Imola October 2006


Sunday 9th October 2006

EMS Racing take points in Magny Cours season finale

The EMS Racing team ended the 2006 season with some poor luck after a rare technical problem robbed rider, Sheridan Morais of a top seven finish in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup race at Magny Cours, France. 
Team mate Mark Pollock unfortunately faired no better when he was forced off the track at the first corner following a crash in what was an exciting weekend of racing.
 
Starting from the third row of the grid Sheridan made a strong start and moved immediately up into eighth place on lap one. With the EMS Racing Suzuki working well around the fast Magny Cours F1 circuit he was able to post good lap times and hold his own within the top ten before making his move for seventh on lap six.
 
Sheridan looked comfortable in the position, but then two laps later his electronic gear indicator stopped working. This was followed shortly by the electronics on the bike defaulting to a ‘safe mode’, which in turn reduced how high the engine would rev. The problem was unsolvable during the race and immediately cost Sheridan two seconds a lap and he dropped from a strong seventh to 11th place at the finish.
 
“In the last few laps I was just hitting the rev limiter in top gear down the straights and I knew straight away there was a problem when one of the Honda’s behind me went past.” explained Sheridan.
 
“Up until then I was really enjoying the race. I closed down the gap to the guys in front and I’d fought my way up into seventh. But then the problem started and my lap times straight away went from 1m46s to 1m48s. As it was only an electrical problem the bike was still handling well I was riding hard, but I couldn’t stop myself from going backwards.” he continued.
 
Irishman Mark Pollock saw his race end before it really began after he had to take drastic measures at the opening corner when a spectacular three rider crash forced Mark off the track. He was able to rejoin and went on to slash over a second off his best qualifying lap, but unfortunately lost too much time in the incident to get back into contention.
 
“I actually made a good start and I was up with the two rows in front of me going down into turn one. Just as I was tipping in, there were bikes everywhere and I had to go straight on. I rejoined dead last and there wasn’t a lot I could do to catch up the guys ahead who were a long way in front.” said Mark
 
The 2006 Superstock 1000 FIM Cup is now over for another season and the team and riders are now on their way back to Ireland after competing in ten rounds throughout eight countries within Europe. The EMS Racing team would like to thank all their sponsors and backers for their support during the season and look forward to some more exciting track action in 2007.


Saturday 7th October 2006

EMS Racing line up on the third row at Magny Cours

The EMS Racing team have enjoyed two successful days of qualifying for the final round of the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup in Magny Cours today. Onboard the EMS racing Suzuki, Sheridan Morais secured 11th place whilst team-mate Mark Pollock ended the two qualifying sessions in 36th spot.
 
Damp weather at the 4.4KM circuit made setting up the bike difficult for the team but having completed a short test at the French circuit two weeks earlier they were able to get the EMS Racing Suzuki working in the tricky conditions. In the final qualifying session a red flag disrupted the teams plans, but with new tyres Sheridan was able to improve his lap time and propel himself up to 11th and on the third row of the grid for the 14 lap race.
 
“It’s going OK and I improved my time in the final session but it could have been better. When I had new tyres and the most grip,  I got held up by some of the other riders, which definitely cost me. There’s just over one second separating pole position to me in 11th place so it’s definitely close and I think the hairpins on the first few laps will definitely be pretty hectic. All in all I’m enjoying the weekend, my father is over from South Africa and the whole team is working really well.” said Sheridan.
 
Mark Pollock was riding at the demanding Magny Cours circuit in France for the first time in his career and worked hard to get dialled in to the Formula 1 circuit during the two practice and two qualifying sessions. Unfortunately Mark struggled to get the front end set up of his EMS Racing Suzuki working as he wanted for the heavy braking circuit and his position of 36th on the grid reflected this.
 
“It’s been a tough weekend so far. There are some real heavy braking corners at this circuit and I couldn’t get the front of the bike working which really affected my confidence. It’s been a difficult qualifying so I’m hoping we can turn it around in the race.” explained Mark.
 
The Superstock 1000 FIM cup race takes place at 10.40am tomorrow where the EMS Racing team will be aiming for a top ten finish in what promises to be an exciting finale to the 2006 season.