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Season Finale – Blog, Two Special Rides

‘ I had a short break away from the National Superstock Calendar after splitting with the Russo Racing Team, post Cadwell Park. Shortly after, a ride was organised for a return at the final round aboard a very different machine, that being the Aprilia RSV4 RF, V4, of EHA Racing and Aprilia UK.

I was very excited to race at my Favourite Circuit, Brands Hatch GP, aboard the Aprilia, as I had not ridden a different Manufacturer’s motorcycle, other than Kawasaki, since 2011.
From initial study of the Aprilia, I had determined that I would suit the bike, with its small, short nature. This theory was confirmed in practice, upon my first ride of the bike.
I adapted to the motorcycle quickly, and thoroughly enjoyed riding the machine, even though it is totally different to what I am used to, and I got to know its character as the weekend played out.
By second qualifying we had broke through some initial goals I had set in place, and got down to a lap time of which was only a tenth of a second off my fastest ever time set around the GP circuit, to qualify in 10th position.

Coming in to race day my goals had been re assessed, and I now knew I could battle within the top 10, if given similar conditions to qualifying.
However, this would not be the case.
A wet but drying track met us on Race Day, giving us no choice but to make an educated guess of the set up.
This guess was made by myself and the team, but it did not pay off, and I struggled over the race distance to keep a constant pace from the restricted grip given.
16th place would be the final position, but my opinion on the Aprilia RSV4 RF did not change in that I believe I can succeed on it, given the appropriate amount of time on the bike to keep pace in any condition.

Thanks go out to the EHA Racing Team, Aprilia UK and my personal backers for the opportunity, of which I really appreciate. I thoroughly enjoyed racing with the EHA Racing Team, of whom I believe are set for success.

A guest ride was the last stop for 2016, at a race I’ve always wanted to compete in, that being the Sunflower Trophy at Bishops Court, Northern Ireland.

I’d race another special machine for Gearlink Kawasaki, on their ZX10R Superbike, against some experienced local riders, and established names from the British Superbike Championship.

A new circuit, bike and grip level would have to be learnt without appropriate practice, however we made fast improvements and managed to qualify on the front row on our first day.

I have raced in Supersport in the past with Gearlink Kawasaki, they are a team I am fond of, and of whom I enjoy racing with immensely. In both Superbike races I finished 4th, but in the Sunflower Trophy Race was unfortunately wiped out of the competition by another rider who crashed in to me on lap one.

I had hoped to deliver a podium result for the Gearlink Team aboard the Superbike, but nevertheless the team received great podiums from the Supersport riders who put on a great show. Fun was had by all, everyone enjoyed their racing, and I can’t thank Michael and Norma De Bidaph enough for the experience and opportunity.
Further thanks go out to the team for their hard work.

It has been a turbulent year. One that has not gone to plan, but yet I have worked hard at every endeavour, and hopefully shown my potential despite adversity.

I want to thank the people who have helped me throughout, your support means a lot, everyone knows who they are, and I’ll be in contact shortly if not already to thank you all personally.

In review, I’m still hungry to succeed.
One thing stays the same,
I want to win. ‘

Season Blog: After the Cadwell Park round of the British Superbike Championship, I and the Russo Racing Team parted ways after a hard fight together in the National 1000 Superstock Championship.

Currently I am searching for a Ride to close the season off at Brands Hatch. With Brands being the place that has brought me most success in the recent past, and accompanied by my confidence at this track, I know I can battle for podiums in any class.
For the future I know I am a capable podium finisher, and that I have the skill to adapt and compete in any championship around the world.

I’m looking forward to a new beginning.

Once again in the 2016 British Superbike Championship Calendar, we would arrive at a race circuit under uncertainty for weather conditions, and was met by a humid, wet and warm weekend for Round 6 of the National 1000 Superstock Championship.

Following significant improvements in the handling of the 2016 Kawasaki ZX10R at Knockhill, we took the progression to Snetterton by feeling the improvements right away in Free Practice.

Suspension settings would be accurately changed between Free Practice and Qualifying 1 as the bike was producing good feel from the grip given.

In Qualifying 1, we were able to push to a 1:52:5, with winds high and grip levels low of which slotted us in to 10th position for a provisional qualifying spot.

Qualifying 2 was a wash out. We ventured out on an extremely slippery circuit to try and move closer to a wet setup should it be needed.

Warm Up
We made the most out of the 8 minutes by trying something very different to what we have tested in the past. This through up many questions about future set ups, so a valuable Warm Up was had.

Due to the changing conditions, no one bettered their qualifying time from QP1. We would start the race from the 4th row in 10th position.

An awful launch off of the line put me in the thick of the pack, dodging first lap crashes and elbowing throughout the first few corners.
Almost immediately, a safety car was deployed due to an enormous start straight accident.

The lights on the safety car went out at last moment on the final corner, of which left me with more of a gap than I would of wanted. I made this up right away and began to push through in a fight for 5th position.

It was one of the most aggressive races I have ridden, but I didn’t back down and eventually broke free to 5th place, dragging two BMW’s of Jenkinson and Elliot with me.
They passed me on the straights, but on the last lap, they both made a mistake at the hairpin, of which I capitalized on.
Unfortunately they passed me on the back straight again and I attacked in the final sector of the last lap to finally pull tight and get a good drive on to the start finish straight, I passed Jenkinson on the exit of the corner, to be out dragged under power to finish 7th at the line, 0.003 off of 6th at the line.

Later on we were awarded 6th after an ammendment to the classification.

I am very pleased with our improvements, and happy to be able to push like I did in the Snetterton race.
Thruxton, up next, is one of my favourite circuits, and I can’t wait to fight here as well.

My future goal now is to be on the podium at Brands Hatch GP on the first weekend of August.

Thank you to my Team and Supporters for their continued support and efforts.

Photo Credit: Steve Addison

Knockhill was a possible turning point for James and NMT No Limits Russo Racing, where we found settings to increase pace and ran in 7th position before the unfortunate mechanical failure, of which forced retirement in the race.

Typical Summer Time Stormy Skies welcomed British Superbikes to Knockhill, 2016, where a turbulent weekend for weather played out.

For all sessions in Superstock 1000, it was effectively dry with some wet interruptions. Free Practice saw us get off to a steady start to build up to the track and get used to what the 2016 ZX10R had to offer. We lost a large chunk of time due to a rear brake malfunction which put us slightly on the back foot with settings to try.

Qualifying
With some setting changes, we went to work on improving, of which we did, but did not improve on position. I lacked feel from the bike and struggled to find the grip to push. P15 in Q1 on a 50.7 lap time sent us back to the drawing board.

QP2
The session looked as if it would be wet, but maraculously, around 20 minutes before the session, the track became dry enough to push for a lap time on.
We improved with a big and unconventional change to the suspension to put us 12th on the grid on a time of 50.336, some distance off of the capable pace, but an improvement nonetheless. Once more, we produced consistent lap times of which indicated a good race pace. This gave me confidence, but I was still uncertain of the bike’s set up, and what consistent grip would be available over the race distance.

Warm Up was a big boost as we found a small improvement from the previous day’s feedback. I was confident that I could be competitive in the race ahead.

A poor launch had me throwing gears at the bike to stay in pack on the way to turn one, where I left the brakes as late as I could to overtake on the inside.

The more aggressive first lap succeeded and we were running well in 7th position until around lap 8 when the bike through some unpredicted high revs under load, suggesting we had encountered a clutch problem. And this was the case. The clutch kept slipping for several laps until it finally gave up the ghost and forced me to retire.

It was a shame to have improved the way we did to end with a DNF, but our improvements show promise and a new base to start from for coming races.

Snetterton will be the next round, and my Goal will be for a top 6 finish. If we find confidence from the front end and consistent grip under acceleration, then we will have a good chance of doing so.

Thank you to my close supporters and Team NMT No Limits Russo Racing, Kawasaki UK Team Green for the opportunity.

Brands Hatch Report

Round 3, but the 2nd National Race for myself and NMT No Limits Russo Racing.

We started on the back foot, but finished strong in the race, after one of the biggest crashes of my career in the week before at Donington Park in testing.

Free practice created realisation that a different bike was needed to be able to push to a respectable lap time, so we went in search of this with the laps given.

I made a decision in qualifying which found us some grip on the side of the tyre but slowed us in other areas. The lap time I put together put us in 14th position, on a time of 47.303.

In Warm up we found a setting of which gave us initial grip from the rear tyre on the throttle, and set the bike with a more stable height. We’d use this setting for the race.

Race > I got a good start and moved through some people in the row in front of me. In the first turn I pushed to the outside, then moved to the outside once again with the pack on the inside. The position held out on the first lap in 14th position.
Lap 2 We moved up to 12th place, moving through to 11th briefly, but losing out after a big slide at Clearways of which cost me a lot of time and created a gap.

I was struggling for drive, and would have to try and close a gap throughout the race. I made some headway throughout the race closing, on a BMW in front of me, but with the violent nature of the bike, I started to lose strength in my injured hand would have to smooth out my riding to keep the stamina. Finally after a tough race, I finished in 12th position.

The team did an outstanding job to get ready for Brands Hatch Indy, and the results did not justify this, so we will work hard to amend this, and move forward from the 13th place Championship Standing.

Thank you again to the team, Tommo, and to my close supporters.

Photo’s by Steve Addison Photography.

Blog:

After a difficult pre season, of which left me without a ride, a call from Kawasaki Team Green orchestrated a new venture to race with Team NMT No Limits Russo Racing aboard the all new 2016 Kawasaki ZX10R.

The first wheels were turned at Oulton Park for the official BSB Test, of which was crucial track time as I had not ridden a motorcycle since the final round of the 2015 in October.

The objective is to develop the new bike, and myself, to create a package capable of achieving Podiums.

Round 2 saw us start the weekend with an unsettled weather report which was not ideal considering dry track time is paramount in these early stages, however in working with the Team and Andy from KAIS Ohlins, we made the most of the situations in Practice and Qualifying, and scored relatively highly with Top 10 placements in FP and QP1, with mixed conditions in QP2 also.

Photo: Steve Addison

A suspension change for Morning Warm up brought to light an important factor for us in moving forward, and a new platform was reached in the development of the Motorcycle. But for the race, it would be a gamble between wet or dry tyres.

Photo: Steve Addison

Starting from 10th, Fourth Row, my choice was to use Wet Weather Tyres to avoid being pushed out on to a wet track in the early stages.
I made a good launch to the first turn and rode around the outside to jump from 10th to 3rd.
Making the most of the initial grip, I quickly moved up to 2nd place in the first sector, and took the lead by the third.

Leading the way on the first lap I tried to push while I had the grip to make as much as a gap as possible before the dry tyres came in to their own, but the sun came out and seemingly dried the track instantly to form a comfortable dry line.

Photo: Steve Addison

Lap 2 saw advancements from other riders as I slipped to 3rd spot, and a race long battle on the soft set up and wet tyres would play out to finally finish the race, power sliding across the line to take 11th position.

Photo: Steve Addison

The result was not ideal, and the tyres I chose were wrong, but the collaboration of efforts over the weekend by the entire team has created results ahead of schedule, and NMT No Limits Russo Racing are now on the Championship Table with positives to take in preparation for Round 3 at Brands Hatch Indy.

I am very appreciative of the team’s efforts and I am confident we will create a setup to play to the strengths of myself and the motorcycle so we can stand on the Podium in Superstock. Thank you Team.
I want to say thank you to my close supporters and family, and thank you to Team Green and Kawasaki for the opportunity this season.Further thanks go out to my personal supporters, Walters Medical, thank you all.

James East
Motorcycle Racer
www.jameseast.com
+447783337702

After initially creating plans to compete in the British Superbike Championship in 2016, the FS-3 team and James have not agreed on final terms and therefore have parted ways.

James will establish new prospects and move forward in 2016.

James – “I will not be racing with FS-3 in the British Superbike Championship this season, and although I am gutted that this situation has come to fruition, my love for motorcycle racing will keep me pushing forward.

I am available and determined to race in 2016, and I know I have the proficient skill, and dexterity to adapt and succeed in any class, and in any championship, whether it be domestic, or on the World Stage.”

James East
Motorcycle Racer
www.jameseast.com
+447783337702
jameseastmotorcycleracer@gmail.com

James East will race in the 2016 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, with a new team, FS-3 Racing. Headed by businessman Nigel Snook, the team are ready to make their debut campaign in the New Year.

The Coventry-based team will be officially launched next February, but already has strong foundations for their first season in MCE BSB. They have recently purchased race-winning hardware from PBM; including the Kawasaki ZX-10 machines campaigned by Shane Byrne and Stuart Easton in 2015.

The team is targeting 2016 as a learning experience with Snook’s friend and recently retired Ducati TriOptions Cup frontrunner, Darren Fry playing a key role in guiding the team. The team’s vision to run one bike in their opening season could then develop into a larger operation in their second year as they aim to become established in the premier class.

Team owner Nigel Snook commented: “The team’s philosophy is to bring on new talent and with that in mind we have James East joining us for 2016. He is a superbike rookie and we are giving him the opportunity to progress. We are now looking forward to the start of next year, when we will be announcing further details about the team and our plans for our new venture.”
Last updated: Monday, December 21, 2015

2016 is closing in and so is an update on my plans.

Thank you to the people in the background who are supporting me and making it come together,  I’m ready for the next level.

News to follow.

 

Easty

 

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Silverstone to Brands Hatch Low side Lows, to Podium Highs, and 2015 sign off. Blog.

I was looking forward to Silverstone as it’s very enjoyable to ride, if you’re precise, it rewards you with a fast lap time, and with our increased pace from the midpoint in the season, I knew we could battle at the front.

We qualified just 0.4 seconds off of pole position, but this was only good enough for 9th position on the grid.

With a good start I got to work and found myself moving through riders straight away, by the time I reached Vale Chicane I had an opportunity to overtake Barry Burrell for 6th place and took it as the leaders had already started to pull a lead on the pack. I got through and started to chase, but chased to hard.

As soon as I turned the bike for the fast left hand Farm Curve, I lost the front.
I was gutted as we had the pace to move forward, however I pushed too hard on the cold tyre and this was what caught me out. I apologised to my team and mechanic who had done a faultless job for me as always, and we put the result to bed, leaving us in 7th in the Championship ahead of Brands Hatch GP for the last round.

Brands Hatch GP Round 12

Brands Hatch GP is by far my most favourite track. Everything about the place gives me a good feeling when you’re on track, and I believe every corner suit’s the way I ride, so I was looking for nothing less than a podium.

Mixed Weather conditions tested us throughout the weekend, but we stayed at the sharp end in every session to finally qualify in 2nd position in 2nd Qualifying on Saturday, under 2 tenths off of pole position,, with a time of 1:28:2, which was much faster than I’ve ever been before.

In the race I got away well but slotted in behind Hudson Kennaugh and Keith Farmer on Lap 1.
Making sure the grip was where I needed it, I pushed at the start of Lap 2, overtaking Farmer at Paddock Hill Bend and started to push for Kennaugh, who had started to try and gap the pack.

For many laps I stayed in touch but couldn’t quite squeeze by the BMW on the brakes, on around lap 4 I made a mistake at druids by getting caught in between gears, and because of this I lost a little bit of time on the BMW to then find myself having to fend off a closing Josh Elliot.
Elliot’s Kawasaki come by at Paddock Hill bend but I quickly switched over and turned tight to get a run on him up the hill to Druids to get back by, and I did so with a planted move. When watching the coverage of the race after the meeting, Josh Elliot shook his head at me in Druids when I made the pass as I’m guessing he was frustrated and felt he had the pace to catch Kennaugh, but I was always going to come straight back at him, that’s just what you do!
Josh drove straight by down pilgrim’s drop, so I didn’t attack again in an effort to work and catch Kennaugh.
Kennaugh started to come back, and although I lost a little ground on the two in front I was still in touch and put my fastest lap of the race in on Lap 10 with a 1:28:1, the fastest lap of the race to that point.

In the closing stages Elliot had upped the pace once more in an attack on Kennaugh and on the penultimate lap just beat my time with a 1:27:9. The last lap came and Kennaugh pushed too hard at druids trying to fend off Elliot and lost the front, leaving me around 1.5 seconds off of Elliot which was too much to close, so I kept the pace enough to take the 2nd place at the flag, just 2 seconds off of Elliot and + 10 seconds in front of the next pack.

I, and the team were very happy, and still are. Despite many top 10 finishes, this round is the first where I’ve felt I am a genuine front runner, instead of pushing for the podium positions.
I can’t thank my team Downshift Motorsport enough for the commitment they have shown and the package they have produced, this has brought me on twice as fast to arrive at the pace and results that we have achieved, I feel like a stronger, more professional, and generally feel like a faster motorcycle racer because of it.
Further thanks go out to Dave Hopkinson, team mechanic and the team’s coordinator, who had the faith in me to put his word on the line and draft me in to the team, we did it mate.
Thank you to Jack Valentine for his over sight, I’ve appreciated your support and hope we can work together in the future.
Thank you to our supporting sponsors who are displayed proudly around our pristine set up, thank you so much for your support, you’re the reason we’ve hauled the trophies in, and special thanks to my personal sponsor, Walters Medical, who kept the faith also and of whom have been so helpful this season, I really appreciate it.

Our product sponsors have been faultless, the machines were the best turned out on the grid, so thank you for your support, I hope we can remain together in the future as contenders and winners.
I’d like to thank Simon and Karen Sherras who have been supporting me for many years, as well as Jake Beckworth, you’re brilliant, and I can’t thank you enough, again for your faith and generosity, you are diamonds, in the rough on Jake and Simon’s side, but diamonds all the same.
Thank you to my family, my Mum, Dad, Sister and Ursula, who have been there for me throughout. You’ve supported me and given me will and strength, and I’ll never give up.

I fear thanking all individually, because for those who know me well, memory is a fickle thing for me.
I wouldn’t want to say you know who you are either, as that seems and sounds like the easy way out, but please know I appreciate your support, it means the world to me, as does motorcycle racing, and please know you’ve not brought me back, I’m brand new, better than ever, and I’m ready to win.

Thank you for 2015

Over and Out

James

Photograph’s credited with thanks to Bonnie Lane Photography.

Downshift Motorcycle & Mountain Bike are a business based in Preston, Lancashire, UK, and specialise in competition cycle sports. Race Service, Builds, Maintenance and Product Purchase are available and carried out with the highest possible standards.
www.putoline.co.uk – The best High Performance Engine Lubriation.
www.held.de – For 1st class rider protection
www.jtsprockets.com – Downshift is geared using JT Sprockets
http://www.ftwco.com/ – Downshift’s apparel of choice – Shirts on our back, at home, or at the track

http://racebikebitz.com/Kawasaki-ZX10-R-2011-2014-7-Piece-Moulded-Y-Piece-Samco-Sport-Silicone-Hose-Kit-Race-Design

– Seen the custom camo Samco Sport performance silicone hoses keeping the Downshift machines running cool? well you can order them today on the link above, quote in the comment box when ordering, Green, Black, Red and White when choosing custom camo for a Downshift replica design, or mix it up with the colour of your choice.
http://www.bournemouth-kawasaki.co.uk/ – The ZX10’s had lights and mirrors once. No really, and when they did, they came from Bournemouth Kawasaki. Order your Kawasaki machine, gear or parts today.
http://www.moto-master.com/ – The best brakes around are stopping Downshift this year.
http://www.dynojet.co.uk/ – Give us the figures we want to see. BHP.
www.gbracing.eu – Engine Protection
https://www.directdistributionservice… – Buy your consumables today.
www.k-tech.uk.com – Downshift turn and grip with KTECH Suspension Components
http://www.bellhelmets.com/ – The choice of Crash Helmet for Downshift. Light, Strong, ready for P1.
http://www.pfc.parts/ – Gives Downshift stopping power with superior brake pads.
www.venhill.co.uk – Providing fast lines, Venhill Brake Hoses.
www.jap4performance.com – The beautiful Carbon Frame Protectors on the Downshift ZX10R’s are kindly supplied by Jap 4, check out their range.
www.reactiveparts.com – Race Parts
Downshift are backed, sponsored and partnered by Gridworx, Nettworx, 2Works traffic management, Star Delta, AUS, Duco Power and Aptus Utilities, Vinyl Infusion.