With no FIM Classic Endurance planned until Misano, Ian Simpson will debut the new (2020) Suzuki XR69 (in competition) at Most (CZ) next weekend, following Peter Linden’s lay-off due to his forthcoming knee operation.
Hugh will also be out on the 2019 XR69 at a circuit that none of us has any experience of. Most of the team’s main players will be there – Steve Bateman and Stuart Scott on mechanics duties, supported by Ben Nahum on tyres, Katy Jones on electrics, Lida doing admin and cooking and Martyn Watchurst performing a little goforing. Linda Rutter and Roy Hood will be back, together with Jacco we hope, for Misano on October 10th.
The Cadwell Park tests were mainly positive but did throw up two embarrassing electrical problems, both of which have been remedied and will be run at Most. the positive bits were that the rollong chassis and engine performed excellently, despite only being out for a small number of laps. The 2019 bike performed very well and with no problems. The geometry on the 2020 bike is almost identical, with just a small offset change, so continuing setting up (in Ian’s capable hands at Most) should be confined to suspension.
At Cadwell Park , Phil Atkinson stood in for Peter Lindén at short notice and looked in red hot form, giving the team some useful feedback.
Ian Simpson, multiple BSB, British 600 and TT winner, rode with the team in 2015 to considerable success, scooping the Classic Endurance Championship that year.
Robbie Burns, another friend of the team, will also be in the pitbox being looked after by Bill Simpson who built and fettles his Yamaha TZ350.
We are all loooking forward so much to getting back into competition and paddock life, albeit late in the season. After all, its what we do !
Ryanair to Prague early Thursday AM. See you there.
