British Superbike racing stars geared up for the new season
Testing is on the horizon, the sponsors are being secured and the classes and championships have been confirmed.
It can only mean the new bike season is upon us, with all the British Superbike and club racings stars ready to get their campaigns underway.
The Wigley twins, from Hednesford, will be flying out to Cartagena in Spain this month to put the finishing touches to their supersport machines.
Following a frustrating 2018, which was littered with top results but too many crashes, Matt and Kurt, aged 22, have confirmed they will be back in the British Supersport championship for 2019.
It will mark Kurt’s third season in the supersport class, while Matt – who has suffered his fair share of serious crashes over the last few years, including a broken back – will be back for the second time, having entered the National Superstock 1000 series in 2017.
But there were plenty of positives last year, including two top finishes at Silverstone for Kurt while the end of the campaign saw both riders put in much more consistent finishes and record far fewer crashes.
Positive
And with the 2019 British Superbike calendar revealing rounds one, two and three will take place at Silverstone, Donington Park and Outlon Park – easily the most local tracks for any Midland-based riders – the twins are hoping for a positive opening to their campaigns, regardless of what classes they enter.
The Sorrymate.com riders will be joined by 15-year-old Josh Hiatt, from Heath Hayes, in the same paddock – who will be back competing in the standard class British Motostar series – and have also secured the signature of one of their long-term sponsors, who will be backing them during the 2019 season.
Kurt said: “We have had confirmation from Omega Scaffolding, from Walsall, they will be continuing their support into the new season.
“We also are in some final discussions with a couple of new businesses, which we will know about soon on the final decisions.
“Finally, we will be packing our bags this month ready for Spain, where we will be testing at Cartagena.
“We also know we will be back competing in the British Supersport series for sure now. The bikes are being prepared ready for testing.”
Meanwhile, rising star Mcauley Longmore is also preparing for an exciting campaign, as he looks to compete in Darley Moor, in Derbyshire – where he was just pipped to first place in the Formula 125cc class last year – as well as Thundersport GB and NG Road Racing.
The 15-year-old, from Coppice Farm, Willenhall, may also try dipping his toes in the British Superbike championship as a wildcard, if time and money allows.
Mcauley’s father Steve, said: “We’re getting his new bike in hopefully two weeks, ready for first race at Darley Moor.
“We have finally made our mind up and gone for the Kawasaki Ninja 400, so we will be doing parts of Darley, and also racing with Thundersport and NG racing.
“And when he’s got use to riding the new bike, hopefully halfway through the season, I’ll put him into the BSB juniors to get a bit of a feel.
“Hopefully that in turn will set him up for next season when we will do a full BSB meeting.
“We’re also looking to do a lot of track days this year, to get him more used to different circuits.
“We are still in touch with CWU Wolverhampton Branch but still looking for more sponsors to advertise on the brand-spanking new bike.”
Round one of NG Racing takes place March 15-17, at Brands Hatch in Kent, with opening Thundersport GB takes at the same circuit, March 29-31.
The Darley Moor championship begins with testing on April 6, with round one the following day.
The British Superbikes and support classes will also begin their campaigns at Silverstone, April 19-21.
Elswehere, teenage racing sensation Luke Gardner rounded off his winter flat track season by finishing third in Scunthorpe Winter Series out of 23 riders. The 13-year-old, from Rugeley, was just three points behind National Superstock 1000 champion Ben Godfrey after the final round was called off due to bad weather.
Luke’s father Rob said: “Luke had some really close racing at the previous round and Ben only beat him by half a wheel length in the final race.
“Luke also finished top of the leaderboard in the Pit Bike Evo Class securing yet another championship trophy, which takes his overall tally to 16.”
Luke’s 2019 race season starts with the DTRA season opener at Kings Lynn Speedway, April 13-14, where he will be the youngest rider in the senior class, riding a 250cc Kawasaki.
Walsall’s Josh Langman will race CB500s again this year but has decided to move up in to the Thundersport 500 Sportsman class.
The 27-year-old, who ended his debut campaign in the 500 Freshman class in fourth last year, said: “It’s a step up in class as such and I’ll be in the ‘main’ race on weekends now.
“I’ve had to completely rebuild both my dry and wet bike over the winter, as one had a heavy accident at the last round and the other had had a few accidents during the season.
“I may enter a few No Limits rounds this season as well, if time and funds allow, but I’m looking forward to the season starting at Brands Hatch on March 30.”
