By 2014 saw Sam’s third season of racing. And first season of “road racing “competition. Previously racing super sport 600 machines Sam opted to race lower capacity machines for his first season at Oliver’s mount and the Manx GP. Going for a GP 125 machine which later proved to be the wrong choice however gaining good results with NG road racing at Cadwell taking wins and second place finishes. However a unsuccessful Barry sheene race meeting which Led to Sam deciding to use a Honda VFR400 provided Kindly by a sponsor Maxwell engineering for the Manx GP.
The next outing was the cock of the north road races aboard the Maxwell engineering 400. A good meeting used to get used to the 400 for the Manx. Overall a success taking a 5th, 2 x 3rds, and a 2nd place finish with no reliability issues at all, proving this was the right machine for the Manx although being a little underpowered compared to some other 400 machines out there performed consistently and reliably.
Next up was the Main event of the year the Manx GP competing in the newcomer’s C race. Although a little nervous after the controlled speed lap behind a marshal. Sam decided to do his own thing and just try and concentrate on learning the track over the next week taking full advantage of the practice nights and newcomers busses in the day also doing laps in a car. Overall a good practice week gaining speed every night and consistently in the top 6. Come race day the conditions were perfect and everything was good to race. After a good first lap everything was going well onto lap 2. With a good pit stop onto lap 2 where a slight problem at Ramsey hair pin hitting the kill switch losing just short of 2 minutes thinking the bike had Blown up.
After getting going again lap 3 was much quicker finishing 6th place with a best lap of just shy of 95mph. Overall the team were happy with the result considering the mishap which would have placed Sam 5th maybe 4th.
The next and final meeting of the year was the Gold Cup road races, used as a run out on next year’s machine the ER650 Kawasaki supertwin. Although having never ridden the machine before Sam felt confident enough to race the machine.
The weekend was plagued with mechanical issues with the ECU and mapping meaning Sam only finished one race in 13th and having to bow out after one race as the bike was unrideable in the current state. On a positive the team was made aware of these issues early on and now have been ironed out for next year. Overall a mixture of fortune throughout the year for the team with the highlight being the Manx GP and riding Oliver’s mount for the first time.
Photo by Road Racing News
Looking forward to next year with new on a new machine competing at the majority of road races in the uk, Ireland and the I.O.M. Looking for stand out results with the first year of proper road racing complete. A test taking place over the winter months in Spain to gain more time on the new bike should see the team move in the right direction.
Sam would personally like to thank Spanner man Lewis moulds of Phoenix 3 Autos other helpers at the Manx GP Teejay Johnson and Enzo Feane of E.Feane construction.
Sponsors Maxwell engineering, JK construction, the whistle and Flute pub Barnetby and Bodyworks Gym Brigg without their help racing would be very difficult.
