Navarra was a Baptism of Fire for GR Motosport in Spain
After all the travel issues we finally arrived in a cold and windy Northern Spain with a little trepidation as neither of the riders or Team have been to Circuit Navarra before!
We had a couple of days testing to familiarise ourselves and get up to speed with the other Teams most of which had tested at the circuit in 2023 and then into the two day BSB race weekend.
The testing started well enough with both riders enjoying their early laps and settling into a rhythm, Tom and his STAUFF Fluid Power ZX10RR just edging in front of Storm’s LKQ Euro Car Parts ZX10RR at the end of the first session. Things went wrong from that point on for Tom Neave crashing at 175mph into turn one, joining quite a few others who crashed at the same corner over the week including current BSB Champion Tommy Bridewell
It seems that our GR – Stauff Fluid power team were destined to be tested to the maximum over the next few days with 2 more high speed crash repairs. Tom’s own fantastic rider equipment LS2 Helmets, RST Leathers and Alpinestars Boots and gloves were also tested to the maximum in these high speed crashes and found to be the best possible protection for Tom who collected a few cuts and bruises and a twisted knee which will need some looking at.
Storm and his LKQ Euro Car Parts superbike team had a strong showing throughout the test and into practice and qualifying but had a spark issue forcing him out of race one and a back row start for race two.
Race two, Storm made the start and found a rhythm picking his way through the field and into 15th place at the flag for his first point of 2024.
Storm Stacey commented “I had hoped for more than one point from the first round because points make prizes – I know the Team worked really hard over the weekend for both Tom and I it’s just sometimes in racing things do not go your way, but it seems everything bad was thrown at us all this weekend – On my side most of the problems were with the electronic system which is why I was forced out of the first race and had to start the 2nd race from the back of the grid. I made the start and fought my way into the points. It was a long hard weekend but I have a great Team and I am really excited and looking forward to Oulton Now – see you all there
Tom Neave said “Not the weekend I wanted for me or my STAUFF Fluid Power Team. Everything was looking good and then we had the first crash which when you see it, I was lucky to walk away from. Over the next few days I had two more big crashes and I have to thank LS2, Alpinestars and RST for protecting me so well, I only twisted my knee and lost a little skin off my backside. I will need to have the knee looked at before the next race. My Team were fantastic they never stopped working hard for me and the support Brent and Danny gave me was good. I am looking forward to Oulton and really get going at a track I know well.
Brent Gladwin – Team Owner “Navarra was a period of time and a weekend that I really would like to have erased from the memory banks, not a place or time for me. Seeing Tom crash at such high speed is not good for anyone’s mental health but then to have it repeated is quite enough thank you. I am glad he came away from it all with so little in the way of injuries just a slight worry on the knee. Storm’s single point came at a huge cost in time effort and money – every part of my team really was pushed to the limits and more, we came through it and continue to push hard for the next round at Oulton Part. This year I have a special team who I thank for all their efforts above and beyond and now look forward to the just rewards of some great results and fun
If you are interested in talking to me about partnering with the Team in Marketing and Corporate Hospitality please don’t hesitate to get in touch – sponsorship@grmotosport.co.uk