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The Splitlath Redmond TT convoy will consist of two full size articulated trucks, two smaller trucks as living quarters and at least one general purpose van.
Why all this bling?
Sourcing any of the thousands of parts needed for our Aprilias on the island will be near impossible, so we take all we can. Co-owner John is even taking his own personal RSV4 Factory in case it needs cannabilising.
There are no permanent garages in the paddock as you would see at small circuits. The team needs to be able to set up a base big enough not only to entertain visitors but also service, repair and maintain a pair of race bikes. We have enough flooring packed to hold a ballroom dance final on, and an awning huge enough to hold a Zepplin airship.
There are two huge racks of wheel rims and tyres to store fully made up spare wheels, ready for action. Practice time is severely limited at the TT so if extra preparation and resources mean more time on the circuit then so be it.
Mobility is vital so a couple of road bikes are packed for errands and to allow the media team to get into position around the island in as efficient (and enjoyable) a method as possible.
One of the trailers is a workshop and the other will act as a media centre. We are a fully international team so we have a three-man media crew who can not only produce live coverage but translate it into Wai On Cheung's native Chinese for his fans at home.
To some it appears that so many vehicles is unnecessary, perhaps merely showing off, but this misses the point. It is about being prepared and allowing the maximum result to be achieved from this spectacular event.
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Within seconds of the start-line riders accelerate their machines to over 180mph as they plunge down Bray Hill; normally a busy crossroads on the main road out of Douglas. Residents and spectators stand behind waist high garden walls or fences, or sit in their front gardens sipping tea. This special breed of heroes howl past with often only the width of a low wall separating the two very contrasting scenes.
To shave seconds off each lap curbs are clipped, stone walls brushed, jumps jumped and bike-parts ground into the dips. The best of the riders know where each and every manhole and drain cover sits because they offer less grip if wet.
Riders spend days and weeks beforehand getting to know all the changes to the road surface they have to trust with their lives.
Over the years, since the Island allowed racing on its roads in 1904, the course has grown in length but not so much in width. It remains a very thin ribbon of tarmac across which modern bikes skim at an average lap speed of 130mph. The 37.75 mile lap has claimed hundreds of lives yet has captivated millions.
Nowhere else in the world are the riders and the public thrust so close together for so much of the lap and for so long. The TT event lasts for a fortnight with the first week being evening-only practice sessions and the second week is race week, concluding with the Senior TT: the big race everyone wants to win.
Splitlath Redmond will be competing in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior races on the World Superbike Championship winning Aprilia RSV4 1000cc sports machine.
What do the different class types mean?
The easiest class to understand is the Superstock category which is for showroom specification machines and therefore represents the capabilities of those motorbikes anyone can buy.
Most of which will be 1000cc 4 cylinder engine machines although any 2 cylinder machines are allowed to be of a 1200cc capacity – notably the Ducatis.
Superbikes are the same machines but without the as-stock restrictions. Race tuning is permitted and usually more efficient and lighter parts are used to make the bike handle better and go faster.
The Senior Race is the Blue Riband event, the star race of the fortnight. The much photographed Marquis de Mouzilly St Mars Trophy is awarded to the victor. It is for 1000cc machines from both Superbike and Superstock classes.
Wai On starts his campaign on the 25th with a "Newcomers" practice session, and he joins Mark Miller on their Aprilias on the 27th when the regular practice sessions commence every evening.
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The 2013 Isle Of Man TT is just around the corner. Our Chimerican pairing of American Mark Miller and Hong Kong's Wai On Cheung need to spend as much time as possible testing their bikes.
That means testing on mainland UK, and the best way to do this is to go club racing.
The Brands Hatch Thundersport meeting on the 13th and 14th of April 2013 saw Wai On throw his leg over the Aprilia RSV4 for the first time since arriving in the UK. Despite the foul weather Wai On showed true determination to finish strongly in a competitive field.
The following weekend it was off to Oulton Park to compete in one of co-owner Derek's specialties - a Hottrax 3 hr Endurance competition.
The Cheshire circuit proved a watershed for Wai On as he collected his first trophy - a win no-less - with partner James Hillier (a soon to be rival at the TT) much to the rapture of owners Derek Redmond and John Dimbylow:
"Despite a close race Splitlath Redmond prevailed and won our first British Endurance race in three years.”
Another weekend and another circuit – Norfolk's Snetterton circuit saw Wai On joined by team-mate Mark "Thriller" Miller. Both riders impressed; Mark immediately stepping on the podium and Wai On, in his third race meeting in as many weeks, adapting well to the RSV4.
Success breeds success. Pembrey in Wales gave both riders had a very eventful weekend. Wai On recovered from a very difficult Saturday to dig deep on Sunday and standing on the podium was his reward. 'Thriller' Miller lived up his name on Sunday in a thrilling final race to take his second win of the day.
The Aprilia RSV4 took a beating at Pembrey and came out fighting. That's Splitlath Redmond spirit.
Now it is show time. The TT.
We're ready.
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Our 2013 international campaign got off to a fantastic start this weekend finishing in 20th place in the Bol d’Or 24hr race.
The newly liveried Kawasaki ZX-10R, run by the experienced Team Louis Moto 33 guys, overcame quite a battering: it was hit from behind in the opening minutes and crashed overnight.
It is a testament to the quality of the teamwork and the reliability of the Kawasaki that neither incident put the team out in a race which claimed some surprise victims.
Finishing 20th in the Bol d’Or is a great way to start the FIM Endurance World Championship season.
Fatigue is a massive problem in a 24hr race and very few teams escape its clutches. It was Florian Marino who ended up giving the mechanics their late night adrenaline rush but the bike was back out soon albeit virtually last. Through the early hours the riders swapped on schedule, taking whatever scant rest and food they could while the bike climbed the result sheet one lap at a time.
One final maintenance stop to change a damaged radiator and gearbox (subject to over 20,000 gearshifts a race) saw them slip slightly down the results but was deemed essential to maximise reliability for a finish.
This 20th place (out of 51 starters), actually 10th in the Superstock class, means the new Splitlath Redmond endurance season is off to a flying start.
Co-Owner John Dimbylow beamed:
"We are over the moon with the fantastic performance of the entire team. In an endurance race anything and everything can happen; it's how you cope with the problems that show your true skill. After a major technical issue and a crash we still came a credible 20th. A great start and thanks to the team for delivering it!"
Splitlath Redmond is back in business. It feels good to be racing bikes again.
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After relaunching the team at the Bol d'Or 24 hour race this weekend the 2013 Splitlath Redmond Endurance team is settling down for a long night ahead.
The newly formed team is based around the experienced Team 33 Kawasaki squad and fields a trio of young French riders including Florian Marino who is no stranger to Splitlath Redmond.
Yesterday a sensational qualifying performance on the newly liveried ZX-10R put them in 7th place on the grid.
Before long they were in the thick of the action.
Starting rider Emeric Jonchiere survived a serious incident when he was hit from behind. He remained upright but some damage was done to the bright red machine's exhaust system.
The repair from that incident cost the team a significant amount of time heading into the night stages giving them a real urge to press on.
Heading into darkness the lap times are good despite some intermittent rain making conditions difficult.
Team confidence is high for a class-podium in this the first event on the FIM Endurance World Championship calendar.
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April 20th 2013. Oulton Park Hottrax 3 Hr Endurance Race
Our newest import Wai On got his first trophy for the team at Oulton Park. Partnered up with James Hillier onboard the Aprilia RSV4 they took victory in the 3 hr Hottrax Endurance event at the Cheshire circuit today.
Both team owners were present; Derek being a seasoned campaigner in this event was on hand to offer the new boy some valuable advice. Seasoned UK rider James Hillier has always been very highly thought of by the team and proved himself a worthy partner to the diminutive Wai On.
The pair qualified on poll in a very strong field including British Superstock star, and ex-Splitlath rider Hudson Kennaugh who had qualified in second place.
A traditional endurance start echoed the start taking place at the Bol d'Or in France where the team were launching their Endurance World Championship campaign. Wai On held the bike for James to run to, and James got a good start on the Aprilia RSV before Kennaugh caught and the pair started what would be a race-long battle.
Kennaugh powered his IBL team bike into a 13 second lead towards the end of the race but the Splitlath Redmond riders were not finished and slowly reeled in the South African to be first to see the chequered flag.
Splitlath Redmond took their first UK endurance trophy in 3 years, and the RSV4 performed beautifully proving what a fantastic race tool it is straight out of the box.
This victory is very important for both the team and Wai On, providing precious competitive saddle time as he prepares for the Isle of Man TT, and winning races is the lifeblood of professional racers.
Well done Wai On and James.
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19th April 2013 - Magny-Cours, France. Round 1 FIM World Endurance Championship: The 24hr Bol d'Or
The new Splitlath Redmond endurance team took their newly painted Kawasaki ZX-10R to a blistering 7th place in the qualifying event this afternoon.
A great performance indeed, but that position means they are actually starting 2nd in class (Superstock)! For perspective, Honda Legends qualified 12th on their full-fat Fireblade.
The entire team is very proud of this is impressive performance. Owner John Dimbylow came over all unnecessary at the news:
"Mon Dieu! I think I want become French! I am so pleased for the team, they have worked so hard and thoroughly deserve this. I would like to thank each of them for this performance, especially my friend Florian.
Bon chance demain!"
The race starts at 3pm tomorrow (Saturday) and the riders line up on the grid opposite their machines in a format carried over from yesteryear; so as well as being fast on the bike the first rider has to be fast on his toes!
With a very young squad Splitlath Redmond expects a super fast dash followed by an amazing Bol d'Or 2013.
Motors TV is showing most of the race live on UK television, check your national listings outside the UK.
Let's get behind the guys out there!
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