July 17, 2023

Sweltering Misano Victory For Frank Bird

Round two of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup took place this weekend at a sweltering Misano track in Italy and saw Cumbrian racing driver Frank Bird emerge with a victory.

Driving for the German-based Haupt Racing Team in the PBM and Hager-backed Mercedes-AMG GT3, Penrith-born Frank was again teamed up with Australian Jordan Love in the Silver Cup class whereby the duo were hoping to continue their good form from the opening round at Brands Hatch where they scored a double podium.
 
Despite the intense heat throughout the weekend, the pair were third fastest in Free Practice before claiming second in Pre-Qualifying and going one better in Qualifying which allowed a good grid position and pole position in class. 

Taking the first stint in the hour-long opening race on Saturday, Love gave the team a great foundation before Bird took over and continued to push for the second half hour, whereby he duly brought the car home to an amazing and well-deserved victory in the Silver Cup class.
 
Sunday’s race was held in even hotter conditions and the pair started from P3 in class on the grid from where they battled with a trio of other Silver Cup competitors throughout. Despite not being able to replicate Saturday’s heroics, Frank claimed fourth at the flag as he just missed out on another podium in what was a close finish. 
 
Frank Bird, #77Mercedes-AMG Team HRT: “Saturday was a mega day with pole and win in the Silver Cup class showing we had good pace overall also. Today was not the best day as we seemed to lose some performance so qualifying wasn’t fully maximised which put us slightly further back than planned on the grid. The race was tricky but we just didn’t have the overall pace and we fought till the end to finish P4. Not the smoothest day but Saturday made up for it. Thanks to the team for a great car, my teammate Jordan for a great job and to our sponsors and my dad. I’m really looking forward to the next round at Hockenheim.”
 
Pictures courtesy of www.gt-world-challenge-europe.com

IRWIN AND HAGER PBM DUCATI WRAP-UP SUCCESSFUL TESTING PROGRAMME

April 24, 2025
THE Hager PBM Ducati team and rider Glenn Irwin have completed another successful R&G Official test at Oulton Park, with the opening round of the 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship now just over a week away. Irwin and the team have spent the last two days at the Cheshire track, grabbing as much track time as possible in the final days on track before the season begins. After ending last weekend’s Donington Park test on top, the team was keen to continue to push in the final two days, working through a busy schedule and trying a host of new components and ideas. Irwin ended the test second quickest overall after clocking the best lap of Thursday afternoon’s final session, banking a 1min 33.313s lap on his last run. He leaves feeling confident about next weekend’s opening round and can’t wait to get back out. Glenn Irwin: “That’s us finished pre-season testing and I’m feeling good. We’ve been working, working, working and the bike felt better today but we still have a bit of work to do. “It’s been really, really enjoyable, we’ve tried a number of different things and I think now we’re finding a bit of a balance. Today we unlocked something in that middle session, I did a good few 33s in that run so I think we’re strong. “It’s definitely been very productive. We haven’t gone for lap times, we’ve been focussed on getting the bike right and when that happens, the lap times come. That’s what we’re starting to see and I think we’re in a good place to come back next week and start the season.” Frank Bird Jnr, Team Co-owner: “It’s a mega way to finish, this puts us in really good stead for the season and we’ve got a lot of boxes ticked off with the bike. All the boys are working well, we’ve got everyone back into the swing of things and Glenn seems to be riding well, so we’re in a good window for the first round. “It’s been a long winter but all the hard work seems to be paying off and we’re right in the mix. It means we can come here for Round One and we’re in a great place to start from.” The opening round of the 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship roars into action at Oulton Park over the May Bank Holiday weekend, May 3-5.

IRWIN AND HAGER PBM DUCATI END SUCCESSFUL SECOND TEST ON TOP

April 19, 2025
THE Hager PBM Ducati team continued its strong testing form at Donington Park as rider Glenn Irwin once again ended the two days fastest overall. Although the team is still not concentrating on lap times, Irwin picked up where he left off at Circuito de Navarra earlier this month as he led the way on Friday before going even quicker on Day Two with an impressive fastest lap of 1min 27.015s in the final session. After a strong first test where he topped the timesheets at Navarra, the team headed to the second R&G Official test at Donington Park looking to work on a number of different things. Irwin was consistently quick across the opening day, ending Friday fastest overall with a 1:27.022sec lap in the final session to end the day at the top of the timesheets with what was the fastest ever BSB lap of the iconic track. Along with most of the pack, he opted to sit out of Saturday morning’s first session due to track conditions, heading out for the second to work through a few more things. He again shot to the top of the timesheets with a lap of 1:27.468, before later going one better in the final session to clock his new fastest ever lap. Glenn Irwin: “It’s been really good, like Navarra, we’ve continued with a plan. Yesterday we had a really, really strong bike here and conditions were a little better. Today conditions were tougher with the wind but everyone still finds a way to go fast. “We probably persevered with a bike which is suited to the final sector, perhaps Turn One as well. As the day went on I realised we were losing a bit in some places but we stuck with it. “It’s pleasing because I would say that isn’t the bike of choice for here, perhaps maybe yesterday's bike was better, but to top today feeling like that, to do a lot of laps in the 27s with improved pace on old tyres is good. The test has definitely been a success.” John Mowatt, Team Co-ordinator: “I think it’s been a positive test where we’ve confirmed a number of test items over the two days. We had slightly better conditions yesterday than today but I think we’ve ticked a lot of boxes, gone fairly quick so it’s all positive – roll on Oulton Park. “The plan there is more of the same, just keep trying to understand the new tyre, try and work with it. I think longevity is going to be the key now for Oulton Park, we’ll do a couple of race runs, see how the tyre lasts and then get ready for Round One.” The team will now prepare for the final test at Oulton Park next Wednesday and Thursday, April 23 and 24 which will be the last chance to get everything ready ahead of the first round of the 2025 season at Oulton Park over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
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