Arai riders ready for Phillip Island WSBK season opener

After a long winter the waiting is finally over; the 2011 World Superbike season is upon us and kicks off this weekend (26th/27th February) with racing in Australia, at the legendary Phillip Island circuit. The talking and testing is done, and it’s time to go racing. Arai’s riders, Brits Leon Haslam and Jonathan Rea, plus WSB legend Noriyuki Haga and the hard-charging Jakub Smurz are ready…

LEON HASLAM, BMW MOTORRAD MOTORSPORT
After making the switch from Suzuki GSX-R1000 to factory BMW S1000RR Haslam, an Arai wearer since the start of his career, has worked methodically on set-up through pre-season testing. He finished 14th overall on combined times from the two day test at Phillip Island, 1.83s behind Carlos Checa, who was fastest, but will be looking to be up at the sharp end from the start come qualifying and racing.

 

“For me the RR is a proven package. It’s the best selling bike from last year, it’s been winning championships and races all around the globe and in stock trim you will struggle to find a better package. I still feel we have a lot more to come in order to push the bike forward, but have already found a good base to work on. We now don't have long to wait until we will find out where everybody stands..."

JONATHAN REA, CASTROL HONDA
Jonathan Rea crashed on Tuesday afternoon, potentially jeopardising his participation this weekend. Rea had set the third quickest time in the morning’s session on day two of the official WSBK test ,and was on his first lap in the afternoon when he crashed at Phillip Island’s fast turn three, getting off his Castrol Honda CBR1000RR at around 210kph (130mph). He dislocated the ring finger on his left hand but was transferred to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne to undergo x-rays and scans on his left wrist; despite the crash, the 24-year-old set the third fastest overall time of the test and is hopeful about getting back on his bike.

“I’m so frustrated because we were just about there on race pace and everything was feeling really good. My finger and wrist are sore – in fact I’m pretty sore all over –and I certainly didn’t want to start this season the way I finished the last one!

NORIYUKI HAGA, PATA RACING APILIA
Long-term Arai wearer Noriyuki Haga finished the test 11th overall on combined times and, like Haslam, is riding a new bike, the Aprilia RSV4 Factory. Although dressed in PATA livery, this is the machine ridden to the 2010 championship by Max Biaggi so while it is essentially a privateer effort is sure to be competitive. Speaking before testing got underway Nori was upbeat about the coming season, but also aware he has some unfinished business…

“Throughout my career I achieved a lot, but I’m still not satisfied. I dream of winning the world title and it isn’t written that I can't do it on this motorcycle. For sure, on paper, official teams have an advantage, but Aprilia has already shown its willingness to give the greatest support to a racer fighting for a big goal."

JAKUB SMURZ, TEAM EFFENBERT-LIBERTY RACING
Smurz came away from the test with his hopes for the season, and his Ducati, fully intact. He also wound up a superb 4th overall, just .628s behind Checa.

“The two-day test is over, and we definitely leave with a positive result. We have done a lot of work, as evidenced by the total number of laps and have tried a lot of things on both bikes. Certainly I am very satisfied because 4th place, with the participation of everybody without the use of soft rubber and ride by wire is a good sign for the forthcoming race weekend.”

BROC PARKES, KAWASAKI MOTOCARD.COM (WSS)
Broc Parkes, racing in World Supersport, was only 0.014 seconds from equaling Fabien Foret’s fastest time over the two days. For Parkes, who raced for the Provec Motocard.com team at the tail end of last year, starting the season at his home round is an exciting prospect, especially after setting good consistent race pace to go with a personal best time that pushed him to second in the rankings.

“I am happy to have had another couple of days to test because in Almeria it was a bit cold, and it rained in Portugal. So here we did a lot of kilometres on used tyres to get to a good race set-up. We found some positive directions and the bike felt really good, so we stuck in a new tyre and went for a fast lap. I am ready for the weekend!”

2009 Australian Superbike champion Josh Waters is a wild card at Phillip Island riding the Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 and finished testing in 12th place.

All of Arai’s riders will once again be wearing the Arai RX-7GP, a helmet considered by many as the benchmark against which all others are measured.  Featuring a peripherally belted Structural Net Composite (SNC) shell, with hyper ridge strengthening in its lower section, a wider aperture with larger visor for better vision and a five position Air Wing to reduce drag, turbulence and buffeting,  the RX-7GP is the most technologically advanced motorcycle helmet Arai has ever produced and easily surpasses ECE 22.05 and was the first helmet to meet the new Snell M2010 standard.

For more information on the Arai range call 2724UK on 01782 569800 or visit www.whyarai.co.uk

AXCES ALL AREAS!

Try on the best value Arai ever and win track time and a pillion ride with Ron Haslam…

The Axces has all the qualities expected of a helmet from Arai: superb comfort and unmatchable fit, plus high quality construction and detailing. But it’s also, with an RRP of £259.99, one of the most affordable helmets Arai has ever produced, providing a more accessible entry point to the iconic Japanese brand. 

And five lucky people who try the Axces on at an Arai 5 Star dealer from 2nd February through to 30th April, 2011 will win a full day of track tuition at the Ron Haslam Race School, based at the superb Silverstone circuit, and get a pillion ride with the ex-GP star himself! That’s not all – 10 runners up will receive a top quality Arai kitbag, worth £79.99, perfect for hauling around all your riding gear.

Launched last year to great acclaim nothing has been spared in construction of the Axces – it’s an Arai, after all. The shell is made from Super Fibre Laminate (SFL) construction and features the same ring shaped strengthening in its lower section as found on the benchmark race specification RX-7 GP. Built into the outer shell is an ‘Air Conductor’ rear vent, channelling for an optional ‘Delta Duct’ top vent as well as side exhaust vents. A powerful chin vent features enlarged duct access for improved efficiency while colour options are simple and straightforward; Plain Black or White RRP £259.99 or Matt Black RRP £269.99. Sizes run from XS–XXL.

Both Ron and Leon Haslam are lifelong Arai wearers, and naturally it’s the helmet of choice for the Race School to use. So if you’re looking for a new helmet, and have never tried an Arai, try on the Axces – and maybe you’ll get to ride with Ron!
The Arai Difference
Without exception all Arai helmets offer a peerless fit; the Japanese brand’s reputation for quality, comfort and safety has recently been further reinforced as, for the 12th consecutive year, Arai came out top of the JD Power and Associates Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction Study. Also, Arai placed three of its helmets in the overall top ten – including the number one spot – of RiDE Magazine’s 2009 RiDER Power Survey, an exhaustive poll taken from 5000 readers, reported in the November 2009 issue.

For more information on the Arai Axces, this competition or the rest of the Arai range call 2724UK on 01782 569800, or visit www.whyarai.co.uk 

ARAI RIDERS WIN BIG AT ADELAIDE IRISH RACER AWARDS NIGHT!

2010 deemed a vintage year for riders from the Emerald Isle…

The great and the good of Irish, British and International motorcycling gathered for the eighth annual Adelaide Irish Racer Awards on 14th January, 2011. The gala black tie event is the brainchild of Irish Racer magazine publishing Editor Paul Lindsay and BBC Sport NI’s Stephen Watson, and is regarded as the most prestigious motorcycling awards ceremony on the Emerald Isle.

Arai’s racers – from WSB, BSB and Road Racing – all looking forward to and training hard for the start of the 2011 season, did very well on a night spent looking back at 2010 and one late, great legend of motorcycle racing also received an honour from Arai itself;

Arai Lifetime Achievement – Joey Dunlop

The Arai Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded posthumously to the late Joey Dunlop MBE OBE. It was presented by Phillip McCallen and fittingly collected by his youngest daughter Joanne, on behalf of the Dunlop family. She received a rousing reception and a standing ovation from the appreciative and respectful crowd.

Adelaide Irish Motorcyclist of the Year – Jonathan Rea

WSB star Rea impressed the Irish Racer magazine judging panel after a magnificent 2010 in the hotly contested World Superbike Championship, scoring four wins and ten podiums, which included a double at Assen on his way to fourth place in the series.

The 23-year-old from Ballyclare, now based in the Isle of Man, becomes the first rider to win this prestigious award for a third time. In fact Rea has won every award available to a short circuit rider in the eight years the Racer Awards have been in existence. Rea also won the Blackhorse Short Circuit Rider of the Year Award.

Jet2.com Fans’ Race of the Year – Alastair Seeley

Seeley’s outstanding North West 200 Superbike race victory, the first Superbike race win for a local man since Phillip McCallen thirteen years ago, was voted for by the Jet2.com fans.

IFS International Racer of the Year – Ian Hutchinson

Hutchy won the IFS International Road Racer of the Year award after taking an unprecedented, ten International Road Racing victories last season. This included another major milestone, becoming the first rider ever to win all five solo races during a TT.

Arai Europe’s Managing Director Ingmar Stroeven was delighted at the news of their sponsored riders’ accolades, and for Arai to support the Adelaide Irish Racer Awards themselves; “This is truly great recognition of all the efforts our racers make across many disciplines. Racing is fundamental to everything at Arai, and always has been so to do so well on the night is great for us. It’s also a pleasure for us to award the Arai Lifetime Achievement Award to Joey; he did so much for our brand and for the sport of motorcycle racing itself.”

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

2011 Arai's now in - Click the pic for a bigger view

Cal Crutchlow Interview on Arai stand.mpg

WIN A DAY WITH LEON HASLAM AND THE BLADES!

For anyone wanting to experience the adrenaline rush of airborne speed, a new text competition could be right up your street.

The RAF Association is offering the chance to win a day with World Superbike rider Leon Haslam, following the launch of a competition at the NEC’s Motorcycle Live Show, held recently.

Not only will the lucky winner get the chance to spend the day with Leon but they will share with him the experience of an aerobatic flight with the UK’s premier civilian aerobatic team – The Blades.

Throughout 2010, The Blades performed their jaw-dropping displays at airshows across the UK, proudly displaying the RAF Association and Wings Appeal livery.

The Blades are made up of former Red Arrows pilots and have flown over 300 displays in front of more than 18 million people over the last three years.

As well as the flight, the winner will have an opportunity to fly a helicopter and take a front row seat as The Blades perform a private air display for their guests – the perfect way to end a perfect day!

Anyone who wants to be in with a chance to win can now enter the competition by texting the word WINGS to 70007. This will give one entry into the draw for a flight in a Blades aerobatic aircraft.

Your support will cost £2 per text, plus your standard network message charge, with at least £1.54 from each donation going to the RAF Association, depending on your network operator.

Term and conditions apply.

The text entries must be received by midnight on December 31st to be admissible and entrants will receive a text message reply as proof of entry.

For full details of terms and conditions, visit www.rafa.org.uk and follow the link to The Blades.

Terms & Conditions… Players must be resident in the UK. Minimum ages for entries is 16 years or over. The prize can be taken up by any persons older than 12 years old subject to terms and conditions. Licensed by the Gambling Commission under the 2005 Gambling Act. Contact: Neil Everall, 0116 268 8756.

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