TEN MINUTES WITH LINXCEL-SETON TUNING

By BSB Reporter Tammy Milsom

A new team to the 2008 British paddock is the Linxcel-Seton team running Andy Weymouth and Pete Spalding within the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship. A lot of 2008 involves developing a competitive bike at this level ready for a full on championship title bid with a two man team in 2009.

After several years of running at club level and winning the MRO Supersport Championship with current rider Andy Weymouth the team believed took the next racing step.

Team Manager and ex-racer Phil Seton said: “Things are pretty good, I am happy with the progress of the team, it’s more than just about being on track. A lot of it is to do with behind the scenes, the organisation, we’re a slick team.

“The riders go as well as the team, the success of the riders is a big part to do with the team, it’s fantastic. There is pressure in this paddock, it forces you to thrive, we’re up against factory teams and we are doing very well."

"We have no previous setup and because of funding we can’t afford data logging or testing days. Each weekend from the word go, we start with a blank sheet. We are still making changes after Sunday warm up, but next year we will have something to start from.”

Brentwood rider Weymouth #11 currently sits second with the Supersport Cup championship, 15 points behind leader Craig Fitzpatrick.

Weymouth said: “The progress is very good, the bikes are getting better, we are limited budget wise this year so we’ve had new parts gradually including new shocks, gear box and all this will put us in a good position for next year.”

“As a rider I am really pleased, my lap times this season have dropped a lot, now we regularly need to be running in the top ten for next season. I have always ridden a 600 so I am happy, but it will good to go into a season with a developed bike and previous data to use, we are always starting on the back foot this year.”

2006 British Supersport Cup Champion Pete Spalding #18 returns to the Supersport serious after a disappointing 2007 season due to injury, he said: “It’s getting better, it’s been tough, after taking a year out the tracks were all new, but am looking forward to the next four rounds.”

“I do like this track [Cadwell], the team have had to work to a budget but now we are starting to get results. We’ve now got more power, better suspension and the bikes a bit lighter. This is a good professional team, they do the job right, they work right and it’s great.”

Regarding his own racing days Seton said: “I kind of miss it, winning the MRO Championship was a sense of achievement, I did it for ten years and it took seven to do it. I still have a go now and again and have won a trophy each year pretty much since I finished"

"But I enjoy this team achieving. Walking around the BSB paddock, I now get a bit of a nod from others, it’s a way of saying you are now becoming fast enough to be a bit of a pain on track.”