The 2014 season started with Nige build- ing a new 600 mainly for the Irish national roads and the Manx Grand Prix. A Suzuki SV650 supertwin was bought from our good friend Aly at ABR MOTO which Ben would start the season on as we were in early talks for a sponsored supertwin for Ben to contest the Manx Grand Prix on.
Both riders main concentration for the season were 3 big events. The NW200, the MGP and the Classic TT. Early plans were to take in as many other races as possible both local and national.
It seems to be the norm that press releases end with the riders thanking sponsors but the Rea boys would prefer to start with some thanks (in case I start to ramble and you don’t get to the end. Nige.)
Rea-Racing have had plenty of support in 2014 and not just with financial support, many companies have heavily discounted products, many others helped hugely with marketing. A very special thanks go to NYRRSC, BIKERfm and motorcycle racer maga- zine. NYRRSC sponsored the boys as a team this year and also helped to showcase the riders at social evenings. BIKERfm, where Nige hosts a roadrace show on Thurs- day nights also help Rea-Racing to promote themselves and of course the three of us have all helped each other.
Product support and race help from Dunlop tyres, Motul oils, Moto-Direct, Maxton sus- pension, RST, ARAI helmets, Daytona, Higgspeed Performance and the Mike Hailwood foundation. The boy’s great friend and legend Tony “slick” Bass at Slick Performance built a storming engine for the GSXR600 and his Mum Judy who has looked after us like kings. And a very special mention for Tony and Jean Morris of CMS Blackburn for supplying Ben with the beautiful and quick Simon Bleasdale built Kawasaki 650 super- twin.
Also some great photographs from team members John and Geraldine Rea. 😉 and some brilliant press releases from Stevie Rial at Road Racing News.
An early start to the season was required so Ben could upgrade to international status and Nige could get the meetings required for a TT mountain course licence after sitting out most of the 2013 season. A bleak and cold Oulton Park saw the season start with good finished for both and also saw Bens first taste of 2 stroke racing as plans for the Classic TT developed early and a 1991 TZ250 GP bike was purchased.
With warmer weather appearing the lads headed to Ireland and the Cookstown100. Nige was asked to race in an invite only supersport race and also qualified in senior A and supersport B. Ben rode the SV650 in the junior A and supertwin races and also the TZ250 in the 250GP race. Whilst Nige had good solid finishes in his races it was young Ben that took the limelight for the team. A great 2nd in the junior then a 5th in the 250 saw young Rea collecting 2 lots of prize money in his first ever Irish national road race. In the supertwin race, contested mainly by Kawasaki’s and with some very big names in road racing Ben got a very creditable 9th, finishing in front of some house- hold names.
A short gap and the lads were on the boat to the international NW200. Local news- papers wrote about the “father and son racers” as Nige and Ben were to go head to head in the supersport600 race. When there and practising the BBC were round to film us and also interviewed the lads on the grid. Exciting times.
Unfortunately Bens 600 engine failed in 2nd qualifying and had to be parked. He had bad luck with the super- twin too as with little time on the bike a fork problem was not detected until the race and he was forced to retire. Nige qualified for both supersport 600 races and finished creditably in both for his first attempt. Definitely unfinished business for Ben at the NW200.
A busy time ahead saw Ben building Rea-Racing as a business serving both road rider’s bikes and racers alike. Riding at local tracks and plenty of testing saw the lads start to concentrate on the Classic TT and MGP. Nige had a Suzuki XR69 built at trident engineering as Ben continued to develop the TZ250, otherwise known as learning the hard way.
It was also Bens first outing on the bike he was to ride at the MGP, the CMS super- twin. 2 podium finishes very satisfying at Aintree for his first time on the bike.
We had a very productive day courtesy of our friend of many years now Ian Charles. Ian has always supported Rea-Racing with both donations and valuable track time when he invites us to help instruct at Knockhill race cir- cuit. This time we were on track helping out with Dennis Hobbs, Nial McKenzie and the king of the mountain, John McGuinness. 2 days later we were on the boat to the Isle-of-Man.
At the classic TT Ben was on the TZ250 and ran exclusively in the NYRRSC colours. With both the lads classic bikes giving problems during practise they were really pleased with their finishes. Nige secured 26th in the Formula1 race which saw him be 2nd in class and in the formula 2 race, Ben finished a magnificent 7th and 4th in class. Father and Son took to the stage that evening to be presented silver TT replicas by John McGuinness.
Photo by Road Racing News
Next was the MGP and the 2 races the boys were in on the Wednesday were hampered by wind. A solid finish in the junior race satisfied Nige yet caused frus- tration as he was slowed over the moun- tain, was just short of the desired 110mph lap and missed a silver replica by 2/10ths of a second. In the supertwin race Ben was swapping between 3rd and 4th even- tually finishing in 5th for a replica with a fastest lap of 110.057mph from a standing start!
One last round at Aintree again saw Ben with 2 more podium finishes on the CMS supertwin.
There are still one or two events left in 2014 that the lads may enter, funds per- mitting. Look out for news on that.
The boys want to make a special thank you to all the family and friends that have helped this season including; Kellie, Joe,
Sam, Shannon and Michael Rea. Mel and Ste Makin, Bill Davies, Pete Whiteside, Anthony and Mathew Stock, Richard, Ed, Andy and Hilary Wilson, Lee Ferrier,
Carol Graveston, and Phil Edmundson. Of course we are also grateful to all event offi- cials and the volunteers in particular the marshals.
Press release courtesy of Nige Rea