 Michael Pensavalle Profile 2005 and Oulton Park 2 May BSB report
For 2005 Michael Pensavalle is campaigning a Kawasaki ZX10 in the British Superbike Cup Championship.
His season kicked off with a shakedown at the EMRA Mallory Park Meeting on 6th March, competing in the Drayton Croft Trophy Race. Michael was in scintillating form, giving two very impressive performances.
Grid positions were computer generated for the heats, so Michael had to start near the back of the grid. Mallory regular, Alan Moreton (Yamaha) looked to be running away with the heat, but Michael was gaining on every lap of this short 6 lap heat, and took the win on the line.
Starting from Pole position in the main Drayton Croft Trophy Race, Michael led the field away and was never headed in this 10 lap race. He won by a clear margin from Alan Moreton to give him a perfect start to his 2005 Season.
 Oulton Park - 2/05/05
After all the problems and disappointment at Thruxton and Mallory Park, Michael Pensavalle had a much better weekend in the 4th round of the Bennetts British Superbike Cup at Oulton Park. Although he was suffering rear end chatter and brake fade on his Kawasaki ZX10 during qualifying he managed to qualify in 28th place. The M.P.Racing team worked hard to try and cure the problems before race day.
Michael made a good start in race one, but unfortunately he was still having rear end chatter and problems with lack of grip from the rear tyre. He managed to ride through these problems and have a good battle with Gareth Glynn (Jentin Yamaha) and Nick Medd (Arco Medd Kawasaki), finishing ahead of them and in 5th place in the Cup.
It rained before the start of the second race causing plenty of activity on the grid as the riders changed tyres, with Michael choosing wet weather tyres. Once again he made a good start, but having opted to sit out the wet Saturday practice session proved to be his undoing. He rode cautiously during the first half of the race, which lost him ground to the other riders. Then mid-race he ran onto the grass dropping him even further back. Despite this he still finished 4th in the Cup.
Afterwards he said, "I'm pleased to have come away with two race finishes this weekend and enough points to move up a place in the Cup Championship. I'm now looking forward to going to Ireland and seeing the Mondello Park Circuit for the first time".
CAREER PROFILE
I didn't even start riding a motorcycle until 1999, when I started riding on the roads, proving to be faster than my Dad and his friends. I decided to do a track day at Mallory Park, where I went out in the "fast group", and did OK. A friend suggested I try racing, so we went to Pembrey, where I finished near last on a damp track on road tyres. My first experience of racing! A month later I went back to Mallory Park where I finished 15th in the first race. A heavy crash in the second race almost destroyed the bike and put me out of racing for six months. I then went to Cadwell Park for the first time, where I crashed out of 4th place in the first race.
I didn't do any racing for two years because my daughter was born, and finances dictated otherwise.
2002. I only did a few races in 2002 and got my first trophy for a 3rd place at Cadwell Park, after a massive high side at Chris Curve necessitated the repair of my bike.
2003. This was my first full season of racing and I finished 4th in the New Era Pro Bike Championship with no experience of most of the tracks and "not a clue" about bike set-up. I crashed a few times because I was riding too hard with the bike not being set-up correctly. At the start of the season I was a novice.
2004. This was a good year for me, winning many club races. I was the New Era Sound of Thunder Champion and finished 2nd in the Pro Bike Open Championship, although I did not contest all the rounds. I also contested three rounds of the British Superbike Cup Championship, finishing 15th in the main 2nd race at Cadwell Park, scoring 1 point and beating Ryuichi Kiyonari for good measure.
2005. I started this season by winning the Drayton Croft Trophy race at Mallory Park on March 6th. I am now really looking forward to contesting the British Superbike Cup Championship, and aiming for a top four finish in the Championship.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
" 2002 - 3rd Clubman of Cadwell Park race.
(First ever racing trophy)
" 2003 - 4th NEW ERA CLUB PRO BIKE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Including top 6 placings.
6th NEW ERA SUPERCLUB PRO BIKE SERIES
" 2004 - 1st NEW ERA SOUND OF THUNDER CHAMPIONSHIP
Including 8 wins, and many fastest laps.
2nd NEW ERA PRO BIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Including 9 wins, and many fastest laps.
15th British Superbike Championship Race 2 - Cadwell Park
16th BRITISH SUPERBIKE CUP CHAMPIONSHIP
36th BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
" 2005 - 1st Drayton Croft Trophy Race - Mallory Park
Introduction
Although Michael only really started racing in 2002 at the age of 22, old by today's standards, he made fast progress and was winning races in the New Era Sound of Thunder and Pro Bike Championships in 2004. He also contested three rounds of the British Superbike Cup Championship in 2004.
For 2005 he has decided to contest the British Superbike Cup full time, armed with a Kawasaki ZX10. He is supported by M.P.Racing, the racing arm of M.P.Motorcycles, the family firm, which Michael now runs. This is a small team, with the very experienced Ray Stringer acting as mentor and Chief Technician. Although small they are one of the most enthusiastic, dedicated and hard working teams in the paddock.
The team has joined forces with HBR Racing, although they are really an independent team, working hard on a limited budget, without any big sponsors.
Anyone out there willing to put sponsorship into this friendly team would reap excellent and satisfying rewards. Given the right chances Michael could prove to be a star of the future.
Michael has a great all action style and is an exciting rider to watch, so look out for some impressive performances from him over the coming weeks. He will be putting all his efforts into doing well in the Bennetts British Superbike Cup Championship (the championship for privateers).
Michael would like to thank his Father, Uncle George, girlfriend Gill and all his family and friends who have helped and supported him over the years. He would also like to thank Ray Stringer for turning him from an average club racer into a BSB privateer with a burning ambition to do very well this year.
PERSONAL PROFILE
NAME: Michael Pensavalle
D.O.B: 01/12/1979
PLACE OF BIRTH: Bradford
LIVES: Bradford
HEIGHT: 6' 1"
WEIGHT: 14 st
HAIR: Dark brown
EYES: Brown
MARITAL STATUS: Single with a girlfriend, Gill
OCCUPATION: Motorcycle Racer / Motorcycle sales
HOBBIES: Music, fitness, and family
FIRST ROAD RACE: Pembry 1999
FIRST WIN: Mallory Park 2003
FAVOURITE CIRCUIT: Cadwell Park
FAVOURITE FOOD: Pizza
FAVOURITE DRINK: Milk, water
FAVOURITE RIDER: John Reynolds
AMBITION: To be British Superbike Champion
TRAINING: Gym at least 3 times a week
OTHER ATTRIBUTES
Dedicated to motorcycle racing.
Enthusiastic about racing.
Enjoys testing and developing the bike.
Able to work as part of a team.
Friendly person.
Willing to entertain sponsors.
Joan Williams
www.bikesportpics.co.uk
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