November 7, 2021

Bird Rockets To Oulton Park Victory

Just two weeks after conquering the fast roads of the Otterburn military ranges, Cumbrian rally driver Frank Bird was back in rally action this weekend where he rocketed to another comprehensive victory on the Neil Howard Memorial Stages Rally, sponsored by Graham Coffey & Co. Solicitors, at Oulton Park in Cheshire.

The 22 year old caused fireworks of his own making by sweeping aside the opposition on the opening round of the Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship with MSVR with ease to take maximum points in his quest for the title.

 

Frank, from Penrith, along with Lake District-based co-driver Jack Morton were having only their second outing in the Dom Buckley Motorsport-prepared and Frank Bird Poultry-backed Ford Fiesta Rally2 with assistance from Hager, Fuchs Titan Oils, Aico and Yuasa, as the pair took on the established stars of the series whilst leading from start to finish once again.

Quickest on the opening stage by six seconds, the pair steadily built their lead throughout the eight stages to emerge victorious by over a minute at the finish after setting fastest time on all stages.

 

Frank has done very little rallying this year due to his commitments in the Fanatec GT World Cup Europe Sprint and Endurance Championships at the wheel of the Team WRT Audi R8 LMS and this was only the second time competing in an asphalt rally since May, whereby he has won both of them.

 

Frank Bird:  “We had a good run with no problems to report at all. I was using the Michelin tyres as stipulated by the championship for the first time, so they were new to me, but the car ran faultlessly, and Jack as ever did a great job on the notes. I can’t do all the rounds of the series so it’s important to get maximum points in the ones we do so this is a great start. Thanks to the team, our sponsors and of course my dad for these opportunities.”

 

Results – Neil Howard Memorial Stages Rally, Oulton Park

 

  1. Frank Bird/Jack Morton (Ford Fiesta Rally2) 50 mins 47 secs           
  2. Joe Cunningham/Josh Beer (Ford Fiesta)  +1:06
  3. Neil Roskell/Shaun Layland (Ford Fiesta R5)  +1:40   
  4. Barry Morris/Marc Fowler (Darrian T90 GTR) +2:45   
  5. Darrell Taylor/Dylan Thomas (Ford Fiesta Rally2)  +3:08   
  6. Graham Coffey/Matt Daniels (Ford Fiesta S2000T)  +3:12   


Pictures courtesy of James Ward, Chicane Media Photography (www.chicanemedia.co.uk)

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.
More Posts