New 2008 models built in March. Made 185 hp on the Arrow WSB dyno.

Ohlins 25mm Fork Cartridges, Ohlins TTX36 Shock, Leo Vince SBK CORSA Full Titanium Dual Exhaust, Yoshimura EM-Pro ECU, Yoshimura Wiring Loom, Yoshimura Kit Head Gasket, Yoshimura Quickshifter, Yoshimura Air Intake Tubes, Yoshimura Engine Case Protectors, Yoshimura Lock Stops, Yoshimura Pair Valve Removal Kit, ValterMoto Clip Ons, GPR v4 Steering Damper, ProMach Rear Sets, HotBodies Racing Fairings, Active Quick Action Throttle, LighTech (or Active) Remote Adjustable Brake Lever, Fren Tubo Carbon (or Goodridge) Braided Brake Lines, Performance Friction Brake Pads, DNA Air Filters, Tsubaki Chain, Renthal Sprockets, R&G Crash Bobbins, R&G Stand Bobbins, R&G Chain Protector and Stomp Tank Grips.

Prices from £7500 to £9500 depending on specification (e.g. standard loom and ECU or Yoshimura parts), spare wheels, etc.

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GSXR1000K7 Race Bike x 1

New model bought in August 2007 last year for sale. Bought to use the engine in our race bike for three rounds whilst our other one was rebuilt. Aside from 15 miles running in on the dyno the rest of the bike had 0 miles on it until a test in February at Almeria.   

For Almeria we added a new Arrow race exhaust system, new Tsubaki chain and Renthal sprockets, new Stomp Tank Grips, new GPR steering damper, new Robby Moto rear sets, new R&G Crash Bobbins & Paddock Stand Bobbins, Carbon engine protectors, new Performance Friction brake pads and one of our spare fairings from 2007.

Since then we have added 2007 Ohlins TTX36 Rear Shock (serviced and rebuilt to 2008 spec.), Andreani 25mm fork internals and Fren Tubo Carbon Brake Lines, plus a set of Harris high rise clip-ons and a brand new ANR Performance Race Fairing.

The bike covered approximately 400 kms at Almeria including an 80km race where the bike led Leon Haslam for 12 of the 14 laps and finished just 0.5s behind at the end. It also received a brand new ECU and idle valve just before we left in accordance with the factory recall for these models.

It may not be the cheapest K7 out there but it has just 400 km from new and never crashed. Most parts were brand new just before the Almeria test and it has not been used since then.

Complete race bike ready to go. No need to worry about engine refreshes or other wear and tear as this bike is basically brand new.

For sale now at £7500.

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GSXR1000K7 Track Bike x 1

GSXR1000K7 built from many of our spares we have acquired over the past couple of years.

Recently purchased a 500 mile old engine to go with the project.

Fitted with new Valter Moto rear sets, a used Arrow race exhaust system and one of our old fairings from 2008.

Good track bike on standard suspension. Make an ideal track bike for someone.

For sale now at £5750.

We headed over to Portugal for the final round of the series, with great anticipation of riding on the brand new circuit, which was certainly reported to be very exciting. With the project only 8 months in the making, and at a cost of 159 million pounds, it was an amazing circuit, although only just ready for the event.

On our arrival, there were tipper trucks, bull dozers, concreters, carpet layers, plumbers, electricians and all number of workmen still preparing the grounds and associated buildings and also completing the main road into the circuit, which wasn’t quite finished!

All things considered a remarkable feat. We got all set up but had a few minor hiccups, like no power, or hot showers for a couple of days, until all that got sorted.

We did some laps on the track on the scooter on Thursday, and I couldn’t wait to get on the bike. The track is unlike anything I’ve ridden on before with tremendous undulations, but the surface was very slippery and quite abrasive.

Friday - First Practice

First practice on Friday morning was rain soaked. Learning the brand new Algarve circuit in the rain was challenging as the surface had no rubber on it to speak of. I stayed out on track most of the session to get as many laps in as possible and making sure to keep it upright. No one wanted the statistic to be the first to go down on the new circuit!

Friday - First Qualifying

For the afternoon qualifying the track just wasn’t dry enough to be out on full dry tyres. I began the session on full wets to put a time in to qualify just incase the rain came down again. However the track was quickly forming a dry line towards the end of the session.

I pitted and swapped for a rear dry tyre. My plan was to do a few laps with a wet/dry combination and then swap to full dry tyres later in the session when the track was dry enough. Unfortunately on my second from last lap with this combination my engine developed a misfire while heading over the line to complete the lap. 2 corners later it expired in a cloud of smoke. Unlucky, but that’s racing.

Saturday - Second Practice

Morning practice was dry, allowing me the opportunity to learn the circuit in better conditions. The plan was to use our qualifying tyres from Friday afternoon and swap to a new set mid way through the session. Because the new surface was so abrasive it was wearing tyres very quickly. However with the engine blowing Friday afternoon, it dropped oil onto the rear tyre and we were unable to use it. If nothing else, the dry track time was great.

Saturday - Second Qualifying

Saturday afternoon qualifying was my only chance to better my grid position just as long as it didn’t rain because obviously no one would go faster on a wet track. So what happens, this massive black rain cloud covers the circuit, and it absolutely pelted down not long before we were due on track! Couldn’t believe it.

So I did my best to find a good rain setup in case of rain on race day. Obviously not bettering my time but finding a lot of time compared with my first wet practice time on Friday morning. I felt a bit of bad luck attributed to my 29th starting position. In fact I don’t really feel I’ve had too much go my way all through this year quite frankly.!!!

Sunday - Race

I can’t say I was particularly thrilled sitting on the grid on Sunday morning, knowing that I had a 12 lap mission ahead of me from my starting position. And it didn’t get any better. Going into Turn one on the first lap, I got completely boxed in with absolutely no where to go, ran wide and ended up dead last in 40th position.

So the red mist set in and I just had to do what I had to do from there, so I spent the whole race playing catch up, passing 18 riders to finish in 22nd position. Nothing else really to add, I did my best with what I had, and that was as good as I could do.

Ahead of me the battle raged with Brendan Roberts fighting for the lead, where he needed the win to take the championship title. Chris Seaton had an amazing race holding the lead for a number of laps before he ran out of tyre. I can truly say that I have had such a good time in the paddock this year with these two top blokes and I am very proud to be able to call them my friends.

The silly season of who goes where, is still in full swing, with lots of talk in the paddock of which riders will be with what teams. Currently we are looking at a couple of options before making a final decision, but I can say that I will definitely be back to race in Europe for the 2009 season.

Overall, 2008 has been an amazing experience and a very positive one with regard to what direction I want to take. In all honesty though, there has only been 2 occasions this season that I feel that I have had the bike sorted enough that I could actually ride to my potential. Other than that the bike has simply not felt good enough to be able to push it.

So, I feel I have some unresolved business in this paddock, and I hope that I will be able to ride next year with more confidence.

After the meeting, we had a few days in Portimao, which is the most picturesque place with a spectacular coast line. It is also one of the cheapest places we have been to this year, and one definitely worth a visit, so put that one on your calendar if you intend heading to a WSBK round next year.

Massive thanks to everyone involved in helping me ‘live the dream’ in Europe this year. I hope I can reward your continued support with more impressive results next year.

All bikes built to a similar spec. plus spares. Would make the perfect starting point for a new team.

New 2008 models built in March. Engines already refreshed at least once this season with new valves, etc.

When last tested made 185 hp on the Arrow WSB dyno. All suspension maintained by Ohlins Sweden, Ohlins UK or Andreani Group.

Bob Farnham Prepared Engines
Ohlins 25mm Fork Cartridges
Ohlins TTX36 Shock
Leo Vince SBK CORSA Full Titanium Dual Exhaust System
Yoshimura EM-Pro ECU
Yoshimura Wiring Loom
Yoshimura Kit Head Gasket
Yoshimura Quickshifter
Yoshimura Air Intake Tubes
Yoshimura Engine Case Protectors
Yoshimura Lock Stops
Yoshimura Pair Valve Removal Kit
ValterMoto Clip Ons
ValterMoto Axle Protectors
GPR v4 Steering Damper
ProMach Rear Sets
HotBodies Racing Fairings
Active Quick Action Throttle
LighTech (or Active) Remote Adjustable Brake Lever
Fren Tubo Carbon (or Goodridge) Braided Brake Lines
Performance Friction Brake Pads
DNA Air Filters
Tsubaki Chain
Renthal Sprockets
R&G Crash Bobbins
R&G Stand Bobbins
R&G Chain Protector
Stomp Tank Grips

Can remove Yoshimura ECU and wiring loom and replace with standard if required for BSB SuperStock.

Also two full sets of Renthal sprockets plus duplicates.

Spares (currently) include:

Wheels with Discs (x 4 sets)
Stock Forks (x 2 sets)
Frame (x 1)
Swing Arm (x 1)
Leo Vince Titanium End Cans (New) (x 2)
Leo Vince RHS Titanium Link Pipes (x 4)
Throttle Bodies (x 1)
Air Box (x 1)
Yokes (x 1)
Standard Air Intake Tubes (x 4 sets)
Tank (Used) (x 1)
Tank (New) (x 2)
Tank Cowls (New) (x 2)
Clip On Bars (x 4)
Callipers (x 4) Updated
Brake Master Cylinder (x 3)
Clutch Master Cylinder (New) (x 2)
Brake Levers (x 4)
Clutch Levers (New) (x 2)
Screens (New) (x 6)
Rear Subframe (x 1)
Front Subframe (x 4)
Standard Throttle & Cables (x 4)

Plus four standard looms, lock sets, fuel tank caps and pillion seat release locks with matching ECUs.

In fact there are enough parts here to build a fifth bike, all you would need would be an engine.

Also available:

SuperBike Tyre Warmers (x 6 sets) - To be sold with above or separately once above bikes have been sold.

All bikes laser tracked to ensure alignment with regular visits to Maidstone Motoliners to be safe (usually with no alterations required).

£40,000 for everything (including spares, tyre warmers, etc.), or from £7500 to £9500 depending on specification (e.g. standard loom and ECU or Yoshimura parts), spare wheels, etc.

Team is VAT registered so potential sponsors may be able to reclaim the VAT… 

For Almeria we added a new Arrow race exhaust system, new Tsubaki chain and Renthal sprockets, new Stomp Tank Grips, new GPR steering damper, new Robby Moto rear sets, new R&G Crash Bobbins & Paddock Stand Bobbins, new Performance Friction brake pads and one of our spare fairings from 2007.

The bike covered approximately 400 kms at Almeria including an 80km race where the bike led Leon Haslam for 12 of the 14 laps and finished just 0.5s behind at the end. It also received a brand new ECU and idle valve just before we left in accordance with the factory recall for these models.

It may not be the cheapest K7 out there but it has just 400 km from new and never crashed. Most parts were brand new just before the Almeria test and it has not been used since then.

For sale now at £6500.

Also have a selection of other items that can be sold with the bike at extra cost:

- 2007 Ohlins TTX36 Rear Shock (used once since ground up rebuild)
- Andreani 25mm Fork Cartridges, with spare springs (used for four rounds only)
- Fren Tubo Carbon Brake Lines (used for less than six rounds) 
- Spare wheels with brake discs

Payment can be made by credit card if you will pay the additional 2.5% fee we are charged by the credit card company. 

The weekend started out wet, much to the team’s dismay, although it does seem to be the norm at Magny-Cours and can change quickly.

Being first out for free practice session wasn’t helpful although things have been delayed by fog in previous years so maybe 4 degrees and raining wasn’t all that bad.

Due to the absence of Team Manager Mike Edwards who had been admitted to hospital at the last minute the suspension duties fell back on the Andreani Group who didn’t have time to fit softer springs before the riders were due on track.

Despite this Gareth managed to get up to 19th in the first session, with Matt back in 32nd place after only managing 4 laps as he persevered with suspension set-up.

The weather didn’t improve much for the first qualifying session. Although the temperature was up, well I guess 12 degrees counts as up, gusty winds and a wet track proved to be challenging for the riders. Both riders struggled for set-up and the session ended with Gareth in 28th place and Matt 32nd after just a handful of clear laps.

Only a few laps were completed in the second free practice session as there is a limit of three sets of wet tyres per round and the team wanted to save the all important second set for qualifying in the afternoon. Nevertheless, with an improved set-up using softer springs, Matt was already in 36th place after 2 laps (out of 41 riders) and Gareth finished in 23rd having done just 8 laps.

The second qualifying session was finally dry and the team focused on working on dry settings for the first time. Both Gareth and Matt were building confidence, which was reflected in their final standings – after 8 timed laps, Gareth climbed to 23rd and Matt to 26th. Front-running regulars sat between them in 24th and 25th – BSB SuperStock and former SuperBike rider Peter Hickman and series regular, and podium finisher, Andrea Antonelli.

With a dry race, Gareth and Matt were able to achieve strong results, with 17th and 23rd respectively at the flag. Gareth battled with Davide Guiliano to lead the third pack for the majority of the race. At half the race distance, Gareth’s bike developed an electrical fault causing the electronics to go in to a reduced power ‘limp home’ mode, but he rode hard to maintain his position.

After being held up for several laps by Ronald Ten Napel letting the pack in front get away, Matt pulled out 0.5 seconds a lap, reeling them in over the next few laps. A couple of mistakes allowed Peter Hickman to catch up and a close fought battle ensued with Matt, Hicky and Pauli Pekkanen on the factory KTM. All three swapped places several times a lap for the remainder of the race. Still in with a chance he overtook both riders on the brakes at the end of the last lap, only to run wide, and was beaten to the line by a narrow margin.

Mike Edwards, Team Manager
“The team did a fantastic job, despite the weather conditions and my absence due to illness. The finishing positions didn’t reflect their pace or the close battles with those around them. Overall, it was a really positive weekend with much-needed improvements in the suspension set-up. The final round at Portimao is up next, where no team has tested. I am confident that both riders will score points next time out.”

Matt Bond
“Magny-Cours was a hard but good race. I made a couple of mistakes, which allowed Hicky and Pekkanen to catch up. They managed to get by, but I passed them on the final lap, only to run wide at the end, losing my position. A positive and enjoyable race overall.”

Gareth Jones
“This was one of the hardest races of the year. I almost got caught out by Guiliano a couple of times, but had a great battle with him, Schouten and Antonelli. Everyone’s results were all over the place, but I’m pretty happy considering the conditions throughout the weekend.”

After a disappointing result last time out at Donington Park where even the World SuperBike regulars struggled with the conditions, Gareth Jones and Matt Bond of MIST Suzuki are now looking forward to the penultimate round at Magny-Cours.

With each rider consistently making up considerable ground from the qualifying place to race result, the team has been showing great potential. Hampered by suspension problems and bad weather recently, both riders made great progress during testing at Brands Hatch and hope to continue this good run at Magny-Cours.

The wet weather and slippery surface at Donington meant Matt didn’t qualify after crashing out, and Gareth didn’t classify after sliding out of 16th place in the race. However, at the previous race at Brands Hatch, Gareth finished 11th and Matt 22nd in changeable conditions, both having made up a significant number of places over qualifying.

Testing at the Champion of Brands meeting recently was a positive step. Despite the race being cut to six laps, both riders performed well and the team gathered useful data on the new fork configurations being tested.

Gareth held off Steve Mercer, a British SuperStock regular, for most of the race, eventually opting to play it safe and take the final step of the podium with 3rd place. Matt was comfortably in 4th position until an issue with an after market brake lever caused him to drop back a couple of places, finishing 6th.

Mike Edwards, Team Manager
“Both Matt and Gareth achieved positive results during Brands testing, even though the session was cut to six laps. Now we just need some consistent weather to allow us time to set up the suspension after recent fork changes, using the data we’ve collected. Both riders were quicker than former F1 star Michael Schumacher who was testing at Magny-Cours alongside us, so we are looking forward to the race.”

Gareth Jones
“I managed a great 9th place at Monza earlier this season and 11th at both Brands and Brno. I’m confident about Magny-Cours, especially as we’ve already tested at the track this year.”

Matt Bond
“This season has been tough so far. During pre-season testing, I was fighting hard against Leon Haslam, but things have been so-so since then. I’m carrying a shoulder injury from Monza, which is still causing problems now. Onwards and upwards.”

Matt Bond @ Brands Hatch WSB round

MIST Suzuki Racing - New Truck Graphics

Not Quite The Champion of Brands… Gareth Jones on the podium

Gareth Jones @ Champion of Brands

Gareth Jones @ Champion of Brands

Photos copyright © Ian Hughes 2008

Photos copyright © Kevin Barker & www.motorbikestoday.com 2008

Photos copyright © MotorBikesToday.com 2008

Photos copyright © www.motorbikestoday.com 2008