Back as a contender, with positive race day result
The French circuit bought good racing conditions and a more position result for Barry, after a series of disappointing races which saw mechanical and tyre issues causing early retirements in both the previous rounds.
Barry said “I’ve had to dust myself down and just focus on getting a good result, instead of concentrating on what went wrong previously. Magny Cours is a great circuit and suits the Honda bike, we had some good session times, and I was running in the top ten during practice and qualifying on Friday and Saturday. Race day saw a positive result with a 13th place finish, I was happy with this and just proves that I am still a contender, which helps mentally after having such a difficult season with the bike.”
Barry said “ My congratulations to Xavier Simeon, Ducati Xerox who won the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup title with one round remaining, giving Ducati their third victory in three seasons.”
Race Report Imola 27th September
Monday, 19 October 2009 12:05
Italian round hampered by set up and gear lever issues
The demanding track at Imola proved a challenge to the Honda team, with riders finding it difficult to find a good setup during practice and qualifying.
Barry said “The Italian track is extremely demanding both physically and on tyre wear. We really struggled during Friday’s practice and Saturday’s qualifying to get the speed to match our rivals through the sectors. At the end of the day I qualified a disappointing 25th on the grid. Race day was no better, during free practice we still couldn’t get the speed and even more upsetting was another DNF through mechanical problems with the gear lever.”
After taking the pole, wild-card Ayrton Badovini went on to repeat the same form in the race, taking a lights-to-flag victory. At the start, the Italian was shadowed first by Ducati Xerox and Suzuki Alstare, but he managed to shake them off one by one and take the chequered flag by a large margin. In post-race scrutineering however all the Aprilias were found to have a technical irregularity and Badovini, as well as tenth-placed Federico Sandi, were disqualified.
Race Report Nurburgring 6th September
Monday, 19 October 2009 12:01
Race day tyre problems force retirement after sighting lap
The race weekend at Nurburgring saw another DNF result, which didn’t reflect Barry’s good qualifying position and sector times.
Barry said “The track was difficult because of the wet conditions during qualifying, however the team worked hard to set up the bike and the setting meant that I was able to qualify in 11th position. I was really pleased with the fact that I was actually first going through the first sector, but I couldn’t keep up the speed through the following sectors. This is a good indication that I was on pace for a potential podium position. It was good conditions for race day and I was looking forward to a fight with my Italian rivals. During the sighting lap I realized that I had a problem with the front tyre, there was no air pressure, so I was forced to retire. After the incident the team took the tyre to Pirelli to investigate the fault.”
The two factory teams look like they are going to take the top two positions in the championship the Ducati Xerox Junior Team look to be well on the way to winning this year’s Superstock 1000 FIM Cup title with a 40-point advantage over their closest rivals Suzuki Alstare BRUX.”
Last Updated on Monday, 19 October 2009 12:05
Race Report Brno 26th July
Friday, 07 August 2009 12:52
Brno strikes a blow to championship points
The Superstock FIM 1000 Cup is shaping up to be a fight between well known forces this year and a dramatic Brno race has made a big difference to the championship title for Barry. The home race for MS Racing at Brno on 26th July saw a fate similar to the mechanical breakdowns at Monza at the beginning of May.
Barry said “I’ve seen my championship points fall away as a series of mechanical issues has seemed to plague the bike this season. During the practice session on Friday and the qualifying sessions on Saturday I had brake issues, heating and sticking when exiting the corners, this seriously affected my overall times.” Race day saw good dry conditions and the game was on, Barry said “From the start it was a difficult race, because everyone was so fast. In the initial stages I was doing well and getting onto the rhythm, I was pushing hard when a problem materialised with the front forks, forcing me to retire on the 5th Lap. It was a disappointing result for me, the team and the Czech fans. My rivals are pulling away from me, so it is important that I remain focussed, with another four rounds to go, there is still points to bag. I’m not going to finish where I hoped, but there is still a good chance of moving back up the championship to a strong position.”
Race day also saw fantastic support from the locals and team hospitality was bursting at the seams. Barry did a series of autograph sessions on the Saturday and Sunday with local fans hunting out their heroes.
The World Superbike series is now on its summer break, at Round 11 in Nurburgring, Germany on 6th September, the battle for points will recommence. The track is considered by many to be the toughest and most demanding purpose-built race track in the world.
Last Updated on Friday, 07 August 2009 12:55
Race Report Donington 28th June
Friday, 07 August 2009 12:51
Starting position hampered by tyre choice in qualifying
Donington Round 9 saw Barry head into his home race lying in 10th position in the Championship after two non-finishes in Monza and Misano due to mechanical problems. This was the turnaround point Barry was hoping for, with the backing of the British fans, at a packed Donington circuit.
During the second free practice on Saturday Barry was running in 13th position, until the weather took a turn for the worse. Before the qualifying it started to rain; however the track started to dry slowly and unpredictably. The advantage went to the teams who switched to dry tyres just before the chequered flag was put out to end the session. Unfortunately MS Racing didn't react to the conditions on time and the result was 32nd place, meaning a start from 8th row on the grid.
Sunday morning saw Barry gain 13th place in warm-up and it was clear he wanted to fight. Barry said “The tyre position in Saturday’s qualifying put me in the worst position I have ever been on the grid, meaning I had to fight through the pack to get a good finish. Pure determination and aggression helped me slowly move through and pick riders off one at a time, finally I gained 17 places to finish 15th overall, I was amazed and knackered! Donington should have been a good home result for me, I can only imagine the end result if I’d had a good starting position”
Last Updated on Friday, 07 August 2009 13:52
Race Report Misano 21st June 2009
Thursday, 25 June 2009 13:07
An unsettling time in Misano
Just before the championship heads into its second half of the season the Superstock 1000 FIM Championship headed to Misano World Circuit, San Marino, Italy for Round 8.
Misano was Barry’s chance to make up for ground lost in Monza.
Barry said “I’ve lost places and points during the last round, with a host of technical problems which caused crashes and a DNF at Monza which seemed to hamper my progress at Misano. During the second free practice session I was making progress in the wet conditions on Saturday, and was running in twelfth position. The afternoon qualifying session in the dry I only managed to qualify 25th on the grid. Race day was hard work starting from so far back on the grid and I only managed to gain a couple of places finish 23rd on the day.”
Last Updated on Thursday, 25 June 2009 13:14
Race Report Monza 10th May 2009
Wednesday, 13 May 2009 12:42
Monza plagued by mechanical issues
The first of many visits to Italy for World Superbikes commenced with round five at Monza on 10th May. The beautiful setting and demanding circuit didn’t hold much luck for Barry, as he was plagued with mechanical and technical issues that initiated crashes, causing severe frustration as Barry tried to hold onto his championship position.
During Friday’s practice session Barry was still securing his position, the bike was fast and the suspension felt good. Unfortunately going into the chicane on the final practice lap the front tucked under and Barry crashed into the gravel trap. During Saturday’s practice session the bike was losing power generally and Barry retired after four laps as he couldn’t compete with the session times. The bike was then rebuilt with a new engine ready for qualifying in the afternoon.
Barry said “We changed the gearing back one tooth for the qualifying session, as the bike was too aggressive on the corners and adjusted the suspension as the bike was sliding coming out.”
The qualifying session saw Barry have a dramatic high side, as oil from the engine blew onto the back tyre, red flagging the qualifying session. The bike was taken back to the garage and repaired ready for the second session to be called. Unfortunately the team had no data from last year as MS Racing has changed their suspension to Ohlins.
Barry said “I couldn’t believe it on my out lap after the red flag Antonelli crashed into me on the first corner, meaning it was back to the garage to change my right foot peg. The team managed to get the bike ready with three minutes to go, I rode three laps in the time frame and secured 29th on the grid. The crashes really knocked me up, my left shoulder was strapped and I had injuries to my back, right knee, right foot and both arms.”
On race day Barry had nothing to lose and made a great start to the race, but after 3 laps Barry had to retire to the pits with fuel and mechanical problems. Barry said “This has been a weekend full of mechanical and technical issues, I’ve crashed more times this weekend than in the whole of any previous season. Luck wasn’t with me, but I’m confident that Misano will bring a change of fortune. I’ve lost points this weekend, but I’m still only 4 points off my team mate who lies in seventh position, it’s a long season and we’re not even a third of the way through and I’m determined to get back up there.”
Barry looks forward to competing in the Czech International Championship as a wild card entry on 24th May, before heading off to Misano in The Republic of San Marino for round eight on the 21st June.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 12:45
Race Report Assen 26th April 2009
Monday, 27 April 2009 13:35
Holding onto Championship Standing at Assen
Barry held on to top British rider and top privateer in the European Superstock FIM Cup 1000 race in Assen, Holland. Finishing 9th following a difficult thirteen laps of the Dutch circuit, Barry held onto 5th position in the Championship after Sunday’s morning race on the 26th April. Racing the Honda CBR1000RR for Czech Republic's MS Racing, Barry was just behind Italian Giugliano on the MV Agusta F4 312R.
Barry said “During Friday’s free practice session I had massive suspension problems; the bike was just sliding into the entry and exit of the fast corners. Ohlins did a fantastic job, we looked at the dampening, rider height, rebound and compression and coupled with a new engine the bike was set to go. I got off to a bad start in the second free practice session on Saturday, I went into the corner too early on the first lap with a cold tyre and down I went.”
The qualifying session on Saturday afternoon saw a phenomenal turn around, the bike had the grip through the fast corners and Barry qualified as top British rider and 6th on the grid just behind the Yamaha YZF R1 of French rider Baz. Barry said “Out on the first three qualifying laps I was fastest until I came into the pits, then I rejoined and I was third for most of the reminder of the session before dropping to 6th, as I couldn’t get a clear lap towards the end of the session.”
Race day saw good weather conditions with a track temperature of 18 degrees centigrade. Barry said “It was a battle from start to finish with tight racing throughout, every lap I was fighting to hold on to my position. The tyres starting slipping on the rim, meaning I lost my tyre balance, which made the race extremely difficult to negotiate. At the end of the day I bagged myself 7 points and held onto my championship position, so I am happy with the outcome from a really demanding and tiring race.”
Next is the Italian round at Autodromo Nazionale in Monza on the 10th May; this stunning circuit is placed within Monza Park which belongs to the cities of Monza and Milan. Barry said “The track has two great straights; the start straight beginning at the finish of the Parabolic Curve up to the 1st Chicane, the other beginning at the end of the Ascari Curve as far as the beginning of the Parabolic Curve. I’m going to Monza in a strong position with my sights set on picking up some good points and the potential of a podium finish.”
Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 12:46
Race Report Valencia 5th April 2009
Thursday, 29 January 2009 13:06
Top Brit and Top Privateer in Valencia
Barry secured top British rider and top privateer in Sunday’s European Superstock FIM Cup 1000 race in Valencia on Sunday 5th April, finishing 5th following thirteen laps of the Spanish circuit. Racing the Honda CBR1000RR for Czech Republic’s MS Racing, Barry was just behind the factory Kawasaki ZX10R of Fores.
Barry said “I’m over the moon with such a fantastic finish, the winter preparation has proved successful and I felt positive and strong on the bike. Improvements were made to the Honda following practice, so that during the race I was only 0.12 seconds off Simeon on the factory Xerox Ducati through sector four and 0.39 seconds off Berger on the factory Ten Kate Honda through sector two.”
Starting from 17th on the grid, following an electrical problem during the qualifying session, Barry had a phenomenal amount of pressure to get a good start and went up to 12th on the first lap. The bike felt good as Barry moved through the pack to 8th on lap five, then finally to 5th on lap 10 where he held the position to the finish, despite pressure from behind.
Barry said “During practice we had good corner speed, but we seemed to be losing power on the straights against the sector times of the other riders, so there was a lot of adjusting to do. I was also getting use to the new Pirelli tyres, as they have changed the compounds from last year, so tyre wear was also a critical factor”
Last Updated on Monday, 27 April 2009 13:39
Race News - Winter Testing
Thursday, 29 January 2009 13:06
Testing in Almeria
Getting back on the bike again after the winter season is tough. It’s about getting use to the feel of the machine, speed and the adrenaline rush. For the 2009 season MS Factory Racing has changed suspension from WP suspension to Ohlins. Barry said “As soon as I stepped onto the Fireblade I could tell a big difference straight away. Although the front felt pretty much the same, the rear had around five times more feeling than before, it wasn’t about outright grip, but more stability and less chatter gave me the confidence to increase my lap times.”
The first day saw some fast laps, an improvement of 2 seconds on 2008 times, but still 2 seconds off what Simieon did earlier in testing on the Xerox Ducati. The start of the second day saw a new set of tyres and with the same set up, Barry took 1.2 seconds off his best time straight away. By the end of testing Barry was just 0.4 seconds off the Xerox Ducati of Simieon.
The weather started to turn colder and the winds picked up when it came to the race, but it didn’t stop Barry getting to a flying start, taking second place for the first 3 laps before taking the lead from team mate Ondra Jezek to secure an exhilarating win by pulling away to the finish line with a 3 second gap.
Testing in Cartagena
The tight and twisty circuit of Cartagena is a stark contrast to the flowing corners of Almeria. Cartagena is a demanding circuit, but very different to the other European tracks in the World Superbike calendar. The first half day testing saw a steady start with some reasonable lap times. After the first day Barry checked out the times of the other riders and saw that Tommy Bridewell had secured a new Superstock lap record on the new Yamaha R1 of 1.35.1, compared to testing on the Fireblade of a low 1.37, the competition heated up. By the end of the third and final day of testing, through sheer rider determination, the Honda made a great comeback and Barry saw a best lap of 1.35.2
Barry said “The new Ohlins suspension has improved testing, setup changes are felt easier and therefore I can provide valuable feedback to the team mechanics. I finished the Cartagena test a day early to head off to Portimao before the other teams so that I could get some track time to myself.”
Testing in Portimao.
Barry caught up with his old team mate Richard Cooper from the BMW Boxer Cup at Portimao; the current British Superstock racer was up for challenging one of the top European British Superstock riders. Barry said “I used the same suspension settings for three days, it was just nice to relax and chill out after the pressure of trying for lap times. I was the fastest on track throughout practice, so by the time the race came I thought I could just take off and win, but it didn’t happen that way!”
Barry had a bad start and followed Copper for three or four laps before passing and taking a reasonably easy win by leading for the rest of the race. Starting from pole again race two was a different ball game. Barry said “Another bad start saw me behind, but the red flag came out and I closed the gap. Down in the pits I had Richard on saying he was easy to catch, bad mistake! A bad start to the second part saw Richard gap me straight away, with only four laps to the end of the race, I started pushing and making mistakes and dropped back even more. So it was head down with two laps to go and I caught him on the last lap into the last corner. Richard had been a lot better than me on the exit here all weekend, so I pushed as hard as I could nearly touching the grass on the exit and I came along side him, but his bike had more power on the straight and Richard took the win by 0.32 seconds. It was a great race, but I learned not to tell people how fast I am next time!”
The last race of the season in Portimao in November saw a Superstock lap time of 1.49, and throughout testing on old tyres without much setup, Barry managed to pull in a low 1.48, which is great news.