Bradley Smith

Back in June, Bradley donated one of his own Polaris World Aprilia team shirts to be auctioned in aid of Meldreth Manor School.  This was part of a fundraising venture organised by two fans, Mike and Sheila, who were taking part in Scope’s India: Rajasthan Motorcyle Challenge.

Mike and Sheila have just returned from the trip to India, where they covered 1,870 km on a Royal Enfield Bullet over 8 days.  From Delhi they rode west across the Thar Desert to Jaisalmer.  They then headed back through Jodphur and Jaipur, stopping off at Agra to see the magnificent Taj Mahal, before returning to Delhi.  The route took them through sand, over potholes, past some of the world’s most spectacular scenery and into the some of the world’s most chaotic traffic.  They were joined on the challenge by 15 other riders, all raising money for Scope. 

Mike and Sheila have asked us to say a special thank you to Bradley, and to all of you who bid on the shirt.  All the money Mike and Sheila raise will go direct to Meldreth Manor, where Sheila works.  Meldreth Manor is a Scope residential school for disabled students with complex care and learning support needs.

Bradley is very pleased with the support shown by you the fans.

Have a look at the photo album of Sheila and Mikes trip

India Challenge - Meldreth Manor

If you would like to know any more about their trip, or make a donation, please visit their sponsorship page at www.justgiving.com/whichwaynow

The Ebay auction for the Bradley signed poster (see previous feature below) is going so well and Bradley is so pleased that you are helping to support this project that he has decided to add to the auction prize in the hope that you guys will extend your wonderful generosity for some more goodies !!

Bradley has added a signed cap if the winning bid exceeds £80 and will further increase the goodies with a signed polo shirt if the bidding exceeds £100

Click here to see how it is going ... so far

One of Bradleys sponsors (Chris Nurse from www.race-boots.com and who looks after Bradleys relationship with Addidas) is currently taking part in the Karma Enduro Charity

• Karma Challenge

In October 2008, Chris Nurse and Robin Stalker will join a group of adventurers on west coast of southern India to take part in the Karma Enduro. Each team will be competing in a 1950’s style Hindustan Ambassador driving 2,000 kms across the Western Ghat mountain range and crossing the testing and diverse terrain of Goa, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The aim of the motoring adventure is to raise at least £150,000 to help fund the building of a hospital for some of the most vulnerable people in the Palani Hill region of South India.

Chris and Robin are aiming to raise at least £10,000 through sponsorship, donations and an online auction of sports memorabilia. The auction, organised in association with our friends at eBay.

• Ebay Auction

Bradley has donated a poster and postcard signed by him, follow the link above and have a look.

 IMPORTANT

**** We have noticed that some dubious items, claiming to be signed by Bradley, have been appearing on auction sites. If you are considering bidding on any Bradley items please contact the website with the item details and we will let you know if they are genuine. (CLICK HERE TO GO TO CONTACT PAGE) ****

CHECKERED FLAG FOR THE SEASON 2008, THE TEAM POLARIS WORLD HAVE FULFILLED THEIR EXPECTAIONS WITH A POSITIVE RESULT.

Goodbye to the 2008 World Championship at the Valencia GP. With the fans totally devoted in a sunny day, the Polaris World riders finish with more positive results.

In 125cc, Bradley Smith, who started from the 5th position, managed to be in the leading group from the start of the race. The characteristic continual dedication of the young Briton was evident in this great race where, until the last minute, he has fighting for a place on the podium. Finally, Smith crossed the finish line in a commendable forth position, with 150 points Bradley ended his season in sixth position in the World Championship Classification.

From Team Polaris Word, we want to thank most sincerely, everyone for the support received during this years, we wish all the very best to all   who have helped make this project  a reality.

"As I had imagined the race was very competitive from the beginning. During the first five laps we all were very close to each other. It was hard work to stay with the leading group, although I gave my best to try to keep my position. I would have liked to finish with a podium. I had a problem with the rear tyre and the most important thing is that I was not aware of the last lap. When I saw the checked flag I thought that I still had one more lap. I want to thank to all the team for the great work done during the whole season. It´s a pity that a team like this is disappearing. Within it I felt very comfortable the whole year and it was a great pleasure to work with every one of them."

In the second day of Official Sessions the rain finally gave some respite to the Team Polaris World riders. Although under a permanently cloudy sky, the dry track allowed them to ride in better conditions. Bradley Smith, in 125 cc, managed the fifth best time of 1:42.095. The young Briton climbed into the top three, but once again the usual traffic in this category didn’t allow Bradley to set a better time.

With the World Championships decided in all the categories, the fans are hoping to see one of the best races to watch. No doubt, the Ricardo Tormo Circuit will be the best opportunity for the Team Polaris World to deliver a good performance which reflects the efforts made during the whole season.

"It has not gone badly. We only had twenty minutes to test and to arrive at a good set-up. I would like to be more competitive and to be able to ride with the leading group. If it had not been for the traffic and with a bit more time, I am sure that I could have improve my time. I think that we will all ride very closely together in the race and obviously, the Aspar team with their riders will do their best, but I want to achieve my first victory too and it will be great to do it before the end of this season!”

All is ready to compete in the last meeting of the 2008 season, just one week after the last GP in Malaysia. Throughout the whole day the skies were grey and there was no escape for the world championship sessions. The intermittent rain did not stop during any of the sessions and with the weather conditions both Polaris World Team Riders have had difficulties in their adaptation to the track.

No doubt, both riders hoped for a finish, to the adverse weather conditions, which has dogged the riders all the year. In the case of Pasini, his opportunity to ride in favourable conditions, in his promotion to the quarter litre class, has only been one GP.

Bradley Smith, in 125 cc, had no good luck, finishing 23rd with a time of 2:03.766, which he couldn’t improve due to his crash near the end of the session.

"Unfortunately, today I have crashed but the important thing is that I have not suffered any injury and I am physically good. There is better weather forecast for the rest of the weekend so I hope to ride in better conditions. Even so I think that the things we have tested in the wet conditions have given me a good pace. Although we have a good direction, we can still improve and will be working hard toward the Sunday race."

Seventeen year old Bradley Smith produced his performance of the season to finish a brilliant second in the 125 cc race after starting from the fourth row of the grid. Riding the Polaris World Aprilia for the second to last time, he fought his way through the field in the stifling heat but could not catch the impressive 2007 World Champion Gabor Talmacsi at the front.

 “It was a great result especially after the disasters in qualifying with the rain wrecking the second session,” revealed the Oxford teenager. “I made a good start but had to fight my way through the pack. I tried hard to close on Gabor at the front but he was controlling things at the front. If I’d had a front row start it would have been a different story but I’m very happy with the result. I will go flat out to win in Valencia to thank the team for their work and support this year.”

The expected results arrived finally for Bradley Smith in the Grand Prix of Malaysia. After an difficult weekend, where the different changes, made to his Aprilia, helped him move his qualifying position up in the results, the young Briton managed to make use of all the power possible in his Aprilia, performing an incredible race.

Bradley was overtaking all his rivals from the beginning in a race which has delivered his third podium of the season. It is, without doubt, a big gift for his team after several difficult races. With this triumph, he has consolidated his seventh position in the World Champion rider standings with 137 points.

"It has been a very hard race due to my lowly position on the grid. It had been very difficult to gain positions. I had to concentrate my utmost to overtake quickly before the riders ahead got too far away from me. My pace was very good throughout. I felt that I could fight for the victory. The work during all the weekend was unsettling but positive. Even this morning, in the warm-up, we made changes to be more competitive. Without doubt, my fitness has been very important in this race. The heat was stifling and the effort required was huge. I want to send thanks to my team for all their hard work. After several disappointments this is the expected result."

TODAY HAS BEEN MARKED BY THE RAIN IN A DIFFICULT SESSION FOR TEAM POLARIS WORLD.

As everybody knows,  making a weather forecast in Malaysia is a matter of luck. The day began without rain in the free practice 2 session, where Bradley Smith managed to solve yesterdays problems which had placed him in 13th position, but a few moments before the Qualifying session heavy rain  began to fall completely flooding  the track.

Bradley, with his bike ready to go, but with the wet track conditions, didn’t manage to improve his yesterday Qualifying session time, finishing in the same position with the same time 2:16.397.

"Today, we have solved the problems of yesterday, and I am more or less satisfied. This morning with used tyres we have run at a good pace. We didn’t even test with new ones. We can still test some more tomorrow in the warm-up to further improve, but I think that our settings will be ok for tomorrow. All that I can do is to make a good start tomorrow allowing me to overtake some of the riders ahead of me and not let the leader get too far ahead."

The Polini Grand Prix of Malaysia is welcoming the MotoGP World Championship with high temperatures and a high level of humidity. Team Polaris World, with their two riders in 125cc and 250 cc, are hoping to achieve their best results this weekend.

With only two races left until the finish of the 2008 World Championship, the main objective for both riders is to finish in the "top ten" of the 2008 World Classification.

This season has been the first for Bradley Smith riding his Aprilia RSA. The young Briton has managed to adapt himself well, improving to a certain extent his results. Smith has set a time of  2:16.397 and is placed 13th  on the provisional grid.

"Things didn't go to badly this morning. We have made some improvements and have got a good pace. It was a pity that in the afternoon session we had a few problems with the changes made in the suspension and I think that we had problems in the engine too. I rode the number one bike in the first part of the session and then had to change to the second one, though finally both of them had the same problem so we did not have a solution. The positive thing is that we know exactly where we have to make changes to improve, so tomorrow all will be ready. This track is special due to the heavy braking points and the fast corners so I think that we will workout the suspension overall’’.

Seventeen year old Bradley Smith’s future has been assured with a dream move to the Spanish-based Aspar Aprilia team for the next two years.

It’s a great move for Smith who has had a disappointing season riding for the Polaris World Aprilia team in the 125 cc World Championship. With Polaris World pulling out next season because of the economic recession, the move which was confirmed last week could not have come at a better time for Smith.

”It’s a great compliment and a bit of a surprise to me because being honest, I’ve not had the best of seasons and I also turned them down at the end of last season,” explained Smith, who is seventh in the 125 cc World Championship with two rounds remaining.

“Despite this they kept up their interest in signing me when there are other riders around who are having a better season than me. It’s a great team to join because they have won World Championships, Jorge Martinez the team owner is a multiple World Champion and I will be in the same team as Gabor Talmacsi and Alvaro Bautista who are former World Champions.”

The move also gives Smith the chance to compete in the 250 cc Championship in 2010.

“I will continue riding in the 125 cc class next season but have an option to ride in the 250 cc class with them a year later,” he revealed.” It’s great to be sorted out for the next two years but I feel so sorry for my present team, who will not be running next year. Understandably because of the economic situation Polaris World can’t sponsor the team and so everybody will be looking for new jobs. I feel really gutted for them because they are good people who have spent so much time and effort on my behalf. There is nothing I want more than win one of the last two remaining grands prix for them to say thank-you.”

BANCAJA PRESENTS THEIR PLANS FOR THE 2009 SEASON

The Valencian team has finalized both Bradley Smith and Julio Simon signings for next season.

Yesterday, on Sunday, at the Grand Prix of Australia, it was confirmed , by the Bancaja Aspar Team, that Julio Simón and Bradley Smith have both signed for the 2009 season. Both riders were approached in previous seasons by the Alcira team, but It has been in this one that there has been more progress between all the parties, arriving finally at a common agreement. Even under different circumstances, both riders make up a very strong opportunity fror the valencian team to get back the 125cc Championship. Bradley and Simon will ride with the Bancaja Team colours for the next two seasons.

The young British Rider, Bradley Smith, who was approached last season by the Bancaja team, will finally join it. The rider from Oxford will begin his fourth season in the World Championship. Borne out by his good results this season, which was a very commendable achievement on his Aprilia RSA, the same bike that he will ride in 2009 for the Aspar Team. Bradley has become the number one of the British up-and-coming talent and in his second year riding a number one Aprilia he will be a firm candidate for the world title.

With the full structure of the Bancaja team practically confirmed for next season, they will wait for the next few race results before deciding if they will add a third bike on the track or keep just two riders fighting for the 125 cc world championship.

Jorge Martinez:  "I am absolutely delighted with both signings because, once more, we are making the necessary moves to have options in the 125 cc Championship. Both Julio Simon and Bradley Smith, were approached by our team so I am very satisfied that they will be with us for the next two seasons. Julio is a very clean rider, with a fabulous career this year. I am convinced that riding an official bike next year he will be hungry for the title. Bradley, in spite of his youth, has shown, during this season that his adaptation to the RSA is unbeatable. He has been really fast during the whole year and he has maturity enough to try to be a World Champion."

Luck has not been with the Polaris World team at the Grand Prix of Australia, once more. Two consecutive races with zero points, including this one, for Bradley Smith, rider for the Spanish team in the 125 cc  category. After an amazing start, he was placed first, he lost the control of his bike in the third corner, making it impossible for him to avoid crashing. Smith would return to the track in the last place. He was trying hard to catch up the field, pushing hard and with the points positions in sight he crashed again one lap from the end of the race.

The outcome couldn’t have been worse for both riders, who at this late stage of the World Championship, are both placed 7^th in their respective championships, Bradley Smith, in the 125’s with 117 points and Pasini, in the 250’s with 125 points.

With both the MotoGP and 125cc championships decided, only the 250 cc championship is still to be decided. Next race will be the GP of Malaysia, where the whole team will do their best to improve upon recent results.

"The two last races were very negative. It has not been the best way for finishing this season. Two races without points is a disastrous result. I was not very lucky at the beginning of the race when I crashed in the third corner. I would like to thank my team for all their work and efforts made this weekend and just tell them that I am very sorry because I have pushed too much and caused my fall in the third corner. I will try to do my best in the last two races."

Bradley raced from the front row of the grid to be leading the race into the first corner.

Unfortunatly, Bradley slid off a few corners later and started an almost race long chase to score points.

After picking up his bike Bradley found himself some 45 seconds back of the leaders. His bike was damaged with the handlebars bent and some of the fairing broken and generaly making Bradleys days work a little harder.

With a couple of laps to go Bradley had the last points paying position in his sights when pushing even harder he slid off into retirement.

On the evening before the race Bradley had settled his future by signing a two year deal to ride for the Aspar Team in 2009 and 2010. 

Bradley will be back in the UK early next week and further details regarding 2009 will be published here then.

Some of you will have noticed the patch on Bradleys leathers and the logo on the sponsors page , of Merit Merrell Technology.

Merit are an Installation, Engineering and Facility Management company focused on high technology and complex industrial market sectors including, Semiconductor, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Pharmaceutical and Healthcare.

So why, I hear you ask, is there a picture of an 1980's Yamaha RD350 in this article ?

Well, the person responsible for the sponsorship of Bradley is a man called  Chris Berriman who in his spare time restores old motorbikes and the picture is of his latest project.

Taking many months of hard work, which i can confirm, because I restore old bikes too as a hobby, this beautiful restoration is Chris's pride and joy.

Both British teenagers Bradley Smith and Scott Redding will start from the front row of the grid in the 23 lap 125 cc race. Seventeen year old Smith failed by less than two tenths of one second to grab pole position right at the finish of the second qualifying session. He will start from second place on the front row at the home race for his Polaris World Aprilia team.

Fifteen year old Redding will start from fourth place despite not improving on his impressive lap times set in the first qualifying session yesterday riding the Blusens Aprilia while Danny Webb did improve his times from yesterday but will start from 20^th place. In the 250 cc class Ulsterman Eugene Laverty was 17^th.

Bradley Smith completed a brilliant first day in the sunshine after qualifying on the provisional front row for the 125 cc race.

Bradley, riding at the home circuit for  his Polaris World Aprilia team, was very impressive. The 17 year old Oxford rider qualified fourth fastest less than half a second behind Talmacsi and less than one tenth of a second slower than third placed, Championship leader Mike Di Meglio.