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Silverstone 28th September 2008

MASON'S POSITIVE WEEKEND ENDS WITH DISAPPOINTMENT

Gary Mason once again showed positive performance all weekend at Silverstone for the 11th Round of British Superbikes as he continues his partnership with Quay Garage Racing.

Mason knocked 1.8s off his first practice session on Friday morning by the end of qualifying on Saturday after. He again was the only Cup rider to battle through to the final stage of the three stage knockout system finishing tenth overall.

Both of the races that took part in the unusual sunshine saw Mason constantly battle with Lloyds British Simon Andrews. After no longer participating in the Henderson R1 Cup this was the first full weekend that Mason could fully concentrate on his Superbike mission, and use the free time to develop a more solid setup to be in a better position for the race.

However due to unforeseen circumstances the CBR1000RR became under investigation by the MCRCB's technical department in which it was discovered that the engine unfortunately did not meet British Superbike Cup regulations. The engine used included an illegal camshaft breaching regulation Article 5.2.3.6.19 Camshaft.

Mason said: “Obviously I am really disappointment, for myself and the team. We have all worked extremely hard this weekend and obtained successful results. Due to some problems we had to change the engine using our spare one, in which we discovered that the camshaft didn't match requirements.”

“I am gutted as if you look at my times and qualifying position it made no difference to my results and what I nwas achieving on the bike before.” With Mason losing a total of 50 points in the championship this has pushed him down to 4th in the Daily Star Cup Championship instead of battling for second.

Both the Lichfield rider and the team will return to Brands Hatch for the season finale to end the year on a more positive note before discussions are made about 2009.

Croft 14th September 2008

MASON DOES THE DOUBLE AT CROFT

In Sundays races Gary Mason claimed the top step of the podium twice in the Daily Star Cup in British Superbikes this weekend at Croft this weekend.

Riding for Quay Racing on the Honda CBR1000RR Mason improved in each session with him setting a qualifying time that was more than two seconds faster than Friday's morning practice. The Lichfield rider survived all three stages of the new knockout qualifying system to start from ninth on the grid come race day.

Mason finished 11 th overall in both of Sunday's races, he said: “In race one I was battling with Simon Andrews, but I had problems with my front tyre with eight laps to go. I had to settle for where I was which was really frustrating, but we are still very happy.”

“In race two it took me a long time to get by Watanabe [Atsushi], he is a very good rider and it's a fast bike, but once I had got past him Ellison [James] and Andrews [Simon] had got away. Again frustrating as there was nothing I could do about that and I felt I could have ran with them.”

This weekend John Laverty clinched the Daily Star Cup 2008 title, but Mason will continue to pursue second place within the championship in which he currently sits in third place, a mere two points behind Martin Jessopp.

After qualifying a close fourth within the Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup Mason has made a decision to no longer participate within the category as this is an extra risk and use of valuable time that affects his Superbike challenge.

He said: “I want to concentrate fully on the Superbikes, the reason I originally did the R1 championship was to help me get back into Superbikes. I didn't expect to be back here so fast and I am really chuffed. The R1 cup is a great championship, but I feel my Superbike results will be viewed more by others and is probably the main focus to obtain further opportunities, this is where I want to be.”

The penultimate round takes place in two weeks at Silverstone where Mason will return to track to continue his success with Quay Racing.

Cadwell Park 25th August 2008

TWO OUT OF THREE PODIUMS FOR MASON

At the Lincolnshire circuit of Cadwell Park over the August Bank Holiday Gary Mason continued to be a front a runner in both the British Superbike and Henderson R1 Cup Championships.

The Lichfield rider was the top Daily Cup winner in race one of the British Superbikes and third within the R1 Cup category, standing on the podium twice. Unfortunately in race two due to another rider's error Mason's race ended at high speed going into the first corner of the opening lap taking away a likely third trophy of the day.

Mason qualified 11 th in the debut of the new three round knockout qualifying system within British Superbike's riding the Quay Garage Racing Honda. Mason narrowly missed out on the final heat to Relentless rider Michael Laverty by less than a tenth of a second, but still finished the top cup rider.

He continued to do so in race one finishing tenth overall with a fastest time of 1'29.916s even with bike problems. Mason said: “Race one went well. I qualified 11 th , it's been going well all weekend and obviously got off to good start in the first race. I had a good battle with Atsushi [Watanabe] so I enjoyed that. The problem was that the tyre spun on the rim so I had a few chatter problems.”

“I was pumped for race two after the R1 cup, I thought I could have a good go at it, then I was knocked off by Billy [McConnell]. I am so annoyed, I know he wouldn't have done it on purpose and he has since apologised, but it's so annoying. I am ok, but it's disappointing for me and the team, so much effort and work goes into everything.”

Competing on his Vtune/Airmax/Tamworth Yamaha Mason now moves up joint third within the Henderson R1 championship to 121 points alongside Sam Warren. After qualifying on the front row in third Mason attacked as soon as the green lights went out to finish third overall.

Initially Mason briefly moved down to fourth at the first corner, but soon clawed it back on the first lap at the bottom of Park straight. Lap four saw the first of two red flags appear causing an eight lap restart in which he again initially slipped down the order.

Temporarily Mason ran in fifth position, but regained fourth to then battle with Adrian Coates who then crashed out moving Mason up to third. The race result was declared due to another red flag on lap six.

Mason said: “I was straight out onto the R1 after the Superbike [race one], it was pretty hard work this week. This is the most physical circuit there is and it has a lot of off cambers. It's hard work on the R1 I kept grounding it out and lost front the front a bit after riding the Superbike, they are so different bikes.”

Mason is looking forward to the final three rounds which take place at circuits he likes, the next being at Croft for the tenth round of the series. However Mason is looking to challenge himself yet again with a possible entry into the next British round of World Superbikes at Donington Park in two weeks.

Knockhill 10th July 2008

THREE PODIUMS FOR MASON

Gary Mason in turn stood on each step of the podium for all three of his races at the Scottish circuit of Knockhill this weekend.

Daily Star Cup Championship leader John Laverty was unable to participate in Sunday races following a crash on Friday giving Mason the opportunity to gain a possible 50 crucial points on him, of which he took a successful 41 putting him one point behind third place within the championship.

Race one saw the rain pass but was declared wet due to the track conditions, starting 13 th on the grid Mason fell down the order going into the first corner, but clawed his way back to finish 10 th overall and the top cup rider.

Mason said: “In the first race we were all on slicks, at the beginning there was only a two foot wide dry line and as I went off the start I spun as my side was really wet. I went back to 19 th at one point so I had to let the track come to me and as it dried out I pushed as hard as I could and got to tenth.”

Race two was a test for any rider, due to a sudden down pour there was a delay, the race included two red flags, the second of which was more than half distance determining the results. Due to tyre choice Mason was hindered in the restart, but he continued to battle through to still finish on the podium and gain as many points as possible.

Mason said: “We put wets in, then it got red flagged then I put an intermediate rear in but not an intermediate front. I made the decision too late, it would have been better to have changed it and have started from pit lane. It was quite hairy, I thought if I could get second it would be more points.”

Within the Henderson Cup challenge on his Vtune/Airmax/Tamworth Yamaha R1 Mason tackled head on his usual lack of pace at the start of the race to be running third into the first corner, losing only one place from his front row start which he soon regained. He was briefly pushed down to third again half way through the race by Jon Kirkham who had worked his way up to the leading duo before then crashing out.

Mason said: “With the R1 Cup I was really aggressive from the start, that is where I have struggled previously. I was with the leader then Kirkham dived under me so I went to third, then he crashed but Ben [Wilson] had got away just enough so I couldn't really catch him enough.”

Mason also sits fourth place within the R1 Championship, but a mere three points off third place. He will be aiming to improve both championships standings at the next round in two weeks at the Lincolnshire circuit of Cadwell Park, a track he thoroughly enjoys.

Oulton Park 20th July 2008

TWO PODIUM FINISHES FOR MASON

Gary Mason polished off a successful weekend at the seventh round of the British Superbikes at Oulton Park with two podium finishes.

Riding the Vtune/Airmax/Tamworth Yamaha Mason qualified in fourth in the Henderson R1 Yamaha Cup with a time of 1'41.054s making this his fifth front row start. Going into the first corner Mason sat in sixth, but immediately showed he didn't intend to stay there.

Constantly Mason put pressure on Marty Nutt before making an inside move on lap five. This allowed him to draw close to his next target Richard Cooper before making his successful attack on lap six taking fourth place.

He then was able to pull away and catch up to the leading group of three tagging onto the back of Adrian Coates. Mason took his final lunge at Hislop's on the final lap to take third and defend his position until he crossed the finish line.

He said: “I have eventually got a podium within the R1 Cup, which is good. It takes me too long at the beginning to get into it. It's quite difficult changing between the two bikes, they are completely different obviously. I know I need to work on my first part of the race to improve.”

With a time of 1'38.259s Mason was the highest qualifying cup rider within the British Superbikes Championship placing him 12th on the grid. Race one saw him demonstrate that he was on the pace with him leading the cup championship, but unfortunately he was forced to retire due to mechanical problems causing an engine change for race two.

Mason said: “I have to say a big thanks to the team, after race one we had to use my number two bike, but that is not as high a specification as my number one, so they ended up swapping the engine between the bikes. That was a lot of work to do before race two, but it did pay off”

Race two saw him constantly battle with John Laverty for first place of which Laverty won by a mere 0'00.145s. Mason said: “I was pushing with Laverty, we were battling all through the race, but he is so hard to pass, I just couldn't get ahead of him.”

Mason will return to the track on the 8th August at the Scottish circuit of Knockhill to gain some points for both his championships. He said: “It's been a fairly good weekend apart from race one, I'm looking forward to carrying on and I am enjoying racing so we will see what Knockhill brings”.

Mallory Park 29th June 2008

MASON BATTLED THROUGH INJURY TO EARN A PODIUM FINISH

Gary Mason battled his way through injury and unpredicatable weather changes to pick up another trophy for the Quay Honda Racing Superbike team.

The Lichfield rider continued to suffer from a crash he suffered last weekend at the bonus round of the Henderson R1 Cup at Donington Park, which supported the British Moto GP. The fall re-irritated a left shoulder injury he previously suffered whilst racing in America, but as a true racer this did not stop him. Mason qualified 16th for the Bennetts British Superbikes Daily Star Cup, a mere 0'0.783s off pole position man Tom Sykes of Rizla Suzuki and sixth within the Henderon R1 Cup.

Race one of the Superbike championship saw Mason claim 13th overall, second within the Daily Star Cup after battling with David Johnson to miss out on 12th by 0'0.207s. Unfortunately due to the changeable weather, race two wasn't as successful as the tyre choice was a pure gamble for all.

Within the time that riders entered onto the grid and carried out the warm up laps, the on/off rain had stirred numerous mixed feelings amongst riders regarding their decision. Mason unfortunately went out on full wets, which caused him severe problems as the rain stopped and the track dried.

As the lights went green Mason was running at the front in sixth place for several laps until he started to fall down the order due to the change in circuit conditions missing out on his first podium finish since he joined the Quay Honda team. He said: "This track is the most demanding and it was a case of damage limitation as I found out when I got here. I have been having physio and medical treatment, but within the superbikes races it was all I could do, it was very disappointing, obviously I needed to win all these races."

In between the Superbike races Mason continued his championship bid within the Henderson R1 Yamaha R1 Cup, the race was red flagged during the warm up due to rainfall. After qualifying sixth come the chequered flag Mason finished in the same position, but after knocking a further second off his qualyifing time and finishing 0'056s behind fifth place.

He said: "I was in sixth, I caught third, fourth and fifth, but because they changed the race to a 14 lap race instead of 20 lap race, obviously if we had more laps we could have got them, possibly. I don't think or know if we would have caught the other two as they were six seconds in front. I needed to qualifying better, but we've been playing with the settings this weekend and found a lot better setting so I am much happier with the bike and it felt good."

Regarding the weekend overall he said: "It's been a disastrous weekend for me really, I am annoyed. All in all, role on oulton park", but overall his mental strength and physical strength was put to the test over the past three days and he continued to fight all the way. The next round is at Oulton Park in three weeks giving Mason time to gain full fitness and improve on his double fourth championship standing within the Daily Star Cup and the Henderson R1 Yamaha Cup.

Snetterton 15th June 2008

MASON DOES THE DOUBLE FOR QUAY HONDA RACING

In his second weekend with the team Gary Mason took top step of the podium within the Daily Star Cup, twice for the Quay Honda Racing team. The Litchfield rider had his skills put to the test with the vast changing weather throughout the weekend.

Following dry practices Mason qualified as the leading Cup rider and 16th overall. Race one took place in the sunshine and saw Mason 13th going into the first corner. Throughout the race Mason was battled with fellow cup rider John Laverty on the North West Ducati and replacment SMT Superbike rider Mashall Neill.

Positions were swapped several times throughout the pack of three which saw Mason, but he clawed them back to finish 14th overall successfully earning the winning Cup winning trophy. He said: “Yeah did the double on the Superbike, it's great considering with the rain. In the first race I had a rear tyre issue grip problem, normally I was doing mid sixes through the weekend but in that session I dropped off. I had more in reserve but was trying to be a bit more careful and bring it home. I knew I couldn't compete with the guys in front, but had a good fight with Laverty.”

Following a sudden downpour race two was delayed and decreased to 15 laps in which Mason again the leading cup rider finished 12th come the chequered flag, four places ahead of the John Laverty. He said “In the second race everybody knows it was a lottery, respect to Shakey though.”

The Henderson R1 Yamaha championship did not go as well as expected, the final race of the day due to yet another change in the weather took part on a drying track. From the green lights Mason was with the leading group and running in third place for a couple of laps, but then suffered brake problems which saw him drop back down the order. Under the challenging circumstances he managed to claim sixth overall, successful damage limitation.

He said “I found it really hard to adapt. Also the rest of the lads went really well. I had a problem with the brakes and with it raining previously it wasn't the best situation to bed them in. I had new discs, they would bite but then it just carried on into the turn and I was squeezing and squeezing and nothing was happening. Yeah its quite frustrating really”.

Regarding his second round in his new Superbike role, Gary and Quay Honda Racing have already proven that they are a successful match and are already sitting fifth in the Daily Star Cup championship table. Mason said: “It's brilliant, it always is. Quay garage were obviously over the moon and I'm loving it, I'm actually enjoying the racing. It's nice to actually see someone cheering over the pits and then I won. Just hopefully keep it going.”

Mason will compete within a bonus round of the R1 Cup Championship at next weekend's Moto GP the Derbyshire circuit of Donington Park before Mallory Park the week after for the sixth round of the British Superbike.

Donington 26th May 2008

MASON TAKES WIN AND A SECOND IN DEBUT RIDE FOR QUAY HONDA

Lichfield rider Gary Mason reminded the crowd of his talent with a stunning return to the British Superbike grid at Donington Park this weekend, riding for the Devon-based Quay Honda team alongside his usual entry in the Henderson R1 Cup.

Starting from a extremely wet qualifying position of ninth in British Superbikes, Gary had to settle for damage limitation in race one as technical problems dropped him down the order to finish 18th overall, but he took his debut podium in the Superbike Cup giving the team their first trophy of the year.

He said: “The hydraulic pre-load adjuster leaked making the rear much softer than it should have been. This happened about six laps into the race so it was a case of bringing it home. It also shredded my tyres so considering all that, it was a good result.”

Race two saw a resurgent Gary proving his ability by running mid-pack and battling with Superbike riders including Tom Sykes of Rizla Suzuki and Simon Andrews of Jentin Yamaha. Gary finished 10th overall setting a fastest lap of 1'341 ahead of riders including Stuart Easton, Scott Smart and Cup rider John Laverty, who has been dominating the championship so far.

Gary said: “I got in behind Tom Sykes who, at the time, was battling with someone else. There were a few hard passes and I was staying on the back of them, but I made a few mistakes, Once I lost that second that was it. I had a good battle with Stuart Easton and Simon Andrews, but lost out on the last lap, Andrews made a hard dive at the Foggy Esses.”

Quay Honda team manager Ian Woolacott said: “Gary has had a very busy weekend competing in both Superbike rounds and R1 Cup as well. Over the past couple of weeks I have had several people ringing me about the ride, but I thought Gary could do as well as anybody else and he has. He has done really well all day, but the second race was fantastic.”

Ian continued: “Gary is a really nice guy, we get on famously and James [Buckingham] is working close with him on the technical side. This weekend we have also managed to high-jack a Vent Axia VK World Superbike technician which has really helped him. He dialled into the bike and would tell him the good bits. I hope this has made Gary feel that the team has put a lot of effort into making him fit in.”

Race one of the Henderson R1 Cup also tested Mason's riding ability after an incorrect setting on the bike forced him to settle for a lesser position. Gary aid: “The front was miles too hard, I knew it would need altering for the second race. I had a rubbish start and was boxed in at Redgate, it was quite frustrating as I couldn't get into the turns, I knew what the problem was, but I just had to sit there.”

Fortunately, the race was red-flagged on lap nine due to severe winds which caused turn signs and air bags to lift out of position. Gary again had to settle for damage limitation and finished a lonely, but solid sixth.

With properly-sorted forks, Gary got right into the thick of things in the second R1 Cup race to finish just off the podium in fourth.

By the end of lap one, Gary was up to seventh and was making all manner of moves on the riders in front. After a couple of passes at the Foggy Esses, he picked off the others one by one and got up to fifth place. A mistake by someone in the following pack allowed Gary to make a gap and catch and overtake Sean Emmett on lap 11.

Unfortunately he ran out of laps which cut short his attack on Adrian Coates for third. Gary said: “We improved the front, it was much better and I made a few mistakes in the race. But by lap eight I pulled my finger out and made up the positions. The bike felt really good.”

Regarding his welcomed opportunity within Superbikes Gary said: 'Quay Garage are definitely a good sponsor and a big thank you to them. Roll on Snetterton.'