Honda motorcycles are behind no less than five teams in this season’s British Superbike Championship with Australian Glen Richards of Team WFR Honda leading the way for Honda riders after four rounds.

Based in Yorkshire, the WFR Honda team race on CBR1000RR Fireblades.  The team are new this season to the BSB Evo Championship and have got off to a flying start.  Graeme Gowland, who made his Superbike debut in 2009, is the other WFR Honda team rider while Alex Lowes left the team in May after failing to agree on a new contract.

WFR Honda were formed from the Embassy Racing squad who were so successful in previous Supersport and Superstock 1000 Championships. While riding for the Embassy Racing Team Glen Richards won back to back championships in 2007 and 2008 and now, along with his new WFR Honda Team is keen to impress in the British Superbike championship.

But Honda does not only excel in superbike racing.  Along with its full range of motor cars it is also known for other vehicles from lawn mowers to quad bikes; and they are not just used for racing!

Philippa is a farmer in Oxfordshire and uses her Honda ATV to tend to a herd alpacas! A far cry from racing around a track but it is the first of four new film shorts to be shown as part of the ongoing Honda television sponsorship of Channel 4 documentaries during 2011.

The new mini-documentaries each focus on a real-life Honda owner who put their Honda vehicle to more obscure uses.

Each of the short films is like a mini-documentary created by Hollie Newton at Wieden + Kennedy (W+K) and includes a unique website link relating to its story allowing viewers to see extra content online.

Honda will also be using social media with Facebook and Twitter campaigns to accompany the TV sponsorship deal linking to an online hub at www.honda.co.uk/stories where the videos will be available in full along with articles and other interesting stories. There is also a competition in the ‘Take Part’ section of the website, where Honda owners can upload their own stories and photographs, explaining the unusual ways in which they use their own Honda products.

W+K, the company behind the films, will select their favourite story and make it into the final mini-documentary to be shown later in the year as part of the Channel 4 campaign.

Honda will continue to use the strap line ‘Documentaries on 4, sponsored by Honda’ throughout 2011 for these new films, which were first aired last week during the Cutting Edge documentary, ‘Bums, Boobs and Botox’.

Sponsored Post

As well as testing the British Supersport 600cc machines, Gary Johnson has also been putting the Fireblade through its paces for his assault on the International Road Race calendar in 2011.

Testing took place over three days at Cartegena but was restricted to just one day at Guadix, where bad weather forced the team to abandon their second day at the circuit and head back to base.

Gary Johnson said, “All in all I’m really pleased with the test and how productive it was for us all. I was riding the 600 and the Superbike and getting both bikes set up to a comfy base setting, which we’ll be working on in more tests before the season starts. I know now where we need to go with the bikes and confident the team will get them to that position where everything will be perfect come the start of the season.

“We concentrated mainly on the 600 as this is the bike I will be running in the British Supersport Championship, from the off the bike felt great. We changed a number of things on the Honda with springs, suspension and tyres to see which worked best for me. We have definitely got something to work from now and going in the right direction.

“I did a few runs out on the Superbike, the Fireblade is an awesome bike and the power is immense on it. My times improved every time we made small changes which is great news and I feel confident about everything now.

“I was happy at the end of Cartagena and was looking forward to getting myself out at Guadix. My crew chief James made a few changes after I’d done a few initial laps and these automatically took my times down on the 600, it’s all a learning curve for all of us and testing is all about finding the right set up.

“I jumped back on the Fireblade and was testing a new Pirelli tyre which I’ll be using on the roads but this forced us to make some changes with the bike. I was able to stay with the Suzuki riders of Kirkham and Hopkins so it gave me a lot of confidence. The second planned day at Guadix, the heavens opened and track activity was called off for the day so homeward bound we headed. I’m really happy with the progress we made and I know where we have to go but I’m very excited about it all. I can’t wait for the season to start now and get things going again.”

The young Irish rider Lee Johnston bonded with the new Honda immediately and ending testing feeling positive with his performance, saying;

“Testing was mega at Cartagena, the weather was kind to us and stayed dry for the three days, even though it was a little on the windy side. We spent the majority of the first day just making me comfortable on the CBR 600 as this was the first time I’d even sat on the bike. It felt good instantly so I knew we wouldn’t need to change much on it. We knew the bikes were good as Sam won the Championship on it in 2010 so we didn’t want to change much to start with.

“The second day proved to be challenging as there were a number of crashes which kept putting halt to proceedings and the third day we spent working on the forks and my times were coming down each time I went out on track which has given me my confidence back after a couple of dodgy years.

“We then headed to Guadix where I managed to complete 70 laps on the first afternoon and I managed to get a really good feel for the bike. The second day they weather turned a little more like what I’m used to back in Ireland, the track was flooded and therefore the day was cancelled. I would like to thank all the East Coast Racing team for making me feel so welcome and working so hard over the few days, I just can’t wait for Brands now.”

2011 British Supersport Dates

Rd 1 – 22 – 25th April
Brands Hatch Indy

Rd 2 – 30th April – 2nd May
Oulton Park

Rd 3 – 13th – 15th May
Croft Race Circuit

Rd 4 – 28th – 30th May
Thruxton

Rd 5 – 17th – 19th June
Knockhill

Rd 6 – 1st – 3rd July
Snetterton

Rd 7 – 15th – 17th July
Oulton Park

Rd 8 – 5th – 7th August
Brands Hatch GP

Rd 9 – 27th – 29th August
Cadwell Park

Rd 10 – 9th – 11th September
Donington Park

Rd 11 – 23rd – 25th September
Silverstone Arena GP

Rd 12 – 7th – 9th October
Brands Hatch GP

International Road Racing Dates

North West 200 – 21st May

Isle of Man TT – 30th May – 10th June

Ulster GP – 10th – 13th August

Scarborough Gold Cup – 17th – 18th September

Macau GP – 17th – 20th November

East Coast Racing

The British Supersport 2010 season ended with Phil Reed’s East Coast Racing team winning the Supersport Cup with rider Pat McDougall and seeing Jason O’Halloran at last fulfilling some of his promise.

It’s all change at East Coast Racing for the 2011 season of British Supersport as the team are preparing to race the ex Championship winning GSN Honda with two new riders.

Twenty eight year old Gary Johnson and young Irish star Lee Johnston, just 22 years old, will make up the team for the 2011 season, where East Coast Racing hope to build on the success of their maiden season in the sport.

The deal with Gary Johnson was done while Reed was watching the rider perform in Macau, having followed the Lincolnshire riders progress both on the track and road circuits.

Gary says: “I can’t wait to get on the track with the East Coast Racing team. 2010 was a disappointment for me and I have points to prove and want to come back this year really strong and get some good results in the Supersport races and also on the roads and get everything back on track and going in the right direction. I get on really well with Phil and can’t wait to get started now.”

Reed considers that he has assembled a ‘very good little team’ for his East Coast Racing’s assault on the British Supersport Championship in 2011, with testing taking place in March and bikes and riders ready to race at Brands Hatch in the season opener in April.

Lee commented; “2009 was a good start to my Supersport career but last year it got a little wayward when I ended up swapping teams half way through the season and missing a round. I wasn’t happy and want to put that in the past. I spoke with Phil and we came to a good arrangement, the Honda’s are proven and think they will suit my riding style. I’m very pleased to be part of the East Coast Racing team, I can’t wait to get testing and then back racing at Brands in April!”

MIchael Rutter - Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati 2010

Michael Rutter and James Ellison took the win in the British Superbike races at Silverstone yesterday under horrendous weather conditions of the 2010 championship.

Race 1

After only 4 laps of the opening race at Silverstone yesterday, the red flags were waved as the heavens opened while the HM Plant Honda rider Josh Brookes was leading the way.

At the restart it was Michael Laverty that led the riders away from the lights ahead of Brookes and team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari before the Japanese rider dropped back into fourth place, moving Michael  Rutter up into third.

On his second attempt, Brookes made his move stick when he passed Laverty to take the lead on lap 4 but the Australian rider could only hold onto the leading spot for a couple of laps before Laverty once again retook his position at the front.

While the two riders battled for the lead, Rutter was closing in on the pair and while Brookes once again moved to the front on lap 7, Rutter made his move on Laverty to slot into second place.

The Ridersmotorcylces.com Ducati rider then set his sights on Brookes, stealing the lead from the Honda rider with just 3 laps remaining.

Rutter crossed the line to take the victory followed by Brookes in second and Michael Laverty in third.  James Ellison finished in fourth place ahead of Ryuichi Kiyonari in fifth, Alastair Seeley sixth, Simon Andrews seventh, Tommy Hill eighth, Chris Walker ninth and Dan Linfoot in tenth.

Here are the results;

1. Michael Rutter  GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati  24mins 05.289s
2. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +1.263s
3. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +5.254s
4. James Ellison GBR Swan Honda +12.177s
5. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda +12.331s
6. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +23.908s
7. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +25.628s
8. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +26.984s
9. Chris Walker GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +31.611s
10. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +37.179s
11. Loris Baz FRA Motorpoint Yamaha +37.199s
12. Chris Burns GBR Splitlath Aprilia +37.976s
13. Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki +38.554s
14. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +40.542s
15. Tom Tunstall GBR Doodson Motorsport Honda +47.030s

Steve Heneghan IRL Quattro Plant Honda
Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Spike Suzuki
Adam Jenkinson GBR Buildbase Kawasaki

Race 2

James Ellison - Swan Honda 2010

In the second of the races at the Silverstone circuit it was the Swan Honda rider James Ellison that crossed the line to take a sensational win in an incident packed round.

A crash at the first corner on the opening lap involving Michael Laverty, Loris Baz and Chris Burns ended the Irishman’s chance of a podium finish as James Ellison slotted into the leading spot.  Laverty managed to rejoin the race but suffered a technical problem just one lap later and was forced to retire.

Josh Brookes was on a mission and had moved into fifth place after overtaking Alastair Seeley on lap 3 and set about catching Gary Mason in fourth.  Brookes finally got past Mason on lap 5 to take third before trying to close the gap between himself and the front runners Ellison and Kiyonari.

Tommy Hill had a disastrous start and was lucky not to have been involved in an accident on the start/finish line as his Worx Crescent Suzuki was seen weaving across the track, miraculously missing the riders behind  but Hill fought his way back through the pack to finish in fifth place.

Michael Rutter crashed out on lap 4 whilst in third place and was out of the running.

Here are the results;

1. James Ellison  GBR Swan Honda  23mins 58.750
2. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda +5.850s
3. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +12.865s
4. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +15.293s
5. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +20.264s
6. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +22.767s
7. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +25.308s
8. Chris Walker GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +27.694s
9. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +28.793
10. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Racing Yamaha +39.165s
11. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki +39.847s
12. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Tyco Racing +40.248
13. Pauli Pekkanen FIN 777 RR Motorsport Suzuki +41.747s
14. Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki +47.928s
15. Hudson Kennaugh RSA Splitlath Aprilia +49.791s

Steve Heneghan IRL Quattro Plant Honda
Adam Jenkinson GBR Buildbase Kawasaki
David Johnson AUS Becsport/Two Wheel Suzuki
Michael O’Brien GBR Motomob/O’Brien Hifi

Tommy Hill - Worx Crescent Suzuki 2010

This weekend saw the first of the three rounds of the title showdown for the British Superbike championship of 2010 with Tommy Hill and Michael Laverty sharing the wins of the day.

Race One

The Worx Crescent Suzuki rider Tommy Hill crossed then line to take the chequered flag in race 1 of the day at Croft followed by Michael Laverty on the Relentless Suzuki, just a tenth of a second behind.

The safety car was deployed on lap 1 following a crash at Clerveaux of David Johnson, who although battered and bruised didn’t appear to have any serious injuries.  At the restart of the race it was Michael Laverty that took to the front of the pack followed by Hill, Michael Rutter, James Ellison and Dan Linfoot.

Within two corners, Hill had put his Suzuki ahead of Laverty and attempted to create a gap, while on lap 5, Simon Andrews made his move past Dan Linfoot to slot into seventh place.

The HM Plant Honda rider Ryuichi Kiyonari dropped several places after running straight-on at Tower Corner, finding himself down in 22nd place.

On lap 9, Alistair Seeley was passed by the second HM Plant Honda of Josh Brookes before crashing his Relentless Suzuki at the hairpin.

Michael Rutter crashed his Ridersmotorcyles.com Ducati on lap 13, losing the front end at the hairpin as Hill’s lead on Laverty increased to six-tenths of a second.

Hill took the win ahead of Laverty in second, Stuart Easton in third, Simon Andrews in fourth, Dan Linfoot in fifth, Josh Brookes in sixth, Loris Baz (replacement rider for Andrew Pitt) in seventh, John Laverty in eighth, Chris Walker in ninth and Gary Mason in tenth.

Here are the results;

1.  Tommy Hill  GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki  27mins 43.359s
2. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +0.155s
3. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda +10.177s
4. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +13.512s
5. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +14.742s
6. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +15.407s
7. Loris Baz FRA Motorpoint Yamaha +21.044s
8. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +25.983s
9. Chris Walker GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +26.304s
10. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +26.670s
11. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda +31.454s
12. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Racing Yamaha +35.436s
13. Adam Jenkinson GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +40.448s
14. Tom Tunstall GBR Doodson Motorsport Honda +43.184s
15. Hudson Kennaugh RSA Splitlath Aprilia +45.526s

25. James Ellison GBR Swan Honda 17 laps completed
26. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda 13 laps completed
27. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki 8 laps completed
28. David Johnson AUS Becsport Suzuki 0 laps completed

Race Two

In race two, it was the Irishman Michael Laverty that took the chequered flag for the Relentless Suzuki team ahead of Tommy Hill.

Laverty took the lead as the lights went out followed by Stuart Easton on the Swan Honda ahead of Hill and the second Swan Honda of James Ellison with Michael Rutter in hot pursuit.

Easton didn’t make it easy for Hill to get past giving Laverty time to create a gap from his lead position.  As Josh Brookes, who had struggled with illness all weekend, managed to catch-up with Ellison after starting from ninth on the grid, he was passed by Tommy Bridewell on the inside at the hairpin.  Only two laps later he was passed by Dan Linfoot and Simon Andrews and by the halfway point of the race, his team-mate Kiyonari also got ahead of him.

Rutter and Ellison were battling for fourth place with Rutter winning the contest until the final lap when Kiyonari passed both riders.

Laverty took the victory ahead of Hill in second, Stuart Easton again in third, Kiyonari in fourth, Rutter in fifth, Ellison in sixth, Bridewell in seventh, Brookes in eighth, Linfoot in ninth and Andrews in tenth.

Here are the results;

1. Michael Laverty  GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki  25mins 42.670s
2. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +0.202s
3. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda +8.534s
4. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda +9.590s
5. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +9.833s
6. James Ellison GBR Swan Honda +10.138s
7. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +10.730s
8. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +11.619s
9. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +12.412s
10. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +16.489s
11. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +17.680s
12. Chris Walker GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +27.340s
13. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +27.714s
14. Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki +29.477s
15. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +31.153s

27. Loris Baz FRA Motorpoint Yamaha 10 laps completed
28. David Johnson AUS Becsport Suzuki 0 laps completed

Josh Brookes

Race 1

Tommy Hill claimed his first win in four months at this weekends round of the British Superbike championship at Cadwell Park for the Worx Crescent Suzuki team.

It was the HM Plant Honda rider Josh Brookes that led the riders into the first corner with Tommy Hill right on his tail.  By lap 8, Hill had made his way past the Australian and held on for the win leaving a trailing Brookes and his team-mate Ryucihi Kiyonari to claim second and third respectively.

Michael Laverty crossed the line for fourth place ahead of Michael Rutter in fifth position and James Ellison in sixth.  Yukio Kagayama finished in seventh place followed by Alastair Seeley in eighth, Dan Linfoot in ninth and Stuart Easton in tenth.

Tommy Bridewell had his points disqualified after his collision with John Laverty on the final lap of race one.

Here are the results;

1.  Tommy Hill  GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki  26mins 25.609s
2. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +5.116s
3. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda +7.092s
4. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +12.522
5. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +14.623s
6. James Ellison GBR Swan Honda +20.822s
7. Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki +28.158s
8. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +28.533
9. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +34.523
10. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda +34.945s
11. Chris Walker GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +49.900s
12. Adam Jenkinson GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +50.932s
13. Steve Brogan GBR Jentin Racing BMW +51.699
14. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki +54.599s
15. Tom Tunstall GBR Doodson Motorsport Honda +1min 04.821s

DQ Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +30.198s

Race 2

It was the HM Plant Honda rider Josh Brookes that crossed the finish line to take the chequered flag in the second race of the day at Cadwell Park.

Brookes took to the front as the race got underway but was passed by Tommy Hill before the end of the first lap followed by Ryuichi Kiyonari in second.

It was Brookes skill at ‘the mountain’ that gave him the edge over the leading two riders, giving him the lift he needed to get in front.

On lap 11, Brookes passed the leading man and shortly afterwards the red flags were waved ending the race after James Edmeades crashed and needed medical help on circuit for a fractured pelvis.

Once again it was Michael Laverty and Michael Rutter in fourth and fifth places respectively ahead of James Ellison in sixth.  Yukio Kagayama finished in seventh place followed by Tommy Bridewell in eighth, Alastair Seeley in ninth and Gary Mason in tenth.

Kiyonari will now head into the three round shoot-out on 525 points, Hill is also on 525 points and Brookes is on 524 points.

These races will begin at Croft on September 12 with each rider will have their previous points deleted and will each be credited with 500 points plus their bonus points from this seasons performance.

1.  Josh Brookes  AUS HM Plant Honda  19mins 00.530s
2. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +0.230s
3. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda +0.888s
4. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +5.071
5. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +11.719s
6. James Ellison GBR Swan Honda +13.178s
7. Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki +15.712s
8. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +21.347s
9. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +24.287s
10. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +27.445s
11. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda +27.640s
12. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +28.063
13. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +29.143s
14. Adam Jenkinson GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +30.768s
15. Chris Walker GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +35.609s

Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki DNS

Brands Hatch 2010 Race 1

This weekend saw the triple header take place at the circuit of Brands Hatch in Kent with Alastair Seeley winning the Saturday race and Tom Sykes taking both wins on Sunday.

Race 1 (Saturday)

The Saturday race began with Michael Rutter, who qualified in pole position, leading the two HM Plant Honda riders Josh Brookes and Ryuichi Kiyonari until the mid-way stage.

Rutter looked to be on to take his second win of the season until the rain began leading to the race being red flagged and a wet race being called.  As the newly shortened 10 lap race restarted it was Rutter who once again led the pack into the first bend ahead of Kiyonari.

Alastair Seeley had moved up from sixth place on the grid to during the first few bends to pass Rutter as they headed into the Graham Hill bend leaving the Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati rider and Kiyonari to chase him down.

Rutter was left to settle for second position followed by Kiyonari in third, Josh Brookes in fourth, Tom Sykes in fifth, Michael Laverty in sixth, James Ellison in seventh, Yukio Kagayama in eighth, John Laverty in ninth and Ian Lowry in tenth.

Tommy Hill was forced to start from the back of the grid for the re-start of the race after failing to line-up in time and could only manage a fifteenth place finish.

Here are the results;

1.  Alastair Seeley  GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki  16mins 22.271s
2. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +0.298s
3. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda +1.470s
4. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +2.926
5. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki SRT +14.320s
6. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +17.241s
7. James Ellison GBR Swan Honda +21.713s
8. Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki +23.516s
9. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +24.738s
10. Ian Lowry GBR Kawasaki SRT +26.213s
11. Andrew Pitt AUS Motorpoint Yamaha +27.731s
12. Tommy Bridewell GBR Tyco Honda +29.819s
13. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +29.897s
14. Chris Burns GBR Splitlath Aprilia +33.393s
15. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +34.253s
16. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Spike Suzuki +35.063s
17. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki +36.407s
18. David Johnson AUS Becsport Suzuki +37.148s
19. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Racing Yamaha +37.428s
20. Hudson Kennaugh RSA Splitlath Aprilia +40.478s
21. Adam Jenkinson GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +45.684s
22. Chris Walker GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +45.854s
23. Tom Tunstall GBR Doodson Motorsport Honda +48.342s
24. Pauli Pekkanen FIN 777 RR Motorsport Suzuki +50.388s
25. Craig Fitzpatrick GBR Close Print Finance Honda +1min 24.983s
26. Michael O’Brien GBR Motomob/O’Brien Yamaha +1min 29.226s

DNS Steve Heneghan IRL Quattro Plant Honda

Race 2 (Sunday)

Race 2 was also split into two parts after race 1 winner Alastair Seeley high-sided coming out of Surtees on lap 4, although the rider was uninjured his Relentless Suzuki was left stranded on the crest of the Hill and unseen by Andrew Pitt who caught the wheel.  Pitt was thrown heavily from his Motorpoint Yamaha forcing the race to be stopped while he was attended to at the side of the track by the medical team before being taken to the medical centre.  Pitt was transferred to hospital and has been diagnosed with a collarbone broken in three places.

The re-start consisted of 14 laps but was missing the second HM Plant Honda rider Josh Brookes who had crashed out at Druids whilst leading the race and had returned to the pits meaning that he would not be able to take part in the second start.

Michael Rutter was on pole position ahead of Kiyonari, Sykes and Michael Laverty but it was Sykes that moved into second position, passing Kiyonari before the end of the first lap.  Sykes then began to chase down the race leader Rutter before passing him on lap 4.

Kiyonari managed to get past Rutter and was tailing Sykes but could not get close enough to pass the Kawasaki rider leaving him to finish in second place with Rutter in third.  Michael Laverty crossed the line in fourth ahead of James Ellison in fifth, Tommy Hill in sixth, Stuart Easton in seventh, Yukio Kagayama in eighth, Dan Linfoot in ninth and Gary Mason in tenth.

Here are the results;

1.  Tom Sykes  GBR Kawasaki SRT  20mins 19.948secs
2. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda +1.118s
3. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +3.497s
4. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +4.000s
5. James Ellison GBR Swan Honda +4.189s
6. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +11.142s
7. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda +11.812s
8. Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki +11.937s
9. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +15.507s
10. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +15.637s
11. Ian Lowry GBR Kawasaki SRT +20.513s
12. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +25.373s
13. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Racing Yamaha +27.994s
14. Steve Brogan GBR Jentin Racing BMW +33.430s
15. Adam Jenkinson GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +33.629s

Andrew Pitt AUS Motorpoint Yamaha
Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki
Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda
John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki
David Johnson AUS Becsport Suzuki

Race 3

It was a fantastic day for the Kawasaki SRT team after the World Superbike rider Tom Sykes took his second win of the day at Brands Hatch.

It was Michael Laverty that started on pole position for race 3 ahead of Ryuichi Kiyonari and Tom Sykes but it was Kiyonari that took to the front as the race got underway.

Sykes soon moved into second position and began to chase down the HM Plant Honda of Kiyonari who was unable to get away from the approaching Kawasaki.  Sykes managed to get into the slipstream of the Honda and slide through into the lead on lap 5 leaving Kiyonari to once again finish in second place ahead of Michael Rutter in third.

Michael Laverty crashed out on lap 14 while challenging Rutter for the final step of the podium and Alastair Seeley also had his second fall of the day at Paddock Hill Bend.

Tommy Hill crossed the line in fourth place followed by James Ellison, Josh Brookes, Yukio Kagayama, Stuart Easton, John Laverty and Simon Andrews.

Ryuichi Kiyonari is now leading the championship standings ahead of Tommy Hill and Josh Brookes.

Here are the results;

1.  Tom Sykes  GBR Kawasaki SRT  28mins 56.799secs
2. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda +0.563s
3. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +4.788s
4. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +6.531s
5. James Ellison GBR Swan Honda +11.804s
6. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +11.910s
7. Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki +13.927s
8. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda +20.929s
9. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +21.181s
10. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +25.089s
11. Ian Lowry GBR Kawasaki SRT +30.719s
12. Tommy Bridewell GBR Tyco Honda +33.271s
13. Chris Walker GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +39.166s
14. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Racing Yamaha +52.013s
15. Tom Tunstall GBR Doodson Motorsport Honda +52.699s

This weekend saw three races at the Snetterton circuit with the re-run of Race 2 from the Knockhill round of the championship taking place on Saturday and the two races from round seven going ahead as scheduled on the Sunday.

Race 1 (re-run of Knockhill race two – Saturday)

The HM Plant Honda rider Josh Brookes took the chequered flag in the re-run of the cancelled Knockhill race 2 on Saturday after passing his team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari on the final lap.

Kiyonari had dominated the race from the flag ahead of the Relentless Suzuki pairing of Michael Laverty and Alastair Seeley.  Tommy Hill on the Worx Crescent Suzuki had soon moved into third position passing both Relentless Suzuki riders as he chased down the leading HM Plant Honda duo.

Brookes was sitting in ninth place by the end of the first lap after a terrible start but by the seventh lap had passed Seeley, Michael Rutter and Laverty and was up to third place.  The HM Plant Honda rider was soon attacking Hill, passing him on the inside at Riches before going after his team-mate.  Kiyonari was defending his position but Brookes managed to make his way past on the final lap again at Riches to take his third win of the season.

Hill finished in third place ahead of Rutter in fourth, Seeley in fifth, Michael Laverty in sixth, James Ellison in seventh, Simon Andrews in eighth, Gary Mason in ninth and Tommy Bridewell in tenth.

Here are the results;

1. Josh Brookes  AUS HM Plant Honda  19mins 41.650s
2. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda +0.594s
3. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +4.475s
4. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +4.989s
5. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +5.485s
6. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +5.889s
7. James Ellison GBR Swan Honda +9.148s
8. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +11.305s
9. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +14.364s
10. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +14.386s
11. Chris Walker GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +14.698s
12. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +15.007s
13. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +17.458s
14. Andrew Pitt AUS Motorpoint Yamaha +28.761s
15. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Racing Yamaha +28.933s

25. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda 5 laps completed
26. Chris Burns GBR Splitlath Aprilia 0 laps completed

Race One - Snetterton

It was Michael Rutter on the RidersMotorcycles.com Ducati that took to the lead as the opening race got underway ahead of Tommy Hill, Ryuichi Kiyonari, Michael Laverty and James Ellison.

Brookes was back in sixth place by the end of lap one despite claiming pole position in the Swan Combi Roll for Pole after another iffy start.  By the fourth lap the HM Plant Honda rider had moved up to third while his team-mate Kiyonari was forced to retire from the race following a mechanical problem.

Hill had fallen back down the field running behind both Seeley and Ellison but was soon looking to make a pass on the Swan Honda rider which he succeeded in doing to finish the race in second place.

By lap 7, Brookes had passed second place man Hill before being gifted the lead 7 laps later when Rutter was seen slowing down with a gear shift problem on the Ducati.

Hill finished in second place followed by Seeley in third, Ellison in fourth, Michael Laverty in fifth, Tommy Bridewell in sixth, Chris Walker in seventh, Stuart Easton in eighth, Simon Andrews in ninth and John Laverty rounding off the top ten riders.

Here are the results;

1.  Josh Brookes  AUS HM Plant Honda  24mins 13.327s
2. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +1.472s
3. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +2.740s
4. James Ellison GBR Swan Honda +3.757s
5. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +4.152s
6. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +15.640s
7. Chris Walker GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +17.779s
8. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda +18.417s
9. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +18.860s
10. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +19.131s
11. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +21.546s
12. Andrew Pitt AUS Motorpoint Yamaha +21.838s
13. Steve Brogan GBR Jentin Racing BMW +32.999s
14. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki +34.969s
15. Tom Tunstall GBR Doodson Motorsport Honda +44.072s

DNS Chris Burns GBR Splitlath Aprilia
DNS Luke Jones GBR PR Racing Yamaha

Race Two

Josh Brookes was denied his third win of the weekend after a technical problem occurred seeing him retiring from the race on lap 12.

It was the Swan Honda of James Ellison that took to the front of the pack as the race got underway ahead of Josh Brookes and Ryuichi Kiyonari.

By lap 3, Kiyonari squeezed his way through on Michael Laverty before passing his team-mate Brookes seven laps later.  On lap 9, the Honda rider had managed to get past the leading Swan Honda rider Ellison as they headed into Riches.  Brookes was hot on the tail of his team-mate until he was forced to retire from the race.

Kiyonari was leading the race 1.3 seconds ahead of Michael Laverty, Rutter and Ellison until Alastair Seeley attempted a pass on Ellison taking them both out of the race.

Michael Laverty made a move on the leading man only to run wide and lose his second position to a stalking Tommy Hill.  Rutter finished in fourth place ahead of John Laverty in fifth, Simon Andrews in sixth, Chris Walker in seventh, Andrew Pitt in eighth, Gary Mason in ninth and Yukio Kagayama in tenth.

Here are the results;

1.  Ryuichi Kiyonari  JPN HM Plant Honda  26mins 52.964s
2. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +0.591s
3. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +0.954s
4. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +1.584s
5. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +3.897s
6. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +4.899s
7. Chris Walker GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +6.127s
8. Andrew Pitt AUS Motorpoint Yamaha +8.211s
9. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +8.349s
10. Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki +9.566s
11. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Racing Yamaha 10.663s
12. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +12.146s
13. Steve Brogan GBR Jentin Racing BMW +16.226s
14. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki +17.302s
15. Hudson Kennaugh RSA Splitlath Aprilia +17.607s

DNS James Edmeades GBR Redline KTM
DNS Chris Burns GBR Splitlath Aprilia
DNS Luke Jones GBR PR Racing Yamaha

Ryuichi Kiyonari - HM Plant Honda 2010

Ryuichi Kiyonari took the victory in both races this weekend at the Mallory Park round of the British Superbike Championship.

Race One

The HM Plant Honda rider Ryuichi Kiyonari qualified in pole position for the first race of the day but dropped back to third as the pack headed into the first corner.

Michael Laverty took to the lead from the start followed by Michael Rutter, Kiyonari and Chris Walker in fourth, however, the following lap saw the red flag waved following an accident between Martin Jessopp and Dan Linfoot.  Jessopp appeared to make contact with Yamaha of Linfoot and managed to get his leg caught up in the Motorpoint machine.  After being taken to the track-side medical centre, Jessopp is believed to have suffered a suspected fracture to his leg.

As the race restarted, Laverty once again took to the front of the pack followed by Josh Brookes, Rutter and Kiyonari. The Japanese rider soon passed Rutter while Brookes made his move stick on the race leader, with Kiyonari following two laps later.

Kiyonari finally got past his team-mate on lap 12 where he remained until the chequered flag was waved followed by Brookes for a Honda 1-2.  Laverty claimed third place ahead of Rutter in fourth, Stuart Easton in fifth, Chris Walker in sixth, Simon Andrews seventh, John Laverty eighth, Andrew Pitt ninth and Alastair Seeley in tenth.

Both Worx Crescent Suzuki riders failed to finish the race after Tommy Hill suffered technical issues on his machine and Yukio Kagayama had a huge high-side.  Karl Harris was another non-finisher after failing to complete a single lap on his East Coast Yamaha.

Here are the results;

1.  Ryuichi Kiyonari  JPN HM Plant Honda  23mins 42.274s
2. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +1.820
3. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +3.573s
4. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +3.753s
5. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda +13.883s
6. Chris Walker GBR CW Suzuki +14.155s
7. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +16.175s
8. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +16.343s
9. Andrew Pitt AUS Motorpoint Yamaha +19.469s
10. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +19.912s
11. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +21.571s
12. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +22.206s
13. James Ellison GBR Swan Honda +37.820s
14. Steve Brogan GBR Jentin Racing BMW +45.855s
15. Tom Tunstall GBR Doodson Motorsport Honda +46.402264s

16. Adam Jenkinson GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +46.900s
17. Christian Iddon GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +47.528s
18. Hudson Kennaugh RSA MAR Kawasaki +50.865s
19. Peter Ward GBR Astro-Chase SST Kawasaki +52.622s
20. Pauli Pekkanen FIN 777 RR Motorsport Suzuki +52.769s
21. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki +1 lap
22. Craig Fitzpatrick GBR Close Print Finance Honda +2 laps

Not Classified

23. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki 8 laps completed
24. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Racing Yamaha 7 laps completed
25. David Johnson AUS Two Brothers BMW 5 laps completed
26. Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki 1 lap completed
27. Karl Harris GBR East Coast Yamaha 0 laps completed
28. Chris Burns GBR Splitlath Aprilia 0 laps completed
29. James Edmeades GBR Redline KTM 0 laps completed

DNS Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha
DNS Martin Jessopp GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati
DNS Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Spike Suzuki
DNS Steve Heneghan IRL Quattro Plant Honda

Race Two

For the second time of the day it was a HM Plant Honda 1-2 after Ryuichi Kiyonari won the final race of the day ahead of his team-mate Josh Brookes.

Kiyonari once again dominated the second race of the day despite being briefly overtaken by Chris Walker on the opening lap.

The second HM Plant Honda rider made his way past Walker on lap 7 before chasing down his team-mate but the Japanese rider got his head down and created a gap of more than three seconds between himself and Brookes.

Michael Laverty made it onto the podium for his fifth consecutive race after finishing in third place ahead of Michael Rutter who once again took his second fourth place of the day.  Chris Walker also took his second fifth place of the day followed by John Laverty in sixth, Simon Andrews in seventh, Tommy Hill in eighth, Tommy Bridewell in ninth and Andrew Pitt in tenth.

Here are the results;

1.  Ryuichi Kiyonari  JPN HM Plant Honda  28mins 20.065s
2. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +3.601
3. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +9.726s
4. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +10.819s
5. Chris Walker GBR CW Suzuki +19.126s
6. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +21.249s
7. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +22.812s
8. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +23.085s
9. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +23.326s
10. Andrew Pitt AUS Motorpoint Yamaha +23.950s
11. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +32.645s
12. James Ellison GBR Swan Honda +39.495s
13. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +40.135s
14. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +43.289
15. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Racing Yamaha +48.414s

16. Christian Iddon GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda +53.274s
17. Hudson Kennaugh RSA MAR Kawasaki +1 lap
18. David Johnson AUS Two Brothers BMW +1 lap
19. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki +1 lap
20. Tom Tunstall GBR Doodson Motorsport Honda +1 lap
21. Pauli Pekkanen FIN 777 RR Motorsport Suzuki +1 lap
22. Chris Burns GBR Splitlath Aprilia +1 lap
23. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Spike Suzuki +2 laps

Not Classified

24. Karl Harris GBR East Coast Yamaha 0 laps completed
25. Adam Jenkinson GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +46.900s
26. James Edmeades GBR Redline KTM 0 laps completed
27. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda +13.883s
28. Peter Ward GBR Astro-Chase SST Kawasaki +52.622s
29. Steve Brogan GBR Jentin Racing BMW +45.855s

DNS Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki
DNS Craig Fitzpatrick GBR Close Print Finance Honda
DNS Martin Jessopp GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati
DNS Steve Heneghan IRL Quattro Plant Honda

Karl Harris

Karl Harris will be riding for the East Coast Racing team at the Mallory Park round of the British Superbike championship after signing a one-off deal.

Harris began his season riding in the National Superstock 1000 series on an Aprilia but the relationship ended after just three rounds of the series had been completed.

The former Honda and Yamaha rider failed to secure a British Superbike ride for this season until now and is looking forward to once again riding the ex-Rob Mac Racing Yamaha that he last rode in 2008.