GSE/Airwaves Pull out of Donnington BSB

[RodH]

FFS The whingers win again...........I agree with, and particularly like, the highlighted paragraph.......

GSE Racing has expressed their deep disappointment, and frustration, after the sudden announcement by the MSVR/MCRCB to alter the technical regulations to the Superbike class in this year's British Superbike Championship.

The rule change which increases the minimum weight of the twin cylinder Superbike by 10kg to 175kg has in the opinion of GSE Racing been made without any supporting performance related reason or prior consultation with the team, which in their opinion is another clear demonstration of the lack of communication between the race organisers and teams.

Team Principal Darrell Healey said: "I am absolutely astounded that the changes have been introduced after only three race meetings and four days before the next event at Donington Park. We, as a team, have spent tens of thousands of pounds testing and developing the 1098R based on what we thought were fixed regulations, but it is now clear that under Article A5 MSVR/MCRCB can clearly change the rules as and when they please! This is not a situation that either the team or I are comfortable with, and whilst little can be done for this year, I would certainly require absolute clarity on a fixed set of technical rules if we were to compete in any future British Superbike Championships."

"The bottom line is that we do not have the most competitive race bike performance wise, and that is clear for everybody to see, but both of our riders have been consistent over the first six races and that is why Shane leads the championship. Similarly, had our competitors achieved consistent race finishes, our lead would most probably be less than 5 points, which begs the question as to whether the organisers would have reached the same conclusion!"

"However, the real joke here is that last October, we, on behalf of Ducati, requested the use of non-production pistons on safety grounds to use in this years BSB Championship, and that request was completely thrown out by ALL the teams racing four cylinder motorcycles. Now, just over six months later, those same teams are demanding rule changes to allow non-standard engine parts to be fitted on safety grounds! I would suggest that their time would be better spent concentrating on producing fast, but reliable race bikes, rather than constantly whingeing to the race organisers to vary the technical rules."

GSE Racing are currently in discussions with Ducati to ascertain whether it is possible to introduce the extra weight safely to the 1098R, however with WSBK rules requiring only a maximum penalty of 5kg, (subject to the pre-agreed point penalty system) this additional 10kg scenario is completely untested and as such it is unlikely that a safe solution will be found prior to the next meeting at Donington Park this weekend, in which case GSE Racing would have no alternative but to withdraw from the event on safety grounds.

[ziggi]

Amazing. Not the first time this season as well with the superstock suffering as well. Does this also affect the Superbike Cup 1098 bikes?

[nogaromill999]

Yes Ziggi, Superbike Cup entrants are required to work to the same rules as the works bikes...same in Supersport, where we compete....Cup lads run under the same rules as the pro teams.....

[749_MON]

This is getting ridiculous! First the piston issue, then the JHP homologation issue and now this!

Do they want manufacturer support or not?

Having already bought advanced tickets for Donington, I'm well p*ssed off

I was going to support the Ducati's and feel I'm wasting my time if this withdrawal goes ahead and I bet that doesn't entitle me to a refund.

Not only do MSVR rip you off on ticket prices once your kids are over 12, but they can't even be consistent with the rule book!

[hughdg]

Unbelievable! it seems that the other manufacturers bikes are now tuned beyond safe mechanical limits which unsurprisingly has compromised reliability and safety which as I recall was one of the reasons for the demise of the 999R - it had reached it's limits for reliable performance without becoming rediculously expensive to maintain. It seems that the Japs. should detune a bit and remember the old saying " To finish first,first youv'e got to finish."

[love7473]

This will play havoc with my fantasy race team on MCN!!!!

I have Shakey and Leon Camier and they both will get nil pionts if they are not at Donington!!

That was not in the rules!!!

Nothing has happend to Troy Bayliss in WSB!!!!

LEAVE THE DUCATI'S ALONE!!!!

I bet it is down to the moaning Honda HM Plant Team!!! Neil Tuxworth by any chance???

It is turning BSB into a CIRCUS!!!!

I am very pi**ed Off!!!

Carl

[749_MON]

If anybody feels like venting their spleen, try:

mailto:bsb@msvracing.co.uk or bsbmedia@msvracing.co.uk

As I mentioned in my email, you wouldn't expect somebody to turn up to a football match if one team withdrew having been told they could only field nine players less than a week before the event would you?

[Scotty748]

Dont rule them out not being there yet.

Its a spit the dummy out move, a threat, ok lads, if you want to do that, your lose your biggest team and attraction in one go, now you sort it out and get back to us.

A political move in the game of chess.

[Keninsussex]

Agreed- they may find their attendance is smaller if they hack people off. Although there's some attempted manipulation of the rules to suit the other 'concerned parties', the circuits will not want to lose gate money.

This could get interesting. Let's see what happens next!

[Nigel101]

Higgs et al are ***** ,having created THE best Superbike Championship in the World ,all makes,no control tyres,top riders,etc he(they) seem hell bent on destroying it,i'm all for keeping the costs down,but at this rate someone WILL get killed as a result of a serious mechanical failure,and the top teams and manufacturers will disappear !!!!! i'm angry ,aftermarket pistons and rods are as much about safety as performance at this level, 10 kg =22 pounds (i think) seems a little harsh for working hard!!!!! Still at least the organisers have got Britains leading championship to run......The KTM cup mmmmmmmmmmmmm ££££££££

[Ozz]

They have not actually pulled out. One paragraph says they are working with Ducati to see if they can do the extra 10kg and then if not they will pull out....

[RodH]

Originally Posted by Ozz

They have not actually pulled out. One paragraph says they are working with Ducati to see if they can do the extra 10kg and then if not they will pull out....

Well spotted Hawkeye...........however this has also been reported........

Team Owner Darrell Healey has withdrawn the team who lead both the riders and teams standings, due to a safety concern with the recently added regulation.

Airwaves Team Manager Colin Wright told MCN: “We won’t be going to Donington this weekend.
“The race organizers have imposed this penalty without any supporting evidence.

“There has been concerns about the safety of other bikes and reliability, but adding 10kg of weight to our bikes effectively four days before a race weekend means we can’t do any testing and for safety reasons we are going to withdraw.

............but I guess we'll all have to wait and see. However it turns out, it it seems like whinging wins.

[Ozz]

So basically no one knows as yet!

[RodH]

Originally Posted by Ozz

So basically no one knows as yet!

That's probably the case.

[legs748]

Anyone know if Rutter is going to race?