Chris Burns - MV Agusta

Chris Burns will allegedly be on the grid of the next round of the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch, on August 7/8/9, for the Jentin Racing Yamaha Team

Burns was signed at the beginning of the season to ride the STP-JHS MV Agusta Team, however, before he had even ridden the machine, the contract ended after delays in getting the bike on track.

The Geordie rider, landed a full-time ride in the German Superbike Championship for this season with the Holzhauer Honda Racing team.  Initially, the former MotoGP rider, was a replacement rider for the injured reigning champion Martin Bauer, but after an impressive 2nd and 4th place at the Sachsenring, he was offered the ride until the end of the season, alongside Bauer and team-mate Michael Schumacher.

There is still no confirmation at this point, but with Michael Schumacher returning to the Formula One series to cover for the injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, and Bauer still recuperating, it leaves Burns as the sole rider for the German Superbike Team making it seem unlikely that they would let him go, however, I didn’t expect to see Schumacher back in F1!

Sylvain Guintoli 2009

Last weekend the British Superbike Championship took place at Donington Park for round 2 with the Airwaves Yamaha team taking the victory in both.

As the bikes were on the out lap for the first of the afternoon’s British Superbike races, the Worx Crescent Suzuki rider Sylvain Guintoli was hit by Josh Brookes on the HM Plant Honda after his brakes failed at the Melbourne Loop.

Guintoli has broken his right fibula and tibia and is expected to be out for at least ten weeks.  The team announced today that Michael Rutter will be the replacement rider for this weekend at Thruxton. Josh Brookes has meanwhile been given a one race ban suspended for three British Superbike Championsip meetings for the collision.

Brookes is devastated by the racing accident and has said;

“My greatest apologies go out to Sylvain, I have been in a similar condition myself in similar circumstances so I understand he must be devastated.  I wish his best recovery as he did nothing wrong, he is just the victim of a crappy series of events.  I can only defend myself.  I have said what happened from my position, and 10 years road race experience.  I stand by my words so thanks to those who support me.”

Race One

As the bikes lined up on the grid for the first race it was James Ellison on the Airwaves Yamaha went into the lead followed by Chris Walker on the Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha.

Stuart Easton on the Hydrex Honda was in third ahead of the solo HM Plant Honda rider Glen Richards in fourth and Simon Andrews on the MSS Colchester Kawasaki in fifth.

After qualifying in pole position, Leon Camier was soon back on form as he first passed Richards and then Easton before taking Chris Walker on the following lap as Andrews also passed Easton to take fourth place.

With only 16 laps left to run, Camier passed his team-mate, gradually increasing the gap to finish almost 4 seconds ahead of Ellison and Easton.

Andrews battled with Walker on the next lap for the final podium step and made it at Old Hairpin only to get it taken back at McLeans.

Easton and Andrews swapped places a couple of times until Andrews lost the front end as he approached Goddards.

Tristan Palmer on the Buildbase Kawasaki crashed out of race one as he clipped the back of Gary Mason’s Quay Garage Honda at the Melbourne hairpin.

Here are the results;

1. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha 30mins 45.324secs 20 laps
2. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha +3.644secs
3. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +10.490secs
4. Glen Richards AUS HM Plant Honda +13.459secs
5. Chris Walker GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +15.146secs
6. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda +15.565secs
7. Julien Da Costa FRA MSS Colchester Kawasaki +31.782secs
8. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +34.781secs
9. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki +35.362secs
10. Graeme Gowland GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +35.654secs
11. Jason O’Halloran AUS SMT Honda +36.348secs
12. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda +36.623secs Cup
13. Jon Kirkham GBR Jentin Yamaha +45.280secs
14. Tom Tunstall GBR Hardinge Doodson Honda +53.503secs Cup
15. Martin Jessopp GBR Riders Racing Honda +53.897secs Cup

16. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha +1min 00.649secs Cup
17. Victor Cox GBR STP/JHS MV Agusta +1min 01.438secs
18. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Honda +1min 03.476secs
19. Atsushi Watanabe JPN Relentless TAS Suzuki +1min 03.619secs
20. Matt Bond GBR MIST Suzuki +1min 25.163secs Cup
21. Brian McCormack GBR MAR Kawasaki +1 lap Cup
22. Alastair Fagan GBR Red Viper Honda +1 lap Cup

Not classified

23. David Johnson AUS Maxxis Adept Yamaha 13 laps completed
24. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki 7 laps completed
25. Kenny Gilbertson GBR JX Fuelcard Kawasaki 5 laps completed Cup
26. Tristan Palmer GBR Buildbase Kawasaki 1 lap completed
27. Malcolm Ashley GBR MAR Kawasaki Did Not Start Cup
28. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda Did Not Start
29. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Worx Crescent Suzuki Did Not Start

Race Two

Race 2 was won for the first time ever by the Airwaves Yamaha rider James Ellison, just over 2 seconds in front of Stuart Easton on the Hydrex Honda machine.

The initial race was restarted after Karl Harris’s engine blew,  causing him to crash the Hydrex Honda which then leaked water over the track bringing out the red flag.

At the restart, Walker shot into the lead until passed by Glen Richards on the HM Plant Honda at McLeans and then Camier.  Walker took his place back further in the lap while behind Jason O’Halloran on the SMT Honda and David Johnson on the Team Maxxis Branson Yamaha, tangled and both were out of the running.

On lap 3, Camier came to a stand still on track shortly after passing Walker. After a lot of fiddling about with his machine he was once again rejoining the race but was by then back in 25th position.

On lap 6, Easton and Walker were again fighting for position with Walker finally pushed back to third position as Easton also made his move stick.

Ellison crossed the line to take the chequered flag followed by Easton in second, Walker in third, Andrews in fourth and Richards in fifth place.

Josh Brookes ended his dismal weekend by crashing out in race two along with Karl Harris who went down on the last lap.

Camier finally finished in twelfth, he was about to finish in the top ten when running in ninth on the penultimate lap he made a mistake.

Here are the results;

1. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha 30mins 49.102secs 20 laps
2. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +2.582secs
3. Chris Walker GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +5.740secs
4. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +9.517secs
5. Glen Richards AUS HM Plant Honda +9.729secs
6. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +18.247secs
7. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda +26.512secs Cup
8. Tristan Palmer GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +27.330secs
9. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki +28.626secs
10. Graeme Gowland GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +31.155secs
11. Julien Da Costa FRA MSS Colchester Kawasaki +31.930secs
12. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha +40.198secs
13. Jon Kirkham GBR Jentin Yamaha +41.721secs
14. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha +50.121secs Cup
15. Martin Jessopp GBR Riders Racing Honda +50.506secs Cup

16. Victor Cox GBR STP/JHS MV Agusta +52.806secs
17. Tom Tunstall GBR Hardinge Doodson Honda +52.889secs Cup
18. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda +1min 13.938secs
19. Matt Bond GBR MIST Suzuki +1min 22.793secs Cup
20. Alastair Fagan GBR Red Viper Honda +1min 28.591 Cup

Not classified

21. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Honda 16 laps completed
22. Kenny Gilbertson GBR JX Fuelcard Kawasaki 11 laps completed Cup
23. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda 7 laps completed
24. Brian McCormack GBR MAR Kawasaki 7 laps completed Cup
25. Atsushi Watanabe JPN Relentless TAS Suzuki 6 laps completed
26. David Johnson AUS Maxxis Adept Yamaha 1 lap completed
27. Jason O’Halloran AUS SMT Honda 1 lap completed
28. Malcolm Ashley GBR MAR Kawasaki Did Not Start Cup
29. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Worx Crescent Suzuki Did Not Start

Sylvain Guintoli - Brands Hatch 2009

Easter weekend saw the first round of the British Superbike Championship get underway at Brands Hatch in Kent with Sylvain Guintoli and Leon Camier taking the wins.

Race 1

Sylvain Guintoli on the Worx Crescent Suzuki took his first win on his British Superbike debut at Brands Hatch after qualifying in pole position and despite a slow start off the grid

. Stuart Easton on the Hydrex Honda took the lead going into the first corner followed by the replacement HM Plant Honda rider Steve Plater and the second Hydrex machine of Karl Harris.

Guintoli was back in fifth after a very slow start with all the action happening in front of him as Harris and Plater exchanged the lead. By the second lap Harris was overtaken by the second HM Plant Honda ridden by Glen Richards, moving him back to fourth place.

The safety car was deployed as the riders began lap 3 after a crash at Clearways involving Tom Tunstall on the Hardinge Doodson Motorsport Honda and Matt Bond on the Mist Suzuki. Bond was left lying on the track but fortunately suffered no serious injuries and the green flags were once again waved on lap 6. Neither riders were back on the grid for race 2.

Richards soon passed Plater before taking the lead but on lap 11, Harris crashed out at Druids passing the lead to Easton for a short time as Plater made his move on lap 12 at Paddock Hill. Guintoli had meanwhile moved up to third place and Leon Camier was also on the move on the Airwaves Yamaha, passing Easton and Richards.

Plater lost his machine on lap 16 as he went into the gravel at the entry to Druids seeing Camier desperately trying not to get caught up in the crash, dropping him down into 10th place. Camier battled away and finished the race in fourth position ahead of his team-mate James Ellison.

The MSS Colchester Kawasaki of Julian Da Costa developed a fuel problem on the warm-up lap forcing him back to the pits to collect his second bike, meaning a start from the pit lane and cold tyres. He battled his way from the back of the field to take eleventh position while his team-mate Simon Andrews was one of the top ten riders going into the first corner and finished in seventh place. Here are the results;

1. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Worx Crescent Suzuki 24mins 27.117secs 30 laps
2. Glen Richards AUS HM Plant Honda +0.952secs
3. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +3.086secs
4. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha +7.007secs
5. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha +7.814secs
6. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda +8.505secs Cup
7. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +9.359secs
8. Jason O’Halloran AUS SMT Honda +9.369secs
9. Graeme Gowland GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha 10.549secs
10. Tristan Palmer GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +16.181secs
11. Julien Da Costa FRA MSS Colchester Kawasaki +16.248secs
12. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki +19.536secs
13. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +20.201secs
14. Chris Walker GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +21.920secs
15. Jon Kirkham GBR Jentin Yamaha +21.998secs
16. Michael Rutter GBR North West 200 Yamaha +24.817secs
17. Atsushi Watanabe JPN Relentless TAS Suzuki +32.203secs
18. Martin Jessopp GBR Riders Racing Honda +32.985secs Cup
19. David Johnson AUS Maxxis Adept Yamaha +36.193secs
20. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Honda +44.291secs
21. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha +45.321secs Cup
22. Alastair Fagan GBR Red Viper Honda +45.501secs Cup
23. Brian McCormack IRL MAR Kawasaki +1 lap Cup
24. Kenny Gilbertson GBR JX Fuelcard Kawasaki +4 laps Cup

Not Classified
25. Steve Plater GBR HM Plant Honda 16 laps completed
26. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda 10 laps completed
27. Matt Bond GBR MIST Suzuki 0 laps completed Cup
28. Tom Tunstall GBR Hardinge Doodson Honda 0 laps completed Cup

Fastest Lap

45 Glen RICHARDS AUS Honda – HM Plant Honda Lap 14 – 46.476 – 92.84 mph – 149.41 kph

Race 2

Race 2 looked to be a repeat of the first with Stuart Easton, Steve Plater and Karl Harris as the riders went into the first corner with Harris moving into second place on lap 2.

On lap 3, Sylvain Guintoli, who was in fifth position tried to move up the inside of Glen Richards making contact, while Plater sat on the tail of Harris, before moving into second place.

On lap 6, Leon Camier passed Guintoli going into Druids and on lap 7, Harris lost two places to Richards and Guintoli. Camier soon made a move up the inside of Richards, who judging from his reaction was surprised to see him there. By mid-race, Camier was sitting in second place behind Easton but his much faster times made it obvious that it would only be a matter of time before he took the lead which he finally did on lap 18.

Guintoli finally took second place after another exciting battle with Plater, after several overtaking moves, Guintoli eventually ran wide letting Plater back through. Plater then made a mistake at Druids seeing Guintoli taking full advantage and putting Plater down to third.  Easton ended the race in fourth position followed by Richards, Harris and James Ellison.

Chris Walker on the Motorsport/Henderson Yamaha had been in his own battle for seventh place with Ellison and Gary Mason on the Quay Garage Honda, with Ellison passing both riders to finally take the position ahead of Walker and Mason.

Here are the results;

1. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha 23mins 25.330secs 30 laps
2. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Worx Crescent Suzuki +2.319secs
3. Steve Plater GBR HM Plant Honda +3.347secs
4. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +3.772secs
5. Glen Richards AUS HM Plant Honda +3.915secs
6. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda +11.121secs
7. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha +11.531secs
8. Chris Walker GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +11.826secs
9. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda +12.968secs Cup
10. Julien Da Costa FRA MSS Colchester Kawasaki +14.641secs
11. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +18.471secs
12. Jason O’Halloran AUS SMT Honda +18.533secs
13. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki +18.929secs
14. Tristan Palmer GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +19.146secs
15. Graeme Gowland GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +29.669secs
16. Jon Kirkham GBR Jentin Yamaha +29.791secs
17. Michael Rutter GBR North West 200 Yamaha +32.960secs
18. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +33.158secs
19. Martin Jessopp GBR Riders Racing Honda +33.246secs Cup
20. David Johnson AUS Maxxis Adept Yamaha +34.273secs
21. Atsushi Watanabe JPN Relentless TAS Suzuki +36.697secs
22. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Honda +1 lap
23. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha +1 lap Cup
24. Kenny Gilbertson GBR JX Fuelcard Kawasaki +1 lap Cup

Not Classified
25. Alastair Fagan GBR Red Viper Honda 22 laps completed Cup
26. Brian McCormack IRL MAR Kawasaki 13 laps completed Cup
DNS Matt Bond GBR MIST Suzuki Cup
DNS Tom Tunstall GBR Hardinge Doodson Honda Cup
DNS Tim Bourne GBR Kent Cottages Honda Cup

Fastest Lap

3 Stuart EASTON GBR Honda – Hydrex Honda Lap 3 46.320 – 93.15 mph – 149.92 kph

Airwaves Ducati

GSE Racing have the ideal Christmas present for sale, they are looking for a buyer for last years BSB Championship winning Ducati 1098 machines along with a shed load of spares.

Following Ducati’s withdrawal from British Superbike, GSE have turned their attention to next season’s Yamaha race bikes and are offering the four Ducati’s to anyone wanting a quick start up in BSB.

Included in the sale will be the four Ducati 1098’s, Magneti Marrelli electronics worth £150K, spares also worth £150K and forty Marchesini wheels, all that is needed is a good rider and you have a top six BSB team says GSE’s Colin Wright. “And if we sold the whole lot together we’d let it go for £300K.”

Anyone interested should contact GSE Racing.

British Superbikes 2008

It’s that time of year again when everyone is waiting to see which riders will be with which team for the 2009 season in the British Superbike Championship.

So far, HM Plant Honda have confirmed they will have the British Supersport rider Glen Richards and World Supersport rider Josh Brookes in their team.

The GSE Racing Yamaha team, who were previously GSE Ducati, will be keeping Leon Camier who will ride alongside the former Hydrex Bike Animal Honda rider James Ellison.

The only other firm confirmations are Atsushi Watanabe, who will now race for the Relentless Suzuki by TAS team after leaving Rizla Suzuki and Sylvain Guintoli, who will be replacing Watanabe at the renamed Crescent Suzuki team after Rizla have ended their sponsorship with BSB.

The MSS Discovery Kawasaki team will be looking to replace Billy McConnell, who has decided to go to the Raceways Yamaha team in the British Supersport Championship.  Two of the riders on the cards for the team are Julien De Costa and Didier Van Keymeulen.

Rob Mac Racing have still to confirm their team for next year, although Karl Harris and Jon Kirkham have been linked to them as well as the rumours that Guy Martin has signed already.

Simon Andrews, the Lloyds British Jentin Yamaha rider, is still unsigned for the 2009 season but will be riding in November in the World Endurance Championship in Qatar.

Gregorio Lavilla and Chris Walker are both keen to return to the British Superbike scene in 2009 after spending the 2008 season in the World Superbike Championship.

Michael Rutter is another unsigned rider for next season after riding for North West 200 Ducati for 2008 and finishing in sixth place in the Championship.

Riders we won’t be seeing in 2009 are Tom Sykes, former Rizla Suzuki rider, Shane Byrne, Airwaves Ducati and Leon Haslam, HM Plant Honda, who are now all going to the World Superbike series.

Shane Byrne - Brands Hatch 2008

Shane Byrne won both races at Brands Hatch yesterday in his final weekend in the British Superbike Championship.

Race 1

Cal Crutchlow on the HM Plant Honda took the lead of race one into the first corner but on the second lap, Byrne dived up the inside heading towards Druids to take his place at the front.

The battle for second place was taking place behind between James Ellison on the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda, Leon Haslam on the second HM Plant Honda and Leon Camier on the Airwaves Ducati.

At one point it looked as if Haslam would pass Ellison, but he wasn’t close enough, giving Ellison a chance too pull away from him.

Rizla Suzuki rider Tom Sykes was tailing Camier, followed by Michael Laverty on the TAS Relentless Suzuki and Michael Rutter on the North West 200 Ducati.  Laverty’s race ended on lap twenty-seven while running in eighth place.

Here are the results;

1. Shane Byrne Airwaves Ducati 23.21.717
2. Cal Crutchlow HM Plant Honda 23.23.609
3. James Ellison Hydrex Bike Animal Honda 23.23.861
4. Leon Haslam HM Plant Honda 23.23.907
5. Leon Camier Airwaves Ducati 23.27.464
6. Tom Sykes Rizla Suzuki 23.28.276
7. Michael Rutter North West 200 Ducati 23.41.052
8. Simon Andrews Lloyds British Jentin Yamaha 23.41.719
9. Jon Kirkham Rob Mac Racing Yamaha 23.45.245
10. Tristan Palmer Tena for Men Honda 23.46.958
11. Gary Mason Quay Garage Honda 23.46.975
12. Billy McConnell MSS Discovery Kawasaki 23.48.052
13. John Laverty Buildbase North West 200 Ducati 23.48.052
14. Atsushi Watanabe Rizla Suzuki 23.53.059
15. Jason O’Halloran SMT Honda 23.58.862
16. Guy Martin Hydrex Bike Animal Honda 23.58.902

Race 2

Leon Haslam led the race from lap one and by lap three, he had set the fastest time, but nearing the end of the race he started to lose time giving Shane Byrne the chance that he was waiting for.

Byrne took the lead from Haslam on the final lap of the race at McLaren forcing Haslam to run wide and move to the second step of the podium.

Byrne’s team-mate, Leon Camier took the final place on the podium after slipping past Cal Crutchlow on the HM Plant Honda.

Tom Sykes on the Rizla Suzuki was battling it out with James Ellison on the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda until lap twenty-five ended Sykes hope when his machine developed a mechanical problem.

Michael Laverty on the Relentless Suzuki suffered further problems in race two and was seen going into the pits on lap two due to further mechanical issues.

Here are the results;

1. Shane Byrne Airwaves Ducati 23.21.124
2. Leon Haslam HM Plant Honda 23.22.941
3. Leon Camier Airwaves Ducati 23.25.429
4. Cal Crutchlow HM Plant Honda 23.29.685
5. James Ellison Hydrex Bike Animal Honda 23.30.907
6. Michael Rutter North West 200 Ducati 23.32.524
7. Simon Andrews Lloyds British Jentin Yamaha 23.45.389
8. John Laverty Buildbase North West 200 Ducati 23.46.968
9. Gary Mason Quay Garage Honda 23.46.991
10. Jon Kirkham Rob Mac Racing Yamaha 23.54.225
11. Chris Burns STP Superbike MV Augusta 23.56.605
12. Jason O’Halloran SMT Honda 23.56.638
13. Tristan Palmer Tena for Men Honda 23.59.512
14. Atsushi Watanabe Rizla Suzuki 24.02.517
15. Guy Martin Hydrex Bike Animal Honda 24.02.749
16. Peter Hickman Red Viper Racing Honda 24.03.117

Shane Byrne - Brands Hatch Qualifying

ucati, claimed his fifth pole position of the season today for the final round of the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch.

Leon Haslam on the HM Plant Honda took second place despite a heavy crash at the beginning of the session and suffering a bruised shoulder, followed by team-mate Cal Crutchlow in third.

Rizla Suzuki rider, Tom Sykes, completed the front row of the grid ahead of tomorrows final race and who is still in with a chance for that runner-up prize.

James Ellison on the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda, took fifth position to start the second row alongside Leon Camier on the second Airwaves Ducati.

Relentless Suzuki rider, Michael Laverty, finished in seventh place followed by MIchael Rutter on the North West 200 Ducati and Jon Kirkham on the Rob Mac Racing Yamaha, who is replacing Karl Harris this weekend after withdrawing due to personal problems.

Simon Andrews on the Lloyds British Jentin Yamaha completed the top ten riders.

Here are the results;

Pos – Rider – Bike – Team – 1st Quali – 2nd Quali – 3rd Quali

1 - Shane Byrne - Ducati – Airwaves Ducati - 46.512 - 46.081 - 45.799
2 - Leon Haslam - Honda – HM Plant Honda - 46.341 - 46.485 - 46.096
3 - Cal Crutchlow - Honda – HM Plant Honda - 46.256 - 46.493 - 46.118
4 - Tom Sykes - Suzuki – Rizla Suzuki - 46.616 - 46.508 - 46.201
5 - James Ellison - Honda – Hydrex Bike Animal Honda - 46.571 - 46.525 - 46.255
6 - Leon Camier - Ducati – Airwaves Ducati - 46.457 - 46.408 - 46.303
7 - Michael Laverty - Suzuki – Relentless Suzuki by TAS - 46.995 - 46.562 - 46.513
8 - Michael Rutter - Ducati – North West 200 Ducati - 46.582 - 46.445 - 46.518
9 - John Kirkham - Yamaha – Team Yamaha - 46.889 - 46.603 - 46.560
10 - Simon Andrews - Yamaha – Jentin Racing / Lloyds British - 46.952 - 46.602 - 46.579
11 - Billy Mcconnell - Kawasaki – MSS Discovery Kawasaki - 46.996 - 46.682
12 - Atsushi Watanabe - Suzuki – Rizla Suzuki - 47.011 - 46.842
13 - John Laverty - Ducati – Buildbase NW200 Ducati - 47.028 - 46.853
14 - Tristan Palmer - Honda – Tena for Men Honda - 47.132 - 46.857
15 - David Johnson - Honda – Team MAXXIS - 47.027 - 46.936
16 - Gary Mason - Honda – Quay Garage - 47.192 - 46.951
17 - Stuart Easton - Kawasaki – MSS Discovery Kawasaki - 47.058 - 46.979
18 - Guy Martin - Honda – Hydrex Bike Animal Honda - 47.311 - 47.082
19 - Shannon Etheridge - Kawasaki – MAR Adept - 47.207 - 47.100
20 - Scott Smart - Kawasaki – Hawk Racing - 47.249 - 47.197
21 - Jason O’halloran - Honda – SMT Honda - 47.346
22 - Peter Hickman - Honda – Red Viper Racing - 47.383
23 - Francis Williamson - Ducati – Moto Rapido Racing - 47.647
24 - Victor Cox - Yamaha -STP Superbike - 47.654
25 - Chris Burns - MV Agusta – STP Superbike - 47.693
26 - Leon Morris - Ducati – Brookspeed - 47.781
27 - Tom Tunstall - Honda – Hardinge – Ice Valley Motorsport - 47.786
28 - Malcolm Ashley - Kawasaki – MAR Adept - 48.059
29 - Martin Jessopp - Honda – Riders Racing - 48.512

Shane Byrne 2008 BSB Champion

Shane ‘Shakey Byrne’ won the British Superbike Championship for 2008 this weekend on the Airwaves Ducati.

Race One

Leon Camier took the victory in the first race at Silverstone on the Airwaves Ducati despite a poor start putting him back to ninth place at the end of the first lap behind his team-mate Byrne.

The front three riders Leon Haslam, Cal Crutchlow and Tom Sykes started to put a gap between the rest of the pack until on lap three, Sykes on the Rizla Suzuki tried to pass Haslam at the final chicane.  He was unable to stop in time and took himself and Haslam out of the race.  Sykes was eventually excluded from the race one results and will start race two twelve places back on the grid from his qualifying position.

On lap five, James Ellison on the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda caught the back of Michael Laverty under braking going into the final chicane ending the race for both of them, and allowing Byrne to move up to third place.

Karl Harris had to retire from the race on lap seventeen after developing mechanical problems with the Team Yamaha machine.

Here are the results;

Pos – Rider – Bike – Team – Time

DNF - Scott Smart - Kawasaki – Hawk Racing - 23:32.820
DNF - Karl Harris - Yamaha – Team Yamaha - 23:36.119
DNF - Guy Martin - Honda – Hydrex Bike Animal Honda - 13:30.203
DNF - Michael Laverty - Suzuki – Relentless Suzuki by TAS - 5:50.819
DNF - James Ellison - Honda – Hydrex Bike Animal Honda - 5:51.030

Race Two

Leon Haslam on the HM Plant Honda took the chequered flag in race two after dominating the race from the start.

Karl Harris and Cal Crutchlow were fighting each other for second place on lap two, taking turns for the position until Crutchlow got it all wrong and went straight on at the bend.

Tom Sykes had to start from seventeenth on the grid after his penalty from race one but by lap four had moved into sixth place while on the next lap, Byrne passed Harris to take second position.

On lap fourteen Sykes had passed Harris to take the final step of the podium, a fantastic race after starting near the back of the grid.

Crutchlow retired from the race on lap fifteen after developing mechanical problems with his machine.

Here are the results;

Pos – Rider – Bike – Team – Time

DNF - Cal Crutchlow - Honda – HM Plant Honda - 20:26.247
DNF - Atsushi Watanabe - Suzuki – Rizla Suzuki - 18:21.045
DNF - Scott Smart - Kawasaki – Hawk Racing - 11:13.790
DNF - Guy Martin - Honda – Hydrex Bike Animal Honda - 4:40.200
DNF - Chris Burns - MV Agusta – STP Superbike - 1:37.029
DQ - Gary Mason - Honda – Quay Garage - 29:25.215

Cal Crutchlow

Cal Crutchlow on the Repsol Honda took pole position for tomorrows eleventh round of the British Superbike Championship.

Crutchlow recently announced that he would be riding for the factory Yamaha World Supersport team next year, but knows that he could still take second place in the championship as their are only his team-mate, Leon Haslam and Tom Sykes to fight for the rest of the points.

Haslam will start alongside Crutchlow in second place with Michael Rutter on the North West 200 Ducati in third and Karl Harris on the RM Racing Yamaha in fourth.

Tom Sykes will start from fifth on the Rizla Suzuki followed by Shane Byrne on the Airwaves Ducati, who only needs to collect seven points tomorrow to take the championship.

Leon Camier is in sixth place on the second Airwaves Ducati ahead of James Ellison in seventh place after a disastrous qualifying session.  The rider had to use his second bike after the rear wheel spindle jammed on his number one bike.

Michael Laverty on the Relentless Suzuki will start in ninth place followed by Gary Mason on the Quay Garage Honda.

Guy Martin, team-mate of Ellison on the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda crashed out in the first session damaging the bike and damaged his hand, he will be starting from twenty-first on the grid.

Here are the results;

1. Cal Crutchlow GBR HM Plant Honda 1min 25.489secs
2. Leon Haslam GBR HM Plant Honda 1min 25.790secs
3. Michael Rutter GBR NW 200 Ducati 1min 25.952ecs
4. Karl Harris GBR Rob Mac Racing Yamaha 1min 25.976secs
5. Tom Sykes GBR Rizla Suzuki 1min 26.012secs
6. Shane Byrne GBR Airwaves Ducati 1min 26.136secs
7. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Ducati 1min 26.175secs
8. James Ellison GBR Hydrex Bike Animal Honda 1min 26.555secs
9. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki 1min 26.912secs
10. Gary Mason GBR Quay Garage Honda (CUP) 1min 27.011secs

11. Stuart Easton GBR MSS Discovery Kawasaki 1min 27.279secs
12. Scott Smart GBR Hawk Kawasaki 1min 27.282secs
13. Simon Andrews GBR Lloyds Jentin Yamaha 1min 27.514secs
14. Billy McConnell AUS MSS Discovery Kawasaki 1min 27.652secs
15. Jason O’Halloran AUS SMT Honda 1min 27.805secs
16. Tristan Palmer GBR Tena for Men Honda 1min 28.140secs
17. Atsushi Watanabe JPN Rizla Suzuki 1min 28.151secs
18. David Johnson AUS Maxxis Honda 1min 28.179secs
19. Peter Hickman GBR Red Viper Honda 1min 28.607secs
20. Martin Jessopp GBR Riders Racing Honda (CUP) 1min 29.021secs

21. Guy Martin GBR Hydrex Bike Animal Honda 1min 28.530secs
22. John Laverty GBR NW200 Ducati (CUP) 1min 28.538secs
23. Chris Burns GBR STP MV Agusta (CUP) 1min 29.135secs
24. Dan Stewart GBR Wilcock Consulting Honda (CUP) 1min 29.394secs
25. Tom Tunstall GBR Hardinge/Ice Valley Honda (CUP) 1min 29.594secs
26. Leon Morris GBR Brookspeed Ducati (CUP) 1min 30.461secs
27. Francis Williamson GBR Moto Rapido Racing Ducati (CUP) 1min 30.832secs
28. Shannon Etheridge AUS MAR Adept Kawasaki (CUP) 1min 31.609secs

Leon Camier

Race One

Leon Camier won the first race at Croft yesterday on the Airwaves Ducati, in the tenth round of the British Superbike Championship after lining-up in sixth place on the grid.

Camier took the lead on lap thirteen after battling his way through the pack followed by HM Plant Honda rider Leon Haslam in second.

Tom Sykes on the Rizla Suzuki took third place after passing Shane Byrne in the final corner forcing the Airwaves Ducati almost off track to get past.

The second HM Plant Honda of Cal Crutchlow, took full advantage of the move on Byrne and also managed to squeeze through, pushing Byrne down to fifth place.

Michael Rutter on the North West Ducati finished in sixth place after qualifying in second on the grid

Here are the results:

1: Leon Camier (Ducati) 27:06.760
2: Leon Haslam (Honda) +2.544
3: Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +6.113
4: Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +6.366
5: Shane Byrne (Ducati) +6.581
6: Michael Rutter (Ducati) +13.889
7: Michael Laverty (Suzuki) +19.031
8: Karl Harris (Yamaha) +19.583
9: James Ellison (Honda) +19.722
10: Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +24.907
12: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +31.013

Race Two

Leon Haslam took the second race of the day on the HM Plant Honda with the fight for the championship now moving to the next round at Silverstone in two weeks time.

Leon Camier was battling in fourth place as he tried to take third from Michael Rutter at the hairpin on the inside, forcing both riders wide and putting the Ducati back in fifth as a consequence.

Cal Crutchlow on the HM Plant Honda was leading the race shadowed by Tom Sykes on the Rizla Suzuki until Sykes took the inside line on lap ten to lead the pack.

Championship leader, Shane Byrne had a terrible start and was down in tenth place on the opening lap but by lap fourteen he had made his move up to fifth.

Haslam made his move on Sykes on the penultimate lap to win his fourth race of the season followed by Sykes, and Crutchlow.

Here are the results;

1: Haslam 27:04.305
2: Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +1.133
3: Crutchlow +1.614
4: Byrne +1.864
5: Camier +3.740
6: Rutter + 9.788
7: Ellison +17.037
8: Harris +18.735
9: Andrews +19.893
10: Laverty +21.857
12: Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +34.079