SS Racing

Tom Phipps-Ward and Steph Waddelow tested on the Indy circuit on Friday in preparation of qualifying for the British National 600 Superstock race to be held on Sunday. In mixed conditions Tom Ward ended the session 17th fastest with a 51.039 secs and quickest of the TTC riders taking part in this weekend’s event.

Steph Waddelow held 41st with 54.504 secs, while Tommy Dale was 19th, Joe Collier 21st, Ross Ashman 22nd. Tom Weeden 23rd.

Saturday Qualifying One

Tom Phipps-Ward found himself in no mans land during the first qualifying session running around largely on his own. With 3 minutes to go he was running 38th and only just managed to get out in time to start his last flying lap just 9 seconds before the flag fell. On that final lap he set a new fastest time pushing him up into 32nd with a time of 1 min 34.861.

Steph Waddelow was riding better than she had done for most of the season having brought in a new suspension specialist to set the bike up for her. However, she could only manage a 1 min 35.406 placing her a provisional 37th on the grid.

At this stage, only Tom Weedon looked to have qualified safely for the race with a superb 12th quickest time.

Tommy Dale had crashed and held 43rd, Joe Collier 40th riding with a new electronics package, Piers Hutchins 31st and Ross Ashman 25th.

Saturday Qualifying Two

The anticipated rain held off for second qualifying, though the temperature dropped significantly from earlier in the day.

Tom Phipps-Ward used a more considered approach to qualifying this time and felt that in spite of the drop in temperature he may still be able to go faster if he could get a tow from one of the faster riders. Ultimately that wasn’t to be and with a best lap of 1 min 34.971 compared to a previous 34.861, finishing qualifying 2 in 36 position.

Steph Waddelow didn’t look as comfortable in session two with the drop in temperature but the bike looked to have more rear grip than it previously had done all year. As a result, she was one of the few to go quicker in session 2 with a 1 min 35.393 in 40th position.

Tommy Dale had recovered with 13th, Joe Collier was 27th, Ross Ashman 26th, Piers Hutchins 25th and Tom Weedon only managed 41st quickest in qualifying session 2.

Combined Qualifying Positions

Tom Phipps-Ward 38th Qualified

Steph Waddelow 43rd Failed to Qualify

Tommy Dale 16th, Joe Collier 32nd, Tom Weedon 21st, Piers Hutchins 27th  Ross Ashman  29th

Putting this into perspective, pole position time set by Glenn Irwin was 1 min 31.433 set in Qualifying 1 and 2 seconds covered the top twenty.

Of the women riding in the various capacities during qualifying the order was –

1st   Jenny Tinmouth 1 min  30.305 (600 Supersport) , 2nd Melissa Paris 1 min 35.250 (600 Supersport) , 3rd Steph Waddelow 1 min  35.393 (600 Superstock) TTC Spec , 4th Catherine Green 1 min 38.251 (125 GP) , 5th Sam Burman 1 min 42.671 (125 GP)

National 600 Superstock Race

Heavy rain overnight left the track damp and green but come the start of the Superstock race the track was largely dry. The riders took up their positions on the grid bathed in bright sunshine and unusually warm weather.

As the red light went out to start the race Tom Ward made a reasonable start  and was running well. However, as the pack headed into Paddock Hill for lap two, water seeping out the track caught out no fewer than 5 of the top 8 riders bringing out the red flag.

After an hour delay during which organisers had no alternative but to wait for the water to stop rising out of the ground at Paddock Hill, the race finally got underway. Tom Ward made an impressive start and this time ran round the outside of the field as they jostled for position and was at one stage running in 18th or 19th place, just ahead of Ross Ashman. As dog fights ensued throughout the field with rider’s elbow to elbow, Tom continued to fight for position on his underpowered  TTC spec standard Triumph. Just ahead of him now, Ross Ashman was putting in a determined effort to win his first points of the season and with some of the leading group bashing fairings on the start finish straight, that looked possible. However, at the fall of the chequered flag Tom Ward was to finish a highly creditable 22nd. Ashman putting in his best performance of the year was just outside the points in 17th. Tom Weedon put in a stirling performance to finish 11th, while Joe Collier was 28th. Tommy Dale’s engine expired during the first aborted start to the race, while Piers Hutchins was knocked off on the warm up lap, failing to make the start.

Season Round up

The SS Racing team and its affiliated riders had more than it's fair share of highs and lows throughout the 2011 season just like any other race team.

Philip Atkinson – Triumph Triple Challenge BSB 

No 1 rider Phil Atkinson's career was saved during the closed season by a combination of SS Racing, Laguna Motorcycles and Homer Racing combining to put a package together allowing the young South African to compete in the Triumph Triple Challenge.

Atkinson was a firm favourite for the title heading into the season but was immediately put on the back foot when for the first time in his career he suffered severe arm pump issues. In spite of this hampering his performance and knocking his confidence throughout the season Atkinson was the team's best performer frequently finishing within the top six. His first rostrum of the year came at Oulton Park at the second round where he lead Race 1 until two laps from the end finally finishing in 3rd position.

At a wet Moto GP weekend Atkinson took pole position during qualifying but a combination of burned clutch and arm issues meant that he could not capitalise on the starting position.

An interlude competing with team mate Stephanie Waddelow in the Cadwell Park 3 Hour Endurance race which they won, gave Atkinson the confidence he had lost and his form returned when BSB headed to the same circuit a few weeks later. Qualifying 3rd on the grid Atkinson lead for virtually the entire race only to be pipped to the chequered flag by eventual champion Luke Jones. Atkinson visited the rostrum twice that weekend finishing 3rd in the second race.

At Donington Park, Atkinson was to qualify in 2nd position and visited the rostrum again with a fine 3rd at the finish of race one. In race two he was hit from behind in the early stages and whilst pressing the leaders he could only manage a still splended 5th position.

At the final round at Silverstone, Phil Atkinson finished off the season with a superb 3rd position in the final race of the year bringing home 5th position in the Championship, showing he will be a force to contend with in 2012. 

Qualifying

Phil Atkinson held provisional pole until the drop of the chequered flag but still put his machine on the front row, qualifying 2nd in a time of 1 min 37.041.

Tom Phipps-Ward came home 15th in a time of 1 min 39.856.

Dean Stimpson qualified in 20th with a best lap of 1 min 41.309.

Stephanie Waddelow was struggling in 24th with a time of 1 min 42.128.

Race 1

Phil Atkinson challenged Luke Jones into Redgate on the opening lap to take the lead, but it was to be short lived as Jones immediately challenged him again, never to be headed. Atkinson tried to hold off Peter Ward but he was too strong but was able to keep Ashley Beech at bay in a desperate fight to the flag in the closing laps. Atkinson crossed the line a fine 3rd with a best lap of 1 min 37.212.

Tom Phipps-Ward clawed his way up through the field and was running inside the top ten before an over enthusiastic gear change slewed the bike sideways and the off track excursion sent him down the pack to finish 23rd with a best time of 1 min 38.562.

Dean Stimpson had never been to Donington before and rode to a steady 16th position with a best lap of 1 min 41.550.

Stephanie Waddelow was still struggling to keep the front end planted in the wind but had a super start in which she elbowed her way through the pack in spite of being side swiped by Freddy Pett at Craner Curves. Waddelow was running in 12th position and a top ten result looked possible until the brake fade returned and she ran off circuit at the hairpin to finish 18th with a time of 1 min 41.371.

Race 2

This was a race of two halves literally! (see video link)

Race two saw Luke Jones dominate the field pulling clear as Ashley Beech broke his new bike in two pieces at Craner Curves. At the same time Tommy Dale ran into the back of Atkinson who was running 3rd and took to the grass. As a result of the mayhem Atkinson pulled clear until a determined Peter Ward passed him into Foggy's. Shortly thereafter rain began to fall causing a red flag bringing part one to an end.

A re-formed grid and it was Jones jumping out into the lead once more on the now dry track never to be headed.  

Atkinson started well but was unable to hold off his competitors as his arm pump returned, still finishing a creditable 5th with a best lap of 1 min 38.177.

Tom Phipps-Ward stayed on the gas this time and finished a superb 7th with a best time of 1 min 39.090.

Dean Stimpson's clutch failed at the start of race two forcing him into retirement.

Stephanie Waddelow struggled in the wind finishing 16th with a time of 1 min 41.100.

Qualifying

Phil Atkinson put his machine on the front row once again at his favourite circuit, qualifying 3rd in a time of 1 min 35.429.

Tom Phipps-Ward came home 10th in a time of 1 min 37.276.

Dean Stimpson followed Tom in 11th with a time of 1 min 37.560.

Stephanie Waddelow qualified 15th with a time of 1 min 38.793.

Race 1

Phil Atkinson  made a good start leading race one with title contender Luke Jones in close pursuit. The lead switched back and forth with Jones throughout the race. However, it was Jones who was leading when the red flag was shown due to a fall involving Piers Hutchins when he was thrown over the barriers, thankfully unhurt. As a result, Atkinson had his best finish of the year with a fine 2nd place to spray the champagne and a best lap of 1 min 34.938.

Tom Phipps-Ward once again turned in a great performance in race one finishing 8th with a best time of  1 min 37.236. Ward had been in spectacular flying style during qualifying and was close to the ragged edge as he jumped the infamous Mountain on the course. He calmed it down for race one battling throughout the race with his fellow competitors.

Stephanie Waddelow returned to form after her run of bad luck. However she suffered clutch issues during race one unsettling the machine into turns, which eventually put her out in a gentle slide at Mansfield on lap 5. Her best lap of the race being 1 min 37.439

Race 2

Phil Atkinson made another  good start slotting in behind Luke Jones and Tommy Dale for a race long duel. In spite of holding a watching brief, Atkinson couldn't quite get close enough to challenge and crossed the line an awesome third to spray the champagne once again. His best lap being 1 min 33.519 in spite of fatigue.

Tom Phipps-Ward had been taken out in morning warm up by Tom Weedon and was determined to put on a good show despite his ben and battered triumph. Recovering from a poor start he picked off the riders in front of him including team mate Steph Waddelow to finish a splendid 7th with a best time of  1 min 35.574.

Stephanie Waddelow was determined to put on a better show in race two and was involved in some early jostling into turn one on the opening lap. Surviving the barging match, she ran an excellent 6th position for the first couple of laps until on lap four her rear tyre started to overheat. As a result she suffered from some severe slides on some of the fastest corners on the circuit but still finished a creditable 10th position. Her best lap was 1 min 36.913.

SS Racing's Philip Atkinson and Stephanie Waddelow competed in the Hottrax National 3 Hour Endurance Championship run with the Michelin Power One Cup at Cadwell Park in August 2011.

Together they gained invaluable experience of the Lincolnshire circuit to put to use in the forthcoming British Superbike round later in the month.

Atkinson made a super start and was running with the leaders when he pitted at the end of the first stint. Waddelow didn't disappoint having taken over the reigns, maintaining contact with the leaders as the pits tops started to unfold.

Around the two hour mark, Waddelow pitted to provide Atkinson with a virtually clear track following a short safety car period.

Fellow Triumph rider Tommy Dale crashed out at the Mountain section with 20 minutes to go, handing victory to Atkinson and Waddelow.

As Atkinson & Waddelow took the plaudits of the winner's rostrum, it was confirmed that Stephanie had become the first female rider to win a British Motorcycle Endurance race.

Steph discusses how she should ride a Moto 2 GP bike with The Prodigy's Keith Flint and Olympic Athlete Derek Redmond.

Qualifying

Phil Atkinson took SS Racing's first pole position at the Moto GP round, its first since 2008 round  in a very wet qualifying session with a best time of 2 min 32.014.

Tom Stanford qualified a superb 9th on the grid in a time of 2 min 37.063.

Stephanie Waddelow was next in 14th with a best time of 2 min 39.548.

Tom Phipps-Ward followed Steph onto the grid in 15th in a time of 2 min 41.864.

Dean Stimpson didn't seem to like the wet conditions coming home 21st with a time of 2 min 46.361.

Race 1

Phil Atkinson lead the race initially before fading back with both clutch and arm pump issue. He eventually finished 9th with a best lap of 2 min 20.084.

Tom Stanford had another super race finishing 10th just behind Atkinson with a time of 2 min 22.242.

Stephanie Waddelow crossed the finish line in 14th with a best time of 2 min 23.101.

Tom Phipps-Ward made a super start and clawed his way up through the field to finish a fine 7th with a time of 2 min 19.715.

Dean Stimpson made great progress in race one to finish 16th  with a best lap of 2 min 23.042.

Race 2

Abandoned due to torrential rain.

Qualifying

Phil Atkinson, was top placed SS Racing rider at Croft qualifying 5th in a time of 1 min 28.597.

Tom Phipps-Ward followed Phil onto the grid in 6th in a time of 1 min 29.272.

Stephanie Waddelow was next in 14th with a best time of 1 min 31.004.

Tom Stanford qualified 17th in a time of 1 min 31.517.

Dean Stimpson had never seen this circuit qualifying 19th on the grid with a time of 1 min 32.414.

Race 1

Phil Atkinson was still struggling with fatigue and could not run the pace of the leaders. However, he brought his machine home in 5th position with a best lap of 1 min 28.039.

Tom Phipps-Ward finished in a safe 8th position running a best lap of 1 min 28.607.

Stephanie Waddelow struggled with her back trouble finishing 15th with a best lap of  1 min 29.799.

Tom Stanford had a fine ride through the field to finish 13th with a best lap of 1 min 30.094.

Dean Stimpson struggled finally finishing 18th with a time of 1 min 30.993.

Race 2

Phil Atkinson, made another good start but burned his clutch out off the line and failed to finish the first lap through retirement.

Tom Phipps-Ward stayed aboard to notch up 7th position with a best lap of 1 min 28.890.

Stephanie Waddelow finished 13th with some do or die manouvers and a best lap of 1 min 29.713.

Tom Stanford had his best ride of the year so far coming through to finish 10th with a best lap of 1 min 29.619.

Dean Stimpson finished 18th again with a best lap of 1 min 31.144.