The long awaited news of what the mysterious Mickman is up to for this year's racing kicks

GBMOTO RACE REPORT Round 2 - Snetterton

Pole for the 6 hour race was snatched by last year's champions Team GBmoto (Mark Smith Halvorsen/Mick Godfrey/Pete Jennings - CorporateFX Yamaha R1) from BSB refugees Co-Ordit Racing in second and first round winners, Sweatshop Moores Racing in third.

That did not tell the whole story though as GBmoto managed to complete only 16 laps over three 20 minute qualifying sessions, due to electrical and fuel pump problems. Pre race testing included a small spill for the Corporate FX backed machine, as well as an engine change as they slotted their YPE Power race motor back into place, with a new gearbox inserted! Their pole time was set at 1m 10.47s, almost half a second quicker than Co-Ordit, set by a flying Pete Jennings.

At the noon start, held in dry but cool conditions, it was GBmoto who shot off the line and built up a healthy lead over Sweatshop Moores, Ducks X Racing, Moores Racing and Co-Ordit. GBmoto pitted to swap riders after 53 minutes with Pete Jennings handing over to Mick Godfrey, commenting on some 'clutch problems'.

After half an hour with Mick increasing the teams lead to close to 2 laps, it was clear from the rising wail of the R1 Yamaha at the end of the start/finish straight, that all was not well in the transmission department and that the superb team of mechanics would be called into action at the next stop. Over 2 laps in front, GBmoto pitted for the second time and took the decision to fix the clutch, handing over the lead to Sweatshop Moores in the process. The team used the time well and not only rebuilt the clutch, but changed front and rear tyres, brakes and re-fuelled, before sending Mark Smith-Halvorsen out for his first stint with the words "new everything - bed them in" ringing in his ears!

Macca entered the fray in 7th position and then set about the field, determined to try and pull the team back into contention. After close to 55 minutes on track, "No. 66" was back into second place, albeit 4 ½ laps down on the consistent form of the leaders Sweatshop Moores. Meanwhile, Richard Cooper on the Co-Ordit Yamaha R1 lost drive coming out of the 'Esses' and shot straight into the pit lane for attention. This would dog them for the rest of the race. Commenting mid-race, Pete Jennings said "Getting back at them now, should be possible. Our motor is driving consistently well out of the turns giving us real confidence - and the latest Dunlop's are unbelievable in terms of feedback and grip. The rear feels as good after 90 minutes as it does after 10!"

At the 5 hour mark after some more rapid riding by Pete Jennings and Mick Godfrey, GBmoto and Sweatshop Moores were on the same lap separated by a mere 42 seconds. Twenty minutes later Macca passed the leaders, just as they entered the pits to swap riders and put John Paul-Scott on board for their last stint. With under 30 minutes to go, GBmoto entered the pits for their last stop and with Pete Jennings taking over from MSH, they re-emerged onto the start/finish straight with only 5 seconds separating the first two teams. Ten minutes later John Paul-Scott crashed the Sweatshop Moores R1, trying to close the gap and had to push the bike in for repair.

At the drop of the chequer flag, GBmoto took their first win of the season, ahead of Sweatshop Moores (who had lost four laps in the melee) Moores Racing, Darkside Endurance, Team Viking and The Throttle Monkeys. Mick Godfrey was jubilant in Parc Ferme adding "After a disaster for us all in the first round, it feels so good to be back to winning ways. The whole Team did a fantastic job to get us there - what a great race and a fantastic result".

Close racing from a great National Series. The next round is at Pembrey on the 21/22 June - be there or miss out!

Mark Smith-Halvorsen

Team GBmoto

GB Moto link for more info, pix and videos

07968 420154

NB - The Team would like to thank all of its sponsors and supporters for their help. Our success is a direct result of your involvement.

Archived TT pix

2007 - Le Mans pix

Courtesy of John 'more than two cylinders is just greedy' Brookes

View Johns most excellent pix here

Link to UKBiker blog for Le Mans race report

2007 - Bol D'Or pix

Mr. Brookes has been busy. Accompanying Team Alf's Endurance into the heart of France at Magny- Cours

latest pix here

Check out the actual bike at this year's Brightona bike fest Sunday 12th October Madeira Drive Brighton. We will entrusting it to www.ukbike.com for the day. Go and find the red double decker bus

We finish 12th in 24 hour Endurance of Le Mans 16-17 April 2005

Read race report here

We finish 20th Overall, 7th in class at the Bol D'Or 24 hour at Magny-Cours

Read Race report here

Zhuhai 6 Hour
China 2nd May 2004

Qualified 17th.

Final race position 21st.

Read race report here

Pembrey
South Wales
3rd-4th July 2004

WE WIN!!! Read race report here

The Bol D'Or
Magny-Cours, France
11th-12th Sept 2004

Heroic tales of redeye, confined spaces high speed,high spirits burnt up brakes and blistered tyres.

Read race report here

MORE MICKMAN TT

Celebrating its 99th year of organized competition, the annual Isle of Man TT is in full swing. This world famous brand of unique racing has continued unbroken year on year except the cataclysmic year of foot and mouth in 2000.

Mick has spent the last ten years honing his craft from early clubman days through a Sound of Thunder championship winners medal with two races remaining back in 1987, via UK endurance racing, moving onto international endurance events including the equally as famous Le Mans, Bol D’Or and Spa 24 hour events. The previous two years have seen Mick head hunted to guest ride for various top-level domestic endurance racing teams.

41 year old Mick who is the machine sales manager here at Alf’s Motorcycles entered the Manx TT last year but strangely was refused an entry at the last moment because of his experience in international road racing. This was supposed to be a taster for his long held ambition to race at the TT proper.

Undaunted by his knock back in the Manx TT and fully supported by his wife Samantha, Mick has worked hard and long to organize his two week trip to the Mecca of pure road racing this year.

Riding a Kawasaki ZX600 K1H race no. 78. Mick will be lining up with some of the fastest riders from far and wide who have all made it their mission to conquer the 37.75 mile circuit and grab a slice of history taking back home a much coveted TT medal.

The Junior Supersport race is on Wednesday at just before 11am. This class is for production road machines, which must wear treaded tyres. Like you and I would be able to ride on the road. Naturally the bike has been equipped with a lightweight fairing, race exhaust system and suspension but that’s the extent of the modifications.

Practice week has allowed Mick11 laps in total to familiarize himself with the layout. Unlike a race circuit, there is precious little run-off and any mistake is usually punished by the unforgiving surroundings. For the rest of the year this circuit is part of the public road system featuring the many necessities of the modern road network, so practice and familiarization is the key to a fast and safe lap.

To qualify for the race all riders had to attain a 107mph average in timed practice. Mick’s best time was 108.97 so qualification was guaranteed in the 20.56 minutes it took to complete the course at this speed.

A recent telephone conversation on the eve of the race found Mick in high spirits brimming with confidence, awed by the feats of the current great riders around him and humbled to be a part of this world famous event which has seen the likes of Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Geoff Duke, Joey Dunlop and Steve Hislop (to name but a few great riders from the past), grace the streets of the island over the years.

Mick would like to take this opportunity to thank some big hearted people from local Sussex Companies who have aided him in his quest to fulfil a lifelong ambition. Notably the incorrigible Jimmy ‘R’ from ‘Crumbs & Crème’ in Chichester, Walledge Associates in Lewes and Paul Lennard of Hi-Vac engineering in Hastings, amongst many others who have chipped in in one way or another.
Most of the preparation has been completed by Alf himself and this invaluable and meticulous ongoing support has also been paramount in fulfilling the dream.

Mick has also been bowled over by the amount of texts and messages of support from well wishers and would like to take the opportunity to thank all these people for their interest, concern and support. Though he might be dreading the phone bill on his return.

Mick summed up the concern, the danger, the speed, the thrill and the fruition of his dream as ‘Just riding bikes eh’! I think it’s his way of grounding himself to earth, to the reality of the situation, and for anyone who knows the man himself. This somewhat understated quote does somehow sum up the man and his inherent passion for bikes to a tee. Mick returns on Sunday and will be once more at his deskon Tuesday Morning.

Bike: Kawasaki ZX6RR K1H homologated for 600 racing. (Race spec road version of the road only ZX636 B1H ‘03.
Spec: Lightweight race fairing, Ohlins Suspension technology, Muzzy race exhaust and Dynojet Power commander. Pirelli Evo Corsa Tyres, R & G race components, K-Tech front fork internals. Powerbronze Airflow screen
Race Number: 78
Race: Junior Supersport
Qualifying Time: 108.97 mph constant, 20.56 minutes, and 37.75 miles
Race proper best lap:110.14 mph on lap 4, flying lap
Sponsors, help and support: Samantha Godfrey and all the family
Alf at Alf’s Motorcycles,
Bike lent by James Rose of Crumbs & Crème sandwich bar Chichester.
Paul Lennard Hi-Vac Engineering Hastings
Walledge Associates of Lewes

Nick Eakhurst.
Mike Bennett, Mark Kingston, VA signs, Powerbronze, Clifford Ormerod, Rupert & Annie Murdon, Johnny ‘Tartan’ Barton.

Doby Trutcenden 6.6.06