EMS Racing just out the points in Spectacular German Race

The EMS Racing team had one of their most testing days in the eighth round of the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup in Germany this weekend. South African rider Sheridan Morais got tangled up in the aftermath of a spectacular second lap crash and then in the restarted race was punted of the track, leaving him down in 16th place at the finish.

After a difficult qualifying session where Sheridan ended up in 16^th spot, the EMS Racing team made further changes to the bike for morning warm-up. The changes helped the 21 year old get the bike turned through the faster sections of the track, an area where he had struggled during qualifying.

In the scheduled 14 lap, Sheridan held his own off the start and managed to get through the first turn melee without incident. However on lap two there was a spectacular crash after championship leader Andrea Polita lost control and his Suzuki tumbled down the middle of the track. Seconds later an unsighted Illario Dionisi hit the bike flat out and somersaulted down the track with a dramatic fire ball behind him. Sheridan saw the incident unfold in front of him and was able to take avoiding action, but despite leaving the track and taking to the grass he still came in contact with one of the fallen bikes as it slid off the track.

“That was hectic to say the least; it was like a war zone with bits of bikes, flames and smoke everywhere. I was right behind Dionisi just before the crash, he went one way and I went the other to avoid the bike. I was able to miss most of it but still smashed into half a bike which destroyed the radiator and the exhaust system on my Suzuki.” explained Sheridan.

The EMS Racing team worked hard to make the necessary repairs to the bike and did well to get the bike rebuilt in time for the shortened nine lap restart. Sheridan made a strong start and immediately moved up into 12^th spot before becoming embroiled in a tough battle for position. He spent the rest of the race fighting for a point scoring finish, but with four laps to go a wild riding Matej Smrz punted Sheridan off the track, leaving him to rejoin down in 19^th spot.

“I got the bike off the line well, but there were so many people still in front of me going into turn one I couldn’t make the progress I wanted to. Once I got into a rhythm I was making good progress and looked set to have a good battle with Polita but the next thing I know I was off the track when Smrz T-boned me into one of the corners. I don’t know what he was doing, it’s not like he was even trying to pass me because he was a long way back and I was already in the corner with my knee on the ground. You could see from the mark he left on my leathers where his front wheel hit my shoulder.” said Sheridan.

“It’s been another tough weekend, but on the plus side I’ve been involved in two crashes, without actually coming off. I’m disappointed with the results though so now I’m focussing on the final two rounds of the championship at Imola in Italy and Magny Cours in France. I’ve watched videos of the Imola race last year and the track looks great and we’ve got a test at Magny Cours planned so I’m looking forward to it.” He continued.

The penultimate round of the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup takes place at Imola on 29^th September to 1^st October 2006.

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