MCN Fleet: GSX-R1000R tackles chicane-less Mallory

Mallory Park was alive to the sights and sounds of some delicious metal at last weekend’s annual Bike Bonanza. 

Road and race machines, from classic to modern, two-stoke, four-stroke and wankel, all glistened under blue skies and hot summer sunshine. Fans were treated to static displays and on-track action, including a round of the British Sidecar Championship, where Tim Reeves took the honours, to parade laps from racers past and present, including Sammy Miller, Niall and Taylor Mackenzie, John Reynolds and Bradley Ray.

Suzuki were there in force showing their current GSX-R racers including Michael Dunlop’s TT superstock machine and TT-winning superbike, Richard Cooper’s superstocker and Bradley Ray’s BSB weapon.

I snuck in some laps on my GSX-R1000R and got to ride Mallory without the Edwinas and Bus Stop Chicanes, making the entry to the Esses and Devil’s Elbow something of an eye-opener. I also lent Taylor Mac my bike for his, let’s say ‘wheelie laps’, and luckily he brought it back in one piece…

The challenging Leicester circuit has been been given a makeover by its new owners and is now safer, less noisy for the neighbours and looks far smarter, too.

We also got to ride Cooper and Dunlop’s racers, which were a real opener, so a big thanks to the Hawk Racing team for trusting us on them, mid-season. You can read all about them and what makes them tick in MCN soon.