PacedayZ, the Derbyshire based track day company, have signed a deal to run the Official 2012 British Superbike pre season tests. The tests will get underway in March with seven days of track time in Spain. Testing will comprise of two British Superbike only tests, at Cartagena and Alcarras, in addition to a support class test at Alcarras.

The first Official BSB test will take place at Cartagena from the 1st to 3rd of March, and will be limited to just 32 British Superbikes on track. Meanwhile, the support classes will be at Alcarras for a four day test from 1st to 4th of March. The Superbike competitors will then be travelling across to Alcarras for another three day Superbike test.

PacedayZ are also offering an unique trackday package immediately following the official BSB test at Alcarras. Customers will have the opportunity to fly out and watch the final day of BSB testing before having three days on track themselves, with expert advice from some of the BSB riders.

PacedayZ boss, Craig Fitzpatrick: “It is great that we have secured this deal to organise the Official 2012 British Superbike testing in Spain. Obviously, having been at these tests as a rider recently, I have a good idea of what the teams and riders needs are and we are aiming to make this a success for all.”

“We hope that the three-day Alcarras trackday will offer public a unique chance to come out and watch the BSB riders get to grips with their new machines one day and follow in their footsteps the next. We will be having some of the BSB riders instructing too, so there will be a great opportunity to learn from the best.”

“If people want to ride Cartagena, the other spanish track which BSB will be testing at, then we still have some places available for the inaugural PacedayZ event from 23rd to 25th of November.”

“Unfortunately, with all the time I am investing in PacedayZ, it means I am not going to be able to concentrate on my own riding commitments in 2012. So I have got a Kawasaki ZX-10R which I am going to run at selected rounds of the National Superstock 1000 series. But i will be back! ”

www.pacedayz.com

Craig Fitzpatrick is set to make a return to British Superbike Evo action this weekend as the series stops off at his home circuit Donington Park.

Fitzpatrick has not raced since round 6 of the series at Snetterton due to technical problems with his Honda Fireblade. A couple of early season crashes had left the Close Print Finance Honda squad on the back foot and the decision was taken to sit-out three rounds. The break has enabled the team to regroup and prepare for a more successful end to the season.

The Derbyshire circuit will be making a comeback of its own as plays host to the British Superbike series for the first time since 2009. The track has undergone a minor refresh since then with mainly slight safety tweaks to increase run-off and a small alteration to the Fogarty Esses.

Fitzpatrick will be competing the remaining three rounds of the 2011 championship aboard the rebranded PacedayZ – Close Print Finance Honda. Long-time title sponsor Close Print Finance continue their considerable support, joined by the brand-new Derbyshire-based venture PacedayZ.

PacedayZ has been founded by Fitzpatrick and Billy Lilly, who’s transport and logistics company have sponsored Fitzpatrick for many years. The new company will offer trackday solutions to everyone from novices to British Superbike factory teams, in both the UK and Europe. For more info visit www.pacedayz.com.

Fitzpatrick told moto-media.co.uk: “I am really looking forward to getting back out on track at Donington. I have missed three rounds now because we have had some trouble with the bike, but hopefully those problems have been resolved and we can move on.”

“The first half of the season didn’t go according to plan and after a couple of crashes we had to reassess the finances. We had been struggling to resolve a niggling electrical issue so took the decision to miss a few races and sort it out properly. ”

“Whilst I haven’t been racing, I have been busy setting up the new company and getting the first event organised in Cartagena (Spain) in November. I have been talking to all the teams and riders at BSB regarding PacedayZ. It’s been tough to be at the rounds and not getting out on track but it has given me something to focus on.”

“We came to Donington the other week for a bit of a shakedown and to try out a few chassis changes. Unfortunately the weather meant we only had one dry session and didn’t get to try all we wanted.”

“I am under no illusions about this weekend; I am not expecting to be fighting for race wins. A lot of the guys have been getting stronger through the year, so it will be difficult after missing three rounds. I am hoping that we can give a good account of ourselves at our home circuit and push for our best finish of the year.”

PaceDayz.com is a new track day company that has been started up by British Superbike Evo class rider Craig Fitzpatrick. The Cambridge rider has been racing since 2002 in which he has taken a few titles including the British Supersport Cup title in 2008. The venture is not only to assist with funding for his personal racing targets but take spend more time doing and teaching what he loves.

Speaking to www.bikesportnews.com Fitzpatrick said: “We currently will be running European track events; the first is scheduled 23rd-25th November at the Spanish circuit of Cartagena for a total cost £439. This includes all transport, accommodation at 5* catering apartment and on track tuition. The bikes drop off/pick up point is central by Derby, all people need to do is get themselves there.”

At the company’s debut event Fitzpatrick will be supported and joined by British Superbike talents Michael Laverty and Dan Linfoot who will also be tutoring throughout the three days. The company will be a great opportunity for the more daring, advanced or intermediate riders; however, Fitzpatrick is extremely keen to also cater more than usual for novices. He wants to create a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere as well as a structured guidance plan for them to develop and get the most out of the experience.

He added: “I am also really interested in focusing on helping/training novices, I really enjoy it. Most track days are geared up for racers, some instructors can be a bit intimidating for novice riders this can put them off trying especially doing a European track. There will be a specific session where we will all go out and learn the track, have a debrief and then riders will be able to go on from there.”

The website www.pacedayz.com is due to be up and running over the next day or two, but has links to relevant information pages such as Facebook. If you would like to speak to Fitzpatrick directly you can ring 07554 797030 or for more information on him generally you can visit his personal website www.craigfitzpatrick.com

Story courtesy of Bikesportnews, click here to view the story

Close Print Finance BLDS Honda’s Craig Fitzpatrick continued his consistent run of form as the British Superbike Evo Championship visited Knockhill in Scotland for Round 5. Fitzpatrick left Knockhill with another solid handful of championship points after claiming 8th and 7th placed finishes.

The Close Print Finance Honda squad have undergone some personnel changes since the last round, with Chief Technician Pete Clifford leaving the team.

During Friday and Saturday’s free practice sessions, the Fife circuit was hit by heavy rain, making track conditions treacherous. Throughout practice, the team made continued improvements to the Honda Fireblade, enabling Fitzpatrick to improve his lap times by a second.

As qualifying got underway, the track was still wet, but the rain had stopped. Fitzpatrick used the early part of the session to try a few changes to the set-up. With a dry line gradually beginning to appear, Fitzpatrick made the switch to intermediate tyres.

Soon after making the switch however, Fitzpatrick was reminded of the dangers of the white lines. He clipped the white line at the Chicane and ran off onto the sodden grass. By the time he had managed to escape the mud, the tyres and bike were covered. It took a number of laps to get the heat back into the tyres. With only two chances to record a fast lap before the end of the session, Fitzpatrick encounter traffic on both occasions and could only manage to finish 8th fastest. Read the rest of this entry »

Craig Fitzpatrick had his best weekend of the season so far at Round 4 of the 2011 British Superbike Evo Championship at a wet and windy Thruxton. Fitzpatrick and his Close Print Finance BLDS Honda negotiated the treacherous conditions to score 8th and 7th place finishes.

Thruxton was the scene of Fitzpatrick’s first Superbike Evo podium last season, and he was hoping for another good result this time, having had a difficult start to the campaign.

In Practice Fitzpatrick was unable to match the lap times he had achieved last year. The Close Print Finance BLDS squad worked tirelessly to try and improve the set up of the Honda CBR1000RR.

On Sunday Fitzpatrick managed to knock three quarters of a second of his best practice time. He qualified 7th fastest of the Evo competitors.

As had happened at Croft, the rain began to fall just before the Superbike riders took to the grid for the first of their two races. Having had no practice in wet conditions, the riders were given 8 minutes of track time ahead of the race.

The race finally began in damp conditions, with most of the field choosing the full wet tyres and only a few gambling on intermediates. Fitzpatrick opted for the full wets.

On the opening lap of race Fitzpatrick lost a few places, dropping back to 11th. As the race developed, Fitzpatrick began to climb through the field. With the rain beginning to fall harder, those on the intermediate tyres soon started to struggle. Fitzpatrick passed some of the top factory riders as he got to grips with the adverse conditions. By the chequered flag, Fitzpatrick had moved up to 8th. Read the rest of this entry »

Craig Fitzpatrick was back in the points this weekend, as the British Superbike Evo Championship visited Croft. After recovering from a crash in race 1, the Close Print Finance BLDS Honda rider fought his way up to 7th in race 2. The result was a big positive step after the start of the season has been hampered by a crash at the opening round.
Fitzpatrick came into the weekend hoping to banish the demons of that Brands Hatch crash which forced him to sit out round 2.
During practice, Fitzpatrick and the team struggled to set up the Honda for the bumpy Yorkshire circuit. A particular issue was trying to find a base setting and undoing changes that had been made at Oulton Park, on the twisted frame.
The lack of confidence in the Honda’s settings cost Fitzpatrick in the 20 minute qualifier. Fitzpatrick beat his previous best time of the weekend but could only finish 8th fastest.
Sunday saw the weather in an especially changeable mood. A bright start gave way to persistent drizzle before morning warm-up.
As the Superbikes formed up on the grid for the first race, the track was damp but the rain had virtually stopped. Having initially declared the race as dry, the race organisers were forced to change their minds as the rain began to fall once more. Local weather reports were predicting anything from heavy rain to brightening skies over the course of the race, making tyre choice difficult.
Every possible combination of front and rear tyres was represented on the grid. Fitzpatrick chose wet front and intermediate rear.
Fitzpatrick made a steady start in the tricky conditions. His race was over much sooner than anticipated though, as he crashed out on lap five. On the run into turn 1, Fitzpatrick locked up his front wheel under braking and ran into the gravel before tipping off.
Thankfully the damage to bike and rider was minimal and Fitzpatrick was able to make the grid for race 2.
Fitzpatrick got away 9th in the second race. By lap 9, he was up into 8th and sat right on the rear wheel of, race 1 podium finisher, Tom Tunstall. Fitzpatrick made the pass on lap 13, moving up into 7th. By this time the gap in front was too big and Fitzpatrick had to be content with consolidating his 7th position until the chequered flag. Read the rest of this entry »

Craig Fitzpatrick came away empty handed from round 2 of the British Superbike Evo Championship at Oulton Park. Fitzpatrick was forced to sit out both races after discovering damage to his Close Print Finance BLDS Honda, sustained  in the crash at Brands Hatch a week earlier.
Fitzpatrick had begun the weekend 5th fastest, in Saturday’s opening practice session. Having made some alterations to the set-up, Fitzpatrick was able to improve his lap times but he seemed unable to go under one minute 40. Various tweaks were made to try and improve the Hondas cornering, but without significant success.
As qualifying came around, Fitzpatrick was still unable to find any more time and slipped back to 8th quickest.
After the session, the team checked the alignment of the bike, to find that the frame, swing arm and rear wheel spindle had been bent in the opening round accident. The wheels were found to be 25mm out of alignment, which was causing the rear wheel to skip on right-hand corners and making the bike difficult to turn-in to left-handers.
The team worked to realign the wheels, on the swing arm adjustment, for warm-up, but it was to no avail. The decision was taken not to race, as the team were unable to resolve the issue in the available time.
A disappointed Fitzpatrick said: “I had been struggling to get the bike settled in the corners throughout practice. We had tried all sorts of changes to the chassis but couldn’t resolve the issues.”
“We measured the wheel alignment on Sunday evening and discovered that the frame and the swing arm were bent. The wheels were 25mm out of line. We tried to improve the alignment as best we could, but it was too far out.”
“I am gutted that we were unable to race because the whole team has worked so hard since Brands Hatch to get everything ready. We only had three days between rounds to rebuild the bike.”
“On the positive side, at least we know what the issue is and that it can be resolved in time for the next round at Croft. It’s not exactly been a perfect start to the year, but I am confident we can go to Croft turn things around.”

Craig Fitzpatrick got his 2011 British Superbike Evo campaign underway at Brands Hatch but came away with little to show from a promising weekend. The Close Print/BLDS Honda rider finished 8th in race one but sadly crashed out of race two.

The weekend began positively for Fitzpatrick, as he ended practice with the fourth fastest Evo time, and looking like he had a good race pace. Qualifying saw Fitzpatrick again finish 5th fastest and with a personal best lap time and less than 0.3seconds behind pole for Superbike Evo

Fitzpatrick got a bad start in the first race and dropped to ninth place on the first lap. He quickly made his way past Scott Smart’s Ducati to move him up to 8th. He was then unable to find his way past the Superbike Championship Aprilia of Hudson Kennaugh. After finally getting past Kennaugh, Fitzpatrick was able to close the gap to the group ahead. However, by this time he had pushed too hard and his rear tyre was struggling for grip. Unable to hold on to his seventh place, Fitzpatrick slipped back down to 8th in the closing stages.

Read the rest of this entry »

Close Print Finance BLDS Honda’s Craig Fitzpatrick got his pre-season preparations underway with a week at the Cartagena Circuit in southern Spain. The test, which attracted many of the British Superbike Championship and Evo contenders, gave Fitzpatrick his first chance to try out his newly built 2011 Honda Fireblade.

The week began with three days of track time with some of his sponsors and to get a bit of time aboard his new machine ahead of the four-day Pro-Test. Early running of the new Honda highlighted some technical problems similar to some of those experienced last season with the 2010 machine.

Thursday saw the start of the Pro-Test and Fitzpatrick continued to troubleshoot electrical and mechanical issues. The team spent much of the first three days of the test ironing out all of the issues and ensuring that all of the fixes were robust enough to enable them to develop the chassis set-up.

Come Sunday, the final day of the test, Fitzpatrick was finally able to clock-up some unhindered set-up time. Working on improving the chassis rather than chasing quick lap times, Fitzpatrick was able to make steady progress through the day. Fitzpatrick was able to lap in the high 1 minute 35s, which is the fastest he has been around the 3.5km circuit. Read the rest of this entry »

Craig Fitzpatrick has confirmed that he will once again contend the British Superbike Evo championship in 2011. The Derbyshire based rider aims to mount a serious challenge for the title, choosing to remain aboard the Honda Fireblade backed once again by Close Print Finance and BLDS Couriers.

Last season saw Fitzpatrick make the switch from the British Supersport Championship to the Evo class with some early success. After scoring a fine third place finish at Thruxton, Fitzpatrick struggled to get the most out of a package hampered by technical difficulties.

2011 sees the Evo regulations altered, particularly in regard to the clutch and gearbox changes which are permitted, and it is widely regarded that this will greatly benefit the Honda.

“We are really looking forward to this year. As a team, we learnt so much in 2010 and as a result have changed a lot on the bike in addition to how the team is going to work in 2011. We have Pete Clifford coming to run the team leaving me to concentrate on the riding. Pete came and worked with us at Silverstone last year and gelled with everyone in the garage.” Read the rest of this entry »