The acrbirel team fielded a team of four drivers. In fact it was the debut for the latest signing to the team of Ed Brand and he in turn was joined by Michael Simpson, Tom Thompson and Chris Thomas. Testing went well with the majority of the weekend being dry, Simpson made a best time of 46.25 and Brand 46.4 - both on old tyre so the expectation was high for the race. Tom Thompson suffered engine issues all weekend whilst Chris Thomas made improvements all looks in better shape for his debut in S1.

In the heats Simpson netted a 3rd from grid 20! and a win, whilst Brand captured a 5th from grid 23 and a 1st too. The acr Birel duo lined up on the front row. In to turn one both Birel drivers were conveniently pushed from behind and wide demoting them to 4th nd 5th. The race began to re establish themselves with Brand showing the initiative and passing his teammate Simpson before climbing back up to 2nd position. Simpson meanwhile was being harassed at all angles but as a true professional withstood the pressure and eased back to finish in 3rd place. Brand chased down the eventual winner Holland to cross the line just 0.8 tenths behind.

"I am delighted at our team's performance; unfortunately the race was lost for us on the first turn. It will be interesting to see if the Go pro camera's stop such incidents in the future. This was the first real run for our drivers in the dry so I am very pleased with the performance of the new Birel chassis. Now we have to focus for the S1 race here in 2 weeks, but from what I have seen from Michael and Ed this weekend its clear we have a fantastic partnership - it's a dream team! "commented team boss Andy Cox.

15TH WINTER CUP - LONATO, 19-21 FEBRUARY 2010

Exceptional double top ranking for Toman and Cesetti in SKF, positive 2nd place for Barrageig in KF2 and excellent performances in KF3 as well: a good season kickoff for Birel colours and Bmb

Birel pilots could have not done better at the 15th Winter Cup edition in Lonato, the international meeting for SKF, KF2 and KF3 classes, which opened the season last weekend. This well established early international circus competition, which is run by all KF classes top drivers, turned out to be even more interesting than usual, as it was the occasion for testing the recently homologated engines.

As already said, Birel team and BmB not only lived up to expectations, but even did better. In fact, despite the engines homologated by Bmb were at their official debut, leading competitors in all classes were tackled with equal mastery, starting from superb Toman and Cesetti ranking first and second in challenging SKF top class. The pilot from the Czech Republic was the champion, followed by his teammate on the finish line of an exciting race. Belgian driver De Brabander ranked 3rd in front of Ardigò and Kozlinski. Positive results for Birel also from Viganò, whose first day in top class earned him 9th position. KF2, the category in which BMB technicians and tuners play the leading role, was equally successful. The excellent collective results achieved by the pilots racing with BMB engines confirm such feature.

In detail, great attention for Spanish pilot Barrabeig, 2nd according to photo finish behind winner Heche.

Among the weekend's fastest, English pilot Lennox for Birel Motorsport. Unfortunately his Final went wrong due to a contact. And, contact once again spoilt the race for Sorensen (Birel Motorsport) and Waliko (KSB) in KF3.

Despite such incidents, the cadet class greatly benefited from the new BMB engines. For the record, it must be said that Tiihonen's race in KF3 was positive, with ranking very close to the top ten.

Carlo Boscolo, technical manager for BMB, highlights the positive outcome of the first competition of the season: "We were amazed by the results, mainly because the engineers we are collaborating with in the racing sector had not had much time for testing all development stages. This factor clearly shows how our "basic" engine was extremely well conceived. As a matter of fact, this is one of the objectives we set at the beginning: to provide our customers with a really competitive "standard" engine.

A quality that will be decisive for achieving good performances in the single national championships. The work of each tuner should stand as "added value" for a product which is already very competitive.

And, apart from Toman's victory, and from the one that could have been achieved in KF2, and besides the fact that in such category collective performance was generally good, what mainly encourages me is the opportunity to substantially face the new competitive season relying on the same potential the leading competitors can count on.

The first objective has been achieved and we now want to follow this path, aware that competition will be fierce and tough."

Also Birel racing division manager Mariano De Faveri focuses on the positive points of last weekend: " Concerning frames, we know we can now deliver highly competitive technical material in all classes: the innovations introduced on 2010 range have proven effective. We were always fast, with both the official and external teams.

With regards to BMB engines, my opinion is that they could soon become a new landmark in KF2. In fact, in the light of the data gathered during winter testing and this first race, we now believe our potential is absolutely remarkable.

The performances achieved by Barrabeig, Lennox and Basz can only confirm such estimation once again. Also SKF success tells us how well this engine was designed, and I think that the KF3 version will soon be at the top. We have to work hard this year to face the new challenge involving the development of both frame and engine. And no doubt it will also be very stimulating. Let's just hope we run races as successful as this one on loads of other occasions

Current Super One Junior Max Champion Ed brand has changed his original plans to race Senior Max with CRG and instead has sensationally joined the acrbirel team for the 2010 season !

"I am delighted to have signed Ed, he is a fantastic addtion to our team line up. He will make a very strong pairing with Michael Simpson in the Senior Max class. To have two current Super One champions in our team for 2010 is awesome. Its Ed's first year in seniors but from what I have seen in some tests he is without doubt senior championship winning material too!

Its important in any team to have strength and depth. With our senior team line up now completed with Ed Brand I think Birel's return to the Super One Rotax championship will help us reach our goals" said team boss Andy Cox

Like new teammate Simpson, Brand will use the new 2010 Birel RY30 S2 Motorsport chassis but will continue his successful partnership with his engine builder (HRS)Nigel Horner who is now solely concentrating on the preparation of engines.

Brand will shake down the Birel for the first time this saturday at PFI before more tests ahead of his first race at PF on March 7th.

Brand will also make use of a new collaboration between acrbirel and the Official Birel team for the Euro Max series Kalman Motorsport (KMS) run by Peter Kalman. The collaboration bewteen ACR and KMS will see awning and team support available for any UK Birel owner who wishes to paricipate in any round of the Euro max series which kicks off his Euro at Salbris next month.

The 2010 Senior acrbirel team line up : Current S1 Champion Michael Simpson; Current J S1 Champion Edward Brand, former 177 S1 Champion Steve Cobb and Birel Academy graduates TomThompson and Chris Thomas.

For more information on the acrbirel team or information on the new 2010 Birel RY30 S2 chassis call acr : 01527 889595 or visit www.acrbirel.com

The acrbirel team fielded three drivers at the February club meeting at PFI, overall the entry was nearly 270 which is a welcome and positive sight for the start of 2010 season. The Rotax max grid was made up of 30 drivers and was a quality field. Michael Simpson sat this test and race out as he prepared to fly to Spain for the Euro Max race this week with Birel.

Conditions were horrible , very damp and a track that was very slippery and refused to dry. In Rotax 177 Steve Cobb tried many different settings to find the balance he liked but had more trouble with his engine before he found his real turn of speed. Two seconds in the heats placed him grid 2 behind Milan Mach. The final saw a dry line and slicks were now required, at the start Cobb shot into the lead before later on a slight mistake saw him drop to 4th. On the last lap Cobby was awesome and somehow was challenging for the lead into turn 3, but alas his rear wheel touched a wet patch and sent him off into the grass, a win lost but a promising 2010 debut.

In senior max new acrbirel drivers Tom Thompson and Chris Thomas did not disapoint. Both were on the pace in testing, in the heats Thomas recorded a respectable 7th place and set him a top ten grid slot for the final, unfortunately an optimistic Tonykart driver who seemed not to be fitted with functioning brakes! helped Thomas off the PF circuit and denied him a sure top 10 finish. Teamate Thompson had a real high and then a real low of a day. In heat 2 Thompson drove a flawless race pulling away from the experienced works CRG driver Ed brand to take his first win in devastating and confidence boosting style. In the final Thompson made a great start and was in 6th before being pushed wide and off. After re starting stone last Tom recovered well to 13th place and set the 5th fastest time despite being in traffic!

In SKF Johnny Walker (AMT Racing) tried the Birel RY30 S2 for the first time, and was mightly impressed. In the final Walker made a great start and lead for four laps before being successfully challenged by Briitsh Champion Mark Litchfield. Litchfield eased surely away to victory but Walker was destined for a secure 2nd place before his chain snapped with 2 laps to go ! Walker will continue to test the Birel this week.

So as you can see whatever the weather or track condition isn't time you chose the Birel RY30 S2 ?

ACR are pleased to annouce a new Scottish agent for Birel karts and accessories : L M Motorsport

LM Motorsport is owned by Lenny Messenger who has many years experience in karting both as a driver and a mechanic. In 2007 Messenger himself took the Formula Blue WSKC Championship. Based near the famous Larkhall circuit LM Motorsport now runs a team for Rotax Max and Formula Blue catagories.

Over the years Lenny has formed close ties with one of the famous karting families in Scotland, the DiResta's. Recently announced Force India F1 driver Paul DiResta and his brother Stefan (Rotax Max) and their father Louis have passed on invaluable advice and support to Lenny in the setup of LM Motorsport.

LM Motorsport will provide a professional, approachable and competitive service to drivers and will go the extra mile to satisfy drivers requests. Services available are kart storage,kart prepartion and race day awning and driver coaching facilities. The team will of course use Birel chassis and LM Motorsport will benifit with full support from UK Birel Importer ACR on technical matters and product development. L M Motorsport will stock all Birel chassis and spare parts to give thier clients a 100% support package.

"I am delighted to appoint LM Motorsport as our new Scottish agents, Lenny has the right attitude and his professionalism and attention to detail is exactly what we need to push the Birel brand in Scotland - he will do a great job ! " commented Birel UK boss Andy Cox.

L M Motorsport have a demo kart of the new Birel RY30 S2, to book a test drive or enquire about the services on offer from LM Motorsport contact them at lmmotorsport@btinternet.com or call Lenny on 07971 605558.

The 2010 acrbirel team took to the track for the first time at the open test at PFI on Saturday 23rd January.

Birel's leading driver Michael Simpson continued his evaluation of the new Birel Ry30 S2 and headed the times for most of the day clocking a best dry time of 47.19 secs.

The PFI test was very busy and well attended, the day started wet and gradually dried but the track was not at its best.The new Birel chassis looked a class act and very easy drive. Simpsons acr teammates Tom Thompson (47.66secs) Michael Taylor (47.69secs) and Chris Thomas (47.85 secs) all tested different setup configurations of the new kart but all ended the day happy and looking forward to their first race on feb 7th at PFI. In Rotax 177 Steve Cobb was very quick setting a best time of 47.80 secs and concentrated on testing seat positions and castor settings.

We now have in stock the next consignment of RY30 S2 chassis to reserve yours call the ACR office 01527 889595.

The first consignment of 2010 Birel RY30 - S2 came in and went straight out !

We have allocations for karts available for mid to end of January 2010. You can reserve your kart with a £350 deposit. The 2010 RY30 S2 comes standard with Magniesium rims, Freeline white pods, Birel Hq Motorsport graphics, engine mount, seat stays and UK Steel rear bumper.

Call the office on 01527 889595 to reserve yours now !

2009 Rotax Max Champion Michael Simpson has sensationally u turned his retirement decision and has signed for 2010 for Birel and its Sole UK Importer ACR.

 “I am absolutely ecstatic to have Michael back with Birel and ACR once again, in 2008 whilst in KF2 we won 6 Super One finals in a row together - incredible!  In my opinion he is one of the best kart drivers the UK has produced in recent times and a great ambassador for our sport. For this reason I just wouldn't accept Michael's retirement, his knowledge and experience is a massive asset to any team - I can't wait for the 2010 season to start!" commented team boss Andy Cox.

Simpson will lead the ACR / Birel team's assault on the Super One Rotax Max series and heads a team which also features the very experienced Stephen Cobb in Rotax 177 who must also be a title favourite in 2010. The ACR line up also includes two new drivers who have come through the successful Birel Academy, Tom Thompson and Chris Thomas will make their debut in Super One in 2010, with the experienced Simpson heading the team there is a fantastic opportunity for both drivers to accelerate their form and experience.

The team will be powered by Steve Ogden prepared Rotax motors and will use Data Logging from Pi.

Simpson shook down the new 2010 Birel Motorsport RY30 S2 kart at PF last Saturday. In wet and dry conditions Simpson was quick and was very impressed with the balance and grip of the new kart. "What's impressive is that we hardly changed the setup of the kart, its predictable and gave me good confidence in the wet and dry plus its quite noticeable that the weight of the kart has been reduced - so much so that now I will need lead!" a delighted Simpson exclaimed. 

For more information contact us HERE

At PFI on Saturday the new 2010 Birel RY30 - S2 was officially put through its paces in the hands of Birel's new signing for 2010 AKA "The Birel Stig" He lapped the PFI circuit in wet, damp and dry conditions - with ease !

Affter starting wet with a basic setting (just bolting the wheels on !) the kart was quick and very balanced. Later it dried an slicks were fitted - again just bolted on with no adjustments made - the kart was good and looked a class act.

The Birel Stig ( Officially to be annouced this friday ahead of the Kartmania Kart Show) was mightly impressed with his new steed, "the change in direction and lateral grip was very good, the kart is easy to drive and has a very neutral balance - this is the kart that will bring Birel to the front in 2010"

Congratulations to Mark Keane (Motosports Ireland Junior Championship)  and Tom Shipman (Teesside Senior Championship). Both drivers will travel to Italy in December to the Birel Spa factory for a tour before going for a track test with the Birel Motorsport Junior team.
 
"The Birel Academy attracted a lot of interest and made the drivers season more affordable. The grid sizes were quite different from club to club due to the economic climate in 2009, never the less the Birel Academy drivers represented the Birel brand well and we will be launching the Birel Academy 2010 next month" commented Birel Importer Andy Cox - "The 2010 Birel RY 30 S2 is looking very good in testing and we hope for even better results in 2010".
 
Keep tuned to acrbirel.com for when applications open for the Birel Academy 2010 season.