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Spotlight on -
Beowulf Racing
Latest News
Linfoot, Rea, McDougall - Beowulf Racing Goes Large in
2008
Already
established as one of the best-run private squads in the
World Superbike support paddock, Beowulf Racing is set
for major expansion in 2008. The Somerset-based team
will be fielding its largest rider line-up yet and
making a return to British competition to complement its
usual overseas campaign.
New to the squad
is ex-125 and 250cc MotoGP rider Dan Linfoot (19). At
the moment Dan looks likely to contest the European
Superstock 600 Championship, although an entry into the
senior FIM Superstock 1000 Cup has not been ruled out.
Although Linfoot already has a wealth of international
experience behind him, he views the move to the
Superstock series as a fresh challenge:
“I'm really
excited about joining the Beowulf Team for 2008,” says
Dan.
“I'm very
thankful to the whole team for this great opportunity,
and can't wait to get the ball rolling. Being new to
four-stroke racing, I foresee a quick adaptation to the
Superstock class, with my aim being to finish in the top
three of the championship. I have briefly worked with
Gino Rea before and his experience in this class should
help make us both stronger.”
Eighteen-year-old
Gino Rea stays with Beowulf Racing for a second crack at
the European Superstock 600 Championship. Gino made an
impressive debut in 2007 finishing in 12th place
overall, the top rookie Brit in the series. The
Epsom-based teenager scored a best result of third at
Valencia as well as notching up National-series race
wins in both Spain and the Czech Republic. Now fully
familiar with the international circuits he’ll be riding
at, Rea is set for even further success in 2008.
“This year has
been a brilliant learning experience with one podium and
12th overall,” says Gino. “Now I have to put what I’ve
learnt to good use and show that I can run up front in
every race. I would like to be regularly on the podium,
and if not, in the top 5. I will be putting 110% effort
into every race and my training and I must thank my
sponsors, family and the team for once again putting
their faith in me as a rider.”
Finally,
Guildford rider Pat McDougall (22) makes a welcome
return to the squad to contest the new-for-2008 UK
Superstock 600 series, which will run at the prestigious
British Superbike Championship meetings.
Previously, Pat
has campaigned both the European Superstock 600 and 1000
series with the Beowulf team before landing the Bracken
KTM 660 Cup championship title this year. McDougall
makes no secret that the 600cc class is his favourite
and is determined to bring the Beowulf name back to the
forefront of UK competition.
"It’s just like
coming home, having ridden for Beowulf in 2005 in the
European Superstock 600 class and then half a season in
Europe on the 1000cc ‘Wulf rocket’ during 2006,” says
Pat. “I love riding these 600cc sports bikes and I just
can’t wait to get going in the new British Superstock
600 Championship. I am sure there will be some stiff
competition but I am really up for it and I am going to
give it my all in 2008. I would like to thank Andy
Stone, Richard Baker, my sponsors and the whole team for
giving me this fantastic opportunity.”
Beowulf Racing
has always had a reputation for being a tightly-run
operation which punches above its weight. With three
riders now contesting up to three different
championships, it will be taking on much more of a
presence in the racing paddock. Team Manager Andy Stone
explains how the recent series of changes came about:
“During the
second half of the 2007 season we were able to add
people to the management of the squad with the specific
task of expanding the team and attracting more funding.
What’s happening at the moment are the first results of
that expansion. It’s early days yet, but we have a
provisional plan in place which will see us nurture
talent in the British and European Superstock
championships and then promote it into the Supersport
and Superbike world series in a few years time.”
The squad is currently undergoing an
intensive winter testing schedule and many more
developments are in the pipeline.
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