Gareth Evans has brought a new name into motorcycle racing as a sponsor for the new season. After a difficult season in 2009, Evans who is a motor vehicle mechanic by day decided that it was time to run his own team.

Evans is hoping to take part in a couple of the International Road Racing including the Ulster Grand Prix (where he made his road racing debut in 2009 in the Dundrod 150 races) and the North West 200 and if funds permit perhaps the odd Metzler National Superstock 1000 races over in the mainland.

Evans who last season spent most of the year on the Supersport machines is looking forward to moving up a class for 2010 and it will be made more interesting for the local man as he has managed to secure some additional sponsorship in the form of Killyleagh garage, T M Martin & Son, where Evans spends his days fixing cars. Owner of T M Martin & Son, John Martin is well known in County Down as one of the main Citroen dealer’s was delighted when asked to help support Evans develop his road racing career.

Ally Pally event supported by Ace Cafe

The Ace Cafe London is has announced that it is to sponsor the 2010 Ally Pally Motorcycle Show.   Clinton Enterprises will be among the many exhibitors at the London show which runs from February 26th - 28th.
Mark Wilsmore of Ace Cafe London comments “The prestigious heritage of Alexandra Palace, a venue that has hosted so many successful motorcycle shows, combined with that of Ace Cafe London brings together two iconic London landmarks with the best that motorcycling has to offer. This can only further strengthen the event.

The West Hall of Ally Pally will become the centre of attention for custom bike enthusiasts and will feature builders from the UK and overseas.  With the keen support of AMD and being part of the Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building, including Zodiac International sponsoring the compeition, visitors can be assured of a spectacular array machines.

The Great Hall of Ally Pally will be the focal point for motorcyclings “bedrock” exhibitors and, as in 2009, will feature the great brands and their products.  In addition there will be live stage action and entertainment as well as a return of the ever popular stunt show, which will be held in the North West Hall. Ally Pally’s Panorama Room will be hosting the smaller trade stands and a motorcycle auction.

From Sports, Race, Cruiser and Classics to Streetfighters and Custom Superbikes, together with clubs, all are welcome to be a part of putting the Ally Pally Bike Show back on the map and Clintor Enterprises is looking forward to playing it’s part in this exciting new event in 2010.

HM Plant Honda’s Josh Brookes is looking forward to standing in for countryman Broc Parkes at the upcoming World Superbike curtain raiser at Phillip Island in a fortnight.

Parkes was ruled out of the Australian first round after injuring himself in a motocross crash so his Echo CRS team got in touch with Brookes at his Sydney home to see if he could deputise.

“I got a call just after Broc’s crash to see if I could race and after talking to Harv (Beltran, HM Plant Honda team boss) I told them I would be able to stand in,” said Brookes.  “To get so much more time racing before the start of the British Superbike season is a great opportunity and I will make the most of it. My BSB plans are still on course and I’m looking forward to testing at Cartagena next month.”

Doodson Honda’s Tom Tunstall has confirmed he will be on the British Superbike grid for the 2010 season. He is stil to decide whether he will compete in the main class or new EVO Superbike series.

Tunstall was a regularly in the top 3 in the Superbike Cup, which later made way for the Evo Superbikes during the winter. Tunstall will now evaluate both classes.

“We already have a proper superbike but we’re taking a stock engine testing with us and we’re going to evaluate which is the best option for myself and the team before we jump either way.  We don’t want to undo a good bike, scrap the engine/s electronics etc if it’s not going to be the best, and most cost effective, route.

We’re very pleased that the Doodson Broking Group is stepping up to be title sponsor, part of their continued commitment to motorcycle sport. We’re looking to repay them with our efforts both on and off the track.

We made some great progress with the new CBR1000RR and I’m happy to have the consistency with the bike. We’ve now got a year’s worth of data and along with some further developments we should hit the ground running.

It feels like it’s been a long winter and I’m thrilled to get things confirmed and to be on the Superbike grid” said Tunstall.

Ed Rendell had joined the Dutch-2-UK squad to mount a challenge for the British 125GP Championship in 2010.

Rendell broke his leg badly at Cadwell Park last year.  He says he is looking forward to working with a new team and new teammate Simon Low.

“I’m very excited about working with Dutch-2-UK this year, I am very impressed with the disc valve system and how it performs. I feel we can produce a very fast, competitive bike for my return in 2010,” said the 18-year-old from Essex.

“I am working very hard on my fitness while seeing a physiotherapist to ensure my leg is ready for 2010. More than five months out is very frustrating but I’ve broken my left leg before so I’m aware how much hard work is needed, but I’m willing to put in as much work as needed so I’m back fit and fighting for British Superbikes.”

Laverty Completes All-Irish line up for Relentless Suzuki

Michael Laverty has joined National Superstock champion Alastair Seeley to ride for the Relentless by TAS Suzuki team in BSB in 2010. This follows on from his previous success as the winner of the British Supersport in 2007 with the same team before he moved onto BSB in 2008.
Laverty finished runner-up to Mat Mladin at Road America in 2009 having rode a restricted AMA Superbreak series with Celtic Suzuki.
He is both thrilled to get the ride with the Relentless Suzuki, and optimistic in their attempt to snatch the race title after the team confirmed his place just before Christmas
Laverty said “I rode their 2009 bike at Kirkistown and Bishopscourt last year and, compared to the Relentless GSX-R1000 I rode in 2008, it’s so different – a big step over what I rode before – and I think we’ve got new stuff coming so we can improve on that this year.
Last year Ian Lowry finshed fifth with the Relentless by TAS team and is currently after a Moto2 ride despite the possibility of remaining with the team after the move by Laverty.

Brits on top in WSB Test

Day one of official testing in Portimao saw Leon Haslam off to an impressive start riding his Alstare Suzuki to set the time to beat. Haslem has shown his continuing form by setting the fastest pace during both sessions in Portugal after successfully achieving the top spot during winter testing at Valencia last December.

Halsam is quoted as saying “I wasn’t expecting the grip to be as good as when we tested here after the final race and it wasn’t, but we’ve still gone faster on the hard tyres we’re using. I didn’t expect to get into the 1m 42s but we have and that shows how well the bike is working.
“We came here with one bike set-up like the Portimao test and one from Valencia. We’ve ended up modifying the Valencia bike but and its working well. We’ve still got things to test and develop and I know we can go quicker so for a first day I’m happy.”

Despite setting the second fastest time Cal Crutchlow continues to make changes to his factory Yamaha in a bid improve his chances.
Meanwhile Jonathan Rea continued to challenge his previous lap time by reaching a personal best, despite a huge crash earlier in the day. The battered and bruised Ten Kate Honda rider rode through the pain to dispatch a time of 1m 43.033 finishing in third place.
James Toseland and Shane Byrne made up the five British riders in the top six with Max Biaggi just ahead as the first non-Brit in fourth onboard his factory Aprilia.

AIM Suzuki recruit Gary Johnson for BSB Evo

Already planned to ride the three major international road races , GaryJohnson is confirmed as continuing onboard with AIM Suzuki at the BSB Evo in 2010. Johnson sees this as an exciting opportunity combining racing in the new Evo class with West 200, TT and Ulster Grand Prix with the intention of remaining open minded on what to expect from the challenge ahead.
Johnson said “I am going to attack it from the start. The new class it should be pretty equal so I know that the competition will be stiff. It is a completely new venture with the Evo class and things are shaping up well so we won’t be able to judge the competition until we are on track.”
“I want to get good results for the team in the first year of the Evo class but it is also a great chance for me to get the track time and develop the bike.

“In terms of BSB we all have our fingers crossed for a good season and I think we have as good a chance as anyone to go out there and have a good shot at the first Evo title.” The AIM team has had previous success in the short circuits with Sean Emmett, Stuart Easton, John McGuinness and, most recently, Steve Plater in 2008 and is also championing Dennis Hobbs in the National Superstock.
Discussing his teams achievements owner Alistair Flanagan comments: “BSB Evo provide a great chance for teams who have limited outside sponsorship as such to still be able to compete at the highest level in the UK as we are assured of great coverage for not a lot of outlay, and it will be a competitive, level playing field.”

Hickman To Contest Full BSB Championships

Encouraged by his success as runner-up in the British Superbike Cup last season, Peter Hickman looks set to challenge the full British Superbike Championships in 2010. Remaining with the Ultimate Racing team based in Northants, Hickman has also decided to continue riding the R1 Yamaha albeit with some factory modifications
in his bid for the championship.

Feeling confident after his success last season the Louth-based rider said ,“I am happy with the Yamaha, The new Evo series for privateers is not on the agenda for me. I really need to build on the success I achieved last year and move into the main championship.”

“The team are very near to securing a title sponsor which will help enormously with the extra costs involved but we are still seeking sponsors to help with the running costs.”

Pre-season testing for Hickman sees him possibly travelling to Gaudix in Spain within the next few weeks in a bid to prepare for the challenges ahead for him and the team.

Clinton Enterprises offers a full range of British Superbikes official merchandise available to buy online from this site.

Louth-based Peter Hickman is to contest the British Superbike Cup championships after making the step up from the British Superbike Cup series in 2010.

As runner-up in the Cup last year, Hickman was spurred on by his success to move into the main championship this season, whilst remaining with the Ultimate Racing Team in Northamptonsire.

Hickman is keen to remain with the R1 Yamaha that helped him to success in the cup last season with some factory added modifications to help boost his challenge.

“I am happy with the Yamaha,” he said. “The new Evo series for privateers is not on the agenda for me. I really need to build on the success I achieved last year and move into the main championship.

“The team are very near to securing a title sponsor which will help enormously with the extra costs involved but we are still seeking sponsors to help with the running costs.”

With the intention of getting some winter testing under his belt Hickman hopes to travel to Gaudix in Spain within the next few weeks where the weather should be a lot warmer than here in the UK.