Island Debut - Manx Grand Prix 2014

The much anticipated new RMKD Kawasaki ER6 supertwin was ready for the teams debut at the Manx Grand Prix, in which our year has been based around. Changes to this bike was using the injected fuelling system, as well as upgrading to a Versys swing arm. In addition, the short circuit carbed 650 was brought, and a third stock ER6 machine.

After a traumatising ferry journey (especially for Roger) we were ready for the first evenings practice - starting with the speed controlled lap. Nick got as far as Braddan Bridge before a faulty valve in the front brake master cylinder brought him to an abrupt end - less than 2 miles into the course. An extremely frustrating outcome, especially as the bikes had been meticulously prepared in anticipation for the event.

24 hours later and the bike had been repaired after a successful test at Jurby (a good do in itself!). The team was very nervous as anymore problems on our second newcomers lap could bring an early end to the meeting for us. Monday evening and Nick completed the speed controlled lap with no issues, followed by his first lap of regular practice without an instructor and a lap of 94MPH average.

Tuesday and Wednesday evening practice went without a hiccup, steadily increasing the lap speed to an average of 102.42MPH. That turned out to be the last practice before the races, as two consecutive attempts on Thursday and Friday on the carbed bike were halted at St Ninian's and Crosby respectively with electrical gremlins.

The newcomers race eventually arrived on Tuesday evening, feeling like forever since we were last on track. Nick started first on the road for the 650 class, and after being passed by hard charging local rider and eventual winner Dean Osborne, he managed to stay on his back wheel until the Gooseneck of lap 1. A race average of over 105MPH and a fantastic 3rd place finish was the result. The injected RMKD bike also one of the fastest through the Sulby speed trap at 139.5MPH.

Also, for the first time using AVON tyres we were extremely impressed, offering fantastic levels of grip and durability. We found they allowed the bike to turn a bit better than the Pirelli's on the front end; and given their competitive price we recommend the 'Avon 3D Xtreme'. A huge thanks to Steve Smith is owed for helping us get sorted with the tyres.

The final race was the supertwins, again increasing the lap times, with a standing start lap of 106.8MPH. A 17th place finish was the outcome - slightly disappointing losing several places on the last lap due to several yellow flags.

Thank you also to the tireless help of Colin Peters, whom not only fueled for us but also helped in every aspect of the meeting; as well as keeping us sane and entertained throughout the fortnight. Also, thanks to Richard for his assistance in getting the bike ready for the newcomers race.

Thank you to Adrian Earnshaw and the Mike Hailwood Foundation for their help and generous contribution.

Classic Bike; Vintage Performance - Barry Sheene Classic Festival - Oliver's Mount 22/23 June 2014

Having been deliberating for a while about possibly building a classic bike for this meeting, Roger 'bit the bullet' and bought a 1986 Suzuki GSXR slabside road bike. Within a week of the meeting it was transformed into a race bike and was ready to go.

Nick Anderson had done one session testing the bike at Cadwell Park until a damaged throttle meant we arrived at Oliver's Mount with very little experience of the bike. Qualifying went ok with a grid position of 8th, but feeling positive for the race. This was backed up with an excellent 4th place finish in the Geoff Barry trophy race, beating many higher capacity bikes in the process.

The carburated ER6 supertwin was also in action with two solid 4th places finishes in the two races.

Spring Success - Olivers mount 13/04/14

 

 

Image by Andy Standing / Scarborough Review (www.scarboroughreview.co.uk)

A large capacity crowd greeted Scarborough's first road race meeting of the year at Oliver's Mount. Nick Anderson this time riding in two classes on RMKD's 650cc ER6 supertwin and Kawasaki ZXR 400. Nick began the day steadily, qualifying in 9th position on the ER6, and a brilliant 2nd position on the 400.

In the supertwin race one, after getting boxed in at turn one, he was 11th at the end of lap one with much work to do, onboard a bike he has never ridden around the mount. Aided by the new slipper clutch and increased BHP, he powered into 5th position, shedding 4 whole seconds off his best lap time with a 1m56.199! A great result considering the depth of talented riders in the race.

On the 400, Nick settled for a 2nd place finish, despite a worn clutch on his own ZXR Kawasaki, his best outright finishing position around Oliver's Mount.

Team RMKD would like to thank Peter Hillaby for his help and advice, which went a long way to us achieving these results, and sets us up nicely for the rest of the season.

A Winning Beginning - NEMCRC 19/30 March 2014

The usual season opener was again at Croft in North Yorkshire, with Dave Bell and Nick Anderson riding RMKD ER6 Kawasaki's. Normal service was resumed for Dave, who cut through the field to win the stock twins class in race one; second on the road overall. Nick battled with Dave and Brad Vicars, before finishing second in the supertwin class, and third on the road. Dave continued to be victorious in the three remaining races, setting blistering 1.31 lap times on the stock machine.

Sunday saw Nick switch from the 650cc to his own, ZXR 400 - built and prepared by Roger at RMKD. In the first race of the day, he finished 3rd on the road, beating several more powerful supertwins, some of which mounted by established TT riders. This was enough to win the 400cc class by 21 seconds in the shortened 6 lap race.