The Co-ordit Racing Team will make a debut trip north of the border to contest round 8 of the 2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Knockhill this weekend (8-10 August).
The 2008 season has provided a number of firsts for the Leicester-based outfit, most notably with Richard Cooper’s demolition of the Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup field to claim victory at Snetterton. This weekend will be the team’s first trip to the Fife venue, a challenge that the whole team is relishing.
Dean Ellison had a strong showing last time out at Oulton Park, battling with a host of quality riders throughout both races. On his last visit to the demanding 1.27 mile Scottish circuit, Dean scored a best finish of 18th and will look to improve on this as he looks to add to his points tally during the second half of the season.
Co-ordit Racing’s Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup stalwart, Richard Cooper, will be absent this weekend. The 24-year old will instead be lining up for the BMW GB Endurance team on the world stage. Cooperman’s hectic calendar meant an unavoidable clash but the talented youngster should be back in action at Cadwell Park at the end of the month. Deputising for Cooper will be another young rider highly rated by Co-ordit team owner Pete Bradshaw, local racer Jimmy Storrar. Currently lying in 13th in the Metzeler National Superstock Championship Storrar, from Perth, will make the testing switch from Suzuki to Yamaha as he looks to impress on the no.118 YZF-R1 at his home circuit.
Sam Middlemas made his Metzeler National Superstock 600 debut onboard the Co-ordit Racing liveried R6 at Oulton Park. However, after a spirited performance, Sam was forced into retirement at Hall Bends with a technical problem with just two laps to the chequered flag. With the help of the Rob Mac Racing Pro Ride programme, Sam’s engine has been rebuilt ahead of Knockhill. The 20-year old from Hinckley will be hungry for his first points for the team this weekend.
The team received more honours last weekend with the overall and pro-Superbike class victories in the Hottrax 6hr Endurance event at Snetterton (3 August). Piloted by Phil Bevan, Richard Cooper and Pete Bradshaw, the stock Co-ordit Yamaha YZFR1 took the chequered flag ahead of the full-spec endurance teams of GBMoto and Moores Racing. After 6 hours and 280 laps, just a solitary lap separated Co-ordit from GBMoto for the win.
Dean Ellison:
“I’m getting more of a feel for the Yamaha with every round. I felt a little unlucky not to have scored in both races at Oulton Park, especially after such a strong start to the second race. It has been an emotional week with the very sad loss of Craig Jones. We have travelled the world together racing and had lots of good times. That aside, I can't wait to get back out on my bike, it has been a long old break but I have done loads of cycling and plenty of Supermoto on my J&L Aprilia. I have loved racing at Knockhill all of my career because you just never know what the weather is going to be like and even though it is short it has bags of character!”
Pete Bradshaw – Team Owner:
“We had a great return to Oulton Park. Dean rode superbly and was unlucky not to have scored more points. Unfortunately Richard’s commitments mean he will miss his chance to close the gap to Jon Kirkham in the Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup. However, Jimmy Storrar should prove a more than capable replacement, using local track knowledge and Superstock experience at his home circuit to bring the Co-ordit Yamaha home in the points. Sam was hugely disappointed at Oulton, but with his bike fit and raring to go, he can finally look to this weekend to make his full point scoring debut for the team with a strong result.”
