THE Gearlink Team based in Salisbury have had a hard winter coming to terms with the loss of Norma de Bidaph, who ran the team with husband Michael.

His wife passed away on the December 30 last year after a short battle with cancer, writes Tim Crisp.

The team were back in action at the first official BSB and BSS Test of the season took place at Donington Park’s 2.48 mile circuit last Tuesday.

The team said goodbye to Andy Irvine who is how racing in World Supersports at the end of last year’s fantastic season.

The team line up for 2018 will see Ben Currie and James Westmoreland on the Kawasaki ZX6R and on the Kawasaki ZX10R Superbike this year will be Carl Phillips from Lisburn, N. Ireland.

Currie finished the test in second place and Westmorland in fourth in their class, and Phillips posted the 19th quickest time in the Superbike class. The season starts at Donington Park over the Easter Weekend.

Also at the test was Amesbury based Mark Piper on his Yamaha in the Superstock 600 class where he was in ninth position.