It's musical chairs with region's riders

Dec 30 2007 by Zoe Burn, Sunday Sun

WITH 2008 just around the corner, the countdown will soon be on for the upcoming racing season.

And it looks to be a case of musical chairs for many of our local favourites, as riders and drivers from across the region swap teams and champion- ships.

The biggest news comes in the form of 21-year-old Graeme Gowland, who is stepping up to the international stage following his win in the Spanish CEV Supersport Championship.

The Allendale rider will line-up alongside Vesa Kallio – brother of 250 GP star, Mika – at Team Benjan Motoren, when the season gets underway in February.

Finishing third in the R6 cup in 06 in just his first season on tarmac, then winning the Spanish championship this year, Gowla looks certain to be a man to watch in ‘08, and there’s every chance we could see this new star running at the front and even grabbing a podium or two along the way.

Meanwhile, in the UK’s Supersport championship, Guisborough-born Dennis Hobbs is sticking around for a third season on the 600cc machines, but this time onboard the Centurian Racing bike.

After finishing third this year, Hobbsy is hoping 2008 will be the year he takes his first British title.

However, it remains to be seen if Centurian have the manpower, skill or funds to build him a bike which can be a serious challenger, but you can guarantee old Bigfoot will be giving it everything he’s got.

Wonderkid Dan Linfoot is another racer likely to be on a 600, after signing with Beowulf Racing. The 125 and 250 GP star is expected to contest the European Superstock 600 series, although neither Linny nor the team have ruled out the possibility of entering Superstock 1000.

Linny, who is an accomplished rider on the true ‘race bikes’ will be new to Superbike racing, so will definitely be one to watch this year. Who knows how the youngster will fare?

Should Linny end up on the 1000cc machine, he could end up dicing with Teesside’s Paul Veazey, who has also been linked to a move into the European championships, after a tough season in the UK.

Meanwhile, here in Britain 16-year-old Joe Burns will make his Brit debut in the Junior Superstock 600 series, while brother Chris is still in talks with regards to returning to Superbikes.

Over in the world of four wheels, Seat Cupra R champ Harry Vaulkhard will be flying the flag for Robertshaw Racing in the British Touring Car Championship, driving the stunning Chevrolet Lancetti

As Robertshaw Racing head towards global domination, Vaulkhard will be joined on the grid by Alan ‘Big Mussel’ Taylor in his Honda Integra.

Meanwhile, former BTCC hero Warren Hughes will remain in sportscars with Embassy Racing, driving the LMP2 prototype in the Le Mans Endurance Series and the Le Mans 24 Hour race.

And in the world of neither four or two wheels – aka Sidecars – Bedlington’s Phil Bell will be back in action taking on the Brit series again, in the hope of taking the title.

LOOKING ahead to 2008, it’s hard to believe we’re at the end of another tough and busy season, and as usual I have a few people to thank.

As ever, Iain Kemp of Fotofuel has supplied us with exclusive images throughout the season from tracks up and down the country.

And this season, as our tally of local riders and drivers pretty much doubled, I was joined by Mic Archbold, who helped with all our live reports from the track, and has been an invaluable asset to Burning Rubber this year.

The usual suspects like Dave Fern, Carl McKeller, Jakob Ebrey and Paul Evans all deserve a mention for helping out during times of panic, as well as Louise Cain and Gareth Hankinson who were there in our time of crisis at Donington Park.

Also a massive thanks to Tony, Sue and Carl at Krystal Racing Space Air for looking after us with food, drink and a bed all year, and a big farewell to the team who are bowing out of bike racing.