2008

Year: 2008

Month: ALL

Llewellyn to make track comeback?

03 January 2009 by Gary Pinchin

Former BSB racer Matt Llewellyn is contemplating a comeback to racing – in the all-new Harley-Davidson XR1200 Trophy that will at BSB meetings this year. It is three years since Llewellyn, now 40,...

Telford Ice Speedway cancelled

02 January 2009 by MCN News Desk

Telford Ice Speedway chiefs have reluctantly cancelled their plans for February’s big event. An upgrade of plant machinery at the venue has meant there’s a strong chance the ice rink will not be ready...

Shorttrack UK 2009 race dates

02 January 2009 by Gary Pinchin

There will be eight rounds of the American-inspired Shorttrack UK series in 2009, kicking off at the Norfolk Arena, Kings Lynn on May 3 and reaching its climax at Rye House Speedway, Hoddesdon on...

Stuart Higgs: "We've got more champions than last year"

01 January 2009

British Superbike Series Organiser, Stuart Higgs, has said there is more established talent in the championship for 2009 despite losing the top four from 2008. When 2008 Champion Shane Byrne and Leon...

2009 Dakar ready for kick off

01 January 2009 by Michael Guy

The 2009 Dakar has been totally revamped with competitors facing an all new challenge across Argentina and Chile. The event has been run since 1979 and its original route began under the arches of the...

BSB Review: Best race in pictures

01 January 2009 by MCN News Desk

Shane Byrne was expected to take the title at Croft but a massive high-side during the second free practice session on Friday left the champion-elect battered and bruised. Byrne passed fit to...

Isle of Man TT: The roads: the line-up

01 January 2009 by MCN Sports Desk

The 50th anniversary of Japanese giant Honda’s first Isle of Man TT in June will be celebrated with a proven winning line-up featuring 14-times TT victor John McGuinness and Steve Plater. The duo will...

Extra BSB races at Oulton and Brands

31 December 2008 by Gary Pinchin

Two of the 2009 British Superbike Championship rounds will feature a new-look three race BSB format – boosting the series to 26 races over the 12 championship rounds. Series organisers MSVR have...

Superstock price-capped

31 December 2008 by Gary Pinchin

MSVR, the BSB series organisers, have announced that there will be a price cap placed on machines eligible for the Superstock 1000cc class in 2009. The MCRCB, the rulemaking body for the MSVR-run...

John Hopkins confirms Kawasaki quit bombshell

31 December 2008 by Matthew Birt

American John Hopkins has confirmed Kawasaki has notified him of its intention not to compete in the 2009 MotoGP world championship. The bombshell news was communicated to the 25-year-old on December...

Kawasaki silent on MotoGP withdrawal

31 December 2008 by Matthew Birt

Kawasaki is remaining silent on shock plans to quit MotoGP with immediate effect. News of the withdrawal broke yesterday (Tuesday) and threatens to plunge the MotoGP world championship into a major...

BSB Review: Ducati 1098R in numbers

31 December 2008 by MCN News Desk

In this year’s review of the year MCN named the Ducati 1098R as the bike of the year in the British Superbike championship. Here’s why, in numbers. 14 – Number of race wins Ducati had in BSB in...

The changing weight regulation timeline

31 December 2008 by Rob Hull

When British Superbike organisers adapted the minimum weight regulation for V-twins in May it sparked the biggest riot in recent BSB history. Here’s how it all happened. February Jonathan Palmer...

Can I have my bike back please

30 December 2008 by Kev Cooper

This I will never forget caught the start of it and then the straw bails as the bike stopped infront of me

Kawasaki quits MotoGP?

30 December 2008 by Matthew Birt

Rumours are circulating that Kawasaki has shut down its factory MotoGP squad with immediate effect. The move would leave Marco Melandri and American John Hopkins without a ride for 2009 and the...

Ben Spies: “I wish I could have raced Bayliss”

30 December 2008 by Michael Guy

American Ben Spies has revealed that he would have loved to have raced with Troy Bayliss sighting the Australian as one of his all time favourite riders. Since arriving in the WSB paddock, the three...

KTM announce RC8 series rules

30 December 2008 by Gary Pinchin

KTM has now announced the full rules package for the 2009 RC8 Cup, which will run at BSB meetings and replaces the highly-successful Superduke series that ran for two seasons. KTM’s Event Manager...

Ruben Xaus welcomes British young guns in to WSB

29 December 2008 by Michael Guy

Ruben Xaus has revealed that he can’t wait to race with the influx of young British riders entering World Superbikes next year after getting to see Tom Sykes, Leon Haslam and Jonathan Rea up close...

BSB Review: The moment that made us wince, in pictures

29 December 2008 by Rob Hull

One of the most unforgettable moments of the 2008 British Superbike campaign was this almighty off at Thruxton back in April. Do you think you’d be able to get up and walk away from being slammed in...

Mackenzie and Whitham race Harley-Davidsons

29 December 2008 by Gary Pinchin

Niall Mackenzie and James Whitham will take guest rides in the all new Harley-Davidson XR1200 Trophy series at BSB rounds next year. Harley UK’s Greg Willis said: “Niall and James are confirmed as...

Steve Plater third in Scunthorpe shorttrack

28 December 2008 by Gary Pinchin

HM Plant Honda’s Steve Plater finished third in Saturday’s Shorttrack UK Christmas Cracker meeting, his best finish yet in the annual meeting on the Scunthorpe speedway oval. Plater borrowed a Honda...

Pete Boast wins Christmas Shorttrack

28 December 2008 by Gary Pinchin

Peter Boast won the Silkolene Shorttrack UK Christmas Cracker meeting at Scunthorpe Speedway on Saturday afternoon. The event promoter and Shorttrack UK Thunderbike champion made light work of heavy...

BSB Review: Difficult first season for Atsushi Watanabe

28 December 2008 by Rob Hull

Atsushi Watanabe may have arrived in Britain with a glowing reference and a CV good enough to make any Superbike team salivate, but the two-time Japanese Superbike champion had a difficult opening...

BSB Review: Why Tom Sykes is the most promising

27 December 2008 by Rob Hull

Tom Sykes might have finished fourth in the championship, but a late performance surge and impressive wildcards made him one of the hottest properties to come out of BSB in 2008. Sykes had a torrid...

Haslam under lap record in Cartagena test

26 December 2008 by Michael Guy

Leon Haslam finished off his 2008 season in the best way possible with a positive two day test at Cartagena last week. The 25 year old Brit got to ride the newly prepared Stiggy Honda CBR1000RR in...

Bayliss and Rossi agree WSB is more fun than MotoGP

25 December 2008 by Michael Guy

Three times WSB champion Troy Bayliss says he agrees with seven times GP Champion Valentino Rossi that WSB is more fun than MotoGP. Rossi made the controversial comments over the closeness of racing...

Racing on Roads 2009

25 December 2008 by MCN News Desk

Racing on public roads isn’t just about the TT or even the amazing Irish scene. There’s a world of traditional racing on public roads still out there. Some of the races are now consigned to classic...

BMW focussed on 2009 World Superbike campaign

24 December 2008 by Michael Guy

Following the first official top teams Pirelli test in South Africa, BMW have revealed their intentions to be fighting for top five finishes by the end of the 2009 season. The German manufacturer will...

Shorttrack racing: The Framers and DTX

24 December 2008 by Gary Pinchin

If you go to the annual Silkolene Shorttrack UK Christmas Cracker meeting at Scunthorpe speedway on Saturday, December 27, not only will you see BSB stars Steve Plater, Guy Martin and Karl Harris...

Alistair Kennedy: Why we didn't go with Ducati

23 December 2008 by Rob Hull

Alistair Kennedy has spoken out about the decision to take North West 200 backing to Rob McElnea’s Yamaha team over forming his own squad and running Ducati machinery. Kennedy was contemplating...

Leon Camier takes on gold medal-winning cyclist

23 December 2008 by Rob Hull

Three-time British Superbike race winner Leon Camier took time out of his training regime to go head-to-head in a cycling contest with Beijing Olympic double gold winning sprinter, Jason Kenny. The...

Bayliss tips Haga for 2009 WSB crown

23 December 2008 by Michael Guy

Troy Bayliss believes that Noriyuki Haga is one of three men capable of fighting for the World Superbike Championship in 2009. Haga has replaced Bayliss in the factory Xerox Ducati squad for 2009 and...

Shorttrack: Busting the jargon

23 December 2008 by Gary Pinchin

Saturday’s annual Silkolene Shorttrack UK Christmas Cracker meeting at Scunthorpe Speedway is unique in bringing together top BSB stars Steve Plater, Guy Martin and Karl Harris against the top men...

Video: GSE Racing workshop tour

22 December 2008 by Rob Hull

As well as changing manufacturer to Yamaha from Ducati for 2009, GSE Racing has also moved into a new headquarters. The 2008 British Superbike Champions have moved into the former HQ of the Petronas...

Kawasaki satisfied after first round of testing

22 December 2008 by Michael Guy

Broc Parkes and Makoto Tamada got their first taste of the 2009 specification Kawasaki ZX-10R’s they will be campaigning in the World Superbike championship in 2009. The factory Kawasaki squad now run...

James Ellison hoping for extended GSE career

22 December 2008 by Rob Hull

James Ellison has told MCN that he’d love to race for GSE Racing for more than just 2009. The 28-year old penned a year-long contract with the 2008 British Superbike Championship winning team. But in...