February 20, 2023

Frustration For Frank Bird In Abu Dhabi

Following on from two solid points scoring outings in the opening rounds of the 2023 Asian Le Mans Series in Dubai last weekend, young Cumbrian driver Frank Bird, after a great drive in race one, endured a disappointing final race in the final two rounds which took place at the YAS Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Once again driving for the German-based Haupt Racing Team, the Penrith-born driver was at the wheel of the team’s #6 Paul Bird Motorsport-backed Mercedes-AMG GT3 along with teammates Arjun Maini from India and Frenchman Michael Blanchemain for the pair of four-hour races.
 
The team got off to a good start by posting 12th fastest time in the opening Free Practice session which they bettered to tenth in FP2. Qualifying saw the team’s amateur driver Blanchemain place the car in 19th out of the 23 GT cars ready for Saturday’s opening four hour race.

Frank made a great start by setting fastest lap out of the three teammates, where they were challenging up the order when, after swapping drivers, the Frenchman damaged a wheel bearing meaning the team lost six laps in the pits. Despite the handicap, they crossed the line in 13th place, and had it not been for the delay in the pits, Bird and the team could have been challenging for a podium finish.
 
Starting Sunday’s race from a lowly 40th on the grid, Frank drove the first stint and courtesy of another fastest lap, he was soon up to second in class as the race progressed whereby he handed over to his teammates. Sadly, however, the team suffered a techical failure which led to them retiring after 79 laps.
 
Despite the disappointment, Frank finished the four-round series in a battling 15th place overall in the GT Drivers’ class.
 
Frank Bird: “Seeing the car retire was an unfortunate way to end the 2023 Asian Le Mans Series with a DNF. I had great fun at the start of the final race, going from 20th in the GT class up to second and finally showing what we could do. When swapping over to my teammate during the race, we encountered a technical problem which forced us to retire. It’s not how we had it planned out but nevertheless I loved my time out in the UAE so thanks to the team for a mega job over the two weeks and to my teammates and of course to our sponsors and my dad."
 
Frank will be back in rally action this forthcoming weekend in the PBM team’s Silkolene, Hager and Mac Tools-backed Ford Fiesta Rally 2 as he contests the Reed Group East Riding Stages Rally which comprises the opening round of the Protyre BTRDA Asphalt Rally Championship in association with Motorsport News.

 
Images: Frank Bird in action in the Asian Le Mans Series in Abu Dhabi

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.

IRWIN AND HAGER PBM DUCATI READY FOR DONINGTON PARK TEST

April 17, 2025
THE Hager PBM Ducati team and rider Glenn Irwin head to Donington Park this week for the second Bennetts British Superbike Championship R&G Official Test. After a strong run at Circuito de Navarra earlier this month, the team is looking forward to getting back on track in the UK, as the countdown to the start the 2025 season continues.  The iconic Donington Park will play host to the second pre-season test on Good Friday and Saturday, before the class of 2025 heads to Oulton Park next Wednesday and Thursday, April 23 and 24, for the final test before the season begins over the May Bank Holiday weekend. The team is looking to build on the success of the Navarra test, where Irwin was consistently quick, setting the pace on the first day before topping the timesheets at the end of the event with a best lap of 1min 44:527s. But keen not to get caught up focusing on lap times yet, Irwin is more concerned about getting through as much work as possible during the two days and making sure the important boxes are ticked. Glenn Irwin: “We’re all looking forward to it. At Navarra, it was important we worked through a number of things which are different this year and it was a great test – but it’s important that we don’t get complacent. “At Donington we’ve more new items to try and we’ve got a list of work to get through, which will be our priority. Once we’ve done all that and have a good feeling, I think we can show up well on the timesheets, but more so in race rhythm than in one-off fast laps. “At Navarra, we found areas where I was weak last year but not this year so we were able to use this as a reference. At Donington, we know the track well and have an idea of where we need to be but for me it’s about continuing to evaluate what we have and understanding the feeling of everything rather than get too hung up on what the timesheet says. If it feels good and we’re good, we’re happy!” Jordan Bird, Team Co-owner: The whole Hager PBM Ducati team is looking forward to being back on home soil for the first time this year. Navarra was a really productive test for us so the team and Glenn are heading into our UK testing program in great spirits! “We are looking forward to seeing plenty of BSB fans trackside at Donington Park. Let’s hope the sun is shining for us!”
More Posts