Brian Wood

Name	Brian Wood
Age	37
Years Racing	11
Team Details	Used to be just me the wife and brother in law but in recent times its been a team of people in endurance races and my mechanics Kevin Tompkin and Eddie Grace the last time I rode a full season in club racing.
Website	www.teambwr.com
Sponser Details	Various sponsors over the years but mainly the wife and family. Currently sponsored by Blueberry Developments, Arai, Yamaha NZ, Whites Powersports and Dunlop NZ
Current Class	Sports Production 600 New Zealand (last UK class- Open 600’s)
Current Bike	2008 Yamaha R6
Race Number	usually 35
Racing CV	1996 Rode a Honda Rs125 GP class bike.. top tens in the ‘Singles,twins and triples class’ 1997 NG novice, Open and 600cc on a CBR600 won some races got injured 2nd for season overall in Novice class. 1998 raced a tuned 600cc Honda to a number of race wins at various tracks but didn’t do a championship so to speak won the NG ‘Most promising rider’ award and a BSG Southern Open round. 1999 rode an R1 and a 600cc won a number or races at various clubs on both bikes. 2000 competed in the first MRO series and in the 600cc class finished top ten despite not completing the whole year as my beautiful daughter arrived. Won a number of other club races including Bemsee’s annual Brands GP meeting and competed at British Supersport. 2001 didn’t race due to lack of cash 2002 signed to ride World endurance but the team collapsed due to a sponsors business failing at the last minute. 2003-4 rode in KRC endurance finishing 3rd in class on a 996 ducati 2005 first year back in club racing- rode two CBR600RR’s and won the 600cc NG title and Overall club championship. 2006 Broke down when leading the first 600cc race at Pembrey Got badly hurt when running 2nd at the Brands endurance race and that’s the last time I raced.
First Race	1996
Favorite Tracks	Brands Hatch GP circuit because its simply awesome and has a bit of everything. The old Dingle Dell was a true ‘how big are your balls’ section that sadly has now been changed. Jerez- its just superb Pembrey- like home from home
Worse Tracks	Cadwell Park- I just don’t get on with the place and despite winning there in 2005 its still somewhere I would not choose to race.
Best finish	I’ve won many races at many clubs and most UK tracks but 19th in British Supersport when I raced there was overall my best result
Worse Finish	Well crashing out of a race means you finished last I guess. Strangely I guess my best is my worst as I don’t remember ever finishing lower than 19th in a race unless I had a crash, ran off the track or bike problem.
Proudest Moments	Two really- For just me- Winning the NG600cc title at Donington and carrying the Welsh flag around the slow down lap. Might have looked over the top for a club race but few will have known that Donington a number of years before had nearly ended my chances of ever riding or walking again so to win there in a absolutely superb race with Leon Morris that took us something like 10 seconds away from everyone else in the race was very emotional. For more than just me- Finishing 2nd in the 600 class at the old New Era Superclub of 1998 the day after my best mate had died in the TT…the trophy will forever be one of the most important I have.
Lowest Moments	Driving to a race meeting the day after your best friend who got you into the sport died at the TT. We did it because we and his wife thought it was what he would have wanted us to do.

Why did you start racing	I felt I was riding way to fast to be safe for much longer on the road and a good mate Ian Hardisty (RIP) got me into it.
Explain your Best racing moment	I guess the most memorable would be- being passed in qualifying at the Oulton Park British Supersport round by Jim Moodie. I thought I was really ‘on it’ going through the old Knickerbrook corner and up the hill under the bridge until Moodie passed me on the inside with his R6 on the top of the kerbs……made me realise the difference in pace and balls needed to make it to the top…….he won the title that same year.
What is your average year’s budget for racing?	When I started very little however to win the 600cc and overall titles in 2005 including the cost of two bikes and every last individual thing we paid for like food, travel, hiring a motorhome etc etc I reckon somewhere between 40K-50K but then I did pay someone to look after the bikes.
What are your Goals with racing?	My goal used to be that of making it to a pro level and getting paid to race but it never happened so now its just to try and win as much as possible and get a few more championships in the future. As I’m now in New Zealand my short term goal is to win a race here to add to those I’ve won in the UK.
Have you been injured when racing	Broken neck at C2, broken back at L1, broken left arm, Badly smashed right ankle Talus bone, had to have my thumb basically sown back on once and a few other things to boot………..racing can hurt and in my case it sure has. Cold winters are not as easy anymore but then it could also be because I’m getting old.
What would it take for you to consider stopping	I wish I knew because common sense would say I should have stopped a long time ago. Probably one of my kids saying I should stop I guess.
What spec of bike would you recommend a Novice start with?	If I were a novice starting today I would buy a bog standard new 600cc road bike…. engine wise just put a power commander and full system on it (then get it properly set up at a dyno) but spend money on the chassis and do the following- Brakes- replace the lines, fluid and pads Suspension- good quality race rear unit and fork cartridge kit. Chain and sprockets- get yourself a 520 race chain and a range of sprockets for gearing changes. Rearsets- some after market rearsets that will let you get the right position on the bike and add ground clearance. Fit a good steering damper Our spare CBR600RR05 was set up in just exactly the same way and good enough to lap Pembrey in the mid 1.01’s and win a few of the NG 600 qualifying races in 2005.
Have makes of riding gear to you recommend?	Helmet- Arai Leathers- BKS or Dainese but buy the best you can Boots- Apline stars Gloves- Alpine stars Back protector- Knox
What other gear would you say a novice would need	Good full range of tools in a proper organised tool box rather than a load of crap tools thrown in a plastic tub….makes life at the track easier and is better when working on your bike. An awning to stay dry on those wet wet race days at Pembrey or any track where there’s no garages available. A good bed to sleep in the night before a race, be that in a van, caravan or wherever. Someone with you at the race meeting in case it all goes wrong. Tyre warmers, genny and compressor or footpump.
What are your words of wisdom for starting racing?	Get your bike set up the way you like it then go and ride. Far to many new racers get bogged down in fiddling with the suspension or fuelling etc looking for time in set up when actually they would go seconds faster by concentrating on their riding and learning the tracks properly. Yes ultimately the best set up gets the best lap times for the best riders but for new riders its track time on the bike that will help most.
What do you wish you had been told when you were starting racing?	How to wind back time so I could have started 10 years earlier.