Evotech Performance and motorcycle racing in 2018... so far!
The racing season is upon us. We here at Evotech Performance, in wintry Alford, Lincs know this because since the beginning of January this year, we have been busy designing and crafting new components for a number of teams competing in British Superbike, Superstock, Supersport and the road racing class. But in the last three weeks it’s been busier than normal because race teams have finished their pre-season testing and required new or modified components.
Honestly, it’s been that hectic; more than one cup of tea has been left to go cold while we get to grips with the phone calls, emails, 3D scanning, fabrication and machining of various alloys in order to assist racing teams and privateers be ready for their first race. Not that we are complaining. In fact, we are more than delighted that Evotech Performance has built up an enviable reputation for engineering problem solving and manufacture of bespoke parts.
Parcel courier firms have been busier dropping off in our neck of the Lincolnshire Wolds than Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Race specification radiators, oil coolers, instrument dash displays have been just a few items that have been shipped to our factory to be kitted out with EP Radiator and Oil Cooler Guards, dash mounts etc. Let’s not forget wheel spacers, inner disc rotors, wheel speed sensors and much, much more.
One of the perks of amassing race-team work is the meeting of ladies and gents involved with bike racing, be it technicians, catering folk, team bosses and the riders themselves. Today was one of those days. Today was the day “roads” legend Michael Dunlop called in to collect some EP racing accessories. Yes, Isle of Man TT winner and current Superbike lap record holder Michael Dunlop called in personally to collect some needed EP parts. And while he was here he had a long tour of the Evotech Performance factory and a brew! I mean, how often do you get a 15-time TT winner come through your front door?
Because we are all motorcyclists, we were proper made up to see Michael – so much so, Michael not only went away with EP Radiator and Oil Cooler Guards for his Superstock BMW S 1000 RR, bespoke CBR600 dash brackets, and a specialised (all stainless) EP Workshop Parts Tray, we also handed over some rare EP Mug Coasters. You should have seen the smile on his face. Naturally, we wished Michael well for the 2018 season, as we have to all the teams and riders we have had the fortune to be associated with so far this season.
Right now, all eyes are focussed on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship (BSB). The first round of this high profile race series takes place at Donington Park, Leicestershire over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend (March 31st-2nd April). With just a day to go, we figure we are not the only ones hoping for warmer weather. Lining up on the BSB grid are four main teams that we are proud to be associated with.
Smiths Racing will be competing on BMW Motorrad machinery in the shape of the S 1000 RR. Peter Hickman and Sylvain Barrier are the riders. When Smiths Racing asked if we could supply racing-equivalents of our leading EP Radiator Guards, along with paddock stand brackets, we were more than happy to create these items.
We are also pleased to be assisting Tyco Motorrad BMW within BSB and the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 championship. Christian Iddon and Michael Laverty are the BSB riders, while Keith Farmer and Dan Kneen are the team’s Superstock riders. The BSB S 1000 RR bikes will feature our race spec rad/oil cooler guards, while the Superstock machines run with off-the-shelf, EP Radiator and Oil Cooler Guards – the same products that S 1000 RR owners can buy direct from the Evotech Performance online shop.
We are pleased to announce our involvement for another BSB season with Paul Bird Motorsport’s Be Wiser Ducati. The Ducati Panigale RS machines of Shane “Shakey” Byrne and Glenn Irwin have received updates for this season, which led us to fabricate new EP race-specification (trick looking, too) radiator and oil cooler guards.
We also had the pleasure of renewing our friendship with McAMS Yamaha over the winter period. Last season’s work entailed the careful fitting of Suter swingarms to the team’s Yamaha R1s, plus designing and fabricating front and rear speed sensors, wheel spacers, brake disc inner rotors and much, much more. So far this season we’ve made slight but significant upgrades in all areas plus engineer new components e.g. mounting brackets for the ECU and a battery box within the mid-section of the replica tail-seat unit. We sincerely wish the best to the team’s riders Josh Brookes and Tarran Mackenzie.
There are many more teams and riders in various racing classes that will hopefully benefit with using Evotech Performance products. We also wish them a safe and rewarding 2018 racing season!