2008
Llewellyn to make track comeback?
03 January 2009 by
Former BSB racer Matt Llewellyn is contemplating a comeback to racing – in the all-new Harley-Davidson XR1200 Trophy that will at BSB meetings this year. It is three years since Llewellyn, now 40,...
Telford Ice Speedway cancelled
02 January 2009 by
Telford Ice Speedway chiefs have reluctantly cancelled their plans for February’s big event. An upgrade of plant machinery at the venue has meant there’s a strong chance the ice rink will not be ready...
Shorttrack UK 2009 race dates
02 January 2009 by
There will be eight rounds of the American-inspired Shorttrack UK series in 2009, kicking off at the Norfolk Arena, Kings Lynn on May 3 and reaching its climax at Rye House Speedway, Hoddesdon on...
Stuart Higgs: "We've got more champions than last year"
01 January 2009
British Superbike Series Organiser, Stuart Higgs, has said there is more established talent in the championship for 2009 despite losing the top four from 2008. When 2008 Champion Shane Byrne and Leon...
2009 Dakar ready for kick off
01 January 2009 by
The 2009 Dakar has been totally revamped with competitors facing an all new challenge across Argentina and Chile. The event has been run since 1979 and its original route began under the arches of the...
BSB Review: Best race in pictures
01 January 2009 by
Shane Byrne was expected to take the title at Croft but a massive high-side during the second free practice session on Friday left the champion-elect battered and bruised. Byrne passed fit to...
Isle of Man TT: The roads: the line-up
01 January 2009 by
The 50th anniversary of Japanese giant Honda’s first Isle of Man TT in June will be celebrated with a proven winning line-up featuring 14-times TT victor John McGuinness and Steve Plater. The duo will...
Extra BSB races at Oulton and Brands
31 December 2008 by
Two of the 2009 British Superbike Championship rounds will feature a new-look three race BSB format – boosting the series to 26 races over the 12 championship rounds. Series organisers MSVR have...
Superstock price-capped
31 December 2008 by
MSVR, the BSB series organisers, have announced that there will be a price cap placed on machines eligible for the Superstock 1000cc class in 2009. The MCRCB, the rulemaking body for the MSVR-run...
John Hopkins confirms Kawasaki quit bombshell
31 December 2008 by
American John Hopkins has confirmed Kawasaki has notified him of its intention not to compete in the 2009 MotoGP world championship. The bombshell news was communicated to the 25-year-old on December...
Kawasaki silent on MotoGP withdrawal
31 December 2008 by
Kawasaki is remaining silent on shock plans to quit MotoGP with immediate effect. News of the withdrawal broke yesterday (Tuesday) and threatens to plunge the MotoGP world championship into a major...
BSB Review: Ducati 1098R in numbers
31 December 2008 by
In this year’s review of the year MCN named the Ducati 1098R as the bike of the year in the British Superbike championship. Here’s why, in numbers. 14 – Number of race wins Ducati had in BSB in...
The changing weight regulation timeline
31 December 2008 by
When British Superbike organisers adapted the minimum weight regulation for V-twins in May it sparked the biggest riot in recent BSB history. Here’s how it all happened. February Jonathan Palmer...
Can I have my bike back please
30 December 2008 by
This I will never forget caught the start of it and then the straw bails as the bike stopped infront of me
Kawasaki quits MotoGP?
30 December 2008 by
Rumours are circulating that Kawasaki has shut down its factory MotoGP squad with immediate effect. The move would leave Marco Melandri and American John Hopkins without a ride for 2009 and the...
Ben Spies: “I wish I could have raced Bayliss”
30 December 2008 by
American Ben Spies has revealed that he would have loved to have raced with Troy Bayliss sighting the Australian as one of his all time favourite riders. Since arriving in the WSB paddock, the three...
KTM announce RC8 series rules
30 December 2008 by
KTM has now announced the full rules package for the 2009 RC8 Cup, which will run at BSB meetings and replaces the highly-successful Superduke series that ran for two seasons. KTM’s Event Manager...
Mackenzie and Whitham race Harley-Davidsons
29 December 2008 by
Niall Mackenzie and James Whitham will take guest rides in the all new Harley-Davidson XR1200 Trophy series at BSB rounds next year. Harley UK’s Greg Willis said: “Niall and James are confirmed as...
BSB Review: The moment that made us wince, in pictures
29 December 2008 by
One of the most unforgettable moments of the 2008 British Superbike campaign was this almighty off at Thruxton back in April. Do you think you’d be able to get up and walk away from being slammed in...
Ruben Xaus welcomes British young guns in to WSB
29 December 2008 by
Ruben Xaus has revealed that he can’t wait to race with the influx of young British riders entering World Superbikes next year after getting to see Tom Sykes, Leon Haslam and Jonathan Rea up close...
Steve Plater third in Scunthorpe shorttrack
28 December 2008 by
HM Plant Honda’s Steve Plater finished third in Saturday’s Shorttrack UK Christmas Cracker meeting, his best finish yet in the annual meeting on the Scunthorpe speedway oval. Plater borrowed a Honda...
Pete Boast wins Christmas Shorttrack
28 December 2008 by
Peter Boast won the Silkolene Shorttrack UK Christmas Cracker meeting at Scunthorpe Speedway on Saturday afternoon. The event promoter and Shorttrack UK Thunderbike champion made light work of heavy...
BSB Review: Difficult first season for Atsushi Watanabe
28 December 2008 by
Atsushi Watanabe may have arrived in Britain with a glowing reference and a CV good enough to make any Superbike team salivate, but the two-time Japanese Superbike champion had a difficult opening...
BSB Review: Why Tom Sykes is the most promising
27 December 2008 by
Tom Sykes might have finished fourth in the championship, but a late performance surge and impressive wildcards made him one of the hottest properties to come out of BSB in 2008. Sykes had a torrid...
Haslam under lap record in Cartagena test
26 December 2008 by
Leon Haslam finished off his 2008 season in the best way possible with a positive two day test at Cartagena last week. The 25 year old Brit got to ride the newly prepared Stiggy Honda CBR1000RR in...
Racing on Roads 2009
25 December 2008 by
Racing on public roads isn’t just about the TT or even the amazing Irish scene. There’s a world of traditional racing on public roads still out there. Some of the races are now consigned to classic...
Bayliss and Rossi agree WSB is more fun than MotoGP
25 December 2008 by
Three times WSB champion Troy Bayliss says he agrees with seven times GP Champion Valentino Rossi that WSB is more fun than MotoGP. Rossi made the controversial comments over the closeness of racing...
BMW focussed on 2009 World Superbike campaign
24 December 2008 by
Following the first official top teams Pirelli test in South Africa, BMW have revealed their intentions to be fighting for top five finishes by the end of the 2009 season. The German manufacturer will...
Shorttrack racing: The Framers and DTX
24 December 2008 by
If you go to the annual Silkolene Shorttrack UK Christmas Cracker meeting at Scunthorpe speedway on Saturday, December 27, not only will you see BSB stars Steve Plater, Guy Martin and Karl Harris...
Alistair Kennedy: Why we didn't go with Ducati
23 December 2008 by
Alistair Kennedy has spoken out about the decision to take North West 200 backing to Rob McElnea’s Yamaha team over forming his own squad and running Ducati machinery. Kennedy was contemplating...
Leon Camier takes on gold medal-winning cyclist
23 December 2008 by
Three-time British Superbike race winner Leon Camier took time out of his training regime to go head-to-head in a cycling contest with Beijing Olympic double gold winning sprinter, Jason Kenny. The...
Bayliss tips Haga for 2009 WSB crown
23 December 2008 by
Troy Bayliss believes that Noriyuki Haga is one of three men capable of fighting for the World Superbike Championship in 2009. Haga has replaced Bayliss in the factory Xerox Ducati squad for 2009 and...
Shorttrack: Busting the jargon
23 December 2008 by
Saturday’s annual Silkolene Shorttrack UK Christmas Cracker meeting at Scunthorpe Speedway is unique in bringing together top BSB stars Steve Plater, Guy Martin and Karl Harris against the top men...
Video: GSE Racing workshop tour
22 December 2008 by
As well as changing manufacturer to Yamaha from Ducati for 2009, GSE Racing has also moved into a new headquarters. The 2008 British Superbike Champions have moved into the former HQ of the Petronas...
Kawasaki satisfied after first round of testing
22 December 2008 by
Broc Parkes and Makoto Tamada got their first taste of the 2009 specification Kawasaki ZX-10R’s they will be campaigning in the World Superbike championship in 2009. The factory Kawasaki squad now run...
James Ellison hoping for extended GSE career
22 December 2008 by
James Ellison has told MCN that he’d love to race for GSE Racing for more than just 2009. The 28-year old penned a year-long contract with the 2008 British Superbike Championship winning team. But in...