http://martrainracing.com/martrain%20racing%20magazine-SUNFLOWER by Stephen Henderson

IRISH SUPERBIKE RACE TEAM ISSUE 2 - NOVEMBER 2009

TEAM LINE UP FOR 2010 SPECIAL SEASON ROUND UP

FIND OUT WHO WILL BE RIDING FOR MAR-TRAIN NEXT SEASON

CONOR CUMMINS AND nIKKI COATES JOIN MAR-TRAIN AT THE SUNFLOWER 2009 SUNFLOWER MEETING JAMES DICKSON’S RACE REPORTS MONDELLO MASTERS ANGLESEY KNOCKHILL

RACE REPORTS NIKKI COATES CONOR CUMMINS KIRK JAMISON AND GLENN IRWIN (2009 IRISH SUPERSPORT CHAMPION)

2009 BIKES FOR SALE MORE INFORMATION INSIDE

SPONSORS WHO SPONSORS MAR-TRAIN FIND OUT MORE AND HOW YOU CAN HELP IN 2010

PUBLISHED BY WILDPIXEL FOR MAR-TRAIN RACING

conor cummins

contributions words

Sonya Martin, Kirk Jamison, Paul Lindsay (Irish Racer, Article on James Dickson), Nikki Coates, Conor Cummins and Stephen Henderson

HEN PHOTO: STEP

HENDERSON

photography

Stephen Henderson (Wildpixel.co.uk), Derek Clegg (Irishbikeracing.com),

contact

To contact the Team Manager: Tim Martin Martrain Racing 5 Ballycarngannon Road Boardmills Lisburn BT27 6YA Tel: 07801 131723 tim@martrainhaulage.com For media/photography contact info@wildpixel.co.u

Full Race reports available at www.martrainracing.com 2

contents SEASON ROUND UP

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New year new rider Jamison joins Mar-train for 2010

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Sunflower Team Report Dicko, Conor Cummins and Nikki Coates weekend at Bishopscourt.

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Sunflower Rider Report James Dicksons Race Report

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Sunflower Rider Report Nikki Coates Race Report

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Sunflower Rider Photo Tim with the boys at the Sunflower

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Sunflower Paddock photos

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2009 Team photo at the Sunflower

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Mondello Race Report by Sonya Martin

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Glenn Irwin Mar-train and Mondello!

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James Dickson Mondello Report

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Older stories if you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t read them the first time they are right at the back! Enjoy

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OUR SPONSORS Full listing- Mar-train Sponsors

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LEGG REK C PHOT O: DE

Mar-Train Racing is pleased to confirm that Greyabbey man Kirk Jamison will be joining James Dickson in the Irish Superbike team for 2010.The team will be challenging on two fronts next year with James in the Superbike class and Kirk in Supersport on the newly acquired Raceways 600 Yamaha. Kirk is no stranger to the Mar-Train team and we have already built a good relationship with him and the Jim Angus Contracts Team, whom he will remain with for the Super bike class. Kirk Jamison said: “I am honestly over the moon to have been offered this opportunity and fully intend to make the most of it. Mar-train are a fantastic team whom I have experienced working with first hand. I cannot wait to get started on what I am sure will be an enjoyable and successful partnership with both the team and my new team-mate, James. Tim and Sonya are two genuine people whose commitment to their race team is unquestionable; the R6 Yamaha I will be competing on is proven at British Championship level and is unquestionably the most competitive bike I will ever have ridden.” James Dickson “I am thrilled to be staying with Mar-Train Racing for 2010 and am looking forward to working alongside Kirk. We have both been given a great opportunity and I intend to be at the sharp end of the championship next year.” Mar-Train is also planning an assault on the three International Road Races next year, which obviously includes our TT debut. Neither James nor Kirk will be diversifying from their Short Circuit Campaigns, details of who will campaign these events for Mar-Train will be announced later in the year.

MAR-TRAIN

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MAR-TRAIN

5 Ballycarngannon Road, Boardmills, Lisburn BT27 6YA T: +44 (0) 28 9263 9499 E: enquiries@martrainhaulage.com F: +44 (0) 28 9263 9498 W: www.martrainhaulage.com

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BISHOPSCOURT SUNFLOWER 09 PRACTICE

CONOR CUMMIN S

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We took the opportunity of a quiet weekend, to go to the last round of the BSB at Oulton Park. We were guests of the Map raceways team and were there to support local rider Lee Johnston. Not only did we come home with a Map Raceways 600 Yamaha but we also secured a rider for our own 600 Suzuki for the Sunflower. We were delighted that the Map Raceways Junior Super Stock rider Nikki Coates would be joining us for the weekend. After the shell shock of our own 2 riders pulling out of the Sunflower on the Tuesday night, we were in-un-dated with phone calls with prospective riders. With the help of Kirk Jamison and Paul Lindsay, we were over the moon to secure Conor Cummins for the Super Bike. Our own James Dickson jumped at the chance to ride both his own Superbike and 600, so we were back up to speed and ready to go with in 24hours! Nikki spent Wednesday afternoon testing at Bishopscourt and was feeling confident for the weekend. The camp was set up early Friday morning and the bikes scruitineered. Conor flew in on Friday evening and after a few adjustments to the handle bars and foot pegs we were glad we didn’t need to cut a few inches of the 6’ 7” manx man! The glorious Autumn sunshine remained for Saturday’s qualifying and there was a good crowd about. Qualifying went fairly well for all three guys *********** So it was a quick clean up and onto the BBQ. After a few minerals the Robinson clan paraded down the paddock to get their drummer boy – Tim and the evening’s entertainment commenced. Good craic was had by all and it was a great end to the season. Unfortunately we awoke to rain on Sunday – just like last year and the constant mix of rain showers, wind and cold meant continual tyre changes. Race 1 was the first Superbike race. Fortunately james and Conor got good starts and James was leading Conor until the final lap when Conor finished 6th and James 7th. A very pleasing result. Race 3 was the first Super Sport Race. This was Nikki’s and James’ first outing in the rain on the bikes. However Nikki managed to mix with the British Super Sport riders to finish 9th. James hadn’t a great start and finished 20th. Race 7 was the Sunflower Trophy which we nearly missed! We had all 3 riders out and the tyre choice had become a lottery due to the weather conditions. Conor’s race was short lived as he retired due to a broken gear linkage. James also retired because of problems with his tyres choice. However all was not lost. Nikki rode well and finished 11th and the 3rd 600 home! Race 9 was the second 600 Supersport Race. James’ bike had developed a problem and was a non starter. Nikki rode like a champ to finish 7th just behind Jeremy McWilliams. An impressive result for the Glengormley man! Also congratulations to Lee Johnston on his win. Race 12 was the second Superbike race. It was extremely wet by now. James was lying 10th but had a problem with his visor and had to retire. Conor fought his corner hard and finished a well deserved 8th place. And that was that for another year! As usual there are a lot of people who worked tirelessly over the weekend-

SUNFLOWER REPORT BY SONYA MARTIN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHEN HENDERSON

THANKS TO Our Riders – James, Nikki and Connor – for doing a superb job – it was a pleasure working with you all. Paul Truesdale of Road Racing Services for his mechanical assistance The loyal team members & supporters – Cliffy, Davy 8 Ball, Stanley, Jimmy, Davy Hawthorne, Hubert, Stephen, John, Lou-Ann, Sammy and my Mum Jean who worked her socks off in the catering department! Stephen Henderson of Wildpixel – not only a fantastic Web and graphics guy but he ‘got stuck in’ at the weekend and his help with the bikes was greatly appreciated Last but not least our sponsors – without whom it would not be possible. Your continued support is greatly appreciated especially during this economic climate. Apologies to anyone I have missed. Now it’s time for a well deserved break and a bit of quality time with the family. Keep checking the web site for the updates on our plans for 2010 – you’ll know as soon as we know! However, it’s definitely NOT rallying and it looks like I’m not getting my villa in Spain either !!!

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JAMES DICKSON

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;and that was it for the Sunflower and for the 2009 season! I had one of the best seasons racing and all thanks to the Mar-train Racing Team. Such a mega bunch of people to work withâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

SUNFLOWER REPORT BY JAMES DICKSON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHEN HENDERSON

It was the last round of racing for the year and one of the biggest races of the year. I set off at 8am on the Friday with the caravan in toe, so we could get a good spot. I was meeting the rest of the team there but we had a lot to set up. We had all 4 bikes out with a good line up on them. Conor Cummins was on the other superbike and Nikki Coats on the 600, me on my superbike and I was also going to put my leg on the other 600. I was looking forward to that as I haven’t ridden one since 2007 when I finished 2nd in the championship.

plugs in hand) and Sunday rolled around and guess what? – it was a wet one!

I got to the track about 11 or so and we started setting every thing up. It didn’t take us long as we had all hands were on deck. We has a pretty chilled out friday after every thing was set up. Conor came down when his flight got in to change a few things on his bike (add 4 foot in to the frame so he could fit on it) only kidding, but he is a big lad but still a fast one at that!

OK, it was the big race of the day and the track was dryin up. Every one had a different tyre choice. We

The weather on Saturday was tip top and it was out on track for the first timed practice. We had 20 minutes on track and I was feeling good. I was never off the 2nd row which was my aim, coming into the race. The times were getting faster and everyone was putting in there fastest time every round, trying to keep up with the super stars. The 2nd timed session was much the same with some hard laps getting put in and I stayed on the 2nd row.

It was then time to get on the 600. Dam it felt weird but a very fast little bike and that can turn on a 6 pence! To be fair I didn’t really do the bike any justice but it was good to get out there on it. I ended up on the 3rd row for the race and was looking forward to racing on it. I thought if it stayed dry I could have got faster on it.

I didn’t really mind in fact, I was pretty happy. The first superbike race was the high light of my day and could of gone home after that lol! I got a good start up in to P7 and just got my head down and I was up into P5 with a few laps to go but got caught on the 2nd last lap by one of these “superstars” lol ! I tried to make a move on him again on the last lap but ran wide and next thing I know the big manx man was up the inside of me but hey – that’s racing! I could have just sat behind him but I’m a racer, I make moves when i get the chance! It was then out on the 600. I have never ridden it in the wet and never done a start on it so you know were this is going lol! Yes, a bad start and it definitely took me a few laps to get the feel for it but my then I was too late. I was well down the order but really enjoyed riding the little bike!

put in a set of intermediates but it just didn’t work. I have never ridden with them before and just couldn’t get the head down so I pulled in - not worth throwing it up the road and wrecking a bike at this time of the year! I still had one more superbike race but that wasn’t to go the best for me. In the warm up lap I seen my visor getting a little steamed up so I opened all the vents but it didn’t work. Half way into the race and I was blind and couldn’t see anything. I was missing my breaking points and I just had to give in and pull to the side lines. It was not the way I wanted to end my day but I still had a ball!! And that was it for the Sunflower and for the 2009 season! I had one of the best seasons racing and all thanks to the Mar-train Racing Team. Such a mega bunch of people to work with. A big thanks to Cliff, Davey 8 ball, Stanley, Paul, Stephen, Davey, Hubert, John and every one else that leant a hand at the weekend but a massive thanks to Tim and Sonya. I can call them good friends now, not just a team boss’. So it’s some time off for me now, feet up and maybe a spot of skiing over in France, but I can tell u, I will be back in BLUE for 2010 ;-)

I was out once more on the Saturday for the Sunflower Qualifying. I was looking for a top 10 here but with thanks to a good mate Michael Laverty, I got a good few laps on his back wheel. I seen my pit board - I had P6 at the start and wished it would stay that way but with every one getting faster, by now my back tyre was scrap and I just had to pull in to pit lane and hope for the best. I ended up P8 but I know if I had have had new rubber I was only .3 of a second off the front row, so you never know. That was it for Saturday and the team got down to some real partying. It was like a full band at one point but that’s what racing is about. Every one having the craic and the BBQ was mint! I turned in early (ear

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NIKKI COATES

sure enough the rain came again SUNFLOWER REPORT BY NIKKI COATES PHOTO BY STEPHEN HENDERSON

Its been an eventful week or so. At Oulton I got the good news from Tim that I could ride his Mar-Train suzuki. We got to Kirkistown on Wednesday and I rode the bike (and a suzuki) for the first time. I got my head round the bike by the end of the day and was looking forward to Bishopscourt. I knew the weekend was going to be hard as I hadn’t rode around bishopscourt on a 600 before and hadn’t been there in a few years. The depth of riders in the class was impressive with a number of British Supersport regulars entered but was confident I could give them a good race. We had a decent 1st session but in the 2nd session we had a small problem with the gear change and it meant I only got 3 laps in qualifying. We were starting 11th on grid which wasn’t so bad after so little track time. The mechanics got the bike sorted and we were ready for race day.

After a sunny first day the good old Bishopscourt weather was back and the 1st race was a wet one. First time riding this bike in the wet in a race wasn’t ideal but we got a decent run and finished 9th but I new I could improve in the remaining races. I had surprisingly qualified 16th for the sunflower trophy race on a 600 against mostly superbikes. Nothing to loose in this race, I had a steady run and finished 11th (3rd 600) and was happy enough I suppose. For the final 600 race I was hoping for it to stay dry, as I believed I could race at the front but sure enough the rain came again and it was another wet race. After a good start I was 5th into 1st corner but rode too cautiously 1st lap and lost a bit of ground. Once I got going I was doing decent lap times and reeling in the bikes in front of me and eventually finished 7th. Before the weekend I was hoping for better results than 9th and 7th but with the weather and the circumstances it wasn’t a bad ride. The Martrain team worked hard for me and I would like to thank Tim and the rest of the team for there help and the opportunity to ride at the Sunflower this year....and there cooking wasn’t bad either!

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TIM WITH HIS TEAM AT THE SUNFLOWER MEETING

TIM MARTIN ATES O C I IKK

CON O

R CU

MMI

‘DICKO’

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MAR-TRAIN RACING MUGSHOT!

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MONDELLO REPORT BY SONYA MARTIN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEREK CLEGG

We now seem to be setting a trend for different riders to make ‘guest’ appearances at each round. This time we were delighted to have Glenn Irwin competing on one of our GSXR 600s. An obviously talented young rider, we were hoping for a few good results. Denver had opted out of this round so we had Alistair, James and Glenn. Saturday morning brought the normal Mondello weather . . . rain! It made qualifying hard for the boys but the weather had cleared up by lunchtime. The first SS600 Race saw Kennedy take a clear lead and Glenn and Alistair had an ongoing battle with Kirk Jamison for 5th, 6th and 7th. Glenn finished 6th and Alistair 7th. The first Super bike race was won by Alistair Seeley. Kennedy and he held there own battle out front and James finished 8th. Glenn took the 600 out in the Open Clubmans and took a clear lead and the win. The second SS600 race was put back to Sunday so we had an early dinner. It gave James the opportunity to have a photo shoot on pit lane with Derek Clegg. Later in the evening we set off for the bar. Our illustrious team leader Tim, hogged the Karaoke all night, much to the amusement of the crowd. His rendition of AC/DC whilst standing on the speakers apparently was something to see! Thankfully I was playing the dutiful wife and had retired to bed with the children by this stage. The ‘Mar-Train Choir’ – consisting of Tim, Cliffy, Jimmy and Jason certainly had the paddock talking next day.

Funny enough the party animals were not as enthusiastic the next morning but after a fry with a nice runny egg (just for the torture) they were all back on track. We had awakened to a beautiful sunny autumn morning, so things were looking up. The SS600 race got underway and Glenn took a tumble on the first lap. Kennedy Jamison and Nally dominated and Alistair finished 5th. All 3 riders took part in the Masters qualifying. James was certainly on pace and qualified a fantastic 4th position behind Marshall Neill, with Glenn in 5th – not bad for a 600. The first Super bike race on Sunday got underway but James had a bad start. Seeley pulled a clear lead and Kennedy finished second. Marshall Neill came from no where to take third and James finished 8th. Alistair didn’t even get starting the second SS600 race because his chain broke on the warm up lap. Next out was the Super bikes. James held third position until the 5th lap when Neill closed him down. He finished 5th but unfortunately a jump start put him back to 7th. The Masters got of to a flying start with the usual favourites out front. James held 4th throughout the race but another jump start set his position back again. Glenn was certainly keeping the pace with the Super bikes on the 600 and was 5th until the 10th lap when he fell off at the 1st turn, a disappointing end to the day. All in all a very mixed bag of results but we look forward the finale of the season at the Sunflower on 17th/18th October. We hope to see you there! Thanks again to all the riders and team members for their continued support.

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I was delighted to get the opportunity to ride one of the Mar-train Racing 600 Suzukis at Mondello. I already had a good relationship with the team and was looking forward to working with Tim and the lads and getting some good results on a bike that’s very capable.

I have the pace to challenge anyone MONDELLO RACE REPORT BY GLENN IRWIN PHOTO BY STEPHEN HENDERSON

Unfortunately qualifying was wet, and my clutch was slipping by the end of the session which left me 11th on the grid and work to do for all races. After a quick clutch change we were ready for the off. After a 6th in race 1 we decided to make a few adjustments for the Masters qualifying and the bike was awesome. I secured 5th on the grid. The 600 results didn’t go my way, with a crash putting the bike out of action for the last race.

DEREK CLEG

G, IRISHBIKER

ACING.COM

I really enjoyed the Masters race though. The bike was repaired and I was in a dice with my team mate James Dickson and Gerard Kinghan both on superbikes. I felt as if i was lapping consistently, no slides the bike was planted. I made one small mistake though in the 1st corner - just tucking the front end which ended the race on lap 10 of 15. I managed a 54.2 which matched Alistair Seeley’s 600 time on the TAS Suzuki at the first round of the Masters in March and it was also only 0.2 slower than Jack Kennedy’s record. To some it up, I felt as if I had let the team down with 2 crashes but again I showed I have the pace to challenge anyone on a 600 at Mondello. The Mar-train Suzuki worked well all weekend and I did secure 3 clubman wins, 1 of which was on the Mar-train bike. I’d like to thank Tim, Jason, Clifford and Sonya for looking after me all weekend!

2009 IRISH SUPERSPORT CHAMPION

‘I already had a good relationship with the team and was looking forward to working with the lads’

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Well it was time to hit the road for one of the last rounds of the year. I was feeling good before the weekend because every time I have been out on the Mar-Train Suzuki I have got faster. We got to Mondello on Friday night - not a lot to do because the team had got there and set up already (Cheers guys), so it was an early night in “hotel la caravan.” I got up ealry on Saturday to get the bikes ready and to sign on. The weather was wet. I wasn’t that bothered about the wet but I had never been on this bike in the wet but I was good. We softened the bike up and it was good. The track wasn’t so good but I got the head down and was looking forward to qualifying! We only had 15min on track and it was still wet. I done a few laps then got my head down. I could see P4 on my pit board and was happy with that. I knew I couldn’t push any harder because of the track being so slippy but it was a front row start - my first on the Mar-train bike! It was starting to dry up and the sun came out. It was dry for the first superbike race and we didn’t do much to the bike, just made it stiffer for the dry. Now I was on the line and I know my starts have been bad the last few races..... and they just got worse!! I went from P4 to P9. So I had to get the head down and work on it and tried to come up the pack but unfortunately the lead pack was gone! My times were faster than the guys in front of me and would of put me 3rd but that’s racing!

That was us for the day so I just cleaned the bike and got tyres ready for Sunday. We got some new super sticky ones from dunlop cheers lads! By this time I seen a few guys had hit the cans already and every one was in good form. It wasn’t long before we were all in the bar and the team was on fire! I think we were the life and soul of the bar with Tim kicking off the karaoke and to be fair, he wasn’t that bad. I didn’t stay for long as I wanted a good night’s sleep but I heard it got alot better with even my dad gettin on the mike with not a note in his head! Lol! There were a few sore looking heads on Sunday but it was down to work. I had a 30min qualifying for the Masters race. I was hoping for another front row and it was dry so it would be hard but I made a few little changes on the bike and really put my head down and we did pull off P4 which put us on the front row for one of the biggest races of the year!! It was the 2nd Super bike race and I had the pace to run near the front, I just had to get the bike off the line. I got a good start - maybe a too good of a start lol ! I was up into 4th and was hanging on to 3rd. I made a move on 3rd place with 2 laps to go and I thought I could pull away but I ran deep taking both of us wide, letting an other rider past so I ended up 5th on track but when i got in i got a jump start and a 30 sec penalty, ending up 7th I think but still, I was happy because I knew we had the Mar-Train suzuki working the way I wanted and it definitely is starting to feel like my bike! OK, now to the big race the Mondello Masters! It was great to have the bike on the front row and

I was feeling good. Ii was feeling I could have run the fight for 3rd if I could get away! I ran my bike back from the grid line just in case. I knew I ran forward a little but didn’t cross the line and the lights went out! I got an OK start but a little 600 jamed it in front of me in turn 1 and dam he was hard to pass being in the middle of the track every were. All I could see was 3rd place pullin away. I made a move, a little hard but I had to get by. I pulled away from the group that was behind me but could get up to 3rd, and pulled the pin when I was stuck behind in the first 2 laps. I had a good 4th and was the 3rd Dunlop rider so we were getting on the podium...... well so i thought!! I came in and they had gave me another jump start! Talk about not a happy boy!! I went up to talk to them and they said the rules say, if you move at all – that’s a jump start which I think is bull sh*t! Even though they said I didnt cross the line! But I had the pace which makes me feel better and now I know the bike is top class and super fast!!! Well, we packed up and headed up the road but I’m looking forward to the Sunflower as we have a little left up our sleeve! Hope to see you all there as it the last race of the year. I have to say a big thanks again to Tim and Sonya for a brill weekend and the use of the bike! and (Toni your hat looks better on me lol) and a big thanks to all the team for their help!!

thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a jump start which I think is bull sh*t! MONDELLO RACE REPORT BY DICKO PHOTO BY Aidan Lynam (revup4dsi.ie)

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ANGLESEY ISB 2009

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHEN HENDERSON

JAMES DICKSON

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KIRK JAMISON AGREES A DEAL TO RIDE IN WALES

Greyabbey’s Kirk Jamison has agreed a deal to ride for Martrain Racing next weekend at rounds 16 & 17 of the Irish Supersport Championship. With his Jim Angus Contracts Yamaha still sidelined due to an engine rebuild the twenty nine year old agreed terms last night for a one off appearance on Tim Martin’s GSXR600 Suzuki at Anglesey in Wales. Jamison has endured a relatively quiet season by his standards with only an outside chance of lifting the ISB title remaining; however a win and a second place at Knockhill last time out may have signalled a welcome return to form after a run of bad luck. Two engine failures in a month looked like forcing Jamison to sit out the remainder of the Supersport races this season but after being thrown a lifeline by Tim Martin the father of four is now looking forward to Anglesey with renewed enthusiasm. Jamison “I am over the moon to have come to an arrangement with Tim; this is a new challenge for me as, barring one race for Harry Corbett back in 2005, I have never ridden for anyone other than my own team. I have said before that Martrain are undoubtedly the most professional, best turned out team in the ISB paddock so I am excited about getting the opportunity to be a part of that. I will still ride my Jim Angus Contracts Honda in the Superbike class and in no way have split from my own team but with my 600 almost certainly unavailable next week I have to thank Tim for stepping in to ensure I still get a full quota of races. We have known each other for a couple of years now and get on well with their whole team so I am really looking forward to getting started.” Jamison will test the Martrain Suzuki next Friday at Anglesey where he will join up with his new team mates, reigning Supersport Champion Alastair Kirk, last years Superbike runner up Denver Robb and James Dickson who currently lies second in the ISB title race in what is a formidable line up for the Lisburn based team.

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The over night ferry from Belfast to Birkenhead on Thursday night was going to allow the team a quick one hour on-track practice come Friday. Some of the guys met at the yard before heading down to catch the ferry only stopping on the way to pick up a couple of stragglers outside the docks. Once on board it was time to experiment with the ships cuisine, which believe me wasn’t great (I was told), a few beers and then sleep. That great 5.15am wake-up call came all too soon but it did give us time to get sorted! We arrived at the docks in Liverpool around 7.00am, just in time to start heading towards Wales and the Anglesey circuit. A few hours on the road got us to Anglesey at around 10:00am and then it was all hands to the pump getting the bikes out and ready for the guys. This weekend the team had Kirk Jamison riding the Supersport machine. Kirk had arranged with the circuit an hour of free practice for the ISB guys during the track day lunch to get a feel for the bike. All the guys had some time on the machines and started to make a few changes for Saturday’s free practice, qualifying and the first race of the weekend. Once the guys had finished the 1 hour practice it was a quick press call line-up for the local newspaper promoting the event then it was back to the bikes. After all the changes had been made for Saturday the guys sat down to a few beers and some great food. The sunshine, preparing the bikes, the early morning started to make the guys tired, so instead of going for the early night option they went for the dip in the sea option. The photos below show what they got up to….. some full moons that night! With the 8.00am scrutineering and with us standing first in line with the bikes I think it might have been a good omen for the races to follow. The early morning practice seen Ali and Kirk setting a good pace and both Superbike riders, Dicko and Denver, holding pace in the top 7. The Supersport qualifying put Ali in pole and a great first time ride on the bike by Kirk placing himself in 3rd next to Glenn Irwin on the front row. A few problems on the Superbikes placed Denver and Dicko on the second row for the two days of racing. The first race of the day for the guys had Denver and James square up with Seeley, Jamison, Kingham and Haire for the run into the first corner. Dicko pushed on hard but half race distance seen Haire pass first then shortly followed by Kingham which placied Dicko in 7th place crossing the line. Denver had some issues with the bike setup and got swallowed up by the group on the 3rd lap only to shortly pull back into the paddock with technical issues. With track temperature dropping it was time for the Supersport bikes to hit the track for the first race. Sitting on pole and 3rd on the first row seen both Ali and Kirk into the first corner with Irwin and a few others battling for ground out the back straight and up the hill. It was

not long before the red flag was out with the riders all sitting back on the grid. The race was restarted only to get red flagged by a few fallers and the COC called it a day and told the riders that it would be rerun first thing Sunday morning. With a cloudy wet Saturday night coming to a close and the sound of generators in the distance a few guys let the hair down and had a few well deserved pints, with every Guinness at the camper gone, they went on search for the ‘black nector’ in the bar only to arrive back to a very quiet camp as the riders had hit the hay early to get some sleep for the big race day. Gone was the dull Saturday weather and back on with the shorts for some sun! Sunday was going to be a busy day in the Martrain camp. Two Superbike races and three Supersport plus getting back to the boat for the trip home. But we always have time for breakfast! After the short 5min practice Kirk and Ali lined up for the first race of the day. Ali pulled away from the pack and remarkably Kirk got the feel for the bike within a few laps and held his own and pushed Irwin on. Ali finished first followed by Irwin and the ‘new boy’ Kirk in 3rd. A really great way to start the day. The Superbikes came out but it was much the same story as the Saturday race. Bike issues seen Dicko struggle with the front end but he still pushed on to get 6th and followed across the line by Denver in 7th, again having some technical issues with his Superbike. After lunch Ali and Kirk came back out hoping to better the results from the early morning race and what a race this was. It was Ali who started pulling away followed by Cody Nally

ANGLESEY ISB FULL REPORT

by Stephen Henderson

B T

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from Kirk and Irwin. The pace for the race seen lap record times from Ali pulling the rest of the top 5 on. Kirk passed Cody on lap 3 with Irwin on his tail and Cody falling back to 4th. As the bikes crossed the finishing line it was a well deserved one two for Martrain Racing and also Ali and Kirk. The next and last Superbike race had Denver running between Lynch and Owens until technical issues forced him to retire on the 5th lap. Dicko had a better race this time getting settled and moving from 7th upto 6th on the second lap and pushing hard to catch Gerard Kingham, which he did on the third lap and held until the line, finishing 5th. The last race for day had Ali, Irwin and Kirk line up for the third time. Sadly this race wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to see the same result as race two. Ali held the lead

for two laps only to drop the front end two corners before the start and finish straight letting Irwin, Nally and Kirk pass. Ali was uninjured and got back on the bike, although was later disqualified from the race by the COC. The race finished Irwin, Nally and Kirk for Martrain. The Supersport racing had a great result for the guys over the weekend and we hope similar results can be found in the last 2 rounds at Mondello and Bishopscourt. So, with the racing finished for the day and the camper packed and ready to pull out, we found a stowaway (Glen Irwin) on board for the trip back to Liverpool. Its good to see the sportsmanship as Ali and Glen shared a few beers on the trip back talking about the days racing with Dicko and Denver.

Back on-board the ferry for the trip home, a few guys chatted until the bar closed and the rest of us headed to bed, unfortunately we had to get up for work the next morning. A great weekend away in Anglesey, great weather, great racing and some great food, beer and craic. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a circuit that I hope to visit next year as I think it has to be one of the best in the UK. Thanks to all the team for a brilliant weekend, it did take me a few days to catch up on sleep but it was worth it.

www.martrainracing.com november issue

From the outside looking in the Martrain team are the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;big boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in the paddock so when I got the chance to ride for them at Anglesey I bit their hand off. I had never ridden a 600 Suzuki before but Alastair proved last year by winning the championship that the bike was capable of running at the front so I was confident that I could get decent results.

We only really got a couple of ten minute sessions t much more. The bike handled like a dream and it w So good was the bike that we only made two mino and that was just to suit my riding style.

I managed to qualify on the front row in 3rd place b Glenn Irwin but the times for the top four or five we race was stopped twice it was held over to Sunday dipped dramatically and there were quite a few mo

Race one saw Alastair clear off, leaving Lunney, mys confident that I could get Lunney on the last lap an came the red flags again so third it was. Frustrating so impressive, there was no catching him at all. Glen

KIRK JAMSION GETS 3 FO MARTRAIN IN WALES DEB by Kirk Jamis

RAIN

MAR-T

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testing on it on Friday but to be honest I didn’t need was evident from lap one that it had the speed as well. or adjustments to the gearing and front suspension

behind my new team mate and championship leader ere tight so it was going to be good fun. After our first which was good because the track temperature had oments!

self, Irwin and Nally to battle it out for second. I was nd even had a spot picked out to pass him but out but a podium wasn’t bad. Race two and Alastair was nn Irwin and I were left to fight for second and it was

nip and tuck all the way to the flag but I managed to hold him off to record a one-two for the team which is what my goal for the weekend was, well chuffed. The last race of the day and Glenn, Cody and I held onto Alastair this time before he lost the front and went down. Once that had happened I really went for the win to give the team a clean sweep for the weekend, I passed Glenn with 1 lap to go but messed it up and ran really wide dropping me to third which is were I finished. I really should have won that race but Glenn and Cody were riding well and I just couldn’t get back at them on the last lap. Overall I was happy with three podiums and really impressed with the Suzuki, the team worked perfectly all weekend to give me everything I needed, I couldn’t have asked for more. A massive thank you to Tim and all the team for the opportunity and for all their work over the weekend. I really enjoyed being part of the team and would jump at the chance to do it again. Kirk

OR UT son

www.martrainracing.com november issue

DEREK CLEGG,

IRISHBIKERACIN

G.COM

JAMES DICKSON SIGNS FOR MARTRAIN RACING

MAR-TRAIN RAC ING

24-year-old Coleraine man has just for Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading Irish Superbike Mar-Train Racing, to complete his 2 season. Up until last weekend, Dicks had been riding for Nigel Watt and Logan in the VSK Yamaha team, but seeing his bike for sale on the Intern on Monday night, Dickson realised time to move on.

signed team, 2009 son Nigel t after net it was

“I had a great run at Bishopscourt last weekend, but when I got home I noticed the bike was for sale on the Internet and no-one had told me,” explained the Coleraine man. “The atmosphere in the camp hadn’t been great, to be honest, so I gave Tim Martin, from Mar-Train, a ring and we sorted a deal. “They are the best equipped team in the paddock, and with Alistair Kirk moving back into the 600 class I will concentrate on winning the Irish Superbike Championship and that trip to the Kings of Wanneroo in Australia courtesy of Irish Racer magazine in November for the ISB Champion.” Dickson, who finished a career-best third in the 2007 ISB Championship, is now only five points behind series leader Gerard Kinghan after five podiums on the bounce, with another Coleraine man, Mark Johnson, in third.

Temple businessman Tim Martin, who owns and manages the Mar-Train Racing team, is delighted to have young Dickson in his starting line-up for the next round at Kirkistown on July 14. “Yes, I’m very pleased to have James on-board,” said Martin. “We obviously know of James from the MotoSix, the Six nations event at the start of the season, when he rode our bike. “Hopefully we can now get our championship campaign back on track and I know James is really fired up for winning the series this year.” This season’s Irish Superbike Championship still has nine rounds to run, with the champion crowned at the end of season Sunflower meeting at Bishopscourt on October 18.

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