StoneBaker Racing gets ready for Germany
11-06-2008
There might have been a five-week break since StoneBaker Racing (formerly Beowulf Racing) was last out in race action, but the Somerset-based squad hasn't been resting. With the next round of the European Superstock 600 Championship only a few days away Yamaha-mounted riders Gino Rea and Dan Linfoot, along with the rest of the team, have just completed a three-day test at the circuit of Misano on the Adriatic coast.
The purpose of the session was to familiarise the riders with the circuit (which the European series visits at the end of June), as well as providing an opportunity for machinery development, testing and running-in several new motors. The bike which StoneBaker Racing plans to enter into next year's World Supersport Championship was also present and received a considerable amount of the squads attention.
As none of the bikes were fitted with transponders, no accurate timings are available. However, both riders and Joint Team Owner Andrew Stone declared themselves happy with the weekend's developments even though some of the proceedings had to be carried out in the rain. On-board footage of the bikes on the track, with commentary from Linfoot and Rea, is available on the Video section of this website.
The fourth-round race in the 2008 European Superstock 600 Championship takes place at the Nurburgring in Germany on Saturday 14th June. StoneBaker riders Linfoot and Rea currently lie third and eighth respectively in the series standings. The race will be webcast live at www.worldsbk.com at 4.40pm, BST.
Dan Linfoot:
"The test at Misano was mega! I've been in need of wet practice as I have yet to ride a 600cc machine in the rain - so when the showers came down I was straight onto the track and racked up the laps. Although I was tasked with running the new engines in, they were plenty fast enough when I opened the throttle and an improvement over our previous Superstock machines. I also had a taste of our Supersport bike which was very fast! I am looking forwards to the Nurburgring although I will need to learn the track before I can really up my pace."
Gino Rea:
"It was good to get used to the track again and to learn the new corners at turns one and two. It was a shame it rained but we got close to a race set up, with only a few final changes to the suspension and gearing still to be tested. The team has been working non-stop and I would like to say thanks to them for putting in so much effort and hard work to get here. The new engine which I ran-in feels really strong, so I'm looking forward to testing it against the others at the Nurburgring. I can't wait to get out there!"
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.
