Racer and Held wearer Tom Weeden's TT report

So in hindsight TT 2018 wasn't all so bad..

I finished all 5 races, we overcame a multitude of problems in both practice and in the races themselves, I went faster than I've ever been before and I'm still in one piece and fit to race another day.

As a racer I'm never happy with my results.. they can always be better and that's what drives me to return each year and better my own achievements. I don't want to be out there just to make up the numbers and stack up finishers medals and bronze replicas. I need that silver replica on my mantelpiece..

However, on the bikes and budget that I'm running on in comparison to the teams I'm racing against I don't think I did myself an injustice.

The last 6 lap Superbike race was a real struggle. I caught a bug of some kind that's left me with no energy. I was in bits after lap 1 and was making mistakes all over the place struggling to concentrate. My body was aching all over and just to finish was a triumph in itself. The TT is a real test of body and machinery and we came out on top in that one. Probably the hardest race of my life just to get a finish.

I'll come back next year hopefully on new machinery and we'll build on what I've learnt this year in which is effectively my first full TT.

This time last year I was in a neck brace with an unstable fracture of the C6 vertebrae, an unstable fracture in my T5 and two other fractures in my T6 and 7 after crashing in the first Supersport race. So I can't grumble with what I've achieved this year really 🤷🏻‍♂️

Thoughts remain with Dan Kneen and Adam Lyon and their family and friends. Also with all other riders injured in crashes at this years TT, particularly fellow Maidstone man, Steve Mercer. Keep fighting mate.

Massive thank you to Steve Weeden, Andy, Heidi Cockerton, Steve Ryder-Clague, James Cherry, Ian West and Mick Feekings who all played a part in the team and worked tirelessly to allow me to live the dream. Thank you so much.

Shout out to my boy Brad Ray also for flying over to help out 🙌🏼

Also a huge thank you to my sponsors and all my Club 77 members for riding on board with me this season! This wouldn't be possible without you and I can't give my appreciation enough.

Thanks also to everyone who supported me on here and in person at the TT 🙌🏼

We're very proud of you at Held UK Tom! 

A true gent and a great racer!

Held Racer Report: Leon Jeacock, Oulton Park BSB

The picturesque Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire hosted the third round of the Pirelli National Superstock1000 Championship. Leon and the Geo E Davies & Smirk Racing team were hoping to replicate the form shown in the recent official test held at the track here Leon put strong times in and the team were able to gain more data for further use.

For the first time this season the weather was consistent throughout the free practices and sole qualifying session. Dry, sunny and hot weather meant the team could fine tune the Suzuki to Leon’s requirements instead of having to make major changes as in the previous rounds. 

Free practice one and two were held on Saturday and Leon immediately carried on his good form finishing tenth in both sessions, he was confident for the Sunday qualifier. The pace in that session was scorching and even though he went half a second faster than free practice, he still only claimed tenth place on the starting grid.

Monday saw the all important race and Leon made a good start but dropped down to thirteenth in the first corner scramble. Moving back up two places in the next couple of laps to eleventh, he then settled into the race for the next few laps. Lap eight saw him move up to tenth and he started to close the gap to the two riders chasing them down, he slipped into ninth position on lap thirteen holding this position to the chequered flag.

A great weekend for Leon and the team and a well earned result for everyone concerned with the team, looking and riding more confidently with every meeting.

The team now moves onto Snetterton for the next round in mid June.

Pic: Jonny Lee

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: Sean Neary and Zoek Racing, Oulton Park

The two Zoek Racing riders were competing in round three of the Ducati TriOptions Cup at Oulton Park in Cheshire over the bank holiday weekend with Sean Neary from Lymm recording a win and a third place to lead the championship by a healthy nine points and Newark rider Craig Currie securing an 18th place in race two after retiring from the first race with a technical issue.

Neary was competing at his home track and a large contingent of supporters was there to see him race. They were not disappointed as after qualifying in fourth place Neary started the first race from the second row right behind the pole sitter.

He got away to a good start moving straight into second place behind Lewis Rollo and followed him around the Cheshire circuit for a few laps before making his challenge for the lead on lap six of 10. The pair circulated in close company with Rollo challenging at every corner but Neary wasn’t prepared to back off and retained the lead. On the penultimate lap Rollo made a mistake and slid off unhurt out of the race leaving Neary to romp home for his first win of the current campaign with just over a second to spare from Rob Guiver.

He said: “I followed Rollo to see where his weak spots were for me to make a move on him. when I did get past him I kept my cool, checked my pit board and maintained the lead, I lost my knee slider with three laps to go so felt unable to get around the left handers so well. But I had a bit in reserve as well just in case I needed it and am absolutely made up to get the win and have to say a massive thank you to the Zoek Racing team for sticking by me and for all the help from Maxton suspension this weekend.”

In race two Neary didn’t get such a good start and settled into third place for the three laps before being overtaken by Lewis Rollo. But he never gave up and regained third place on lap seven which he held to the chequered flag for his second podium finish of the weekend.

He said: “Third today just caps a solid weekend at Oulton. I am leaving round three with the championship lead so can’t ask for more than that. It will be a long old battle this year but I’m well up for it. Huge thanks to Zoek Racing Team, Matthew Sanders of Zoek, and Paul Nolan of Charlestown for his countless work behind the scenes. Evolution Waste, Craig Currie, JHP Ducati Coventry, Steve Jackson @Toiletspares, Chris Dutton of Claim Eazy, Motul, Joe Carlin, Guy Mainwaring of Held, Shark Helmets, Maxton, Lee Jackson, Applied Nutrition, Warrior Club, Tom Tucker Caines and the whole team for all their hard graft they deserve it, legends the lot of them - and of course Nicola Gore for always supporting me.”

Newark rider Craig Currie was not so successful this weekend but after completing his qualifying in 12th place was looking forward to a good race. As the lights went out he set off from a fourth row grid position but found himself down in 22nd place on the first lap. He made it back up to 19th on lap five but then encountered a technical issue and was forced to retire with three laps remaining.

With the bike back up and running for race two Currie took his place on the starting grid but much further back on row seven. He didn’t get the best of starts but soon recovered and began to make progress, moving into the top 20 on lap four. He continued to move forward and was right behind Paul Slade on the final lap. But although the pair crossed the finish line side by side Slade took flag for 17th place by a whisker from Currie who was just 57 thousandths of a second adrift in 18th place.

The series takes a six week break now to allow for the two major road races, the North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT festival and the riders will reconvene at Snetterton in Norfolk over the weekend of June 15-17 for round four.

For more information on Zoek please click here

For more information on Held please click here

Held Racer Report: Zoek Racing and Sean Neary, Brands Hatch

ZOEK RACING BRANDS HATCH INDY

 The two Zoek Racing riders, Sean Neary and Craig Currie were at Brands Hatch for round two of the Ducati TriOptions Cup at the weekend resulting in a second and fifth place for Lymm Rider Sean Neary and a 17th for Newark rider Craig Currie.

Sean Neary

Neary was up in the top four throughout free practice and qualifying and began the first of two 15 lap races from a second row grid position in fourth place. As the lights went out Neary got a good start and was up to second place on the first lap. He took the lead on lap three but was pushed back to second place one lap later when Rob Guiver took over the top spot.

Although he was never more than a few tenths away from the leader, Neary could not find a path through to snatch the lead on the short and tricky Indy circuit at the Kent venue and towards the end of the race decided to opt for a safe second place and 20 championship points sooner than make a risky move and perhaps throw it all away.

He said: “P2 in today’s race, I’ll take that! I really wanted that win but wins don’t come easy in this class! Big thanks to the Zoek Racing Team and all our sponsors for always backing me no matter what. I didn’t score any points in the first three races last year so it’s a big improvement!”

By the time the second race got underway the rain had arrived making for tricky conditions. Neary held the lead for a couple of laps but dropped back to finish the race in fifth place. He said: “ I racked up some more points in that race and its now on to my home round next at Oulton Park. Big thanks to the whole team and our sponsors. We just need some luck for Craig now.”

 Neary is currently third in the rider standings on 54 points.

Craig Currie was running in the top 15 during qualifying and began the first race on Saturday from the fifth row in 13th place. But despite running in a point scoring position through the majority of laps he was beaten back to 17th on the final lap by Waghorn and Hill who caught and passed him on the final lap.

Currie said: “Towards the end of the race I had a few issues with the bike so lost a bit of ground. But at least I finished the race and tomorrow is another day!”

Unfortunately the Newark rider was unable to take part in race two because of ongoing problems with the Ducati.

The next round is at Oulton Park in Cheshire over the bank Holiday weekend of May 5-7

pic credit Dave Yeomans

For more information on Zoek please click here

For more information on Held please click here

News: No Spring Cup this year at Oliver's Mount

OLIVER'S MOUNT SPRING CUP POSTPONED ON SAFETY GROUNDS

The Spring Cup event, scheduled for 20/21 April for Oliver's Mount in Scarborough, has been denied a licence by the ACU and the event has been postponed.

A statement reads: "Following a comprehensive risk assessment of Oliver's Mount, members of the ACU Road Race Committee met with directors of Auto 66 / PMH Promotions in January this year and agreed additional safety improvements for the circuit.

"A circuit inspection took place on 21 March and found that the organisers had not achieved all the improvements required by that deadline. The deadline was extended to Tuesday 27 March and then further extended to Friday 6 April.

"With regret, the ACU is unable to provide a course licence for Oliver's Mount which means no permit / insurance can be issued for the Spring Cup due to take place on 20/21 April. The organisers/promoters, in conjunction with the ACU and Scarborough Borough Council, will work together to try to achieve events at the venue later in the year."

Held Racer Report- British Supersport's Dan Stamper

Round 1 - Donington Park Weekend Report 

Dan's weekend started with an extremely cold and wet practice session. Determined not to waste a session it was a good opportunity to ensure the freshly built Supersport bike was running as it should and had the power to be competitive. After only a few laps, Dan decided he would be better off saving his ice-cold hands and retired back to the garage early. 

Whilst still wet, the second practice session on Friday afternoon was slightly warmer, and with qualifying fast approaching, Dan knew he had to get some laps in. In damp conditions, with a dry line forming, Dan managed to keep inside the top 7 for the majority of the session. As the lyre started to go off, it was a sensible decision to call it a day, and the final timing sheets presented an encouraging, yet humble 14th position. 

With the circuit drying up on Sunday, Dan and the rest of team were keen to get out in qualifying. Unfortunately, just a few laps in, the bike suffered a minor electrical issue, causing a misfire and ultimately a lack of power. 

Disappointed and frustrated, Dan once again returned to Parc femme in 20th position. 

The power issue was soon rectified, but it was then the weathers' turn to wreak havoc on the weekend. After a dry day, 10 minutes before the Supersport sprint race it started lightly raining - leaving many teams unsure on tyre choices. 

In the end, the team opted for a dry front and rear combination, urging Dan to take it steady for the first few laps until a dry line was ensured. Following his directions well, Dan started the race at a steady pace, and gradually improved his lap time and position, ending the 8-lap race in 14th, qualifying 12th for Sundays feature race. 

Once again, the Supersport feature race on Monday involved a tough lyre decision. With heavy rain all day, the track was drying quickly by 3 p.m. Many wet patches remained on the circuit, and the team decided to stick with full wet tyres. After a mistake at turn 1, Dan found himself back in 21st position at the end of lap 1. He battled through the conditions and finished the race in 16th position. After the race, frustrated and disappointed, Dan was keen to put the weekend behind him and move towards Brands Hatch with a positive and motivated attitude.

In the Superstock 600 class, Dan's teammate Cameron Lee had a strong start to the season. After a minor breaking issue caused early retirement in free practice 1, Cam went on to finish 10th in free practice 2 and qualifying in tough conditions. With a 6pm Sunday race, Cam got off to a good start, only to be involved in a collision on Lap 4, bending his clutch lever out making it difficult to downshift. Still determined, Cam worked his way up to 9th 
position, but in the final sector of the race an arm-pump issue caused by the clutch lever led to the him missing a gear, and ultimately falling back to 11th on the final corner. 

Overall, it was a difficult weekend for the team, but we are heading into round 2 with a smile on our face and a positive attitude. We are sure both riders can run at the front, and predict Brands Hatch will be a different story.

We're proud to be associated with Dan Stamper! www.held-uk.co.uk

NEWS: DUCATI READY TO CELEBRATE THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MONSTER

Ducati: Ready to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Monster

• A programme of events and initiatives to celebrate the anniversary of the iconic Ducati Naked bike
• A special celebratory parade on 24 March in France at the “Sunday Ride Classic 2018”
• 25 years on from the start of production, Ducati displays a 1993 Monster 900 at the Bologna museum

Borgo Panigale, (Bologna, Italy), 5 March 2018 – Twenty-five years have passed since the first Monster left the factory in Borgo Panigale, Bologna. Since its presentation to the public and the press at the “Intermot” international exhibition in Cologne in 1992, and its launch onto the market in 1993, this iconic Ducati model has brought a radical change to the world of motorcycles, creating a brand new sector – the naked sport bikes – and generating one of the most devoted communities of enthusiasts.

It's an important anniversary for Ducati, a moment full of activities and initiatives to celebrate this significant landmark. Among the events is a Monster rally organised in France at the “Sunday Ride Classic 2018”, an international event dedicated to collectors' bikes to be held at the “Paul Ricard” Circuit in Le Castellet during the afternoon of 24 March. Ducati and the European DOCs (Ducati Owners Clubs) involved in the event have called Monsteristi together to stage a racetrack parade to celebrate the anniversary in spectacular fashion. The invitation to take part in this peaceful invasion of the circuit is open to all Monster owners who need only register for the event and turn up at the track.

March 5 is another date to remember. Exactly 25 years ago, the first Monster came off the Ducati production line in Borgo Panigale, Bologna. This year, to mark the anniversary, an original Monster 900 MY1993 is on display at the Ducati Museum. The bike, obtained via a collector and enthusiast who kept it in excellent condition, is ready to be admired by the museum's thousands of visitors in the room dedicated to this iconic and historic motorcycle.

Lots more events aimed at celebrating the 25th anniversary of Ducati's first Naked bike are planned for the 2018 World Ducati Week, the world's largest Ducati rally, held every two years, which gathers together thousands of enthusiasts. The event will be held on 20, 21 and 22 July 2018 at the Marco Simoncelli Misano World Circuit in Misano Adriatico. Yet another reason not to miss this fantastic occasion.

For full information and to register to take part in the Monster parade at the “Sunday Ride Classic” see Ducati.fr. 
The programme of events at WDW2018 will be communicated shortly on the official Ducati website.

#welovemonster
#parade25ansmonster


Want to learn more about Held in the UK? Click here