Michael Dunlop made a wise move in signing up Carl Phillips
to race BSB’s Pirelli National SuperStock 1000cc. I caught up with an extremely
busy Carl and Dad Joe to see how the 2017 plans were shaping up.
Andy: Tremendous efforts in 2016 in an ultra-competitive class, not expecting any different in Superstock 1000 this
year?
Carl: Yes the stock 600 is always as very close affair with
less than a second usually covering the first 24 riders in qualifying. Without
doubt the step up is not going to be any easier. There are a lot of riders with
serious experience in this class. So it will be elbows out and head down to be
honest. I hope to learn from these riders but, it’s not going to be easy.
Andy: Same tracks as last year, will that be of much benefit, if
any, on the 1000cc?
Carl: I'm lucky in the fact that I learn tracks pretty quickly.
So I can carry that knowledge with me. Yes I will be approaching the track in a
different manner being on 1000cc, so track time is vital. I will be heading to
Spain at the end of the month and the official Donington test in March, so my
aim is to keep my ass in the seat as much as possible before the first round.
Andy: You’ll be familiar with the costs involved in running a bike
in a British championship, have you had much luck with personal sponsorship
considering the exposure that’s available in this heavily televised sport?
Carl: Last year cost roughly 25 thousand, I was lucky to be
picking prize money up along the way, Although I'm riding for Michael Dunlop
this year I don't want people thinking this is a free ride, it’s not, I have to
find approx another 25 thousand if not more this year, for running cost of the
bike that's why it’s vital I get sponsors on board. There is a new format to
the championship this year and some rounds have a race on the Saturday also.
These races are all televised live. My sponsors last year got great coverage,
coverage that they couldn't afford on main stream television, so they were more
than delighted to see their name live on British Eurosport.
Andy: The 1000cc will be challenging to race for long distances
given its extra weight and fitness will surely play a large part on the twisty
tracks. How will you plan for this?
Carl: To be honest I’ve never rode a 1000cc before, but they are
more compact bikes nowadays. I work in the leisure industry with Balance
leisure, so I'm never out of gym. I do however put a lot into my training with
my trainer Paul Beattie. I learned a couple of years ago fitness matters, to be
competitive in BSB. You should be riding to the finishing line in BSB not
looking for it because you’re tired.
Andy: We’ll be keeping an eye on you Carl and really
wish you all the very best for 2017.
Carl: Cheers! And thanks to all my loyal and new sponsors
onboard for the 2017 season:
MD racing
Db tiles.com
The man shack
Boojum
Midland calipers
Schimel distribution
Balance leisure
JB motorcycles
Ardent plumbing & heating
Top oil
My Dad
Family, friends & all the support!
2017 is going to be a big and important year for me.
Words: Andy Quinn
Image courtesy of Ryan Fegan
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