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ALEX GAULT - MAG SPORT RACING 2007 - GSXR European Trophy Test
9th March 2007
As you may know Alex was in the running for a competition organised by Superbike magazine for a ride in this years European GSXR CUP, I must admit we entered Alex, slightly “tongue in cheek” as the bikes they use are 750cc and as most of you will know Alex has only ever had one go on a 600 back in December but “Nothing ventured, Nothing Gained” as they say.
Imagine our surprise when news reached us that Alex had made it through to the next round of the selection process …..Surprise????............. More like Horror!!!
As you know he has a GSXR 600 which we bought with the intention of racing this year but lately our attentions had turned to the Junior R6 Championship and the GSXR had been sitting up in YPE’s workshop in Edinburgh, “All hands to the pumps” as it were as we had to get Alex some time on a bike.
As after winning the CB Championship last year, we stopped racing in September to save money for this years campaign and the only time he had sat on anything over 70hp was when he tested in December for MKW Racing on James Jacksons’ 1999 Yamaha R6.
The news that Alex had made the finals and was to test for the ride on GSXR 750’s in Spain on the 2nd March, turned mild concern into “PANIC”. We got his bike back from YPE and as it was his prelim exams at School the only track day we could get him on was at Rockingham on Sunday the 25th February. All was planed, we loaded up the van, final cup of tea and I checked my e-mails before setting off.
First disbelief, Read it again, No still don’t believe it…… an e-mail from the track day company to say the Rockingham test day is cancelled.
My heart sank When I told him, Alex’s heart sank, Panic, Disappointment, Worry, all good “fix” inducing emotions that make you know your alive…………yes the blood was pumping but that wasn’t going to help Alex.
I searched the internet for track days taking place before we left for Spain, I also phoned the 3 nearest circuits to us begging for some track time………no chance!
Well if you remember last year Alex went out winning his first race and braking the lap record at Knockhill after very little time on the 400………….(Come on guys I’m grasping at straws here! Trying to find something to give us hope that this very important test would not be a complete disaster)!
Oh and it gets better……we had learned…….. Alex was up against 18 year old Alex Camier who just returned from a season in the Japanese Super Bike Championship and 20 year old Jimmy Storrer who contended last years Super Stock 1000cc Championship at British Super Bikes.
We met up at the Stanstead airport check in desk and after being introduced to every one (Including Rizla Suzuki’s John Reynolds, Suzuki GB’s Promotions people, The Editor of Super Bike Magazine and some very prominent photographers and mechanics) flew out to Spain, after dinner in the hotel Alex had an early night for his big day tomorrow, while I engaged in conversation (well it isn’t every day you have a meal with such important people).
Friday morning and although concerned Alex seamed to be taking every thing in his stride, More than can be said for me….why have I got so many grey hairs? Worry, Worry, Worry, Worry.
The track was being used as a test facility for The British Super Bikes teams, we hadn’t realised it would be at the same time as Alex would be out??????
How many 16 year old kids can say they have been on the same track at the same time as SUPERBIKES being ridden by Kionari (The British Super Bike Champion) Shakey Byrne, Jonny Rae, Chris Walker, Cal Crutchlow, Leon Camier, Tom Sykes to name a few.
In fact I think the only riders missing were Lavia and Haslam.
Getting the chance to speak to some of them and getting direction from John Reynolds!
Fantastic experience for Alex, he enjoyed every minute, loved the track and the bikes, he said, “It has been Brilliant and I’d like to Thank Super Bike Magazine and Suzuki GB for giving me this opportunity, to John (Yes, he’s now on first name terms with Mr Reynolds) and the rest of the lads for making this such a fantastic trip”
On track??? Now you know I try not to embellish facts, the truth is the only thing that can’t be argued with, it can be interpreted but facts are facts. If you read my report on the RED BULL test Alex took part in last year you could be mistaken for thinking it tasted of sour grapes as Alex didn’t get picked, that certainly was not the case. I am writing this now as we still do not know if Alex did enough to warrant a place in the team, or if he has been rejected so you will know there are no influences apart for the experience we went through. So here goes…….
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Alex with John Reynolds at Guadix |
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It was a very fair test, two bikes, three riders each rider got the use of both bikes, every one spoke to everyone else, every one in attendance were very kind, helpful and polite and I did not see one instance of any favouritism or impartiality. Before it started John Reynolds took both bikes out for a shake down and had them adjusted to be as close to one and other as possible.
In fact a piece of DUCK Tape on one of their headlights was the only means of telling the two bikes apart (well for a while anyway….read on).
Alex Camier was first out on track followed by Jimmy Storrer then Alex, the three riders alternating between the two bikes all day, each rider having similar time aboard both bikes.
Now I must say my concern for Alex was unjustified, by mid day he was looking very good, even when you consider the company he was keeping.
Until he crashed their bike………….. He said, “I was going round the turn and heard a Super Bike behind me, I drifted a bit wide to let him overtake me, he came inside and stayed there for a moment…..It’s SHANE BYRNE…I took my eye off where it should be and drifted out onto the dirty bit of the track and the bike just slid away from me, Stupid mistake!”
So how did it end up?
Alex wins the R Factor!
SUZUKI GB OPTS FOR YOUTH IN GSX-R CUP ASSAULT - “Official Suzuki GB Press Release”
Suzuki GB has announced its rider line-up for the 2007 GSX-R European Cup and, with two teenagers in the team, the company has signalled a clear intention to develop younger riders as part of its ongoing racing strategy.
Alex Camier, 18, will be joined by 16-year-old Alex Gault in the three-rider SGB squad that will contest the six-round series in 2007. The team’s third GSX-R750 will be reserved as a wildcard for guest racing journalists.
Now approaching its third season, the GSX-R European Cup gives young riders the opportunity to race on equal terms against riders from other European countries on identical Suzuki GSX-R750 machines. The series is run in conjunction with the World Superbike championship at circuits in Spain, Holland, Italy, Great Britain, Germany and France.
Alex Camier, who won the British 60cc Grasstrack championship at the age of eight, comes to the SGB team after spending last year in the All-Japan Superbike championship, where he achieved top ten finishes towards the end of the season. Alex is the younger brother of British Superbike rider, Leon Camier.
Alex Gault, meanwhile, dominated the New Era CB500 Cup in 2006, taking pole position and the race win at each round. The schoolboy earned his ride by winning a ‘GSX-R Factor’ competition in Superbike magazine, which culminated in a test at Guadix in Spain alongside the Rizla Suzuki British Superbike squad. Gault also enjoyed top level mentoring from three-time BSB champion, John Reynolds.
Reynolds commented on Suzuki’s latest racing recruits, saying: “It was a pleasure to be at the test in Spain and to offer some advice to the youngsters. There’s some really exciting young talent there and I’ll be watching their progress with interest. Of course, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to ride Suzuki’s GSX-R750 in Guadix – just to help the riders, of course!”
Suzuki GB’s sales and marketing director, Nick Palmer, said: “The GSX-R European Cup is a fantastic formula of 750cc racing that allows us to develop some of the superb young racing talent we have in the UK. I’m really looking forward to seeing these two youngsters put the thoroughbred GSX-R750 through its paces this season.”)
2007 GSX-R European Cup – Team Suzuki GB Rider Profiles
Alex Camier
Date of birth:18 July 1988
Place of birth:Ashford, Kent
Career:
1996 – British 60cc Grasstrack champion
1997 – British 60cc Grasstrack champion
2001 – Aprilia Superteen championship
2005 – Virgin Yamaha R6 Cup
2006 – All-Japan Superbike championship
Alex Gault
Date of birth:14 December 1990
Place of birth:Lanarkshire, Scotland
Career:
2001 – Junior Minimoto Scottish champion
2002 – ACU National Pocket-bike champion
2003 – JRA Formula 80 champion
2004 – JRA 125 champion
2005 – British 125 championship
2006 – New Era CB500 Cup champion
2007 Suzuki GSX-R European Cup Calendar www.gsxr-cup.com
15 Apr - Valencia, Spain
29 Apr - Assen, Holland
27 May - Silverstone, GB
17 Jun - Misano, Italy
09 Sep - Lausitz, Germany
07 Oct - Magny-Cours, France
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