Thunderbike Rules 2010

Following several requests from interested competitors and more research from our side we have decided to re write the original rules into something a little easier to read and also a little more open. Dates for cut off have been moved allowing in some cases slightly newer machines previously excluded to now be included. There are NEW exception machines too....see if your favourite bike is among them now!

We hope this will encourage even more riders to come to Thunderbike UK IN 2010.

We would also like to encourage bikes “in the spirit of Thunderbike” for 2009 so if you have an engine / frame combination which is within the rules but technically not exactly correct please apply for a machine certificate. You will need to inform us of your exact specification and we will judge if it is “in the spirit” and if passed you may race it.

Regulations are on the rules page here.

Rep's Report

So it’s 2010 and the season is nearly upon us again, and what a season it’s going to be. We now know the Bemsee matrix and what rounds we will be doing, and we have got a good set of circuits from fast and flowing to tighter more technical tracks. This should give a good even base for a close championship between all the various bikes we have got lining up for 2010.

Just feast your eyes on this little lot and tell me of another UK Championship that can boast the variety we are going to have on the grid;

• Ducati 748
• Ducati 749
• Ducati 916
• Ducati 851
• Ducati Hypermotard
• Ducati 1000 DS
• Honda CBR600F's
• Honda VTR1000 Firestorms
• Kawasaki ZXR750H
• Kawasaki ZZR600
• Kawasaki ZX6 F1
• Kawasaki Z1000
• Laverda 650
• Laverda Jota
• Moto Guzzi MGS-01
• Suzuki SV650-700's
• Suzuki GSX Variants
• Suzuki GS1000
• Suzuki Bandit 600
• Suzuki Katanas
• Yamaha YZF600 Thundercat
• Yamaha TRX850
• Yamaha FZ750
• Yamaha FZR4/6
• Vyrus

Spanners are wiring furiously around the country, as Thunderbikers make the final off season tweaks before wheeling out their mounts. Some are still surrounded by big piles of parts (me included) and some have completed bikes with new paintjobs ready for action. Either way come 27^th March we will see a full grid line up at Snetterton for the first round.

This season the Thunderbike Rookie Cup is back, kindly supported by Steve Jordan Motorcycles see separate announcement for prize details and format. Our back to back Champion Mr Budgen has eased back his title aspirations for 2010 and may only enter the odd round to keep his eye (pie?) in – or so he says…! Mr Read is taking the Virus up into the Powerbikes class and some European rounds with a 1098 engine, but may come out to play at Cadwell Park and selected other venues. Last years 3^rd place finisher the aforementioned Steve Jordan will return with his torquey SV700 and is gunning for glory. Other notable entrants include Andy Burbage on his 748, ZXR750 mounted Andy Palmer, and Mark Lister aboard the mighty Moto Guzzi. There will be many others hoping for a sniff of the podium or simply trying to better their previous results and lap times. Look out for good battles throughout the field in 2010.

So not long now folks, and the wait will be over. To all TB’s out there, get a full season’s entries in so we can enjoy a full grid at every round. Run off that Christmas belly and get down to your race weight, time is running out and you want to be able to get into those leathers....!

See you on the grid.

Dave Haviek (Thunderbike Rider Representative)

Overview 2009

You may feel this write up reflects on only 3 riders and I do not think it unfair to say..yes it does. It was my wish to give credit where it is due. 3 top riders on well prepared machines doing what they have done all season, ride to their best ability. If you have seen the battles this year it is not a year you will forget quickly.

All the riders in the Thunderbikeuk have fought battles all down the field to get their results. Many will come back next season and be faster and better prepared. New riders will also come and the cycle is repeated, but take a moment and reflect on 2009. What a good vintage it was too.
2010 is coming and with the prospect of even MORE competition and new rules opening up more choice of machines that can be ridden. Make sure you make it to some great racing...at THUNDERBIKEUK.

Garry Budgen - 2009 Thunderbikeuk champion.

Final standings after 27 races

1st - Garry Budgen Budgen Honda 600 479 points

2nd - Phil Read Alto performance Vyrus 992 468 points

3rd - Steve Jordan Jordan Suzuki 700 440 points

Bumpstop Prize Winner

Thunderbike uk is sponsered by Bumpstop.co.uk who awarded the prize of a bumpstop bike holder to Kevin Van de worp...a name I will never forget, he knows why. His beautifully prepared Suzuki 750 would not look out of place in any show room let alone the race track and frankly we love it. He is a nice chap too and with his wife they have fun on race days...that is the Thunderbike spirit to the letter. Well done from all at Bumpstop.co.uk.

2010 British championship rounds.

TO BE ANNOUNCED soon

Come racing with the best race series in the UK.......

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 16th. All on it through corums 2009.

2006 saw the introduction of the exciting Thunderbike series to the UK.

Run at the BEMSEE meetings it has proved to be extremely popular amongst competitors and spectators alike. Based on the successful Formula USA Thunderbike rules, this class sees Buells and other air cooled 2 valve twins such as Guzzis, Ducati 900ss etc competing with the likes of the suzuki SV650 and 4 cylinder bikes on a level playing field, and creating very close and exciting racing.

The class has specific displacement rules for different engine configurations, as well as a power/weight ratio restriction of 1bhp:4lbs. This means that if you want to campaign a 100bhp bike then it would have to weigh 400lbs. This keeps the class affordable for everyone and means that a 72bhp SV650 will be competitive with a 100bhp Ducati 748R.