The EMS Racing team ended the 2006 season with some poor luck after a rare technical problem robbed rider, Sheridan Morais of a top seven finish in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup race at Magny Cours, France. 

Team mate Mark Pollock unfortunately faired no better when he was forced off the track at the first corner following a crash in what was an exciting weekend of racing.

Starting from the third row of the grid Sheridan made a strong start and moved immediately up into eighth place on lap one. With the EMS Racing Suzuki working well around the fast Magny Cours F1 circuit he was able to post good lap times and hold his own within the top ten before making his move for seventh on lap six.

Sheridan looked comfortable in the position, but then two laps later his electronic gear indicator stopped working. This was followed shortly by the electronics on the bike defaulting to a ‘safe mode’, which in turn reduced how high the engine would rev. The problem was unsolvable during the race and immediately cost Sheridan two seconds a lap and he dropped from a strong seventh to 11^th place at the finish.

“In the last few laps I was just hitting the rev limiter in top gear down the straights and I knew straight away there was a problem when one of the Honda’s behind me went past.” explained Sheridan.

“Up until then I was really enjoying the race. I closed down the gap to the guys in front and I’d fought my way up into seventh. But then the problem started and my lap times straight away went from 1m46s to 1m48s. As it was only an electrical problem the bike was still handling well I was riding hard, but I couldn’t stop myself from going backwards.” he continued.

Irishman Mark Pollock saw his race end before it really began after he had to take drastic measures at the opening corner when a spectacular three rider crash forced Mark off the track. He was able to rejoin and went on to slash over a second off his best qualifying lap, but unfortunately lost too much time in the incident to get back into contention.

“I actually made a good start and I was up with the two rows in front of me going down into turn one. Just as I was tipping in, there were bikes everywhere and I had to go straight on. I rejoined dead last and there wasn’t a lot I could do to catch up the guys ahead who were a long way in front.” said Mark

The 2006 Superstock 1000 FIM Cup is now over for another season and the team and riders are now on their way back to Ireland after competing in ten rounds throughout eight countries within Europe. The EMS Racing team would like to thank all their sponsors and backers for their support during the season and look forward to some more exciting track action in 2007.