David Kennington Racing

Welcome to DKracing, the home page for all the latest news and information about my motorcycle Racing career. On this webpage, you will be able to keep up to date with all of my racing action from the Isle of Man and the UK, from short circuit racing to real road racing. You can find out about my racing career, past to present; also more importantly, information about my team and sponsors, without which, a lot of my progression and success would not have been possible. I hope you enjoy the site and hope you return soon for all the latest news!

Latest News

4th August 2010: With Local British Supersport rider Dan Kneen returning to riding after the injury he sustained at Knockhill at the start of July, the pace of the ARA Championship here on the Island at Jurby was always going to be fast. The team had made the decision to switch to Metzeler tyres due to financial assistance for this race from the Harvey family. In practice this was proving to be a hard transition, the slightly different front tyre profile was causing front end chatter which left us scratching our heads in qualifying. Despite these problems we put the bike on the second row of the grid for both the Centre Championship and the 600 Championship.

I made a great start in the first Centre Championship race to climb to 3rd only for the race to be halted due to a crash from Martin Bullock rider Johnny Heginbotham at turn one. On the restart, I climbed to 3rd again only to be past in turn two. This was followed by a three way battle for 4th place but a mistake on the penultimate race dropped me to 6th. With a great start in the first 600 race, a great battle with Station Garage rider Tim Venables on the last lap meant we took 5th. With more setup changes for the last two races, we were again confident of taking our debut podium in these classes but after a bad start, and getting boxed in at the first turn, meant we could only take 7th in the second Centre race. This left our only chance of visiting the podium would be in the final 600 race. With a great start, I challenged for first place into turn one, but I was not able to match the power of my rivals and slipped to 3rd. With a race long battle with Southern 100 competitor Andy Fenton, we battled the entire race and took 4th position by the chequered flag, just missing the podium by a mere two seconds.

Although slightly disappointed with my results, I am confident of my ability to run at the front. We achieved our best lap around the Jurby GP Circuit, despite our issues, by over a second. With a bit more help and a bit more power the team will be able to carry this momentum into next season. We now have a six week break whilst the Manx Grand Prix takes place here on the Island until the final round of the Manx championships on the 19th of September. Good luck to all competing and this also means only 12 months until the DK Racing team can compete on the legendary Mountain Circuit! As always, many thanks go out to all our sponsors, without which these results would not be possible.

Photos courtesy of Martyn's Foto's and Robert Kneale

22nd July 2010: Last week hosted the International Southern 100 road races at the Billown circuit here on the Isle of Man. After racing at the Post TT race on the same circuit, using it as a 'test session' to prepare for this event, the team was highly motivated to make its first big impact on the 'real' roads. After a solid start on Monday evening, setting a 97mph lap straight away in near perfect conditions, Tuesday's practice saw the complete opposite, with torrential rain creating tortuous conditions around the circuit. Despite this, a good set up from the team meant we lay 7th fastest ahead of factory rider Cameron Donald on his Relentless Suzuki.

Wednesday held the 600A race and the 600/1000 race. Unfortunately intermittent electrical problems forced retirement from these races. After working on the bike late into the night with new TMM Pit member Russell Moore, and with parts from fellow rider Tim Venables, we were able to resolve the electrical issues ready for the 600B race on Thursday morning.

After heavy rain overnight, it was crucial for the correct tyre choice on a wet but soon to be drying track. After discussions with Technician Chris, who had recently circulated the course to asses the conditions, we chose a wet front and an intermediate rear tyre. A good start in the race took me from 4th to 3rd just behind fellow Andreas racing rider Andy Fenton. This was to set the scene for an intense battle for 2nd place. With Fenton being on a dry set up it meant he was very fast on the first half of the lap, but not so fast from Ballabeg to Church Bends which was still damp to say the least. After passing each other lap by lap, on the entrance to Castletown Corner on the penultimate lap, Fenton touched my rear tyre on the entry to the corner which ran us both to the curb on the exit. Lucky to stay on, we both tucked in and started the last lap. Defending my lines throughout the lap, I came into Cross Four Ways with a huge rear slide. This gave Fenton a run on me into Church Bends and whilst trying to defend I braked too late, lost traction and had a massive two wheel drift into the corner. Fenton seized the moment and passed. I managed to come back on the inside of him into the final turn but with the tighter line, it meant I could not get on the throttle as quickly which meant I took 3rd place by a mere 0.270 of a second. Paul Smyth took the win, and although holding 2nd place across the line on every lap but the last, I was elated to take 3rd place from a great battle with Fenton.

This just left the final race of the day, The Centre Championship. Having been chosen to ride, although starting from the 9th row, I made a great start which took me to 18th, whilst chasing down the rider in front the race was red flagged on the 4th lap due to an incident. This meant the race had to be restarted for a 4 lap dash. On the restart, although my tyres had gone off, I climbed the field again up to 16th position. Whilst fighting for 15th place, there was a huge crash on the last lap at Stadium Corner. Station Garage's Tim Venables lost control and hit the air fencing on the exit, luckily he was ok and I took the line in a very respectable 16th position.

The Southern 100 was the simply the best race meeting i have ever ridden, and a meeting that I could not have competed in without my Team and Sponsors. Kim, Chris, Gaz and the new early bird member Russ Moore (see Team section) were amazing, and extra thanks go out to Station Garage for fueling the whole week which was fantastic.

After all the excitement, the team now look forward to round 5 of the Manx Championship at Jurby. Although entries have been accepted, we are still struggling to fund the end of the season due to our electrical problems and an engine which is down on power and in need of a refresh. If there are any potential sponsors out there, please do not hesitate to get in touch!

Finally a big get well soon to Andy Cowin who also crashed at Stadium Corner on Wednesday night and broke his arm, we all wish him well in his speedy recovery!

Photos courtesy of Russ Moore, Rob Temple, Manx Photos Online, JC Images & Stuart Watson Photography

1st July 2010: Hi Five! Well that seemed to be the number at Jurby for round 4 of the Isle of Man Championship on Sunday. I was determined to qualify on the front two rows for the Centre Championship as this has been my weak point all season. I left the holding area first and set my fastest qualifying time on my first flying lap to secure a 5th position. In 600 Qualifying it was a similar story, 5th again.

In the first 2 races of the day, I held position with 2 very quiet, yet fast rides to secure two more 5th positions just off the back of the lead group. In the second Centre Championship race, a severely overheating and spinning rear tyre meant 5th again was all I could manage, making it five 5th place positions! After making some set up changes to work around the tyre issues, I made a good start in the 600 race to climb up to 3rd just behind a flying Andy Fenton, but an intense battle with number 4, MBR rider Jonny Heginbotham, for 2 laps of the race meant I had to settle for 4th by the end of the race.

As I have upgraded to my National road race license, although leading the Clubman Championship, I was no longer eligible to compete in this category which is unfortunate, but a strategic move for my future racing career. Once again, I was so close to taking my debut 600 and Centre championship podium and the team will be working hard to achieve this for round 5. On a slightly negative note, the race bike now has to be taken to Slick Performance, as in the final race of the day, what sounds like a worrying cam chain rattle became present and needs sorting as soon as possible. A huge thanks go out to all my sponsors for all their help and the team now look forward to the Southern 100 in just 2 weeks.

Finally, funds are really tight at the minute, with so much racing at present along with recent mechanical issues. If there are any potential sponsors out there, the team would love to speak to them so we can help each other reach the top of such a competitive sport.

Photos courtesy of Road Race Photography

News Archive