CCM ARCHIVES: GSX-R1100 v GSX-R1000 by Michael Neeves

Same track, same corner, same riders… two weeks and three seconds apart. But which bike’s faster?

Fifth session in and it’s fair to say I’ve got to grips with Suzuki’s long awaited GSX-R1000R, here at its world launch at Phillip Island.

With mid-summer tarmac sizzling away under my wheels Suzuki’s new superbike feels sensational. Cresting the rise that swoops down into the fearsome, fourth gear Doohan the screaming GSX-R1000R shows an indicated 180mph. Snick down two clutchless gears, letting the slick auto-blipper do its thing. A whiff of 21st century radial Brembo, a gentle nudge of the bars and we’ve hit the apex at full lean, 120bhp stability.

A quick squirt of full throttle power to Southern Loop happens without a thought as electronics keep you in a controlled drift. Back down another gear and feed it around this long corner, enjoying the feel and precision of the new chassis, before unleashing hell again down towards Stoner Corner. Electronics take care of the impending wheelie and with Stoner’s handled neatly, but with none of the style of the sideways style of the man himself.

Hard on the brakes for the slow second gear Honda Corner and the GSX-R1000R stops obediently, brake lever gently pulsing as the ABS senses a front wheel lock-up. From here through Sibera, the Hayshed, Lukey Heights and MG any chance to pin the ride-by-wire throttle to the stop is taken. The Suzuki spears forward with the magic hand of electronics helping you along.

Suzuki’s silicone chips stop tyre spin turning into a catastrophe, save the effort of controlling wheelie and slicing up and down through the box, leaving you the brain power to saving you skin to pick the perfect lines through this amazing track.

Turn 12 is the final one leading back on to the straight. It’s one-handed tyre smoking Melandri corner. It seems to go on forever, overheats tyres and shreds them. Bridgestone’s R10 trackday tyres do their best to hang on (and do a much better job than the standard RS10 tyres), but full lean and 199bhp is too much for them. But it’s hello traction control again and instead of worrying what Australian hospital food might taste like the electronics hold you in a fourth gear slide all the way to the bright blue and white exit kerb and a view down to the track to the sparkling blue Bass Straight ahead.

I’d raced here the week before on the Carl Cox Motorsport Suzuki GSX-R1100 at the Island Classic – the third time I’ve competed in this super event. That old ’89 ‘7/11 hybrid is 20mph slower down the straight, feels more raw, has a strange frame and none of the electronics that make the new GSX-R1000 so safe and easy to ride.

I would’ve put good money on guessing I’d be faster on the new Suzuki than the old one, but there’s three seconds in it, in favour of the classic. GSX-R1100 1:40.6, GSX-R1000R 1:43.4. How can that be?

It goes to show that having big power isn’t everything and electronics aren’t a one-way ticket to blistering lap times, either. But we kind of know that already. We’ve tested an R1 against an H2 at Rockingham and the supercharged missile was three seconds slower on the same tyres.

BSB’s lap times have barely changed in a decade despite the bikes getting faster and at places like Phillip Island and Jerez, WSB bikes go just as fast as more powerful MotoGP bikes (but really top factory superbikes are just as prototype as Grand Prix missiles). Over the past few seasons a good rider on a Blade can keep up with 200bhp S1000RRs and ZX-10Rs, despite a complete lack of electronics.

Sure you need a decent amount of power to demolish straights. Phillip Island might have a flat in top straight, but the rest of it, like most tracks is mostly curves, corners, kinks, hairpins and chicanes. It’s here where you need grip, handling and steering to give the rider the tools and confidence to go fast. A sweet handling, grippy bike doesn’t need big bhp or silicone implants.

That old GSX-R1100 might look antiquated, is 50bhp down and revs-up slower than the shiny new model, but it’s around 15kg lighter and devoid of any road flab, it’s crisper and easier to feel the tyres through suspension that doesn’t have to be soft and comfortable. There’s no traction control to bail you out or anti-wheelie, but it doesn’t have excessive power to need it in the first place. Brakes are more tactile, powerful and consistent without modern brake-by-wire and intrusive ABS.

And then there’s the tyres. Racing slicks beat treaded trackday rubber – just looking at the lean angle of the pictures tells you everything you need to know about the faster bike.  

Of course the rider’s mentality has a lot to do with it. When I raced the GSX-R1100 I was trying to win and accepted the red mist risk that I might crash. I trailed the brakes for longer into the corners, leaned over further and hit the throttle harder.

You can all the on-track training in the world, but nothing makes you fast like racing.

Testing the GSX-R1000R riding anywhere near falling off is totally out of the question when there’s a stack of empty pages to fill that night to keep a nervous production editor happy and printing press ready and waiting.

So despite the cutting-edge Suzuki making more power it’s a road bike, ridden with a trackday mentality. Convert it to a racer and switch the rider’s brain back into race mode and it would eat the GSX-R1100 alive.

Verdict

Our comparison proves that while you need a lot of power to lap quickly around a circuit, you don’t need that much of it. More important having a bike with as little flab as possible, pinsharp handling, light steering, lots of grip and a rider with the right mindset.

Dragway drama for Carl!

Carl Cox doesn’t go looking for drama but it often comes to find him, this time at over 200mph!

After months of start-stop lockdown in Melbourne, Carl and his crew were excited to be back on the strip for the Atura Championships at Sydney Dragway with their fire breathing Pro Mod Mustang and head turning ‘Coxy Capri’.

Carl has been on a learning curve on the strip for the last few years, going from 10 second cars to mind-bending sub 6 runs, learning the techniques and refining his start time reactions (he now regularly gets the drop at the lights for the holeshot, surprising many a younger competitor!)

This particular run, Carl had been making great headway and logged up a PB, tripped the beam at 251mph, and then….. well, best we let Carl take up the story!

“It was a great event and everything was running sweet, I had a good run, broke the beam and hit the parachutes. Unfortunately, only one deployed and it veered to the side and wasn’t decelerating enough. Things start happening real quick at 250mph but I was fighting the thing like I could, hitting the safety wall at 180mph and causing a bit of a mess to the car. Luckily it’s an amazingly built car and is being put back to tip top condition by Jerry Bickel, THE race chassis builder.

It shook me up for sure but its just one of those things, no lasting harm, to me anyway! Also the safety protocols worked spot on and the Sydney Dragway rescue service was there in an instant, respect to them. The next time out we fired up the Coxy Capri and concentrated on the 275 Radial tyre class, getting a Top Qualifier slot into the finals.

I’m looking forward to getting the Pro Mod fixed, the team are already ‘on it’, and seeing how fast we can go!”

The Carl Cox Motorsport Cup: 10 years young!

The Carl Cox Motorsport Cup has just had its tenth birthday, so we thought it was the perfect time to highlight this great initiative.

The New Zealand based series which was previously known as the WIL Sport Hyosung Cup was devised by Kiwi motorsport enthusiast Ken Dobson. The idea was to give an affordable grassroots, level playing field to get young riders into bike racing using the well tested formula of one-make racing.

The concept has had varied degrees of success over probably 50 years of production motorcycle racing covering the popular 250cc sports bikes to Harley Davidson Sportsters. Ken’s own experience racing in the UK in the mid '80's was the Honda V Formula Cup contested on the VF500 V 4 Hondas.

The Cup bikes are Korean made Hyosung 250’s and, introduced more recently, new Kawasaki Ninja 400 machines – with their own class. There are two models of Hyosung, the GT250R V Twin and the newer design X4R single cylinder, both 4 strokes of course. Both very similar in performance developing around 30hp and able to attain over 170kph. Many of these bikes are on the grid for around $3,000. The Ninjas are 400cc parallel twins producing 45hp and capable of well over 200kph.

Carl stepped in to help the series as he had seen it first-hand on his many trips to New Zealand. He loves hearing how the young lads and lasses are getting on and progressing.

Just some of the riders that have come through the series include 3 x Cup Champion Daniel Mettam, Jacob Stroud, Jesse Stroud, and Avalon Biddle, who have gone on to win a total of 10 NZSBK titles and 2 x European titles between them.

Ken Dobson explained: “The Carl Cox Motorsport Cup has been a great platform for riders of all ages and backgrounds to get started in our sport. We have the largest field of riders of any Championship in New Zealand and there is a friendly but competitive atmosphere in our pit. The comradery between Cup Racers is unique in such a competition. Having the support and branding of Carl Cox Motorsport is also a major factor in the success of the Cup and we are very grateful for Carl's belief in what we do.”

Carl summed up: "When I first started visiting the New Zealand race scene I got to see the great work of Ken's youth racing series and could see he was doing great things with the young racers. So when the chance came to support it, we were only too pleased to help. The Cup has helped loads of young riders come through the ranks and continues to do so, it's awesome to see!"

Past champions: 2012 Daniel Mettam, 2013 Daniel Mettam, 2014 Gavin Veltmeyer, 2015 Daniel Mettam, 2016 Nathanael Diprose, 2017 Nathanael Diprose, 2018, Jacob Stroud, 2019 Hyosung Cup Jesse Stroud, 2019 Ninja Cup Jacob Stroud, 2020 Hyosung Cup Loren May, 2020 Ninja Cup Jesse Stroud.

NZ TriSeries thrills whilst the rest of the world chills!

Cemetery Circuit - Photo Credit Mad Love Media

Whilst most of the world struggled through chilly xmas and different lockdowns, the New Zealand Tri-Series was running with race fans enjoying the warm weather!

The Carl Cox Motorsport racers had a strong series of showings through the three events at Carl’s base at Bruce Maclaren Motorsport Park, Manfield Circuit and the series finale at the Cemetery Circuit, Wanganui! We’re normally there enjoying Boxing Day in the sun at this exciting little street circuit but of course we’re stuck over in Oz…. Anyway, amazing to see the crowds out in force and some great racing, so enjoy the pics from Mad Love Media!

Damo Rees in action at Cemetery Circuit - Photo credit: Mad Love Media

For our UK returning Damon Rees  it was a homecoming to remember as he absolutely dominated the Formula 1 class (Superbike as you may know it) taking two race wins and the prestigious Robert Holden Memorial finale. After some terrible luck at the earlier rounds, ‘Damo’ clawed back some big points to take third in the overall series, whilst his brother Mitch took the title!

In the F2 (SUPERSPORT) class Toby Summers continued his ‘Mr Consistency’ theme, taking 2 x 5th places leaving him 5th overall in the championship. Toby had earlier put his machine (best looking on the grid in our opinion!) onto the front row.

Long time rival but fellow Carl Cox Motorsport stablemate Avalon Biddle had earlier led the series (after round two) so made a rare and last-minute appearance at the road specialist Cemetery track, saying “big thanks to a lot of people who had to change their Christmas plans!” She acquitted herself well leaving her equal 3rd= in the points (4th on countback)

Our Carl Cox Motorsport  NZ sidecar quartet had an exciting series with Barry Smith & Stu Dawe taking the overall F1 series crown, yes!

The F2 ladies (Tracey Bryan and Jo Mickleson) got to grips with their new ‘chair’ and Tracey driving for the first time in a while. They took second overall in the smaller chassis class. The duo have gelled well and are now looking forward to the NZSBK. Watch this space…

Racing into 2021 with Carl Cox

Carl Cox shares his New Year message and looks forward to more motorsport next year.

“I’d just like to wish you all a Happy New Year, let’s get rid of 2020 and look forward to 2021!

Last year we had quite a bit of racing, even under these trying times, by our guys and girls that are still racing under the Carl Cox Motorsport banner. They did really well in the racing efforts they managed to compete in, including the V8 Supercars with Cam Waters.

I’ve got say ‘hi’ to my New Zealand counterparts Tracey and Steve Bryant  for holding the fort there with everybody for the recent excellent Cemetry Circuit with ‘Flea’ and the rest of the  Tri-Series, which was amazing!

I’ve got to say hi also to Tony Walker from Bruce Mclaren Motorsport Park for putting on such great events there and flying the flag there for motor racing in New Zealand. And also to Ken Dobson and Avalon Biddle for their efforts in keeping the Carl Cox Cup running for so many years, 10 years in fact!

We’re looking forward to NZSBK with Toby Summers, Avalon and our sidecar entries going in, with Stu and Barry Smith (who actually won the Championship series with the F1 sidecars) and Tracey and Jo racing who were runners up in F2 Tri- Series.

Also to Damo Rees and Shane Richardson for racing in the British Superbikes and Tom Bramich for racing for us in World Superbikes, in the Supersport 300 series. We even got some Classic Racing in at the start of 2020 with Davo Johnson, Deano and UK brother Michael and Ben Neeves!

So much was going on! But unfortunately I wasn’t able to race myself in my drag car, the Pro Mod. Because as soon as I got back from America to race, since the pandemic started there hasn’t been any racing. So, hopefully in 2021 you’ll get to see me out in the Pro Mod at the top end for sure battling with the best.

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Next year we’ll look forward to hosting the London Motor Show in the UK under the support of Carl Cox Motorsports as well. So, all to look forward to in 2021 from me, my team, and congratulations to all our guys racing and putting the sidecars, solos and cars  to the top.

We look forward to supporting Michael Dunlop for the future, Damo Rees, Conor Cummins with Clive Padgett racing, the list goes on.

If I’ve forgotten anyone else please forgive me, there are so many facets to the team. It’s crazy but true and we still continue to do what we do, even in these pandemic times. So a brilliant effort from everyone. Thanks for watching and supporting us out there and I hope that 2021 is much more favourable for our racing efforts into the future. From me Carl Cox, Happy New Year!

Carl Cox Motorsport rider spotlight - Conor Cummins

We recently caught up with Carl Cox Motorsport racer Conor Cummins to get his thoughts on Carl Cox, and see how the Manx rider has been keeping busy in what has been a very unpredictable year…

“I first met Carl back in 2016 I think, when he was over for the Isle of Man TT and I just got chatting with him. Carl’s obviously well-known for being a DJ, and how awesome he is at that. I’ve just got absolute respect for him and he’s been cool enough to help with my racing.

When me and my wife Danielle got married in November ’17 we went to New Zealand for our honeymoon. Carl was there; he had backed one the big race series. We got to spend some time with him which I appreciate as he’s a busy man, but that’s where the relationship got stronger. I’ve got respect for him and what he does in the industry, backing not just ourselves but other teams in the paddock as well.

Conor on Carl

“He’s really sound, spot on. He’s a supporter of the racing fraternity… Carl went out of his way to help me out and it just shows what sort of a guy he his.”

We’re all in a dreadful situation with Covid. I live on the Isle of Man, in the middle of the Irish Sea, so our government have been good, and protective of us. They’ve allowed us to go off the island as long as we follow guidelines when we return. But with that it’s a little bit tricky to commit to a lot of racing because it would mean a lot of time away from family and home.

With there being a brand-new Honda Fireblade out that I hadn’t even sat on or seen in the flesh, I needed to get to grips with it. So, we decided to do Brands Hatch in October. We went to Cadwell Park on the Tuesday before the final British Superbikes round at Brands and did a few shakedown laps. Arriving at Turn 1, after 14 months off a bike, at 150mph was an eye opener!

I’m really glad we did Brands as the ‘Blade is a brand-new bike, and what a bike it is too. Really good solid machine, and it does everything that we’ve been looking for in the last couple of years. My Milenco by Padgetts team, without sounding clichéd, give me the best bike. With the new ‘Blade out now, it’s going to be a real leveller I think. Knowing how good Padgetts prep a bike it’s going to be an absolute weapon. I’m looking forward to it.

During this extended off-season I’ve been doing quite a bit of off-road, but that was more to get me fit for going racing. I’ve had a lot of things going on business wise as well. I’ve got the Conrod’s Coffee shop, pizzeria and a coffee supplier company called Coffee Mann. It’s hectic so has kept me busy. But all worth it!

In 2018 Carl actually played at my Conrod’s coffee shop in Ramsey. It absolutely blew my mind. I couldn’t believe he was there in person performing. Ramsey is a lovely place and I’m very proud to be from there but it’s maybe not known as a destination for world-class DJs. So, to have Carl play there, well it’s probably one of the biggest things to have happened in Ramsey… ever! Carl went out of his way to help me out and it just shows what sort of a guy he his. He’s really sound, spot on. He’s a supporter of the racing fraternity and I’m really proud that he took the time to come and play at my coffee shop.

Looking forward it’s hard to say what’s going to happen next year. I’m no doctor but I think it’s going to take a bit of time to get over everything. We just need to make sure everything is safe for everyone before we have fun and go racing again, so fingers crossed!”

Damon Rees signs with Ashcourt Racing BMW for 2021

Carl Cox Motorsport supported racer Damon Rees will be riding for Ashcourt Racing BMW in the Pirelli Superstock 1000 series for the 2021 season.

25-year-old Rees, who hails from Whakatāne in New Zealand, made his debut in the National 1000 Superstock series this year, impressing with podium finishes and eighth overall during his debut in the UK.

Damon will continue in the Superstock class under the Ashcourt Racing banner next season aboard BMW S1000RR machinery, with his teammate Lee Johnston planning a full season of British Supersport action alongside his International Road Racing commitments.

Damon comes from a rich pedigree of southern hemisphere talent. His father Tony is an accomplished racer, winning the New Zealand Superbike title on three occasions, the last of which came in 2017 at the age of 49. Damon won the NZ Supersport class in the same season making it a family double.

His brother Mitch is also a two-wheel aficionado, finishing runner-up in the NZ Superbike series in 2018. All three have competed together in 6-Hour Endurance races and dad Tony also boasts 17 pure road racing victories in his homeland.

Damon made the decision to leave New Zealand at the start of this season, despite holding the lead of the NZ-SBK series to take up the challenge in British Championship, thanks to Carl Cox Motorsport, who will again be backing him in 2021.

Damon Rees: “I’m extremely excited that I’ll be racing for Ashcourt Racing in the 2021 season along with Carl Cox Motorsport’s support. The team’s ambitions and goals perfectly align with what I’m looking for next year, which is race wins and podiums and hopefully a championship challenge. I just want to say a massive thank you to the team for this amazing opportunity.”

Lee Johnston: “We were looking to expand the team and run someone in Superstock, and Damon fits our ‘team personality’ perfectly. He’s talented and motivated but also a nice lad and will fit in well within the Ashcourt Racing set-up. He showed this season that he can run at the front of the National 1000 Superstock class, which is packed with talent, so he’s a welcome addition to our team and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Team principal Phil Reed: "Damon is a grounded lad and a quality rider who has already shown glimpses of what he is capable of in British Championship. He will fit in well here and we're looking forward to working with him."

All of the tram at Carl Cox Motorsport wish Damon the best of luck in 2021 and plan to bring you regular trackside updates throughout the 2021 British Superbike season.

Podium at Bathurst for Carl Cox Motorsport!

What a way to finish the Supercars series as the Carl Cox Motorsport supported Tickford Racing Team come home in second place!

After 6 hours and 10 minutes of relentless Supercars racing, Cameron Waters and Will Davison (No. 6 Monster Energy Ford Mustang) finished a narrow second place at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. Having started from pole, the Monster Energy Racing duo were genuinely in the battle for the win throughout Sunday’s 161-lap race, and after multiple late-race restarts came up 0.86s from victory at Mount Panorama. Despite coming heartbreakingly close to winning Australia’s Great Race, Waters climbed to second in the Supercars drivers’ championship, his highest ever result in the championship.

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Cameron Waters: “I gave it absolutely everything I could, they just did a little bit better job than us. Those Safety Cars were probably just another chance for me to try and get in front somehow, the first one (Shane van Gisbergen) was probably a bit vulnerable at (Turn) 1 and 2, and over the top I was close enough to, I thought, maybe have a lunge, but (I was) just not quite there. And then the next one I thought I might as well try and push him the whole way until he goes, which it kind of half worked, but he just put his car in the right spots which made it bloody hard.

Hats off to their team, they drove awesome all day, they deserve the win. They didn’t put a foot wrong and they had a fast car.”

What a year for Damon Rees and Shane Richardson

Carl Cox Motorsport riders Damo Reeves and Shane Richardson (Astro-JJR Racing) impressed many in the ultra competitive British Superbike Championship this season, as they waved the Kiwi flag over in the UK, in the Superstock 1000 class.

For Damo it was his first time at the notoriously tricky British circuits but he started the year with a bang, taking second place in his very first event at Donington Park!

Shane had some bad luck and by his own admission, struggled a little as he moved up from the Superstock 600 division but soon hit top ten pace.

Unfortunately the penultimate round at Donington saw Damo crash in practice, breaking his collarbone and ending his season but both lads are keen to stay in the UK for another attack in 2021.

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DAMON REES

"It’s been a bit of a bittersweet end, sitting out of the final round was very hard to say the least! But, in saying that, I have a great sense of pride for what the Carl Cox Motorsport

supported Astro JJR Racing team and I have achieved this season! 8th overall in the Superstock 1000 class has greatly exceeded my original expectations going into the season.

I can’t thank the Astro JJR team enough for being so welcoming to Talia and I. It’s extremely difficult to leave everything you have at home and move to the other side of the world... especially with what we have all faced this year. They have all been like a family to us and those positive team vibes have really reflected in our results.”

“A huge shout-out also goes to Shane Richardson for being an insanely awesome team-mate. This season hasn’t been easy for Shane, but his never-give-up attitude is truly admirable.

I also have to thank my incredible family Vicki N Tony Rees & Mitch Rees for backing me 1000% I know it’s been difficult having to follow it all from the other side of the world... but I hope I’ve made you guys proud.

And of course lastly, a massive thanks to all my sponsors for their continued support, especially Carl Cox!"

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SHANE RICHARDSON

"Well that’s 2020 done and dusted! What a year it has been, filled with lots of learning and growing as a rider. I rounded out the year with a P11 in the race at Brands Hatch and although it wasn’t quite the top 10 I wanted, I was happy enough with a good consistent ride with which I enjoyed every lap.

I can’t say a big enough thank you to everyone who has helped make this year happen, especially during such trying times. The Astro JJR Racing team pictured below have become family at the track and I am so grateful for all their hard work at every round to ensure we have the best possible chance at a winning. Also, a massive shout out to Carl Cox Motorsport for coming on board to support this year, it has been a pleasure to be part of such an awesome group accompanied by so many talented athletes who represent. 

To all of my sponsors big and small who have continued to make this dream possible, I can’t express my gratitude enough for your belief and commitment!"

Michael Dunlop in action at Oulton Park

Although our man Michael Dunlop has had a lack of Road events this year, he has kept himself fit and focused with rides at his local Northern Irish races and in British Superbikes at several rounds, including at Oulton Park where these photos were taken.

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We're keeping everything crossed for MD in 2021, and can't wait to see this Carl Cox rider back in action again next season.

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Introducing Damon Rees

New Zealanders will need no introduction to Damon Rees, but as he’ll be racing in within the British Superbike Championship in 2020 we thought we’d introduce him to UK race fans.

We caught up with ‘Damo’ on the final day before the lockdown begun, taking him to a deserted record-shop in East London to talk about NZSBK, British Superbikes and what it’s like to be a part of Carl Cox Motorsport.