Author: alida van ham

‘Sweatshop’ Back Phase One’s Classic Races

Hugh Brasher goes well at Almeria pre-Classic Bol test.

“I am delighted to announce that London based running equipment specialists ‘Sweatshop’ will be backing our classic programme” announced Team Manager Russell Benney today. Hugh Brasher, the man behind the Sweatshop company and the man with the passion for running has focussed his considerable abilities on winning at classic endurance with Phase One. Benney spoke on; “The Team heartily welcome Hugh and look forward very much to working with him and Peter Linden at the Classic Bol. We are right behind the project and can hardly wait for Magny Cours”.

Hugh Brasher successfully tested the Sweatshop backed Phase One P&M Kawasaki’s on 18th/19th of March in preparation for the first outing of the year with Peter Linden at the Classic Bol d’Or at Magny Cours.

Brasher completed over 130 laps on the Team’s pair of P&M Kawasaki’s. All the test objectives were achieved during a busy two days, including direct comparisons between SBS pad compounds, trials of different wheel types, tyre sizes and suspension components. Brasher was faster by 1.5 seconds on the ex-John Cowie, 1978 TTF1 winning machine compared with the sister endurance bike, even while sufferring some front end patter. Despite this, the machine has been selected as the prospective Classic Bol d’Or race bike.

Hugh Brasher – “We had a great test and will surely move forward even further next time out. The Team have their work cut out over the next 10 days but I am certain that we shall be competitive, especially as we are being supplied with the first of a new generation of Dunlop 18″ tyres. It will also be a real honour to race this particular bike in endurance again – the last time it was out in endurance was with John Cowie and Bernie Toleman at the 1978 Spa 24hrs race coming 3rd.”

The Classic Bol d’Or is at Magny Cours, 10th/11th April.

NW 200, IOM TT In – Le Mans and Albacete Out

NEWSLETTER 152

Team Changes Focus: North West 200 and IOM TT are in, Le Mans 24H and Albacete 8H out.

Firstly, welcome back to what will undoubtedly be a great season.

Straight away I want to thank our returning sponsors, our new sponsors and all who support the team with effort, finance or products. Together, 2010 is going to be a great season! A big welcome to you all.

Current News

After much soul searching the decision has been made to resist the temptation to dilute the quality of the Team’s entries in favour of the quantity of the races. In short; we feel that it is better to compete only when we can have a realistic chance of a rostrum finish, rather than spread it thinly and just make up numbers. Having set pole and finished second at the last WEC race of 2009, it reminded us of where we should be. With the right rider line-up, the team and machinery showed its true capability and delivered the results. Its just too frustrating to continue being held back.

So, for 2010, we go forward. The early season focus moves towards the roads, to build on our 2008 TT results (8th with Steve Plater in Superstock and 10th with Michael Dunlop in the Senior) and to make our debut at the NW200. The aim is for at least top sixes at both events. Carl Rennie, 5th in last year’s TT Senior race is just the man to deliver the goods and will race the Team’s Superbike and new Superstock and Supersport machines. (Thanks to Yamaha UK and Yamaha Europe for these bikes). Carl will be supported by ex- Shell Endurance Academy rider and best 2009 TT newcomer, Ben Wylie, who will ride another Phase One Superbike plus his own 600.

The Team head for Albacete this week for the Dunlop tests on the 15th /16th March, when the riders will try the bikes for the first time. Then it’s off to Almeria for a further two days with the classic endurance bikes, this year being raced at the classic Bol d’Or by Hugh Brasher and Peter Linden.

Endurance

The aim is to compete at Spa, the Bol d’Or and Qatar. A very high quality rider line-up has been agreed in principle for Qatar, held at a time when there are no clashes with British Superbike events. For the Bol d’Or, we are aiming for a very special two-bike entry in conjunction with BIKE magazine (all very hush-hush at the moment) and a return to Spa will be very welcome after what must be an 8 year absence.

The Roads

With Carl on three bikes and Ben on two, both the roads events are going to be very busy indeed. We have great hopes for both riders. Clearly Carl is by far the more experienced and is the most likely to deliver the top results. However, Ben’s fine start last year, earning best newcomer can only be built upon. It is hoped that Ben will feed from Carl’s experience to improve his own performance. The endurance bikes have been up spec’ed to meet the challenge of the superbike and senior races and a superstock bike has been built. Carl is preparing an R6, supplied by Yamaha, as is Ben. Dunlop will provide the rubber and Yamalube the fluids…….we will know more after testing.

2010 Phase One Season

Classic Bol d’Or, Nevers – France – 10th/11th April
NW 200 – Great Britain – 15th/16th May
IOM TT – Great Britain – 27th May to 11thJune
Spa 8H – Belgium – 14th /15th August
Magny Cours Bol d’Or 24H – France – 10th /11th September
Cartegena classic 6H – Spain – 25th September
Losail 8H – Qatar – 17th November

This is just part of the full Newsletter sent out to members of the Phase One supporters club. If you want to read the full story, join now: http://www.phaseone.co.uk/support.html

Linden Back with Phase One for Classic Bol

Peter Linden, 2000 Endurance World Champion, will be re united with his old team at this year’s Classic Bol d’Or.

The Swedish fighter pilot will partner UK Endurance racer Hugh Brasher, on Phase One’s 1978 Pecket & MCNab Kawasaki at the 8th running of the Classic Bol d’Or at Magny Cours on the 10th and 11th of April.


Linden has great memories of the circuit where he clinched his endurance crown after a battle with season long rivals GMT’94 at the real Bol d’Or in 2000. Hugh Brasher said; “It’s a real privilege to race with Peter, we aim to take this race seriously and the experience he brings will be invaluable.”


The pairing will use the bike on which Graeme Crosby made his European debut at Brands Hatch in 1978.

Team boss Russell Benney expressed delight at the line up, which is restricted to one professional and one amateur rider per bike. The event is becoming the ‘classic’ of classics: it strives successfully to encompass the spirit of the 1960’s and ’70s and the 2 x 2 hours format, including Saturday evening is just right.

This race is a must for the endurance enthusiast that finds the modern scene just that little bit too intense.

Phase One Endurance are set up to welcome supporters with a cup of English tea in the paddock, so be there.

The Classic Bol d’Or is held at Magny Cours, Nevers, France, 9th to 11th of April, with race one on Saturday at 19.30, followed by the second leg at 14.15 on Sunday.

Wylie Joins Phase One for the NW200 and TT

2009 TT best Newcomer Ben Wylie has secured a berth alongside Carl Rennie with the Phase One Team for their roads campaign. Wylie was impressive in 2009 , both in the 600 and Superstock categories, and will move up to the premier class this year on the Team’s Superbikes.

Yamaha Phase One Manager Russell Benney enthused, “Ever since working with Ben in the Shell Endurance Academy Team in 2005, I have been impressed with his determination and grit. My challenge will be to help him channel that enthusiasm and to focus it on race success . Some of the skills he learnt in World Endurance will be drawn on this season. To be safe and competitive on the roads, he is going to need the ability to maintain extremely high levels of concentration for long periods; just like in the Le mans 24 hours race. He will also need a high level of physical fitness and must be mentally prepared.” .

Ben Wylie’s reaction to his Phase One ride: “I’m delighted to be back with the old team and I’m determined to build on the results I had in my debut year at the TT. Riding the Superbike at the Northwest200 is going to be awesome, I can’t wait!”

A team insider said, “We were really pleased to hear that Ben was back; ever a prankster and great fun to have around. He will learn a lot from Carl and with no pressure on him , should perform well.”

Wylie will contest the Senior, Superbike and 600 races on the Team’s machines and starts testing at Albacete on 15/16 March.