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BRIEFS
Award-winning air filter manufacturer Twin Air is to support Rockstar Energy Husqvarna for the next three years in an extension of a partnership that has seen them being the official provider of air filter and performance accessories to the majority of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing teams . Founded in 1972 , the Dutch company was the first to introduce the washable and reusable dualfoam laminated air filter .
2015 British Superbike Champion Josh Brookes ( making his Norton TT debut ) and fellow Australian David ' Davo ' Johnson ( seventh place in last year ' s Superbike TT ) will ride the IOM for Norton in June on a race version of the recently launched V4 SS road bike in the Senior and Superbike TT races . Both riders will compete on the all-new SG6 , derived from the recently launched V4 SS road bike .
British performance and handling technology firm HM Quickshifter has announced SpeedMob as its U . S . importer and distributor . Known for their strain gauge based technology , Quick Shifters are available for all riders , from the top-level MotoGP Teams to the street enthusiast . Their top of the range HMSS GP system “ uses intensive and very advanced mathematics and digital signal processing ( DSP ) to identify when the gears have fully engaged . This nullifies the requirement for kill times and not only ensures the shortest possible kill times between shifts , but also ensures the smoothest and safest gear changes possible regardless of the conditions , load , rpm or gearbox characteristics ”.
Italian sportsbike parts and accessory specialist Bonamici Racing has announced a partnership with Aprilia Racing for the 2017 season to run in the WSBK Championship , SuperStock1000 Championship Photo and Italian : Lars Rulffs CIV SBK .
SBS ’ “ Partners in Racing ” concept supports product development
Danish brake pad manufacturer SBS has been involved in the motorcycle racing business for almost 25 years now , and every year they have cooperated with leading international and national race teams and top riders . At SBS this concept is known as “ Partners in Racing ”, and it is central to their ability to test and develop new and existing product . “ The programme plays an important role in our product development process ”, says SBS Race Manager Allan Østli . “ Brake pads are one of the most important components in motorcycle racing . In today ’ s racing , only a very few overtaking manoeuvres are the result of acceleration and pure engine power – the braking zone is where most of the action happens . With “ Partners in Racing ” we get our products tested under the toughest conditions , and we get very useful feedback from the people who really know what braking is about . This is an important add-on to our own test activities ”. The feedback from the world ’ s racetracks results in R & D engineering staff being able to improve and develop the company ’ s brake compounds , not only for race use , but also products that are used on the road – classic “ track trickle down ”, says Allan . “ Especially when it comes to riders ’ preferences and feelings for the final “ finger-tip ” performance - our race tests and our close partnerships with riders and their teams have a deep impact on our R & D work ”. Down the years some impressive names have contributed to the SBS mission – champions such as Carlos Checa , Kenan Sofuoglu , Andrew Pitt , Jonathan Rea , Tom Sykes , Troy Corser , James Toseland , Michael Dunlop and many others are not the worst references to have when talking about racing and braking . In 2017 the list of teams and riders that take part in World Championships as SBS ’ partners “ is more or less endless ”, says Allan . Riders such as Nicki Hayden and Stefan Bradl ( Ten
Kate Honda World Superbike Team ) and Marcus Reiterberger and Jordi Torres ( BMW Althea Racing Team ) in WSBK . In Supersport SBS have Roberto Rolfo ( Team Factory Vamag ), Kenan Sofuoglu and Kyle Ride ( Kawasaki Pucetti Racing ) and Jules Cluzel ( CIA Landlord Insurance Honda ) using their product , with Thomas Luthi ( Car Expert Interwetten ) in Moto GP2 and Philip Oettl ( Südmetall Schedel GP Racing ) in Moto GP3 . In the World Endurance Championship “ where durability is the key parameter ”, SBS has a
long-lasting partnership with the Swiss Bolliger Team , who have a long record of world championship top 5 results , and French Superstock world champions Tati Team . On a national level SBS has a test and development cooperation with Shane “ Shakey ” Byrne and Marvin Fritz , who both achieved 2016 championship wins in the British Superbike and IDM German Superbike Championship respectively . SBS is also active in Motocross GP Championship racing - for 2017 the list of partners includes the ICE1 Husqvarna team owned by Finnish F1 driver Kimi Räikkönen , Wilvo Yamaha featuring Shawn Simpson and Gautier Paulin , Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team , and others . In June SBS will continue its history of involvement in the unique demands road racing , again supporting Michael Dunlop and Ian Hutchinson at the Isle of Man , the NW 200 and other events .
“ the pad for podium positions ”
Allan Østli , SBS Race Manager , with Kenan Sofuoglu ’ s Kawasaki – “ our ‘ Partners in Racing ’ concept is important for our product development ”
For the race teams competing on asphalt , SBS typically offers the Dual Sinter compound for the front . Allan explains that “ this compound was introduced 10 years ago , but we have developed it regularly since then based on the feedback from our partners – feedback that has allowed us to also be testing some new innovations this season . For the rear , we typically recommend a carbon tech or a sintered compound , depending on riding style and motorcycle ”. For Motocross , SBS recommends special sintered racing compounds .
www . sbs-friction . dk
Photo : Lars Rulffs
10 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - APRIL / MAY 2017