When it comes to flat track racing, few riders combine raw talent with technical precision quite like Tim Neave. The British Superbike and flat track specialist has carved out an impressive career spanning multiple disciplines, from his early days tearing up his first quad on the family farm to his current adventures in international flat track racing. So when the opportunity arose to create a bespoke race suit for one of motorsport's most prestigious events, we knew we had to deliver something truly special.
Meet Tim Neave: A Racing Virtuoso
Tim Neave's journey through motorcycle racing reads like a masterclass in versatility and determination. SAt the age of nine I got my first motorcycle which was a 50cc quadbike, but it was constantly breaking and I didn’t ride again until I was thirteen years old, when my grandfather bought me a Chinese 110cc dirt bike which was great fun.
Things started to change when Pete Boast (local motorcycling hero) moved to our village. At the time, Pete was running the UK Flat Track series, and so it wasn’t long before he had me entered into my first race aged fourteen years old. Riding a Honda CRF150, my first ‘real’ bike, I raced to become the ACU Junior Flat Track Champion in 2010. I continued to race in the UK Flat Track series until 2014, taking another two British championships along the way. I was hooked and motorcycling has been a complete passion and way of life for me ever since.
I switched to tarmac racing in 2014, starting with Thundersport GB in the Minitwins championship aged eighteen. It was a completely new challenge for me, but one I really got stuck into. This very exciting year also began and ended with the Superprestigio Flat Track race, held in the Olympic Stadium Barcelona, in January and December 2014. Organised by Marc Marquez, this event is an absolute privilege to be a part of and is invite only. I got to race against the world’s very best from all motorcycle racing disciplines, and the highlight was out qualifying the main man himself, Marquez. 2015 through to 2018 saw me concentrate on road racing, competing on superstock 600 machinery in club and National 600 championships.
Riding under the ‘Team Neave Twins’ banner, it was a completely privateer team, run by twin brother Tom and I. We organised all the funding and maintenance of the bikes which was a lot of time, money and sacrifice but worth every bit of effort when the podium results were earned.
In 2019 I moved into the National Superstock 1000 class and made the transition to professional teams, riding for Morello Racing Kawasaki before moving to Buildbase Suzuki in 2020 and 2021.
My years with Buildbase Suzuki saw a huge step forward in my racing career and I scored multiple race victories, pole positions and another podium finishes. My Superbike debut at Cadwell Park last year was a brilliant experience with three point-scoring finishes, and the perfect taster for the future.
Valentino Rossi's 100Km of Champions 2025: Where Legends Collide
The 100Km of Champions at Valentino Rossi's VR46 Ranch isn't just another race - it's a celebration of everything that makes motorcycle racing magical. Set in the rolling hills of Tavullia, Italy, this annual event brings together some of the world's finest riders across multiple disciplines for a weekend of pure racing entertainment.
The 2025 edition promised to be something special, featuring an expanded field of international talent and enhanced track facilities that would test every aspect of a rider's skill set. The event's unique format combines multiple race distances and surface conditions, creating scenarios where adaptability and equipment reliability become just as important as raw speed.
For flat track specialists like Tim Neave, the VR46 Ranch represents the perfect proving ground. The track's sweeping layouts and varied surface conditions mirror some of the most challenging aspects of international flat track racing, while the relaxed atmosphere allows riders to push their limits without the pressure of championship points.
The event's prestige extends far beyond the racing itself. With Valentino Rossi's personal involvement and the ranch's reputation as a testing ground for future MotoGP stars, every aspect of a rider's preparation - including their protective gear - comes under intense scrutiny from industry professionals and fellow competitors alike.
Engineering Excellence: The Dstar Covec Collaboration
Creating a race suit for the VR46 Ranch required more than just adapting our existing designs. This was an opportunity to showcase the cutting-edge capabilities that emerge when Dstar's motorsport expertise combines with Covec Textiles' advanced material technology.
The partnership with Covec Textiles brought a new dimension to our flat track offering. Known for their innovative approach to protective textile development, Covec's input was invaluable in creating a suit that could handle the unique demands of flat track racing while maintaining the comfort and flexibility essential for peak performance.
The development process began months before Tim's VR46 appearance, with extensive consultation on everything from material selection to ergonomic considerations. Unlike speedway racing, where riders maintain relatively consistent body positions, flat track demands dramatic positional changes throughout each lap - from the stretched-out stance on long straights to the aggressive lean angles required for the tighter sections.
Beyond Our Pro Model: Flat Track Specific Innovations
While our professional speedway suits have earned recognition throughout the motorsport world, creating Tim's flat track suit required significant technical innovations. The most obvious difference lies in the leg construction, specifically designed to fit inside the motocross boots which are essential for flat track competition.
Traditional speedway boots, with their streamlined design and thinner profile, have the race suit go over the outside of the bootd.
Flat track's reliance on motocross boots - with their higher ankle protection and bulkier construction - demanded a complete reimagining of our leg template. Our design team created a custom pattern that provides seamless integration without compromising either protection or comfort, with the race suit leg fitting inside the boots.
The stretch panel placement represents another crucial adaptation. Where speedway riders maintain relatively consistent postures, flat track racing requires extreme positional flexibility. Sitting back on the motorcycle during high-speed straight sections, then transitioning to aggressive forward positions for cornering, demands stretch properties in completely different areas of the suit.
Our solution involved strategic placement of additional stretch zones throughout the torso and shoulder areas, allowing Tim to achieve the full range of motion essential for competitive flat track racing. These modifications maintain the structural integrity of the suit while providing the flexibility needed for peak performance.
Signature Dstar Features: Proven Performance Technology
Despite the custom modifications, Tim's suit retains all the signature features that have made Dstar suits the choice of professional riders worldwide. Our ribbed stretch panels, strategically positioned throughout high-stress areas, provide the perfect balance of flexibility and durability.
The material selection process drew on years of experience in extreme racing environments. Our advanced fabric technology offers superior abrasion resistance while maintaining breathability - crucial factors when racing in the Italian heat. The multi-layer construction provides impact protection without adding unnecessary bulk, ensuring Tim maintains the sensitivity needed to feel his bike's behavior throughout each race.
Comfort features include moisture-wicking liner technology and ventilation zones that help regulate body temperature during intense competition. These might seem like minor details, but in racing where split-second decisions can determine victory or defeat, anything that helps a rider maintain focus becomes critically important.
Design Vision: Collaboration with Spiller Industries
The visual impact of Tim's suit came together through our collaboration with Ethan at Spiller Industries, whose design expertise helped translate our technical requirements into a stunning visual package. The desert camouflage base, executed in sophisticated blacks and greys, provides a foundation that's both practical and striking.
The decision to incorporate fluorescent orange and bright blue detailing wasn't just about visual impact - though the effect is undeniably dramatic. These high-visibility elements serve a practical purpose in flat track racing, where rapid identification of riders becomes crucial during close pack racing scenarios.
The coloured camouflage accents on the back of the arms add a playful element that reflects the creative spirit of the VR46 Ranch environment. This subtle detail showcases how custom design work can incorporate personality without overwhelming the overall aesthetic.
Branding that Works: Logo Integration Done Right
One of the most challenging aspects of custom suit design involves logo placement that looks professional while maintaining visual balance. Tim's suit demonstrates our approach to branding integration - clean, purposeful placement that enhances rather than clutters the overall design.
Each logo receives careful consideration for size, position, and color matching to ensure maximum impact without visual competition. The result is branding that stands out beautifully against the suit's sophisticated color palette, proving that effective sponsor representation doesn't require compromising design integrity.
The Future of Flat Track Racing Gear
Tim Neave's VR46 Ranch suit represents more than just custom racing gear - it's a glimpse into the future of flat track equipment design. The technical innovations developed for this project are already influencing our approach to future flat track suits, with several features destined for integration into our standard offerings.
The collaboration with Covec Textiles has opened new possibilities for material technology, while our work with Spiller Industries has enhanced our design capabilities. Most importantly, working with a rider of Tim's caliber has provided invaluable feedback that will benefit every flat track racer who chooses Dstar gear.
Racing at venues like the VR46 Ranch, wearing gear that represents the cutting edge of protective technology, Tim Neave embodies everything we strive for at Dstar - the perfect fusion of protection, performance, and style that allows riders to focus on what they do best: going fast and looking good while doing it.
The success of this project reinforces our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in motorsport apparel, one custom suit at a time.