This racing lark gathered no moss as it rolled on and on. ’97 season finished with Team Alfs ‘Sound of Thunder’ champions, with one round to go, Mickman was getting faster and faster learning the craft innate within him, Alf & Trace were also immersing themselves in the scene and moved their sights now under the Alfs banner proper to Endurance racing, (always a favourite class of racing for most of the shop, Alf always had a dream of competing in the Le Mans 24 hour)

The KRC UK championship trembled for the next four years to the sound of big open Termignoni pipes venting the various configurations of Ducati 916, the last season in which we raced Dukes we campaigned an ex-Red Bull 996 purchased from Ben Atkins, even sporting the front screen monikered ‘Flint’ music fans will remember The Prodigy front man having a burn on these monsters.

We came so close so many times to securing this championship but each time it slipped through our fingers. By this time with this calibre of machinery we were expecting great things, Alf burnt all his midnight oil prepping the bikes meticulously before each race, only to be defeated by sometimes weather, sometimes rider error but mostly component failure, not engine failure/seizures etc just niggly problems that cost us the results we thought we deserved. We woz robbed !!!!

 


2002 was a departure from the big twins Alf and Trace decided it was time for a change, and what a change, as a Kawasaki franchisee it was decided that we should race a ZX9-R F1, so we did, but this year we had a specific machine to again attack the UK KRC endurance championship and another that fell under diferent regs for The Le Mans 24 Hour event in April. Alf was finally realising a long sought goal with this event, there was such an air of anticipation this was big league stuff and Alf had roped in Steve Burns and sidekick ‘Tango’ to help out under a joint banner of Team Alfs/Motomax, the year progressed with a sturdy 18th place at Le Mans, followed up by a dismal result at the first UK meet at cold Snetterton due to a blowing head gasket (this is the one that we needed to win the title) alas!

The team progressed through the season competing at the awesome Spa Francorchamps circuit and the Bol D’or (probably one of the last races Ronnie Smith competed in before the sad news of his death reached us). The season culminated in a two man ride for ‘Mickman’ accompanying Mike ‘Spike’ Edwards at Pembrey, setting fastest laps, and achieving the highest lap aggregate for this event, to finish second overall in the championship. (our time line will hopefully illustrate a bit more than we can put here).

2003 is the first years break since 1996, the struggle to find sponsorship organising and logistics etc just took their toll on Alf and Trace (who also have a day to day business to run) so it was decided to take a break with an ugly rumour circlating that a ZX10-R may be considered for 2004. If you can help us with any form of sponsorship to help us do this, get in touch by email at boyd@alfsmotorcycles.co.uk Meanwhile....................................

Mickman mainstay of the team throughout the years decided to carry on in 2003 and raced for Team Psychlo on a GSXR1000 in the new improved KRC series. Finishing second overall with Billy and Jeff his team mates. One day he’ll win the championship. Twice now being in runner up spot.

2004 Well its official! Team Alfs Endurance Racing will be teaming up with Steve Burns Motomax to once again campaign in the 24 hour Master of Endurance Championship at Le Mans, Spa Francochamps and the Bol D’Or at Magny Cours.

This year a ‘Master’ will be crowned and championship points and a table produced. A first in this series. The organisers having overcome their wrangling with the FIM. It makes sense really – the official world endurance championship only has one 24 hour event at Oschersleben the rest are just sprints in comparison.

We will be endeavouring to capture the overall class win ‘Stocksport’ category. Forget all the press saying they rode the magnificent (yet diminutive) ZX10R first in the UK. We have Kawasaki UK’s blessing, and will be racing with as much support from them as they are able to give. Along with Hawk and MSS we are the only other team to receive this support. We had one delivered in mid January. Alf, Mick and Trace have all ridden it before Alf starts fettling. If you wanna buy one the price has just been announced at £8650 plus OTR Charge. Colours are Green, Blue or Black.

Check out our ‘On Track’ page for all our latest updates on 2004 season.