Held Racer Report: Wigley Racing, Brands Hatch British Supersport

Brands Hatch GP Race Report 

The final round of the British Superbike season took place at Brands Hatch on our third visit to the Kent based circuit of the year. The weekend began on a good foot as we hit the damp circuit for free practice 1. Kurt took the first stages of the session steady due to the unpredictable conditions but then began to increase the pace as the dry line appeared leaving himself in P4 for the opening session.

 Free practice 2 proved to be somewhat of a challenge for the team as an incorrect gearing change meant that Kurt was struggling to get the power on the exit of the turns, despite this, we began developing the suspension setup for the demanding circuit so that it did not go to waste.

The challenge with finding a smooth bike setup continued into the qualifying session as each lap Kurt was on the limit of losing the front entering the first and final turn, along with this, we continued to search for a solution to the bike running excessively wide on the exit of fast turns. Kurt improved on his lap time throughout the session but unfortunately it was only enough to leave him in P15 for the grid in the afternoons sprint race.

The opening race of the final round was tense as several changes was made in a bid to reach where we aimed to be. As the lights went out, Kurt immediately began to make up positions, however, it wasn’t long before the bad luck struck and it became apparent Kurt was suffering with progressive brake fade. On the entrance to turn 4, Kurt failed to slow down enough but attempted to make the corner nevertheless. This resulted in him losing the front and crashing out. Kurt was unhurt nor was the bike severely damaged but frustration arose with how the day had panned out.

Due to Saturdays race being cut short for the team, we started the feature race back in P19 but determined to make the most of a bad situation. With nothing to lose, we made a further gearing change along with alterations to the front suspension and engine braking. As the lights went out for the second time, Kurt headed to the outside of the circuit aiming to keep a smooth line and carry the momentum. Over the course of the race, Kurt moved up to P11 for the finish.

Despite a series of DNFs and technical issues at the beginning of the year, we concluded our rookie season with a P15 in the British Supersport series and totaling eight top 10 finishes. We would like to greatly thank everyone who has been involved throughout the season as we could not do it without you. 2018 plans will soon be confirmed as we aim to continue our progression. 

We're pleased to supply Wigley Racing over the years with Held. They are currently using Held Phantom II gloves! www.held-uk.co.uk

Held Racer Report- Wigley Racing, Assen Superstock 600

Assen TT Race Report

We had the long journey over to Holland last weekend for the 11th round of the season as we attended the famous TT Assen circuit. The first free practice session of the weekend proved to be somewhat of a learning curve as it was the first time Kurt has seen the circuit in 6 years. We had a progressive session catching up with those who attended the circuit last year and improving lap times right down to the last lap.

Held Gloves wearer Kurt Wigley

 FP2 proved to be better still, following a change of gearing and amendments to the suspension setup after the initial session of the weekend. This weekend we had the support again of Mupo who worked with the team between sessions and in pit lane helping to find the best setup and overcome any problems that arise. The session came to close with a P11 finish and a new personal best lap time 2.5 seconds faster.

After FP2’s big steps in the right direction, we were all feeling confident for the Saturday morning qualifying session. The session began in damp conditions so we hit the track on wet tyres to get started, after the first stint Kurt had made his way up to P2 and with a dry line rapidly appearing he was forced to pit and change to drys. Following a 4 minute pit stop, Kurt headed back out at which point he had fallen back down to mid-teens. The lap times began to drop and Kurt moved up into P10 where he then began his fastest lap of the session. After a green first two sectors the session was brought to an immediate stop in the final stages as on the exit of a fast left turn he hit the damp edge of the circuit launching him over the handle bars. Kurt didn’t sustain any major injuries, however, the bike had rolled several times on the tarmac smashing the rear wheel and ripping off the clocks.

Race 1 was later that day therefore the team worked flat out to get the bike fixed within 3 hours in a bid to make the start. It was close but they pulled through just in time for a very wet sprint race. After a delayed start due to the downpour, the race was soon under way. Kurt made his way up to P6 on the opening lap but as the race progresses he began to struggle and lost a few positions due to the beating he withstood earlier that day. As Kurt began to regain the lost positions, an overtaking maneuver put him off line for the hairpin resulting in him crashing out on the exit when the rear broke traction. The incident was minor and the only damage was a dented pride as Kurt picked up his own bike off the track side and pushed it through the gravel.

Kurt was determined not to let the weekend conclude on a bad note despite qualifying P15 after the unfortunate end to race 1. As the red lights went out he headed straight to the inside of the circuit for the first turn and began to push forward whist everyone was bunched up. As the field began to spread out, Kurt battled through to the front of the group he was in before bridging the gap to those in front. After a tough race the day came to a close with a P8 finish even following a position penalty due to exceeding track limits.

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Held Racer Report: Zoek Racing, Assen

ZOEK RACING ASSEN

The two Zoek Racing riders, Lymm racer Sean Neary and Craig Currie from Newark travelled across the North Sea to Holland for the final round of the Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup where they were racing at Assen’s Cathedral of Speed circuit. Neary completed the first race in third but crashed out of race two while Currie completed the first race on Saturday in 11th position and race two in 12th.

Zoek Racing's Sean Neary

 Starting the first of two races from the second row in wet conditions Neary maintained fourth place on the first couple of laps but passed Phil Atkinson to take up second on lap three. But one lap later Atkinson snatched his position back leaving Neary to continue on his way to a third place finish at the end of the eight lap affair some 12 seconds clear of the rider in fourth place.

Neary said: “it was not nice conditions out there today in the wet but I managed to stay upright and finish on the podium. Thanks to the whole Zoek Racing team for all the help again today, I cannot wait for race two on Sunday.”

But race two did not go as well as he hoped as on the first lap Neary was caught out with a cold tyre and crashed, his race over.

He said: “Unfortunately I crashed out on the first lap; sorry to my team who didn't deserve that but I wanted to win! After a poor start I was riding hard to get to the front; it just wasn't meant to be this season as we have had no luck from start to finish. I'm not ready to finish like that and want to come back to win! So many people to thank, you all know who you are! For now it's a race to the Ferry. Thanks for all the support all season.”

Neary ends the season in fifth place on 177 points but is considering coming back next year to make amends by winning the title!

Meanwhile Nottinghamshire rider Craig Currie qualified in 10th place to start the first race from the fourth row. But he lost nine positions on the first lap after being forced to take avoiding action when a rider fell right in his path. He found himself down in 20th position but he began a fight back and at the end of the race took the chequered flag in 15th place. But four riders ahead were in a different class meaning Currie was promoted to 11th in his class to pick up five championship points.

In race two he set off from the sixth row and moved through the pack to finish in 12th place to pick up a further four championship points bringing his total to 56 and placing him 11th in the final rider points.

Held wearers Craig Currie (left) and Sean Neary celebrate

Craig said: “Considering I have missed a few races due to my reoccurring shoulder injury I am pleased with 11th. I was aiming for a top 10 end to the season but I will take that. I am going into hospital next week for the operation to rectify this shoulder injury, I have been putting it off all season but now we have finished racing I will be able to get it done and come back fighting next season.”

Pic credit: Dave Yeomans shows #10 Neary in action plus Currie and Neary celebrating the end of the season.

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