This years rounds are at Brands Indy, Snetterton, Brands GP, Cadwell and Lydden (Sat Only) - Best 8 days from the 9 count .

Pat Herron has to be a pre season favourite as he turns out his YPVS for a full season steering clear of the 400 class for 2009 - Paul Welch and Dan Wright, two members of Ramit racing, will be balancing the TZR with their 600's steeds as they prepare for a visit to the Manx GP including the an entry on the TZR . 3rd place from 2007, Mark Parbury, could be stealing his bike off his dad to join them on the Island . Team Gibson will be turning out their 4 or 5 riders again, Spencer Reeves will be seen out on a YPVS or a TZR, Paul Norris's immaculate TDR will be on show again and Team Norbar will be fielding 3 riders with 2007 Champ Andy Ball overseeing the team. Rookie from last year Steve Higgerty introduces his brother Kevin to the class so Team Stoater roll onto the grid in March.

The championship has some good sponsorship again in the form of Norfolkline, NGK, Norbar, Gibson Exhausts and ARD continuing from last year plus two new sponsors; Rush Europe are a courier company based in Kent and Essential Rubber who bought the stock of Dunlop tyres to support the first TZR rear control tyre. The price being at £23.50 helps cement this budget class in a strict financial time of life for most racers.

Last years top 3 wont be doing a full season but certainly hope to be making an appearance at some point - We have a new format to the YPM tour that is actually being supported by Rush Europe - Mike Harrison company owner actually turned out for us last year on one of Rangi's spares and enjoyed it so much is offering cash prizes throughout the year and for the top placings. The beauty of it this year is it actually supports riders who can't run a full championship.

NGK again have come up trumps again supporting the class with plugs for the forth year in succession. ARD continue to supply decent discount for their bodywork and Norbar are again supporting the class with their excellent torque Wrenches as end of year prizes.

We had 6 rookies turn up at the recent race school with at least one other who has qualified outside of Bemsee - There is a constant stream of email enquiries about the class and with riders from MCN and Bike magazine riding with us this year the exposure we got in 2008 is sure to continue in the national press.


The Bikes


TZR Models valid for the class are the 87-89 250 parallel twin 2MA or 1KT model - The main difference between these is the 1KT was built for the Japanese market so there is some differences in the wiring loom - The bikes are kept as close to the original production bikes of the late 80's but some changes are allowed such as replacement exhausts, wider 3.5" rear wheel of the 125RR and the blue spot caliper off the later R6/R1 models that actually bolt straight on. The standard power output declared at 45bhp we see an average of 50-51bhp on the mobile dyno so add that to the sweet handling of the TZR and its a very pleasurable package to race. 2009 sees the introduction of a controlled rear tyre for the TZR from Dunlop and at £23.50 it helps support the class ethos of Competing on a budget - racing on the limit - This only applies to the 17" wheel.

2008 saw the first competitive TDR's in the class - The valid models are 3CK and 2YK - Using the same motor as the TZR this supermoto styles 80's icon lacks the sweet handling chassis of the TZR but dont be mistaken they are still very competitive and come into their own in the wet. The TDR runs a different front forks and rear suspension set up to the TZR model with the rear actually using a remote reservoir . The wheels are the same enabling the TDR to take advantage of the Control tyre and front tyre selection.

RD models include the original lc1 it`s replacement the lc2 and the ypvs f models.

LCs are very rare now, with the advance of other models within the class they are no longer competitive at the sharp end but in an effort to encourage them back to the class the regulations have been opened up to allow any YPVS part in the LC chassis.

The YPVS models are potentially the most competitive bike in ypms, with up to 5hp over the tzrs they can pull away on fast tracks, but can be a struggle in the turns due to the weak frame.

Most people use the classic Avon AM22/23 tyres, which at around £280 can last half the season. Expect at least £1000 for an engine refresh which should last the year.

Power is tightly controlled by the use of a mobile dyno. With a class limit of 59hp this keeps the balance about right between the 350s and more nimble 250s at most circuits.


winners last year

Mark Hardy - 77

Tyler Bacon - 53

Keith Roissetter - 27

Report Pete Fishwick

YPM 2009 Gibson Exhausts

2009 Season sees Team Gibson carrying on where they left off in 2008. Most of the team remains unchanged.

2008 saw our most experienced rider Andy Davies finish 7th in the YPM championship. Sadly this season Andy will be sitting the year out, due to work commitments. He will be very much still involved in the team, by turning his hands to the tuning and development side. With his experience and knowledge from building his own race machines, he will be this year tuning some of our machines for the team.

The rest of the line up is:

Ben Miles ;82
Ben had to sit a lot of last season out whilst doing his final year at University gaining a decree in Motorsport engineering. So now in full time employment, Ben has been able to get his TZR up to top spec and I ready to race most of the season.

Peter Wright ;88
Peter is doing his 4th season in YPM. A few machine problems followed him throughtout 2008. But a strong set of results at the last meeting in 2008 with his new engine (tuned by Andy Davies) he is 10bhp up on power and raring to build on this good result.

Tony Buchan ;78
Tony joined the team and racing last season. He spent all of 2008 learning about the TZR two stroke and how to ride and maintain it. 2009 he is ready for a full season. He has spent all of the winter getting his bike up to speed. It has a new engine (thank you Bob Farnham) and he has high hopes for the season ahead.

Marcus Donkersey ;79
2008 Marcus (and his other half Julie) would rather forget. A very nasty accident at Silverstone meant Marcus was not able to ride for the rest of the season. He managed to get out for the last round at Brands GP. We all wish Marcus the best of luck for 2009 and hope to see him back up to race pace very quickly.

Ken Lawrence ;31

A new member of the team for 2009. Ken has been out in the YPM's for the past 2 years and has always been one of the team. But for 2009 he will be in Team Gibson Colours. Ken had a great rookie season in 2007, but machine problems meant he was down on power all of 2008. With these gremlins now sorted (fingers crossed) Ken is looking forward to 2009.

Peter Lawrence ;70
Peter joined us late last year onboard his immaculate RD350LC. Built and tuned by Bob Farnham his LC is a beauty to see out on the track. For this season Pete will be back out of the LC and will be running a TZR as well as the season goes on.

2008 was a tough year for the team with Marcus's crash. But we all have high hopes for 2009 and can't wait for the season opener at Snetterton. We have some new sponsors on board in the form of Blue Candy Racewear (They are providing us with new teamwear) and Popes Garage (who have done the paintwork on two of the bikes). We also would like to thank our resident team helper Eric Merton. You will find Eric (72 years young) with a red wine in one hand and a spanner in the other at most of the rounds this year. We also are lining up a couple of guest riders to ride our spare team bike throughtout the season.

Tony

Team Gibson

For more info on the championship go to www.ypmrc.co.uk

thanks to http://www.racing-line-photography.com