Les Shand’s hopes of success at Saturday's Ulster Grand Prix were thwarted by the Irish weather and, after torrential rain hit the entire province, the organisers were left with little option other than to abandon the races, the first time in its 86-year history that such an outcome had occurred. However, unlike the majority of the paddock, Les did manage to have one race and he finished in an excellent fourth place in Thursday’s 400cc race.

Les came into the 'Prix keen to add to his impressive haul of road racing results this season and again had a full compliment of machinery to aid his cause. However, right from the beginning of the event, circumstances conspired against the riders and the majority of Wednesday's practice sessions also fell victim to the weather.

Qualifying sessions were held on Thursday afternoon but it proved to be a troublesome time for Les as he slipped off his 600cc Suzuki at the hairpin, fortunately without injury. With time lost though, he slipped down to 23rd on the leaderboard whilst the damp conditions for the Superbike class caught out many and he placed 29th. However, with good conditions for the Superstock division, Les showed his true colours and a lap of 123.503mph, his best ever lap around the Dundrod circuit, was good enough for 12th on the grid.

There was also time for the 400cc race on Thursday and Les was locked in a superb battle for 2nd place as the 400cc machines and 650cc twins fought for supremacy. After a scare on the opening lap when he was forced wide at Leathemstown, he regrouped and the battle went right until the last lap when they caught some of the slower 125cc bikes. Unfortunately, Les found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and got held up and as he lost the tow to Paul Dobbs ahead of him, he had to settle for 4th, although this was still a great result on the ER6 Kawasaki.

However, Thursday's Dundrod 150 Superbike was also cancelled and with heavy rain falling all day on Saturday, the Ulster GP races were also called off with Les left to rue what might have been.

Speaking about the meeting, Les said:

'It's really disappointing to have the meeting cancelled, especially as the organisers have put in so much work, but it's just one of those things and there's not a lot we can do about the weather - I've never seen floods like it. We had a few problems in practice, as everyone did, but I was confident that we would be there or thereabouts on race day. I did manage to get the 400cc race under my belt though and it was a really enjoyable race. I got pushed onto the grass on the first lap when the rider in front of me had some machine problems and I lost a lot of places but I managed to claw my way back. The bike is a wee bit down on top speed and when I lost the tow on the last lap, there was no way of fighting back.”

“I was really looking forward to the Superstock and Supersport races on the Saturday but, as it turned out, we never got the chance to race at all. Like, I say, there's not a lot we can do about the weather but it’s a real shame for everyone involved in the meeting.”

Phil Wain
Freelance PR

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Les Shand had an extremely profitable two days of racing at Knockhill last weekend and he was able to claim no less than 4 wins and a new class lap record at the Fife venue. Having his first outing since his successful Isle of Man TT campaign in June, Les took all four wins in the Mini Twin class on board the Oak Tree Contracts Kawasaki, also claiming a new class record, and although this was the first round of the series he had competed in, he has already rocketed up to third in the Championship table.

With conditions good all weekend at the 1.287 mile circuit, Les dominated proceedings in the Mini Twin class to take maximum points and he backed this up with some strong rides in both the Superstock Championship and Supersport 600cc races. Riding the Leeds Parcel Company R1 Yamaha, his best result in the Superstock class was 4th place in Saturday’s second encounter and his best lap time of 50.8 seconds was just one tenth of a second outside the class lap record whilst he was only just over 2 seconds off the race win. This was backed up with solid results of 5th and 7th.

Just to ensure he had the maximum 12 starts from 12 races, Les was also out in force on the Bob Henderson Racing Suzuki in the Supersport 600cc class and his best result was again 4th place, this time achieved on Sunday. In the three other races, he took a brace of sevenths and a ninth, having fought his way through from 18th in the latter.

Speaking about the weekend, Les commented:

“It’s been a good two days for me and the team and the little Kawasaki was working brilliantly so that sets me up nicely for the Ulster GP next month, where I’ll be out again in the 400cc race. The lap times were good and to break the lap record was extremely pleasing. I hadn’t intended to contest the full championship but now I’m right in the hunt, I’ll probably keep going to see if we can get to the top of the table. The Superstock races were relatively straightforward without any dramas and I wasn’t far away in any of them. The lap times were very competitive and I’m happy with how the races went.”

“The 600 had had the engine freshened up after the TT but the engine still felt a bit flat; it was ok in qualifying but after that it went a bit downhill. Closer inspection revealed a small electrical problem and this was robbing the bike of a bit of power so we’ll look to get this fixed before the Ulster. I’m really looking forward to the final International road race of the season and I’ll be looking to continue my good run of results at Dundrod.”

The International Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week takes place from 11th-16th August, with Les in action on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Phil Wain
Freelance PR

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Les Shand made it five finishes from five starts in the 2008 Isle of Man TT Races, when he finished 23rd in Friday's Senior TT. Despite being severely under the weather with flu, Les again lapped at more than 120mph and he earned another bronze replica for his efforts, thus bringing his tally for the week to 2 silvers and 3 bronzes.

An opening lap of 120.125mph saw Les slot into 23rd on the Leeds Parcel Company R1 Yamaha and for the remaining 6 laps he hovered around the position. Up to 21st on the fourth lap, Les put in his fastest lap of the race, 120.260mph, on the sixth and final lap and he crossed the line after 226 miles of racing in 23rd spot, good enough for his third bronze replica of the week.

His personal best lap of 124.290mph, set in the previous week's Superbike race saw Les move up on the all time fastest riders list and he is now the 27th fastest rider ever to have lapped the tough Mountain Course. This, in turn, makes him the 3rd fastest Scotsman ever, behind Keith Amor and Jim Moodie, and ahead of illistrious names like Steve Hislop, Ian Simpson and Brian Morrison.

Speaking after his final race of the week, Les said:

"That was a really tough race and, on hindsight, I should probably have pulled in at the end of the first lap. I started to feel under the weather on Wednesday and I had no energy at all for the Senior, it was a real battle just to hold on. I made quite a few mistakes during the race, and gave myself a couple of real scares when I ran wide on a couple of corners, so I just concentrated on getting the bike home."

"It's a shame the week finished like this as I would have liked to have built upon the earlier Superbike race but to finish all five of the races this week is a major achievement in itself. I've won replicas in all of them and have improved my best ever lap time by a considerable margin so, all in all, it's been a good, enjoyable week. I'd like to thank all of the boys in the team for their hard work during the fortnight, they've done a terrific job, and, of course, all my loyal sponsors."

Phil Wain
Freelance PR

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Les Shand overcame mechancial difficulties to finish 24th in the second 4-lap Supersport TT race on Wednesday. Riding the Bob Henderson Suzuki, Les suffered a broken steering damper on the third lap of the race and with the handling compromised he had to nurse the bike home. Nevertheless, the finish ensured that he picked up another bronze replica and maintained his 100% finishing record for the week.

Having been moved up the start order from his original number 28, Les went off at number 22 and an opening lap of 115.618mph saw him slot into 28th place. Despite sunny, dry conditions, the course was affected by strong winds, particularly on the Mountain, and speeds were subsequently affected. A lap of 117.721mph on the second lap saw him move up to 24th and he progressed even further third time around, up to 24th.

However, it was on this lap that the steering damper broke and after a couple of moments, Les thought caution was better than valour and he eased back on the final lap to slip back to 24th. This earned him his second bronze replica of the week, to accompany his two silvers.

Speaking afterwards, Les said:

"For some reason the bike felt quite 'flat' in the first couple of laps and I seemed to be struggling for speed, maybe the strong winds affected the gearing of the bike. Then on the third lap the steering damper broke and going round May Hill, I got into a major tank slapper and, at one point, was heading for the wall! Fortunately, I made it right and cracked on as best I could."

"It didn't seem to be a problem over the Mountain but when I got to the Glen Helen section on the final lap, it was a real handful again so I knew that the best I could do was to get the bike home in one piece. I backed off the throttle a bit and got finished so that was the main thing and at least I got another replica. It's been a long fortnight but there's still the Senior race to go and I'll be giving it my all to ensure we end on a good note."

The 6-lap Dainese Senior race takes place at 12.00pm on Friday.

Phil Wain
Freelance PR

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Les Shand had an excellent day of racing at the Isle of Man on Monday, finishing 11th in the Superstock TT and 16th in the first Supersport race to earn himself two more silver replicas.

The Superstock result was his best ever finish at the Isle of Man and he put in a total of 4 120mph+ laps during the two races to continue his great week.

In the morning's Superstock race, Les was aboard the Leeds Parcel Company R1 Yamaha and an opening lap of 120.915mph saw him lie in 18th place. However, an excellent second lap enabled him to jump up the order and, with a superb pit stop, and a final lap of 123.920mph, Les completed the four lap race in a brilliant 11th for his highest finish at the TT.

After a brief rest, Les was back out on the Bob Henderson Racing 600cc Suzuki for the first of the Supersport races and it proved to be a very consistent race for Les. 19th on the first lap, Les put in a final lap of 120.044mph, his first ever 120mph+ lap on a 600cc machine, to finish in 17th place. However, with race winner Bruce Anstey being disqualified following a post race inspection, he was promoted up to 16th.

Talking about the two races, a happy Les said:

"There was quite a bit of fog on the Mountain in the Superstock race and I was very cautious, especially as my visor was misted up as well! After the first lap though I got going and I had an absolutely mega pit stop, the boys did a terrific job for me there. I got caught by Ian Pattinson in the early stages but I was able to edge clear again after the pit stop and beat him in the end by less than two tenths of a second so it was a really pleasing result."

"I felt good for the Supersport race and the bike was working really well although we were slightly over geared. It was a relatively straight forward race for me and I rode as hard as I could, going through some sections far quicker than I've gone before. My final lap was only ten seconds slower than the works TAS Suzuki of Cameron Donald whose bike probably had about £10,000 more spent on it and had about 10-15bhp more so to get that close over a 37 3/4-mile course is very satisfying."

"It was a really good day with some strong laps and some strong results so all is well and I'm thoroughly enjoying my TT this year."

Les will be back out on the 600cc Suzuki in Wednesday's second Supersport 600cc race, the race getting underway at 10.45am.

Phil Wain
Freelance PR

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After a strong practice week on the Isle of Man, which saw him regularly in the top 12 in all of his classes, Les Shand finished in an excellent 12th in Saturday's 6-lap Superbike TT race. The result came despite a low speed spill at Sulby Bridge on Friday evening but with the bike repaired, his efforts not only gave him his best ever finish on the Island but also saw him post a new personal best lap of 124.290mph.

Riding his Superstock-spec Yamaha Les, who got promoted up the order from 28 to 17 due to his strong lap times in practice, completed his first lap in 17th place and made steady progression through the field. With four laps in excess of 120mph, including that final lap of 124.290mph, he was able to take a brilliant 12th place at the end of the 6 torturous laps, winning yet another bronze replica.

That fastest lap also saw him become the 25th fastest rider ever to have lapped the Mountain Course.

Speaking afterwards, Les commented:

"I was a bit tense in the first two laps and couldn't get into my rhythm properly so, subsequently, I was shattered after the first two laps! I had a bit of a moment at the bottom of Barregarrow and, after the tip off on Friday evening, it really shook me for a few miles. After the first pit stop though, I began to relax a lot more and was a lot happier with the way I was riding."

"I was really pleased with my final lap speed and to finish 12th and be the 3rd Superstock machine to finish is very positive. It's great to be racing here fully fit and I think the results and lap times are reflecting that. The boys did a great job at the pit stops so we're looking good for the rest of the week."

With confidence high, Les will be looking for equally impressive results in Monday's 4-lap Superstock and Supersport races.

Phil Wain
Freelance PR

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Les Shand enjoyed a terrific day’s racing at the North West 200 road races and the Mosstodloch rider stepped back on to the podium at the event for the first time since 2006. The podium position came in the 400cc race on a bike that was built just one week prior to the event and his other results included two more top ten finishes to crown an excellent day’s performance.

Les opened his account with 13th place in the first Supersport race and, riding the same Bob Henderson Racing Suzuki that had been designed for the Scottish Production Championship, he was not only the first Suzuki rider home but also claimed the more than notable scalps of Cameron Donald and Bruce Anstey, who were riding for the factory Relentless by TAS Suzuki team.

The 400cc race was next and having qualified the Oak Tree Contracts ER6 Kawasaki on the front row, he was feeling confident even though the bike had only been completed a few days before. Despite a lack of set up time with the bike, Les was embroiled in a frantic 5-rider dice for the podium and he ultimately prevailed, claiming 3rd spot and being the first twin cylinder machine to finish. There was no time for celebration though and he jumped straight on to the Leeds Parcel Company R1 Yamaha for the Superstock race, where he came home in an extremely strong 10th place.

Using the same bike, the team frantically fitted a new back tyre in time for the feature Superbike race and Les fought extremely hard with the full blown Superbike machines of Ryan Farquhar, Adrian Archibald and Rob Frost. With drafting all important, Les was extremely pleased to go through the speed trap at 191mph – all achieved on a Production R1 Yamaha and on treaded Dunlop tyres! Despite being up against it, 13th was again the outcome and, to complete a superb day, Les then took a brilliant 9th place in the second Supersport 600cc race right on the back wheels of the factory machines.

Speaking afterwards the 30 year old said:

“I’m really pleased with how today has gone and whilst it’s been fiercely competitive in all of the races, I’ve put in some strong rides to claim a bag of good results. It was a real last minute decision to enter the 400cc class, as it was the Supersport 600cc races but we’ve exceeded all of our expectations and the podium was the icing on the cake. I’m over the moon with the Superbike results especially and it’s a big thank you to Phil Plater and Patrick Walsh at Dunlop tyres as they’ve worked brilliantly. I’m extremely happy with the performance of the tyres and I’m chuffed to bits.”

“I’ve also got to say a big thank you to Gary, Adrian, Andy, Bob, Angus, Patrick and Callum for all their extremely hard work both during the week and on race day. We’ve achieved a great deal today and for a privateer team, running on a tight budget, we’ve mixed it with the factory boys and secured some top results – roll on the TT!”

The Isle of Man TT races take place between May 24 and June 7 and it will be another busy time for Les with five races in total – Superbike (x2), Supersport (x2) and Superstock.

Phil Wain
Freelance PR

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Les Shand enjoyed more good fortune at the weekend when he competed in Round 2 of the Scottish National Championship. Riding at Knockhill, Les competed in four races in total and was rewarded with a trio of top class results, including a close second in the second Production 600cc race whilst he was always in contention for the race wins in his other races, the circuit playing host to some excellent, hard-fought action.

Riding the Henderson Racing GSXR 600cc Suzuki, Les got his day underway with a solid 6th place in the opening 600cc Production race and with the third fastest lap of the race, the Suzuki was working well, further increasing confidence as the North West 200 gets ever nearer. A quick switch to the Leeds Parcel Company R1 Yamaha saw Les back out on the grid for the first Superstock race and the crowd were treated to one of the finest races seen at Knockhill as five riders swapped the lead with frequent regularity. It was anyone's race and it was a case of being in the right place at the right time but, sadly, Les found himself bumped to the back of the quintet at the end of the 12 laps and he had to settle for fifth, just 0.84 seconds adrift of the race winner!

However, his day got better in the second of the 600cc Production events and with some excellent riding, Les brought the Suzuki home in a fine 2nd place, only 0.494 seconds away from the win. His day ended on a low note though with a first lap retirement in the second Superstock race, the clutch having expired as the race got underway.

Speaking after his day's racing, Les said:

"It's been another good day's racing and I'm happy with how it's all turned out. It was a bit damp in the first 600cc race so I just had a steady ride but it was a lot drier later in the day and I really enjoyed the second race. There were still a few damp patches and I lost the front on the penultimate lap so rather than risk a crash, I opted to take a strong, and close, second place - if it had have been totally dry, I would have gone for the win but with the North West 200 so close, it was better to excercise caution."

"The R1 Yamaha was again working well and the first Superstock race was a superb race to be involved with. It was anybody's race but near the end I felt that the clutch was beginning to slip and so nursed the bike home although I was still less than a second off the victory! With no spares to repair the clutch I came to the line for the second race with a strong suspicion it wouldn't last and so it turned out - the start was enough to fry the clutch completely so I pulled in at the end of the first lap. Overall though, it was another happy weekend and I've gone away with some more strong results and happy with how everything is progressing and building up. I'm really looking forward to the North West 200 and it will be good to get the International road race season underway."

The International North West 200 takes place next week between the 13th and 17th May on the 8.9-mile road circuit and Les will be out in the Superstock, Supersport and 400cc races.

Phil Wain
Freelance PR

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Les Shand finally got his season underway at the weekend when he competed in the opening round of the Scottish Championship at East Fortune. With the first round at Knockhill having been cancelled due to the inclement weather, Les was able to get in plenty of mileage on his Leeds Parcel Company R1 Yamaha and Henderson Racing GSXR600 Suzuki and finished the day with a haul of top results.

Visiting the East Fortune circuit for the first time in 7 years, Les progressed steadily as the day wore on and as the conditions improved. This could clearly be seen in his results which saw him finish with 3 podiums and a new lap record in the Production 600cc class. Not only was this a lap record, it was also comfortably quicker than the times set in the Supersport class, where the riders were competing on considerably higher specification machines. He also dipped under the one minute barrier on his LPC R1 Yamaha in the final Superstock race and was only just outside the outright lap record as well.

Using the meeting as preparation for his International road racing campaign, the day commenced with a steady 7th in the opening Superstock race as Les opted to use his better tyres for the later race. A close 3rd followed in the first Production 600cc race and this result was repeated in the main Scottish Championship race, where Les put in the second fastest lap of the day, at 59.730seconds, on the R1 Yamaha, just a shade away from the outright lap record. He ensured his day finished on an equal high with another close 3rd, this time in the second Production 600cc race. Riding the Henderson Racing Suzuki, Les smashed the lap record with a time of 1m01.132secs and this was over a second faster than any other 600cc rider on the day.

Speaking after his day’s racing, Les commented:

“I’m really pleased with how today has gone and it’s been ideal preparation for me prior to the road race season and a good shakedown. Although I’m not contesting the British Championships, the standard of field here in Scotland is very high and the boys can easily run in the top six when the British Superstock series comes to Knockhill. It was good to blow the cobwebs away and get re-acquainted with the R1 Yamaha and although it’s been a long time since I rode at East Fortune, 2001 to be precise, I soon got to grips with the circuit and with it’s bumps and sweeping corners, we ironed out a few issues with the set-up.”

“It was my first time out on the 600 and it feels a great bike. Apart from a power commander it was totally standard yet it felt really strong and all I could think when I was riding it was ‘this is going to be great down the Cronk y Voddy straight’. I was able to do things with the bike that I haven’t been able to do on a 600 for a couple of years and to get the lap record was a nice addition. All in all, it’s good to get going and be back at the sharp end and it’s been a good day at the office.”

Les’ next outing will be round 2 of the Scottish Championships at Knockhill on May 3-4. He also hopes to have a couple of test days at Donington Park in order to test all of his machinery prior to the International North West 200.

Phil Wain
Freelance PR

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Les Shand was left frustrated today after heavy snow caused the postponement of the opening round of the Scottish Championship races at Knockhill. Despite an intermittent forecast, the paddock awoke to a substantial covering of snow which proceeded to get heavier as the morning progressed and, with the temperature close to freezing, it soon became apparent that racing would not be possible.

The organizers did all they could to make conditions somewhere near raceable but after consultation with a number of the leading riders, the decision was made at lunchtime to cancel the day's events, an obvious disappointment for all concerned but clearly the correct decision.

Speaking from the paddock, Les commented:

""Like everyone else, I'm disappointed but there was just no way we could race and everyone's safety has to be the number one priority. It's not a great start to the season but you just never know what the British weather is going to do so we'll come back another day and try again."

"It would have been nice to get a few races under my belt but it gives me a bit more time to work on the bikes and hopefully by East Fortune in two weeks time, the sun will be shining and we can all go racing!"

Les will now commence his season at East Fortune, which will now host the opening Scottish Championship round on Sunday April 20th and he will once again line up on the Leeds Parcel Company Yamaha R1, Oak Tree Developments ER6 Kawasaki and Bob Henderson Suzuki GSXR600.

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