Testing times

Testing in a couple of ways, bikes and weather.

After a morning of photography in the garage the rain as it does sometimes gave a short window to finally get Katy out. 

James got a run in and on the whole I think it was a positive experience, even in the still iffy conditions he did get a little quicker each lap whilst getting used to quite a different machine beneath him. Just a short list of wishes from James bar grips and gear shift positions to name two.

 
After James, Adam Child "Chad" of MCN managed to shower dodge for a few laps but it was still greasy over the far side of the circuit to really press on, so maybe if we get out again we can invite MCN for another blast. Hopefully we'll hit the presses in a week or so and be on a news stand near you!
After all had given up hope and departed Castle Combe we just managed to get Rich Llewellin out, again just a few laps as James thought he could hear a noise like pinking whilst he was on board. Rich returned and after trying a few ways of replicating the noise and just complained that she was a beast and would wheelie in 5th gear. It was also still greasy out and about and again Rich took it easier than normal so she must go quite well.

Click on the link below to see James away for the first time.

Test run at Castle Combe 

In the meantime work continues on her older sister Emily in the garage and Louigi's workshop. A new 996cc engine has been crafted and now resides in Emily ready to be run in and tuned this coming weekend.

James Hillier goes retro and signs for Oxford Products Racing

Oxford Products and Celeres Racing are proud to announce that James Hillier will be campaigning their Ducati 888 at the Superbike F1 Classic TT, to be held on the Isle of Man during August this year.

James meets Katy at Oxford's headquarters in Witney.

Fresh from his 2017 TT campaign the 5^th fastest rider in TT history secured a 2^nd and two 4^th places on the 37.73 mile course. Hillier will be riding the Celeres Racing Ducati 888 that celebrates the 25^th anniversary of the Oxford Products TT campaign. In addition, to really authenticate this replica and with the support of Oxford Products, the bike has been painted in classic 1992/3 Oxford Products livery as used by Trevor Nation, Robert Dunlop and Mark Farmer.

The Ducati 888 was built last year by Stafford Evans of Celeres Racing to compete in the 2016 Superbike F1 Classic TT race. Wearing Ducati red, the bike was ridden to 11^th place by Dave Hewson with a best lap of 115.769mph.  Modifications were made to an original 1991 road frame and an abundance of carbon fibre parts to replicate the original machines.

James will run race number 5 in 2017, the same number as Trevor Nation did 25 years ago and he will also wear replica leathers for the event. He was upbeat about his prospects. ‘I have a real ambition to win the Superbike race of course, but I will make every effort to be the fastest man around the Island on a Ducati 888.’

Team owner Stafford Evans was equally optimistic. ‘It’s a real honour to be able to reproduce the Oxford team of 25 years ago. I actually think that with this bike and with James at the ‘bars, we have a real shot at bringing home the top prize. I am very excited!’

Hillier is no stranger to the TT course visiting the rostrum multiple times including a Lightweight TT win in 2013 and the in 2014, he came 2^nd in the F1 Classic TT, the best of his 10 races at the classic event. It’s time for the top step! 

Trevor Nation riding the 888 Oxford Ducati at the TT in 1992

Celeres Racing goes Oxford

Just in case you've missed the buzz on social media, Katy has a new colour scheme for this year's Classic TT. 

The following link goes to an article in Road Racing News.

Celeres-racing-ducati-to-carry-oxford-products-colour-scheme

Katy steps out for her debut at the Bristol Classic Bike show.

Shining at a recent MCIA breakfast meeting in the Oxford Products Ltd showroom.

Again, inside the Oxford Products Ltd showroom.

Dave "Wavey" Hewson is moving over to Emily and she is getting an engine upgrade to bring her up to the same specification as Katy. Wayne "Ciderman" Axon is moving on to a new project, hopefully on another Ducati. Wayne has been an absolute star for Celeres Racing, gaining a personal best TT lap time on Emily. In the time honored fashion, and I really mean it, I wish Wayne every success and I hope we can work together again. Thanks Wayne.

We're still on the hunt for a rider so if you're interested in the job just drop me a copy of your CV, but be quick as interviews start next Friday.