Held Racer Report: Leon Jeacock, Rd 12 Pirelli National Superstock1000 Championship

Mission Accomplished

Leon went into the last round of the Pirelli National Superstock1000 Championship with Black Horse at the iconic Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit with the aim of finishing in the top ten of this highly competitive series. A task made even more daunting by the decision switch to the ‘NMT No Limits’ Kawasaki team after an approach by the team to ride their machine.

Acclimatising to the Kawasaki after a season on his BMW, he was relatively pleased with his seventeenth place in the free practice session but was hoping to make more progress in qualifying one after changes to the machine. Leon posted a time good enough for twenty third on the provisional grid with qualifying two to come. With adjustments made for qualifying two overnight Leon was confident of improving on his time. Although he achieved this by going a second faster he was still left in twenty third on the starting grid due to the quality and speed in this championship.

Leon needed to dig deep if he was going to claim a top ten finish in the final standings from his starting position. Making a great start he finished lap one in fourteenth place and was deep inside the midfield scrap with all the riders battling hard. By half distance he was up to eleventh place and looking to break into the top ten. Disappointingly for Leon though the tyres started to lose their edge and he dropped a number of places before the end of the twelve laps. Despite this he gained two precious points for finishing fourteenth and these ensured he finished in the top ten in the championship.

Speaking after his race he said “massive thanks to my family, sponsors, supporters and friends who have all helped me achieve my best ever season in national racing, it’s been unbelievable, bring on 2017”

Held are pleased to support and supply Leon Jeacock. To learn more about Held in the UK please visit 

www.held-uk.co.uk

Held Racer Report: ZOEK RACING BRANDS HATCH SEASON FINALE

ZOEK RACING BRANDS HATCH SEASON FINALE

Team Zoek Racing were at Brands Hatch for the final round of the Ducati TriOptions Cup where Sean Neary secured second place in the championship by recording the win in each of the two races while Craig Currie took 13th and ninth to finish in 14th place.

After qualifying in third place Neary from Lymm in Cheshire began the first race from a front row grid position. The race was moved from Saturday to Sunday because of several delays in other classes and then reduced in distance to eight laps. As the lights went out Sean maintained third place on the first lap but moved up into the lead after passing Phil Atkinson at Westfields one lap later. Although he headed the field the action was close and positions exchanged through the middle laps but Sean kept his head and powered the bike through to secure the win just under a second in front of Leon Morris.

Zoek Racing's Sean Neary

Starting the final race of the season from pole position Sean knew that nothing less than a win would suffice if he was to move up into second place in the championship and he was determined not to be denied. He led the race from lights to flag with him and Leon Morris edging clear of the pursuing pack. He had a big moment on lap five when he ran wide at Paddock Hill and very nearly crashed but he was quick to recover and remained in control at the front.

After the race Sean said: "l still cannot believe that we did the double to win both races and make it three in a row. I couldn't be happier for the whole Zoek Racing team and all the people that help me. I have to say a massive thank you to them all. We will be back next year to try to get the number one plate!"

When the points were added up Neary had scored 289 to the new champion Leon Morris who scored 294. Just five points separated him from lifting the trophy.

Meanwhile Craig Currie from Newark began the first race from the fourth row. He didn't get the best of starts and crossed the line at the end of the first lap in 16th place. But he stuck with it and passed Ross Humphries on lap three to chase after Dave Ferns a few yards ahead. He reeled him in and finally made his move stick to pass Ferns and settle into 13th position which he held to the chequered flag.

Zoek Racing's Craig Currie

Starting the final race from the third row Currie got away to a fine start and was up to seventh on the opening lap. One lap later he was up to sixth after passing Taryn Skinner and on lap three he overtook Sam Middlemas to secure fifth place. But his progress was short-lived as he was relegated to seventh and then eighth and with one lap remaining he was pushed back to ninth when Mark Cheetham made a pass. The action was fast and furious within the bunch of riders with Currie crossing the finish line just a tenth of a second behind Cheetham in ninth place.

Currie completes his season in 14th place on 47 points but the scores are very close and he was not far away from a top 10 end to the season.

Pics show Currie #42 and Neary #10 in race action at Brands Hatch
Credit: Dave Yeomans

Zoek can also help you be a winner too- check out their superb recruitment website here

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Held Racer Report - A win for Zoek racing's Sean Neary at Assen

ZOEK RACING ASSEN

After seven second and three third places Zoek Racing rider Sean Neary has taken his first victory of the season at Assen in the Netherlands in the penultimate round of the Ducati TriOptions cup on Sunday. Sean has always been known as the nearly man but not anymore as he led the race for the majority of the 10 laps and crossed the finish line with a 0.3 second advantage over Jonny Railton.

Unfortunately his Zoek Racing Teammate Craig Currie suffered a mechanical problem in the first of the two races at Assen and then crashed unhurt out of race two on the first lap.

Qualifying had gone well for Neary who shot through to second place for a front row start to the first race with Currie starting from row four. As the race got underway Neary settled into second place and although he chased down Rob Guiver ahead he was unable to make a pass and crossed the finish line just five hundredths of a second behind him to take yet another second place. He commented: “So close! P2 in today's race 0.05 off the top spot. Well done to Rob he rode a faultless race. Mega thanks to the Zoek Racing Team for all they do and the sponsors that make it possible for us to race. I'm grateful to every single one of you."

Meanwhile Craig Currie was circulating in eighth place for the majority of the laps but encountered a problem with the Zoek Racing Ducati and was forced to pull out on the very last lap.

Starting the second race from the front row in third position Neary took the lead on the first lap. The safety car was deployed for a couple of crashes, one of which included his team mate Craig Currie who was able to walk away uninjured. When the car left the track at the end of lap three Neary continued to hold the lead but was being hunted down by Jonny Railton who fought his way past on lap seven of 10. But Neary was eager to record his first win and fought back to secure the lead on the penultimate lap which he held to the chequered flag to take the victory with an advantage of 0.3s over Railton.

Delighted with his first win Neary said: "it was definitely worth the wait for my first victory. It's my team boss Paul's birthday today and he told me I had to bring it home so that's what I did! A massive thank you to the Zoek Racing team, all my sponsors for sticking by me and everyone who has supported me throughout the season; it's coming good now so hopefully we can keep it up."

Held wearer Craig Currie, giving his Held leathers a good workout

Neary remains at third in the rider standings on 239 points with one round - two races - to go. Although it is mathematically possible to win the championship the two leading riders have to not finish either race and Neary to win both so unlikely but not out of the question.

The final round is back on home Tarmac at Brands Hatch over the weekend of October 14-16 when both Zoek Racing riders will be hoping for good results to end their season on a high note.

The Bonnie Lane Pics show Sean on the podium, Sean taking the chequered flag for his first win and the unfortunate Craig Currie crashing.

Zoek can also help you be a winner too- check out their superb recruitment website here

To learn more about Held in the UK please click here

Held Racer Report: Leon Jeacock, National Superstock 1000, Donington Park

Consistency pays off with another points finish

The penultimate round of the Pirelli National Superstock1000 Championship with Black Horse took place at Donington Park. This is almost home turf for Leon and one of his favourite circuits, with its fast flowing bends and tight hairpins giving close racing and plenty of overtaking opportunities.

Leon decided to sit out the free practice session on Friday morning as a rain shower had left the circuit wet. With more rain threatening the decision was made to wait until the afternoons qualifying session to enter the fray. Qualifying one was held in dry conditions and he took a provisional fifteenth on the grid. Despite having a good base set up the Geo E Davies Racing team made a few tweaks overnight for the second qualifying session to be held on Saturday. 

The changes made to the machine certainly worked for Leon as he knocked nearly half a second from qualifying one and moved up to twelfth on the grid. He was confident of another points finish in the race to be held on Sunday.

Making an uncharacteristically poor start Leon slipped down to fourteenth position on lap one. His fightback started almost immediately and by lap seven of the ten lap race he had made it back into the top ten. With three laps left Leon managed to claw back another position and finished in ninth spot. 

Another solid points finish for him and the team leaving him in tenth place in the Championship amidst a tight battle, with four other riders sitting closely around his tally of forty-eight points.

Leon said “I am pleased with the result after the slow start and it was pleasing to ride in front of so many people who help me and the team to be here at what is our home round really. We now move onto Brands Hatch for the final round of 2016 and hopefully a good result to go into the winter with. Many thanks to all my sponsors once again”

For more information on Held Motorcycle Gear 

in the UK please click here

To see the superb products sold by Team Owners 

Geo E Davies please click here

Tom Weeden's race report: Manx Senior GP win!!

Maidstone rider Tom Weeden sailed into the Isle of Man's Douglas Harbour a few weeks ago, determined to win a Manx GP. He kept all his fans waiting until the last race of the meeting, the most prestigious Full Factory Winnerswear Senior race, when he battled hard to take the win on the TT Mountain Course, beating local Manxman Andrew Dudgeon in a thrilling four lap race. Tom's pit board at the end of the third lap told him he was 9 seconds adrift and at that point he felt his chances of winning slipping away. 

In his own words "I had nothing to lose, so I decided I was going for a 120mph lap, having come so close in practice, and gave it everything". He threw caution to the wind, relaxed into a rhythm and, spurred on by his pit boards around the circuit, drew level and passed Dudgeon on the climb to the Bungalow. They matched each other for speed on the run-in to the Grandstand, Dudgeon crossed the line ahead and the crowd knew Tom had to cross the line within thirty nail-biting seconds to grab the win... he did it with 0.674 seconds to spare and became a Manx GP winner - mission accomplished.

The icing on the cake was that Tom's last lap averaged a staggering 121.1mph. He joins the "Tommy Club", an elite group of only 10 riders who have circulated at over 120mph, a club established in memory of Tommy "Spook" Clucas, the first Manx GP rider to do so, with an average speed of 120.28mph in 2004. Sadly Tommy Clucas lost his life at Ballaugh Bridge later in that same race.

Tom's next outing will be at the Gold Cup in Scarborough later this month, but now the hard work really starts for the privateer team, Tom and his mechanic Dad, Steve, as they attempt to raise sufficient funds to compete at the TT in 2017, Tom now being eligible for the most famous road race in the world. 

Held UK are proud to supply leathers and gloves for Tom! To learn more about Held in the UK please visit www.held-uk.co.uk

Held Racer Report: Sean Neary, Cadwell Park DOUBLE PODIUM!

ZOEK RACING CADWELL PARK

The two Zoek Racing riders both brought points back to the team in their two races in the Ducati TriOptions Cup championship at Cadwell Park over the Bank Holiday weekend. Sean Neary claimed a brace of second places while Craig Currie was 10th and 13th.

After a good qualifying practice Neary started the first 10 lap race from a front row grid position. He settled into second position behind Leon Morris on the opening lap and was tucked in his slipstream as they came over the mountain on lap two. But his progress was thwarted when the course car came out to slow the riders as the marshals cleared a crash.

The car left the track at the end of lap five and Neary was quick to take the advantage and slip past Morris at Park Corner. He was able to hold his position until lap seven when Morris once again took the lead which he held to the chequered flag. Neary was not far behind and crossed the finish line less than a second away from Morris to take second place and 20 championship points which maintain his third place in the overall rider standings.

He said: "I tried really hard in that race but to be fair Leon was inch perfect and I couldn't find a way past him. In the last couple of laps he had the edge on me but we brought the bike home in one piece and bagged another 20 points. I will keep trying and I am sure we will get there! Huge thanks to the Zoek Racing Team. I'm trying for that win! Thanks to all my sponsors and team I couldn't do it without you."

In race two Sean once again started the 10 lap affair from the front row and slotted into third place behind Rob Guiver and Leon Morris. On lap four he managed to get past Morris and up into second place but was never near enough to the leader to make a pass. He continued to hold station throughout the rest of the race to bring the bike home in a lonely second place to secure another 20 championship points and consolidate his third place in the rider standings.

Stepping onto the podium for the second time over the weekend Neary said: "I am happy enough with second again although I obviously wanted the win after yesterday. But when Rob came by he just had that little edge on me and I had a few big slides so had to settle for second. Massive thanks to Zoek, Ducati Coventry, Charlestown and all my supporting sponsors. This was my eighth podium in 10 races so I really can't complain. Let's see if we can go one better next time out."

Meanwhile teammate Craig Currie from Newark began the race from the fifth row after qualifying in 15th position. He got a good start and moved up into 10th place on the first lap, maintaining the position throughout the race to cross the finish line in 10th to pick up six championship points to move into 13th position in the standings.

Starting from the fifth row again for race two he held 11th spot for the first half of the 10 lap affair but was overhauled by Nicky Wilson on lap five and then Alistair Fagan also passed him on lap seven. But he held his position to the chequered flag to pick up a further three championship points. Although he still remains in 13th position overall he has closed the gap and is now just two points away from 12th.

Craig who is part owner of the Chris Walker Kawasaki Showroom in Grantham said: "I am really pleased with my results this weekend. I feel I have made strong progress in the two races and picked up some valuable points. A couple of good results next time out could see me move up the championship standings."

The next round is at Oulton Park over the weekend of September 7-9.

To find out more about Held motorcycle gear please visit www.held-uk.co.uk

Held Racer Report, Round 8, Brands Hatch, Kurt Wigley, Superstock 600

Round 8 Race Report – Brands Hatch GP

This weekend was a journey down to Kent for the eighth round of the British Superbike season at Brands Hatch. It was only Kurt competing at this event due to twin brother Matt being kept in hospital following the crash at Thruxton, the previous round. He is recovering quickly and is optimistic about a fast return.

Kurt and the team had a terrific beginning to the weekend starting with Fridays practice session, as Brands is not one of Kurt’s favorite circuits he was feeling skeptical about how the session would pan out therefore established a plan to gradually build throughout. He remained on track for the entire session, each lap feeling more comfortable and bringing down the times to a finish of P5.

The afternoon brought the first qualifying session which was structured similar to practice with the aim of building up to the final lap. Kurt managed to get into the top 10 before entering the pits for assistance from Mark, Go Racing Developments. A few changes to the Sorrymate.com Yamaha’s suspension set up saw Kurt obliterate his personal best lap time putting him in a P2 finish. This was a fantastic result especially because it was achieved on old scrub tyres, however, Saturdays qualifying times was guaranteed to improve.

We had no further changes to make to the bike for qualifying 2 in regards to the suspension as Kurt was pleased with the handling. The only change to be made was midway through the session Kurt planned to pit for a new rear tyre giving him the best opportunity for the final laps. After planning to use the front tyre from Thruxton’s race, we were disappointed to discover the tear in the sidewall meaning it could no longer be used. Thankfully, a supportive competing team in the paddock, Joe Goggins, gave us one of his used tyres for the session as our budget is already greatly stretched. Q2 began in accordance with our plan with Kurt warming up and entering the pits half way through. Whilst in the pits the red flag was deployed and around 10 minutes was deducted from the session meaning a 5 lap race to secure a strong qualifying position. After losing a few positions one of our final laps planted the team back on the front row with a P3 finish.

The lead up to the race was tense for us all as we had a growing determination to once again take that podium finish if not win. As the lights went out Kurt took to the inside of turn 1 temporarily taking the lead but immediately running wide opened the door to 4 of his rivals. The end of the first lap saw Kurt in 5th place with some hard work to do as he was chased down by another two. The battle continued as he pushed his way through to 3rd and even temporarily 2nd until running wide following the overtaking maneuver. P1 and P2 began to break away over the open GP part of the circuit where we struggled with the bike being down in the speed traps leaving a 3 man fight for 3rd. As we crossed the line for lap 11, Tom Ward put an overtake on Kurt into paddock hill bend to take the number 3 spot for a split second before Kurt pulled the bend exit tight and took advantage of the wide line Tom had taken to regain the position. Moments later the race was red flagged cutting the final 2 laps and putting us on the podium again in 3rd place for round 8 of the season. The whole team are thrilled with the close race and that once again we were able to spray the champagne.

For more information on Held Rider Equipment in the UK please visit www.held-uk.co.uk