Team Norbar Bikes - unfortunately not our Van!!! TEAM NORBAR
YAMAHA TZR250 MOTORCYCLE RACE TEAM		 Bemsee - Yamaha Past Masters

 

Riders

Andy Ball - Bally #1 (#4)
Andy started racing in 2002 finishing 4th - an amazing achievement in his rookie year. In 2003 he finished 3rd, prior to moving to the KRC Endurance Championship in 2004. He still managed some limited appearances in the YPM's though, with a another 4th place overall and several visits to the podium, while proving to be the fastest and most consistent rider on the PMR R6. 2005 was a year of highs and lows - many podiums, many crashes, and ultimately championship hopes faded early on. For 2006 financial constraints had Bally only out on track for one round - that'll be the impact of starting a family and the arrival of his son JJ. 2007 saw Andy run his most consistent and successful year, resulting in him winning the YPM Championship - way to go Bally!!. 2008 will be made up of selected rounds only, while his focus shifts to bike development.

Pete Fishwick - Fish #7
Pete has been racing a TZR250 since 1998, so is the old man of the team - in experience anyway!!. He was New Era champion in 2001, although 2002 had to be taken off to recover from the party that started shortly afterwards! Returning to Bemsee in 2003 he finished 5th in the overall standings, prior to picking up the TZR Tour Championship in 2004, along with 2nd place in the main championship. In 2005 he ended up 5th again, but the highlight of the year was a lap record of the famous Brands GP circuit. In 2006 Pete finished 7th in a very strong field, and after a very strong start on 2007 ended up 4th. Plans for 2008 looks a bit thin on the ground currently - don't you just hate those financial constraints??

Gary Button - Gaz #87
Gary didn't even like bikes 11 years ago!!  However, from going to watch Fish, giving him vans to make racing life easier, providing financial support through his business and personal pocket, vital spannering and general all round help, Gaz decided to taking the plunge and started racing with the guys he had been helping for years. His first year, 2006, was tough as he was off the bike more often than not, but he has lived to tell the tale and was back for another go in 2007.  Early season results were excellent, with faster lap times and a more consistent performance than his rookie year, but unfortunately he broke his collar bone in a nasty accident at Brands in May, which ultimately ruined his year. Another Brands crash on his return basically made 2007 a year to forget, but for 2008 he's back with a clean slate, a checked out bike and a determination like you wouldn’t believe. Expect to see Gaz at all rounds bar France!!

Andy Muse - Moose #45
Andy is another supporter turned racer, having been to watch and help out many times over the years, basically since Fish started this racing malarkey. Inspired by Gaz's efforts in 2006, 2007 was the year the alcohol fuelled pub talk Andy had been spouting about going racing actually turned into something real, mainly due to the offer from Fish and Gaz to at least make a start by using the spare bike. In theory, Andy's masses of experience on various bikes, track days, trips to Europe and three levels of the California Superbike School should have paid dividends, but the reality is that actually getting out there giving it a go is so different to anything else you can do on a bike. The purchase of his own TZR for the 3rd round of racing in 2007 was a good indication of the fun that he was having early on, while the later rounds of the season were spent being consistent enough to win the YPM Rookie Championship. Yeah, Andy can't believe it either!! Back for more in 2008, and aiming to do as many rounds as possible. There's even talk of a points target in the main YPM championship!!

Chris Rankin - Rab #41
Rab is a good friend of Bally's and more into his cars than his bikes. Thing is, after giving it a go on a track day for the first time at Mallory with Gary at the end of 2005, he decided to have a go when funds allowed. It helped he was damn quick and had literally no fear!! Having completed the race school in 2006 he raced just once at Brands, but turned in impressive lap times in the low 58's straight off the bat. 2007 saw Rab out on track at several meetings on Bally's spare bike, but he's taken to bike racing so much he's now bought his own TZR and hopes to get out a few times in 2008 - once the bike is prepped and ready

Kev Porter - Kev #95
Kev last raced in 2002, back in the New Era days where he met Pete. Since then he's been to Basra with the TA, and also set up his own electrical company. In 2007 he offered his services as team mechanic, doing a sterling job at least half of the rounds looking after four or five bikes - top man!!. In 2008 you'll see Kev out on his own P&D Electrical TZR at selected rounds, but he's really one of us. As was the case in 2007, Kev has provided sponsorship for the team again this year.  

The Girls - AKA Jessica, Sharon and Den
Jess(ica ca ca ca ca ) and Sharon (Numpty) and Denise are the racing widows although Den loves it - Jess is kept busy with JJ and is now expecting baby #2 , Sharon never ventures out in the cold and likes to be warm and cat like in the oven of the caravan and Den kicks Gary's arse when she thinks he isn't trying hard enough !! Oh and she likes the odd bottle of smirnoff ice
 

JJ Ball

  JJ, Bally and Jess's son, born July 2005. Likes tyres, a lot, especially licking them. He also makes excellent bike racing noises. Much better than any of the rest of us……  

Paul Frankcam
  Paul has been Pete's main riding mentor and performance coach since 2000, and played a major part in sorting his head out enough to take the New Era Championship in 2001 - Unfortunately Paul didn't manage to get to a race meeting in 2007, but lets hope that changes in 2008. We could all do with his help really…...