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RACE SuperSeries, Round #1 - Fabi circuit
Podiums and record-setting pace for BnE Racing

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  May 7, 2009
SHANNONVILLE, Ont. Round #1 of the regional R.A.C.E Supereries roadracing championship commenced this past weekend with noteworthy performances from BnE Racing in the Amateur 600 and Superbike classes.

Teammates Billy Shields (Unionville, Ont. #45) and Efram Ellenbogen (Ottawa #81) led the 20-plus-rider fields during Saturday qualifying and race day Sunday, respectively.

On Saturday, Yamaha-Dunlop-shod Shields came in below existing lap records in AM600 and AMSuperbike set by Ross Millson in 2006 for provisional pole in both races. Yamaha-Dunlop-shod Ellenbogen secured the No. 2 spot on the front row for both races with times that were a half second ahead of the next closest competitor.


However, both riders were later DQ’d from the AM600 qualifier for practicing their starts in the run-off area. Their 600 times were erased.

Race day, starting from the back of  the AM600 grid,  Ellenbogen and Shields quickly carved their way to mid-pack in the first few laps. Ellenbogen continued his amazing charge to win the race, stampeding through the field before overtaking race leader Alain Lefebvre on the second-last lap and setting a new lap record besting the one Shields had unofficially set the day before during qualifying by half a second. It was a phenomenal performance. Shields got caught in traffic but scored valuable 9th-place points.

“This was a fairytale weekend for me,” says Ellenbogen. “Starting from the back in 600 made for a hairy race with some pretty scary moments. I’m glad it’s behind me.”

In AMSuperbike, both riders had mediocre starts but were in the front pack going into T1 of L1. Unfortunately, Shields ran off track (the first of three off-track excursions) but Ellenbogen, sitting 4th into T2 quickly reeled in the leader for his second podium of the day and a new lap record. “We both had great weekends,” says Shields.

Round #2 is at Shannonville Motorsport Park on May 15-17.

Contact: [email protected]

BnE Racing thanks anchor sponsor Pro6 Cycle of Toronto, Dunlop Tires, Hindle Exhaust Systems, Bickle Racing, Highside Healthcare, Eurocorsa Performance, Vortex Racing, Mimic race bodies, Hybrid Racing of Ottawa and Yamaha Motor Canada for continuously improving the R6 model line. 


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RACE SuperSeries, Round #2 - Long Track
Four podiums as BnE Racing dominates aboard Yamaha R6s


                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
May 18, 2009
SHANNONVILLE, Ont.
Round #2 of the regional R.A.C.E Superseries roadracing championship wrapped up this past weekend and BnE Racing, contesting in the Amateur 600 and Amateur Superbike classes, once again dominated race day aboard its Pro6-sponsored Dunlop-shod Yamaha R6s.

Brisk winds,  intermittent rain and thunderstorms forecast throughout Saturday prompted series organziers to hold qualifying during the morning under threat of deteriorating weather. With temperatures below 10 C throughout the morning, increased air density improved engine performance noticeably but combined with a cold track and blustering winds, conditions were not ideal. Team riders Billy Shields (Unionville, Ont. #45) and Efram Ellenbogen (Belleville #81) opted for a cautious tip-toe approach which resulted in qualifying times that were off the front-row. Veteran rain riders Aaron Kennedy and Alain Lefebvre were masterful in slick qualifying conditions, easily securing the top two spots for both races. But race day Sunday was dry, removing the veterans’ wet-weather prowess.

In the Am Superbike final, starting from 8th and 5th on the grid, Shields and Ellenbogen maintained forward momentum and patiently reeled in forward traffic. Race leader Aaron Kennedy had a 20-bike-length lead over Shields but unfortunately lowsided in T7 on the second-last lap. “I relaxed my pace and lost my rhythm,” said Kennedy afterward. Shields inherited the lead and held on for his first amateur race win. Ellenbogen, who won both races last round in astounding fashion, finished in second place less than three seconds behind and delivered BnE Racing’s first 1-2 finish of the season. Alain Lefebvre was third.

In Am 600, with Kennedy on pole and eager to rectify his Superbike spill, Lefebvre nailed a jack-rabbit start with Kennedy trailing in fifth out of T1 but stuffing himself into second place through T2. Shields eventually repassed Kennedy and overtook Lefebvre, under braking into T6a on L5 of 8 and held on for the race win with Ellenbogen seven-tenths behind in second place and Kennedy salvaging third, seven-tenths behind Ellenbogen.

“This was a relief for me,” says Shields. “Normally, my pre-race thoughts center on organ donation. This time I just decided to tailgate the front pack and pick up any scraps they might leave. Turned out they left enough for these wins.”

Round #3 is at Shannonville Motorsport Park on June 19-21.

Contact: [email protected]

BnE Racing thanks anchor sponsor Pro6 Cycle of Toronto (www.pro6cycle.com), Dunlop Tires, Hindle Exhaust Systems, Bickle Racing, Highside Healthcare, Eurocorsa Performance, Vortex Racing, Mimic race bodies, Hybrid Racing of Ottawa and Yamaha Motor Canada for continuously improving the R6 model line.

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RACE SuperSeries, Round #3 - Pro Track
BnE Racing Yamahas finish 1-2

                                                                                                                                                     June 22, 2009
SHANNONVILLE, Ont.
- Pro 6 Cycle-sponsored BnE Racing once again dominated regionally during Round 3 action at the R.A.C.E. SuperSeries roadracing championship yesterday.

For the second round in a row, team riders Efram Ellenbogen and Billy Shields topped the Amateur 600 podium in convincing fashion aboard their Dunlop-shod R6s.

The result was a welcome development following the team's double-DNF showing last weekend at Quebec's Circuit ICAR during Round 2 of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship Amateur Sportbike class.

"This race certainly makes up for our disappointing results at ICAR. I was really pleased with my start and our 1-2 finish," said Ellenbogen, who started front row and began checking out T1 of L1 while Shields worked his way up from 14th to finish 2nd after a conservative performance during Saturday's rainy qualifier.

Race day was partly sunny and humid with isolated showers in the area. Following BnE's Amateur 600 success, the Amateur Superbike race -- the last of the day -- was canceled when a towering moisture-laden cumulous cloud unloaded over the Pro track prompting race officials to postpone the contest until next R.A.C.E. round, July 24-26.

BnE Racing now travels to Calgary's Race City for Round 3 of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship, June 25-28.

Contact: [email protected]


BnE Racing thanks anchor sponsor Pro6 Cycle of Toronto, Dunlop Tires, Hindle Exhaust Systems, Bickle Racing, Highside Healthcare, Eurocorsa Performance, Vortex Racing, Mimic race bodies, Hybrid Racing of Ottawa and Yamaha Motor Canada for continuously improving the R6 model line.


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RACE SuperSeries, Round #4 - Long Track
Crashes and podiums for BnE Racing

                                                                                                                                              August 3, 2009
SHANNONVILLE, Ont.
Pro 6 Cycle-sponsored BnE Racing completed Round 4 action in the Amateur 600 and Superbike classes last week with visits to the podium but not without falling prey to Shannonville's famous hairpin.
 Teammates Efram Ellenbogen and Billy Shields both tucked the front into the tight righthander in separate races on their way to two wins (Ellenbogen) and a third (Shields).


Saturday saw the running of a postponed Amateur Superbike race held over from Round 3. Starting from the front row, Ellenbogen handily had the measure of the field and led from the start; Shields, starting 15th, was closing in for a 3rd-place-finish pass when he lowsided in the hairpin. He picked up his bike and finished 7th.

On Sunday, in the Amateur 600 race, Ellenbogen again led from the start while Shields finished 3rd from a second-row start. In the Amateur Superbike race, it was Ellenbogen's turn to lose the front in the hairpin, crashing out of 2nd and remounting to finish 11th; Shields finished 4th. "We collected some good points and reminded ourselves that there's room for improvement," said Ellenbogen. Shields added: "We got a little over-aggressive in the hairpin and it cost us. We hope not to make that mistake again."

BnE Racing will travel to Nova Scotia for Round 6 of the national Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Atlantic Motorsport Park in Shubenacadie. Ellenbogen and Shields sit 3rd and 5th in overall championship points in the Amateur sportbike class.

Round
5 is at Shannonville Motorsport Park on July 24-26.

Contact: [email protected]

BnE Racing thanks anchor sponsor Pro6 Cycle of Toronto, Highside Healthcare, Dunlop Tires, Bickle Racing, Mimic race bodies, Hindle Racing, Eurocorsa performance, Vortex Racing, Hybrid Racing of Ottawa and Yamaha Motor Canada for continuously improving the R6 model line. 

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RACE SuperSeries, Round #5 - Nelson circuit
BnE Racing clinches regional championships

                                                                                                                                              August 31, 2009
SHANNONVILLE, Ont.
Following Round 5 action earlier this month, Pro6 Cycle-sponsored BnE Racing rider Efram Ellenbogen secured the Amateur 600 and Superbike RACE Superseries championships with a victory in the Superbike race and wise 2nd place finish in Amateur 600. Teammate Billy Shields finished 3rd in both races and is poised to finish 2nd overall in both classes after the final round, scheduled for September 25-27 at Shannonville Motorsport Park.  

"Our Yamahas are running so well,” said Ellenbogen. “At this point in the season I knew that all we had to do was revert to our Nelson track suspension settings and hit auto pilot and the results would be there. The bikes are so responsive and Nelson, with its tight, flip-floppy layout really complements the R6's massive mid-range torque. It's very gratifying to have won both series with one round left to go. We look forward to getting our black numbers next year."

 

Both riders, sporting Dunlop NTEC tires, also broke the previous Nelson track lap records in both classes set by Jodi Christie (55.777) and Joey McRae (55.846), with Ellenbogen edging his teammate with a 54.972 in the 600 race and a 55.071 in the Superbike contest. Shields was not far behind with his pair of 3rds, turning a 55.291 and 55.385, respectively.

 

"For me, it comes down to Round #6,” said Shields. “If the team is to finish 1-2 overall then I've got to finish very well in the last round. I got a terrific start and led several of the opening laps of the 600 race but got stuffed hard entering T6 by a very aggressive rider. That's good because I need to be shaken out of this idea that gentlemanliness has a place in racing. I’m learning that it doesn’t. Hard stuffs are certainly on my to-do list."


Round
6 is at Shannonville Motorsport Park on September 25-27.

Contact: [email protected]

BnE Racing thanks anchor sponsor Pro6 Cycle of Toronto, Highside Healthcare, Dunlop Tires, Bickle Racing, Mimic race bodies, Hindle Racing, Eurocorsa performance, Vortex Racing, Hybrid Racing of Ottawa and Yamaha Motor Canada for continuously improving the R6 model line. 
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RACE SuperSeries, Round #6 - Pro Track
BnE Racing grabs twin wins and lap records at finale

                                                                                                                                                 October 2, 2009
SHANNONVILLE, Ont.
Pro 6 Cycle-sponsored BnE Racing wrapped up the 2009 regional RACE Superseries Championship season in dramatic fashion this past weekend at Shannonville Motorsport Park with teammates Efram Ellenbogen and Billy Shields breaking two lap records and snaring two race victories. 

The two riders have been locked in a season-long battle for the Amateur 600 and Superbike crowns on their Dunlop-shod Yamaha R6s, with Ellenbogen edging his teammate and claiming both championships following Round #5 last month. At the final round last weekend on SMP’s Pro track, Ellenbogen again asserted his dominance in Saturday’s dry qualifier, setting new lap records of 1:07.283 (600) and 1:07.160 (S/B). Shields qualified 3rd (1:08.443) and 2nd (1:07.955) for the two races.

But with Sunday came rain and treacherously slippery track conditions. In the 600 race, Ellenbogen took the holeshot but nearly crashed mid-way through Turn 1 with Shields following. By mid race Ellenbogen had built a small lead but visor fogging and persistent light rain slackened his pace. “I just couldn’t see. I was hitting puddles that I couldn’t see. It was either slow down or likely crash,” said Ellenbogen. Shields closed in on his teammate before stuffing him into the hairpin for the lead and ultimate win. “There were big moments every lap. We were both one-handing it down the backstraight, fingering our visors open with the other to clear the fogging. Under hard braking I could feel the water in my boots sloshing forward around my toes. It was pretty intense,” said Shields.

The Superbike race, held later in the day on a wet track but with no rain, saw the teammates brush elbows at 200 kph under braking at the end of the backstraight. Shields, riding his 2004 Yamaha R6 rain bike, had taken the holeshot but could not shake Ellenbogen’s 2008 R6. On lap 5 of 8, Ellenbogen went for the pass at the end of the straight, pulling slightly ahead of Shields who had begun to brake for the coming turn. “I was expecting Efram. He has passed me there before, and he seems to enjoy passing me there, and he enjoys telling me how his brake markers are getting deeper and deeper into that turn. Well, this time, I did what I did to him a few years ago: I briefly released my brake and coasted by him and then re-braked to make that turn. For sure it was satisfying.”

“I thought for sure Billy wasn’t going to make that corner, but he did somehow and I was smiling ear-to-ear inside my helmet.”

BnE Racing completes the 2009 RACE Superseries finishing Top 2 in Amateur 600 and Superbike, tallying 19 podiums, 10 victories, six lap records and two championships. The team prepares for it debut season in the pro ranks in 2010, competing against Canada’s best roadracers.


Contact: [email protected]

BnE Racing thanks anchor sponsor Pro6 Cycle of Toronto, Highside Healthcare, Dunlop Tires, Bickle Racing, Mimic race bodies, Hindle Racing, Eurocorsa performance, Vortex Racing, Hybrid Racing of Ottawa and Yamaha Motor Canada for continuously improving the R6 model line. Special thanks to tuner Ian Sutherland and Gary Christie.
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