's sessions will follow the same format as today's but the race will be purely for 600cc machines. With the 1:40 lap target now comfortably achieved, the goal is now to push forwards again into the 1:39 zone.
Sponsors
Team StoneBaker.
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.
