2009 Race Reports

This page will be updated as the season unfolds.

February 15th. The bikes having previously been run in have now had the suspension revalved and we spent the day at Lydd Circuit testing and finding a base setting. The slipper clutches were also adjusted to find the best feel. Considering we were running old worn rubber from last season we were able to lap fast enough to be happy.

We are waiting for our Akrapovic twin pipe systems and ignitions and once we have those it is off to the dyno to sort out carburation and basic mapping. The team sponsors are still coming forward and we will have a very well supported team come the season opener at Blyton for the North v South challenge where we will be heading up the Southern Team.

March 19th. Team Smith KTM Racing test day at Kinsham Raceway.

First job of the day was to fit the new Acerbis plastics and Team Smith KTM graphics by LR Designs.  The bikes now look as fast as they go..... 

Ady, Craig & George spent the rest of the day testing, sharing information and going fast.

The bikes have now been set up and ready for racing. Really impressed with the performance and handling of the KTM. The new Michelin supermoto tyres are also very impressive with outstanding grip levels.

Next test session is at Rowrah this coming weekend.  

March 21st. Team Smith KTM Racing test day at Rowrah.

We had another successful test. George has really jelled with the bikes and finding out just how far the Michelin's can be pushed. The new tarmac combined with ultra grippy tyres meant we were chasing a cure for front & rear chatter but we soon had a decent setting and lap times were rapidly improved.

Our first race meeting is next weekend at Lydd Raceway Kent. Can't wait!!

Southern Supermoto Rd 1 & 2 Lydd Raceway 28/29 March

Fantastic start to the season. Over both race days we were fastest in Qualifying, so 2 pole positions, 6 races, 6 holeshots and 6 wins. Not once was we headed over the weekends racing. What has really impressed us is that we only had a single 16.5 front Michelin super soft tyre which had already done 2 trackdays and it managed to last the weekend. It was well past its best before Saturday but we decided to see how far we could push the limits.

Saturdays races were easy with no pressure from anyone. Sunday was harder with all 3 races being pushed from start to finish by his old husky team mate Rob Mac. This made for spectacular racing with the pair of them locked together in a high speed freight train over the dirt and tarmac lap after lap. This meant that George had to concentrate 110% as a single mistake would have let Rob past. Less than 2ooth's of a second was the margin in all 3 races. Amazing to watch.

Next race this weekend 4/5 April is the British Championship Rd 1 at Rowrah. report to follow.

BSMC Rds 1 & 2 Rowrah

Rd1 Wet and cold. Our first time on Michelin wets and into qualifying with a full grid of Britains fastest Supermoto riders. We qualified in P9. The day gradually dried out but the circuit remained tricky to ride. We ended up 11th overall with a no score in the 2nd race due to getting caught up in a crash which left us in last place and a spirited ride through the field to 16th.

Rd2 Sunny and cold but the circuit was dry. Out for qualifying on supersoft slicks and qualified in P9 again. Another fast and highly competitve day with exciting battles all the way through the field. Our best score of the day was ruined by George being T-boned going into a chicane which ended a potential top 6 finish and ended up as a no score again. The last race of the day was red flagged due to a serious accident leaving a rider injured on the track needing urgent medical attention. We finished Sunday in 14th overall. Not a fantastic start to the British Championship but at least we have proved our bike is good enough and George has the speed to run in the top 6 which is very encouraging.

Next meeting is Easter Sunday at Nora Nationals 450 class at 3 Sisters Circuit Wigan.

Nora 3 Sisters Circuit.

Sunny dry and warm. 3 Sisters is a favorite circuit for us although its been a year since we last rode here. The track layout for this meeting included the big table top and the down hill dirt section which is spot on for the 450's.

Qualified in 3rd which was 0.2 off pole and only 1 second seperating the top 7 places so racing was always going to be close. R1 was a bit of a disaster with a fast crash due to some idiot riding round on the racing line with a blown engine however we managed to finish in 6th place after battling back through the field. R2 was better with a 3rd place finish and things looking up for the final race. R3 was shaping up to be a close battle with the front 4 really flying until a back marker decided to move off line in the downhill dirt section and right into our racing line which ended up in another crash. Not a good result with 7th the final position. As we are not contending this championship we were not too bothered but still dissapointed not to have finished in the top 3 which was our expectation. Our next meeting is not until the 16/17 May which is British Championship Rds 3 & 4. Can't wait.

British Championship Rd 3 Lydden Hill

Qualified P12 which was not as good as we expected but this circuit is very fast and our 450 was lacking outright power against the 505's & 550's etc. Our best result over the 3 races was 9th and we finished 11th overall.  All we could do here was try and score valuable points and finish.

British Championship Rd 4 Lydd

Our type of circuit, tight and twisty with good off road. The best qualifying of the year so far.

Qualified on the front row in P4 and looking very good for a podium finish. R1 was a cracker with George getting a 3rd place finish. R2 was not so good but a very safe 4th place finish. R3 was a problem with a rain shower whilst sitting in parc ferme and the organisers calling it a wet race. After looking at Iddo & Winstanleys bikes who chose wets and Ady also going with wets we followed suit. The right choice would have been slicks as the circuit dryed within 4 laps and it was a case of riding for besst position without crashing on marbelled tyres. Finished 7th which gave George a 4th place overall. Not quite a podium but we proved we can run at the front with the best.

Southern Supermoto Rds 3 & 4 Dale South Wales

Another polished performance from George with another straight 6 wins & P1 qualifying on both days. This consolidates our Championship lead with maximum points and still unheaded at any time over the 12 races. A perfect start to retaining the Expert Championship. 

Southern Supermoto Rds 5 & 6 Bordon 20/21 June

Another dominating performance. After 18 races George still has not been seriously challenged since Rd 2 and this amazing winning streak continues.

Qualified on pole both days with 6 holeshots, 6 wins and fastest laps. His fastest lap of the weekend was 2 seconds clear of the rest of the field and done on the second day with the circuit deteriating. With George now concentrating on racing the circuit rather than riders he is able to motivate himself ready for the real challenge next weekend which is Rds 5 & 6 of the British Supermoto Championship where he is confident of pushing for a podium finish.  

British Championship Rds 5 & 6 Crail Scotland.

After a 10 hour drive we arrived on Friday morning ready for the Friday afternoon practice. The track was run anti-clockwise and george settled into a good afternoons practice.

Saturday Rd 5.

Woke up to a wet morning and had to change wheels and settings ready for practice. After practice we were not happy or confident on the wets and made a couple of more changes. Out in qualifying again on wets and ended up in 11th place on the grid and still not happy with the feel of the bike.

R1. Drying track and out on full slicks. Superb start and off the dirt in 6th place and chasing the leading pack. A race long battle with the Hodge & Bulldozer Blakeman ended up with a 8th place finish but a full 5 seconds knocked off the lap times.

R2. Similar good start and chasing the front pack. Settled into a race long battle with the Hodge again and crossed the line in 7th place.

R3. Not a good start and well down the field. After a spirited ride through the field and working through the slower riders George finished in 9th place and 7th overall on the day.

Sunday Rd 6. 

With the threat of overnight rain we woke to a dry track and the circuit being run in the reverse direction to Saturday. Free practice & qualifying on full slicks saw George qualify better in 8th on the grid better lap times than Saturday as the track was faster run anti clockwise.

R1. Excellent start and right in the hunt with the front pack. After 8 laps with George lying 5th and still only a few seconds off the front pack a red flag was shown due to a serious accident in the off road section. The result stood so we were very happy as our team mate Craig Venske took a superb race win.

R2. Another good start with George  hanging off the back of the front group of 5. Consistent laps and a good battle throughout the race saw George finish in 6th place.

R3. Pretty much the same as the second race. Good consistent laps and battling with the Hodge again for most of the race and a decent 8th place finish. 7th overall on the day. Well done to Craig who won all 3 races and Team Smith looking very solid as the season hits half way. Next meeting at Sportcity in Manchester in 2 weeks time which is the high light of the year. Some World class wild card riders are over to battle with Britains finest. We are ready!!

British Championship Rds 7 & 8 Sport City Manchester

At what is the highlight venue of the BSMC, Manchester City football club in the heart of Manchester. The weather was as predicted, wet. The off road section which was built special, was under water so Saturdays races were to be circuit only.

Saturday Rd 7.

Qualified well in 8th, 2nd row, circuit drying and out on full slicks.

R1. An absolute stormer of a start had George in 4th place as they came round the first corner and the pace was very fast. 2 laps in and with these 4 off and running an incident in the mid pack had the red flag come out due to a TV cameraman getting hit by a flying supermoto. After he had been carted off to hospital we had a re-start and not so good for us. The race was steady with George coming home in 9th.

R2. Pretty good start andon the back of the front pack of 6 and battling hard all the way to a creditable 7th place finish.

R3. Another good start and round the corner in 5th place and chasing the front pack. A good battle all race with Lee Jones and a fine 6th place finish and lap times only 1.5 seconds off winners time.

7th Place overall and more points towards the Championship.

Sunday Rd 8.

After a night of torrential rain we went out for qualifying on full wets and unbelievably using the off road section which was basically underwater and really soft going.

Qualifying was a nightmare with George crashing on nearly every lap in the off road mud bath and ended up 16th on the grid.

R1. The off road section being withdrawn for safety reasons we were back on circuit only and with the rain still falling on full wets. Really good start and George was pushing hard to close the gap on the front runners. A very good 8th place finish.

R2. Still wet and a steady ride through the field to finish 11th.

R3. Pretty much the same except the off road was put in for this last race and it was a battle to stay on the bike and finish. 12th was the best we could manage after 2 crashes.

10th place overall and we remain in 7th place in the Championship standings.

NORA National Championship Lydd.

We decided to turn up and have a bit of race practice even though George was full of cold and not 100% fit.

Qualified in 2nd place. 2nd overall.

The 3 races were pretty much the same with George putting in 3 solid 2nd places and the last race was the best with George passing James Addy for the lead at mid race only to loose out in the off road section to a fast block pass which could have been disastrous. As this was not an important race we settled for a safe 2nd overall and keep healthy for the next British round in a weeks time.

British Championship rounds 9 & 10 3 Sisters Wigan

Saturday Rd 9.

Wet and windy overnight for a change but the circuit was damp and drying.

Out in to qualifying on full slicks which was dodgy in places but was the right choice. The times were very close and 10th on the grid was the result.

R1. A steady race through and looking good for an 8th place finish when the group of 4 George was in and battling with came across a dodgy backmarker who was all over the place in the dirt section and fell off right in front of George who got caught up and dropped to 11th which was the end result in this race. The mood was not too good after this result.

R2. A much better start and chasing the front pack with a good race long battle with Dave Hartley had George finish in 8th place.

R3. Much of the same with another race long battle with Lee Jones this time and a good 7th place finish.

George ended the day in 9th overall.

Sunday Rd 10.

A dry start to the day and a shortened circuit which would suit the 450's had George in a bouyant mood for this one.

Out in qualifying on full slicks and going well had him qualify in 8th which was 2nd row again.

R1. A very determined start and avoiding the first corner carnage had him come round in 5th place and chasing Matt Winstanley in 4th. This fast pace was kept up until Keith Farmer caught and passed both Matt & George just before the end of the race giving us a well deserved 6th place finish.

R2. Very similar start and first corner pile up had George come round in 6th and he kept this position all the way to the flag.

R3. Another decent start and race long battle with the fast lads saw George home in 8th place.

A good 6th overall on the day. We remain in 7th overall in the Championship with 3 rounds left.

Southern Supermoto Rds 7 & 8 Lydd

Rd7. Super weekend weather predicted and it was a sunny dry day. Due to red tape there would be no dirt section this weekend and tarmac only so plenty of quickfire short laps to be done.

 Out in qualifying and our now usual pole position was established a clear half a second from p2 qualifier.

Nothing  new to report as George eased to 3 straight wins & holeshots with no real pressure after the first couple of laps. The only pressure we had was trying to make our part worn rears work as the heat was causing them to split after each race and we went through a tyre a race.

Rd8. Even hotter today so we decided to keep the soft compound front and go to a new harder compound rear which worked well initially.

The circuit would be run backwards today and after qualifying George came in and said he didn't feel as though he rode well and didn't like the flow of the track in reverse. The pole position went to his old team mate Rob McNealy but only by 100th of a second.

A flying start had George take the holeshot and proceed to pull away from the field to take the first of his usual 3 wins of the day. The only real pressure came in the last race where the hard compound rear went off completely on lap 2 whilst in a clear 2 second lead and the bike was trying its best to unseat and spit him off on every corner. He had to push the limits to hold off a late challenge by young upstart Cornish which went all the way to the flag. This was the best race of the day which gave the Lydd crowd some fast entertainment and the betting on who will beat George at SSM has now moved odd's to include this lad as favorite to end the winning streak which has now streched to 24 from 24 and it is now over a year since George has been beaten in a SSM race.

The season continues at Bordon. Will our unbeaten run continue....................

SSM Rd's 9 & 10 Bordon 5th & 6th September

CHAMPION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a weekend! We have done it. Another straight 6 wins which has secured the 2009 Southern Supermoto Expert Title with 1 round to go for the 3rd time.

It was the hardest race of the season though with Ben Robb upping his game to push George the hardest he has had to ride all season. Ben even took pole on Sunday morning which meant George had to get the holeshot if he wanted to win every race being as the layout for this meeting being very fast and not very technical.

Most of the races went with George & Ben pulling away from the field with George easing away after 4 or 5 laps and crossing the line by 7 or 8 seconds ahead.

Lady luck was on our side on Saturday as when we put the bike on the stand after the second race the rear tyre was nearly flat. George had picked up a nail which could have ruined the result and ambition of completing the perfect season. 

With George's Mum's birthday on Sunday the best present was seeing George retaining the SSM title and coming home safe.

We are not sure when the next British rounds are going to be held or the venue due to World Championship date changes and availability of tracks in the UK. We should have 3 rounds left.

British Champoinship Rd's 11 & 12 Dale South Wales.

The 7 hour trek to Wales to ride the SSM venue at Dale would see us acheive the best result so far this year both Team & personally.

Saturday. Dry and cloudy and out into practice and qualifying with confidence high. The big step up tabletop had been given a steeper take off which really tested the off road skills and courage. Qualifying was going well with a front row place looking a certainty until George had a big highside coming off the dirt section which left him with a dead arm and a hole in the new leathers. Ended the session P5 which was ok.

The racing got away with Team Smith all in the top 5 places and Craig leading from the front. We were all away at the front with no real challenge coming from the chasing pack. It was a case of pushing hard and waiting for a mistake from the front 4 and this was the case for all 3 races. We finished 2nd, 4th & 5th as a team with George in the 5th spot.

Sunday. Our confidence was even higher and out into qualifying looking for a front row start. Again, with George on a hot lap following Ady another fast off in the same place. This left another hole in the suit and another P5 spot on the grid.

With Georges starts being excellent all weekend we felt he was going to go better today. 

R1. The race of the weekend, the team battled hard all race and with Iddon & Winstanley going down it left the Team Smith trio in P1,2 & 3. This is how we crossed the line and the pit went mad with delight. It was a fantastic feeling seeing them come back full of spirit and buzzing.

R2 & 3 had us in the top 5 all day again with no real dramas, just good, fast consistent riding from them all and Craig taking another maximum 3 wins for the Team. We actually did it overall by taking all 3 podium spots, Craig 1st, Ady 2nd & George 3rd. The best result of the year and the Championship has us in 3rd,4th & 5th as a Team in the standings with 1 round to go. 

Southern Supermoto Final Round Lydd 24th October

With the Expert title already won all George wantedto do was complete the perfect season by winning the last 3 races to make it 33 wins from 33 starts.

We woke up to a wet & miserable day so wets fitted and out to qualify.

All went well with George setting pole from what looked like a relaxed session.

R1. As George pulled up to the P1 grid the bike just died. It just didn't want to fire up. After 30 races it finally seemed lady luck had poked her tongue out. After a couple of attemps to bump start George was about to push the bike off the grid and accept a DNS. One last attemp as the battery was on its last legs and she fired up.

This did have an effect on his mental state as he didn't settle and when the lights went out he didn't launch with the usual venow and had to settle for 2nd into the corner. It remained this way for the whole race with him trying to pass MacNealy in numerous corners but the door was keep shut in the tricky wet conditions and we had to settle for 2nd place.

With the pressure of winning every race gone he now just settled down, relaxed and went out and totally dominated the last 2 races with start to finish wins and finished the season with 32 wins from 33 starts. Not too shabby and a record that will be very hard to beat for some time to come.

It is George's legacy as he will probably not contend the SSM Championship next season as we feel the challenge for the Nora title is calling.

With the last round of the British Championship in Northern Ireland to come next month in November the season is almost over and our plans for 2010 are now under way.

 BSMC Final Rd Kirkistown N.Ireland 21 November

The final round has greeted us with high winds and torrential rain. The turnout is poor with only 18 contestants making it across the water to N.Ireland. With Georges nearest rivals not showintg it means he can't loose his 5th place overall but equally he can't progress to 4th as this is already out of reach

Without the pressure to push himself George basically raced at 80% and didn't take any risks which meant his consistent rides saw him end the day in 6th place overall and completeing the 2009 season.

We are pleased that a top 5 finish has our sponsors happy however next year we are aiming for the top 3 and will be keeping on the same KTM machinary which have been mega all year.