Triumph Parkingo European Series
As part of the continuing partnership between Triumph and the ParkinGO team owner, Giuliano Rovelli, both parties wanted a way to expand the exposure opportunities for both of their respective businesses. Being a former racer himself, Rovelli approached Triumph with the concept that would ultimately become the Triumph ParkinGO European Series. Utilizing the Triumph Street Triple R, the series will serve as a development and feeder cup with two sub championships for youngsters under 20 and veterans over 35. Rovelli and Triumph see the series as serving two purposes: the first is to act as a stepping stone for young talent making the move to bigger series', while the over-35 cup is for racers past their prime to still compete on a national stage but with less pressure. Grand prize for the winner of the under-20 championship is a test with the ParkinGO World Supersport team and a chance to ride the Daytona 675 full time. Contesting seven rounds of the World Superbike calendar, the series will open at the Valencia circuit, with rounds at Assen, Monza, Misano, Silverstone, Nurburgring and concluding at the Magny Cours circuit in France.
The Street Triple R machines...
The Street Triple R machines used for the ParkinGO European series remain largely stock, and even retain standard headlights.
Rizoma levers adorn both sides,...
Rizoma levers adorn both sides, with these trick lever guards extending from the end of the bar.
Again, GB Racing provides...
Again, GB Racing provides protective engine cases, while Rizoma rearsets place the rider's feet higher up and further back. Arrow's three-into-one exhaust is the main power-adding modification.
Replacing the standard handlebar...
Replacing the standard handlebar is this unit from Rizoma with markings to adjust its angle.
Triumph's Street Triple R has garnered much praise from riders worldwide, and using it as a development bike for a feeder cup seemed like the perfect idea for Rovelli and Triumph. All riders in the series will receive equally prepared Street Triple R's. Though each bike is sealed to ensure parity, they will be delivered to the rider at each race. As for the bike's themselves, not much is done to separate them from the road going models. Rizoma adds bits and pieces like levers, rearsets and a different handlebar with a lower angle than the stock unit, but even the stock headlights remain and are just taped over. Bitubo provides reworked fork internals and a fully adjustable shock in the rear for greater fine tuning compared to stock and Arrow's three-into-one exhaust completes the package.
Standard forks are given the...
Standard forks are given the Bitubo treatment while standard brake discs, calipers and even steel lines are retained. The only difference being brake pad material.
Unlike the Supersport bike,...
Unlike the Supersport bike, the cup bikes are not fitted with quickshifters. Instead, the Street Triple receives Rizoma frame sliders. Bellypans are also fitted to be race-legal.
While not as fancy as the...
While not as fancy as the unit seen on the supersport Daytona, the Bitubo rear shock on the cup bike isn't fitted with telemetry sensors, nor does it have separate high- and low-speed compression damping adjusters.
When I wasn't busy riding the supersport machine, I was able to spin some laps aboard the cup bikes. The component I loved about the bike on the street-the upright bar-made itself a hindrance on the track as, even in its lowered position, it still felt too high for track duty. I suppose that's a small niggle when the whole point of the series is to develop young talent. Engine power isn't much changed from the standard bike and braking components work as well as the race units seen on the Daytona 675. One advantage the high bar will have is to induce some bar-banging action. Pit 14 to 25 of these equal machines together at one time and a good show is all but guaranteed.