TOUGH TEST IN SPAIN FOR HASLAM

Arai wearer LEON HASLAM battled to seventh and sixth place finishes respectively in round eight of the World Superbike Championship at Aragon in Spain on Sunday.

Haslam: Tough in Spain

The BMW rider qualified on the front row of the grid for the two 20-lap races before a wrong rear tyre choice ended his chances of victory in the opening encounter and race two mistakes prevented a sixth podium finish of the season.
 
“In race one we simply opted for the wrong compound rear tyre,” admitted Haslam. “In the warm up in the morning the race tyre that we had already chosen only lasted seven laps so we made a last minute gamble to go with the hardest tyre which we had not really run over the weekend.
 
“We knew that the pace of the tyre would not be so good at the beginning of the race but hoped that it would come good at the end. My lap times remained constant but I just had zero grip. It was the wrong choice and we missed out on a podium as I felt I could have definitely challenged Carlos Checa for third.”
 
Haslam continued: “In race two I had a better start and felt pretty good but then ran off the circuit and lost a lot of time. I pushed again and got back up to battle with Checa and Sykes and a few other guys but ran off the circuit again.
 
“Every time I went a little bit deeper on the brakes I really struggled. I was pretty happy to finish ahead of Sykes and Checa but I felt that we had a good enough pace, especially at the end of the race, to be in the leading group. There were just too many mistakes today.”

HASLAM AIMING FOR ARAGON GLORY

LEON HASLAM is looking to repeat his podium finish of the last round at Misano in Italy when he contests round eight of the World Superbike Championship at Aragon in Spain on Sunday.

Arai's Haslam- eyeing up the podium

Haslam took his fifth podium finish of the year with third place at Misano and currently sits in sixth place in the World Championship after seven of the 14 rounds.
 
“The first half of the season has been full of ups and downs,” recalled Haslam. “I’ve had a few podium finishes but should have had at least two or three wins. But it has been a very tough first half of the season, with breaking my leg, crashing in the lead in Holland, being taken out whilst leading at Donington and some other annoying little issues.
 
“I’ve missed out on a lot of points that should’ve been in the bag but we are all still very close in the Championship. And I’m confident about the second part of the season. We know we can win and we know we can fight for the podium every weekend.”
 
Haslam is relishing the challenge of returning to Aragon after a two-day test at the circuit last week.
 
“Aragon was a new circuit last year so it was the first time for everyone. Many teams have tested there since, as we did last week and we found good settings for the S1000RR so I am looking forward again to racing at Aragon.
 
“Last year it was not the best of weekends for us, Troy broke his arm and I had pretty average results. But this time I am really looking forward to going there. The track is very demanding, it has a lot of corners that hang on to you. It is not a circuit that suits an aggressive riding style, more fast and flowing. You have to be very precise with your lines and your set-up, but all of that produces good racing.”

www.whyarai.co.uk

HASLAM HOPING FOR HOME GLORY

 

  LEON HASLAM is chasing victory in Sundays fifth round of the World Superbike Championship and in his home round, at Donington Park, Leics.

BMWs Haslam took his third podium finish of 2012 at Monza last Sunday on the S1000RR and is keen to grab his first win and the first win in the series for BMW in Sundays 23-lap races at the 2.49-mile circuit near Derby.

Leon Haslam- wearing a replica of his Dad's most famous design this weekend

 I really enjoy Donington, said Haslam. We had a tough time there last year and I almost had a big crash but with the improvements we have made at BMW Motorrad I can look forward to racing in front of my home crowd with plenty of optimism.

We will have to wait and see what the weather will be like but this round is a couple of months later than it was last year so hopefully it will be a lot warmer.

Haslam, 28, added: Donington Park is renowned for being one of the heaviest braking circuits and it always produces good races, so I am looking forward to it.

As part of the celebration of his 25^th anniversary of wearing Arai helmets, Haslam will wear a retro design RX-7 this weekend to again recognise the Arai relationship and, as it is the home race, also recognise his father Rons achievements at Donington Park.

Leon's Helmet for Donington

 The design is a copy of Ron's most famous helmet and again includes the 25^th Anniversary logo that Leon is carrying throughout 2012.

It's always nice to be able to do something a little different and although this design is not that technical it is widely recognised from Dad's racing days and he has strong links with Donington so I hope it will be enjoyed by the fans, said Haslam.

He continued: Arai have done a great job with this retro RX-7 and I'm really looking forward to wearing the retro design just for this weekend.

For more information on Arai Helmets in the UK please visit www.whyarai.co.uk

HASLAM SEARCHING FOR DUTCH DELIGHT

Arai racer Leon Haslam is aiming for success in Sunday’s third round of the World Superbike Championship at the historic Assen circuit in the north of Holland.

Leon Haslam

 BMW’s Haslam has taken three podium finishes from the last three years at Assen and
is hoping to continue that run this weekend.

“Assen is a great track and one of my favourites,” said Haslam. “It’s a fast and flowing
circuit and there’s always a lot of British fans at Assen so it provides a great
atmosphere.”

After the opening two rounds – in Australia and Italy – the S1000RR rider is fourth in the
World Championship and arrives in Holland on the back of two podium finishes after
taking third place in both races at Imola three weeks ago.

“The Imola round was good for results but it was also very good for the consistent performance we found with the machine and Pirelli tyres throughout the weekend,”
continued Haslam. “I’m really pleased with the way the team is working this year and I’d
like to think our hard work will let us challenge for race wins soon and the world title.”
Haslam tested at Mugello in Italy on Tuesday and believes the BMW machine continues
to improve as he looks to give the German manufacturer a first win.

He concluded: “We are getting closer and closer to that first victory and if I get a chance
to win I’ll be taking it. At Imola I was only three seconds away from the victory so it’s all
very positive.”

For more information on Arai Helmets please visit www.whyarai.co.uk

ARAI APPOINTS MOTODIRECT AS NEW UK DISTRIBUTOR

Arai Helmet Europe has appointed MotoDirect as the new distributor for the UK. The transition of the distributorship, including the current stock, is expected to take place in May this year. 

Representatives from Arai and MotoDirect- UK's new Arai distributor

The innovative, individual marketing approach towards the Arai brand and the talent to understand and to anticipate product trends were decisive factors. Furthermore MotoDirect is a very well respected distributor and this together with the matching professional, yet passionate attitude towards the Arai brand, have made MotoDirect the first choice for the Arai distributorship.

As MotoDirect is highly experienced in developing premium brand business and building up the existing dealer network, customer and media relations, Arai firmly believes in expanding the Arai brand awareness and premium image in the UK even further in 2012.

Debbie Bullock (managing director MotoDirect):  "We are extremely proud that Arai Helmet Europe has appointed MotoDirect as their new UK distributor. With MotoDirect’s experience and passion we are sure this new relationship will strengthen both Arai’s and MotoDirect’s reputation for both quality and excellence."

Ingmar Stroeven (managing director Arai Helmet Europe): "The individual, personalized approach of MotoDirect immediately appealed to us. We strongly believe in the ability of MotoDirect to move Arai forward. As a highly respected distributor in the UK, MotoDirect adds additional value to the Arai brand. We are therefore confident that we will develop a long lasting, successful relationship."

For additional information about MotoDirect, please contact: Chris Day - chris.day@moto-direct.com / +44 (0) 1773 864435.

For additional information about Arai Helmet Europe, please contact: Sander van de Water - swater@araieur.nl / +31 33 25 410 10.

ARAI'S MARIA COSTELLO MBE JOINS THE COOKSTOWN/BE RACING TEAM FOR THE TT

IRISH Supertwins Champion John Burrows will be joined in the Cookstown/BE Racing team this year for selected events by one of the fastest ladies in the world - Maria Costello MBE.

Maria Costello MBE- back at the TT!

Burrows, having been selected by the Moira Motorcycle Racing Club to ride their Honda CBR600 RR in the Supersport class this year, decided to look for a rider to ride his own Yamaha R6, rather than leave it sitting idle in his workshop, and the Northamptonshire lady met all his requirements.

Burrows commented: "After Maria found out my R6 was available she made contact with me and after discussions I was delighted to welcome her to the Cookstown/BE Racing team. Maria will ride the Yamaha at the Cookstown 100, the Isle of Man TT and selected other national events after the TT. Before hitting the roads, Maria will get the chance to test the machine at Kirkistown.

"Maria is a very professional and fast rider and I'm certain she will be an asset to the team. It would have been a shame if the R6 had to sit and gather dust this season, it will be great to see it in action. I'm confident Maria will get some decent results on it and I'm sure her appearances on it will bring all my sponsors some extra exposure. It's a win-win-win situation. It's sizzling news as the team enters its second year with sausage producers Cookstown as title sponsor."

Maria Costello MBE is the second fastest lady ever around the famous 37.73 miles Isle of Man Mountain Circuit, only bettered by Jenny Tinmouth. Maria has lapped there at an impressive 114.73 mph.

The 38-year-old has also twice finished on the Manx Grand Prix rostrum. Maria was third in the 2005 Manx Ultra-Lightweight on a RVF 400 while last year she finished third in the Manx Classic 250cc race on a Bob Jackson Suzuki.
2012 will see Maria make her third visit to Cookstown and the previous two have not been without success. In 2010 she finished third in the Supersport 400 race while last year she was second to Tom Llewelyn in one of the Supertwins events.

In addition to the Cookstown/BE Yamaha R6, Maria will also ride a number of other machines this season. She will have a Pr1mo ZX10R, a 650 Kawasaki, a Team Classic Suzuki XR69 and the Jackson T20 Suzuki.

Maria said: "Joining Cookstown/BE Racing is a great opportunity for me. It's a team with a proven pedigree so I know I'll have a very competitive R6 underneath me. I'd like to thank Steve Wheatman of Hol-Taj and the European Shoe Machinery Company for making the ride possible for me."

Cookstown/BE Racing's number one rider John Burrows will have a Suzuki 1000 Superbike, a Kawasaki 1000 Superstock, a KBM Kawasaki 650 and the Moira MRC Honda 600 at his disposal this year. In addition to Cookstown and BE, he has also retained the financial support of H2 Engineering, the Joni B Supporters Club, Wayne Acheson, Cavanagh/Kelly, Kronos Audio Visual and Cookstown Caravans.

Maria would like to add a huge thank you for the continued support of her sponsors: Hol-Taj, Pr1mo, ESM, Ratech Racing, Rock Oil, Draper Tools, Arai, Vmtek Suspensions, Wilbers, Pirelli, Racing Batteries, Radicool, Jap4Performance, Skidmarx, NGK, EBC, HEL, GBRacing, 1 Off Design, Knox, The Image Works, Able Labels, Alpha Powder Coatings, Daytona, Racebikebitz, Stomp, Pipercross, Christian Baker, Dallington Racquets & Fitness Club, DnG, Sparkes Management Support, Stomp, B&C, Webtech Software, Bournemouth Kawasaki, Hope&Social, Sauls of Spratton & Wiz.

Find out more about Maria's 2012 racing plans at www.costelloracing.com
Follow the pizza race bike blog at www.pizzaracebike.blogspot.com
You can also follow her on Twitter @Maria Costello @TheTruckThat

For more information about Arai helmets in the UK please visit www.whyarai.co.uk

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The Leon Haslam Classic

THE second annual Leon Haslam Classic will be held at Wellingborough Golf Club, Northants.
on Tuesday June 12 with children’s medical research charity SPARKS hoping the £12,000
event donation of 2011 can be repeated. 

Haslam's buddy ex-boxer John Conteh- Tee shot packs a punch..

BMW’s World Superbike Championship rider Leon Haslam will host the event once more which is again expected to be a 30-team sell-out at the 18th century Harrowden Hall venue.

Wellingborough’s 6711-yard classical parkland course offers the competitive challenge before the evening’s dinner and entertainment in the lawn marquee completes the fun-packed day.

“Last year’s event was superb and a lot of those present have said they’re already looking forward to this year’s event,” said Haslam. “It’s thanks to everyone at SPARKS and at Wollaston BMW in Northampton that we could put the event together and get it to be a regular fixture on both the golfing and the motorcycle racing calendars.” 

Willie Thorne - switches from 6 holes to 18

In addition to Haslam and his 2011 team-mate and twice World Superbike Champion Troy
Corser, the event’s celebrities included Olympic stars Kris Akabusi and Derek Redmond, actors Kevin Whately and Warren Clarke, boxer John Conteh and snooker’s Willie Thorne.

SPARKS golf manager David Barker commented: “Being back at Wellingborough last year was really well received by everyone involved with SPARKS and a lot of the celebrities are keen to return this year for Leon’s event.”

SPARKS – SPorts Aiding medical Research for KidS – has donated more than £22m to medical
research since 1991 to tackle a wide range of conditions diagnosed in babies and young
children.

The SPARKS golf calendar includes events at Woburn, Sunningdale, Loch Lomond, The Grove, Celtic Manor, La Manga, Wentworth and Turnberry and its golf day hosts include Harry Redknapp, Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent, Sir Trevor Brooking and Matt Le Tissier.

The 2012 SPARKS President is former footballer and keen golfer David Ginola while Sir Geoff Hurst MBE is a Life President along with one of the charity’s founders, Jimmy Hill OBE.

For further information regarding the Leon Haslam Classic please contact Chris Herring;
chris.herring1@virgin.net / tel: 07721 935351.