The event has been re-arranged for the August round of the BSB Championship on August 7th 2010 with full details to be announced as soon as possible.

Barry Sheene

The Barry Sheene Memorial Dinner is a fund raising event with many unbelievable items up for auction during the evening with all proceeds going to CLIC Sargent -the children’s cancer charity.

Barry Sheene Memorial Dinner –

Saturday 7th August – BSB Weekend at Brands

Brands Hatch Thistle (DA3 8PE) – Situated on the edge of Brands Hatch Circuit!

3 Course Meal

Tickets only £30 each

All proceeds raised go to the children’s cancer charity – CLIC Sargent

Special Guests include

Steve Parrish

Paul Smart

Margaret Smart

Scott Smart

& James Whitham

Dress Code: Black “T” Shirt (Barry never did like ties)

Date/Time: 7th August 2010 dinner 7:30 pm for 8pm

Display Bikes: Barry’s XR14 Suzuki 500

Barry’s Yamaha OW53 Yamaha 500

Introducing: The Icon Sheene Bike. Developed by Icon Motorcycles in Memory of Barry Sheene. This bike will be making its second public viewing, the first being at Goodwood. The bike carries both Barry’s and Stephanie Sheene’s signatures on the yokes.

Auction Details:
1. A framed authenticated signed picture of Barry riding the RG500.
2. Signed by Valentino Rossi a Fiat Yamaha team shirt, donated by the team.
3. Two x 3 day passes donated by Silverstone for the British GP plus in addition to these, the Suzuki MotoGP team have also donated 2 x VIP paddock passes with full corporate hospitality, for qualifying day.
4. A set of 2009 racing leathers donated by Chris Vermeulen.
5. A signed BBC Jacket courtesy of all the Moto GP Presenters donated by Steve Parrish.

There are many more items that include leisure breaks, adventure
activities and corporate hospitality days.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:-

01382 480161 – 07870 231020 -  symor118@hotmail.com

www.barrysheenechallenge.co.uk

Donington Park

The owner of the Donington Park circuit Tom Wheatcroft, has died at the age of 87 after suffering a long illness it has been confirmed.

The official statement read;

TOM WHEATCROFT 1922 – 2009

Donington Park is mourning the loss of the owner of the estate and circuit, Tom Wheatcroft.

The Leicester businessman succumbed to a long illness, passing peacefully away at his family home at 10.30 on the morning of Saturday 31 October.

Tom, as he was affectionately known throughout the sporting world, was first attracted to motor sport and Grand Prix racing as a schoolboy when he cycled from his Leicester home to watch the great races of the 1930 era of the circuit.

After military service, he returned to Leicestershire, soon owning and prospering a highly successful building and property development company.

Tom continued his enjoyment of racing, never missing a British Grand Prix and visiting others overseas, and at the same time supporting local drivers, and fostering the career of the highly talented Roger Williamson, taking him into Grand Prix racing.

He also owned a growing collection of racing cars, and in 1971 bought part of the Donington Park estate, opening there the world renowned Donington Collection of Grand Prix cars.

After a lengthy, often bitter and very costly, planning hearing, he was given consent to re-build and re-open the Donington Park circuit, which had lain derelict after military use during the Second World War.

Racing returned in 1977 and soon the circuit was hosting major events, bringing the world’s best motorcycle racers into action and then various FIA Championships for Formula 2, World Sports Cars and European Touring Cars.

Tom celebrated his 65^th birthday by securing the British Motorcycle Grand Prix ran for the first of 23 times on his circuit in 1987 – it was voted the best in the world, and then in 1993, and he achieved his dream, when at short notice, his circuit staged the award winning FIA Formula One World Championship Grand Prix of Europe.

Tom continued to take an active interest in the circuit and it development, under the direction of lease holders Donington Ventures Leisure Limited, through to his passing.

His contribution to the sport has been immeasurable, and the word ‘legend’ hardly does justice to the man who was Donington Park – Tom Wheatcroft.

Steve Plater 2008

The Chris Jones Riders Fund in partnership with MSVR, the British Superbike organisers, have now secured measures to supply and install soft barrier protection for the long term at British Superbike events.

The CJ Riders Fund was established in 2006 in memory of young Chris Jones who tragically lost his life in a racing accident at Cadwell Park in August 2005.  The Fund raises money within the motorcycle industry to buy medical equipment and to improve the safety at the British Motorcycle races.

Stuart Higgs, the BSB Series Director said,

“Thanks to the CJRF we have been able to secure without any doubts the future supply of soft barrier protection and look at prevention elements to complement the X-ray and other invaluable medical support services already made possible by the work of Pam Jones and the Fund.”

The British Superbike organisers had previously rented 300 metres of the soft barrier protection but it had become economically inviable, fortunately, the CJRF once again came up with a solution and put it into action.

Tom Sykes - WSB Donington Park

This weekend some of the British Superbike riders took part in the eleventh round of the World Superbike series as Wild-Card riders at Donington Park.

Tom Sykes for the Rizla Suzuki slotted into second place in race one before passing Troy Bayliss to take the lead in lap seven.

The weather had been horrendous all weekend but the track had started to dry for the first race, as Sykes put a gap of 3.9 seconds between himself and World Champion Bayliss.

The race was soon red flagged as Noriyuki Haga’s Honda deposited oil on the track causing some of the top riders to fall.

As the race restarted with fourteen laps to run, Sykes was in pole position but was taken by Bayliss who slid past him going into the first corner.

Sykes was then slowed further as two riders crashed right in front of him as he went into the esses, but he kept the pressure on Bayliss until the race was red flagged again with two laps to go as the rain once again stopped the race.

The race was decided on aggregate times taken from both parts of the race, giving Bayliss the win by 1.266 seconds leaving Sykes in a respectible second place.

In race two the rain was torrential as the riders lined-up on the grid and Sykes team had run out of time to get the bike into a good set up for the conditions and the pace was just to much as the plucky rider finished back in tenth place.

Tom said after the races,

“The first part of race one all went to plan and it was fantastic.  I was watching the time on my board increasing with Troy behind and I felt I had good pace.  The red flag was frustrating but I hid it well and composed myself.  I got a clean start grabbing the hole-shot, but a slide and an incident at the esses allowed Troy to get past me and get away.

Race two was a tough one but what can you do in conditions like that, I just kept it steady as I was struggling for grip.  Overall it has been a good day, I’ve taken a podium at world level, we’ve gained some valuable wet settings and I’m looking to Croft.  I’d like to say a big thank you to all of the Rizla Suzuki team and the fans, this has been a brilliant experience.”

The two HM Plant Honda riders, Cal Crutchlow and Leon Haslam were both at Donington as Wild-Cards, a first for Crutchlow who has never before ridden in the World Superbike series.

Crutchlow was out of race one before the first red flag incidence with a faulty quickshift sensor but in race two he took the second step on the podium.

Haslam looked assured of a third place in race one until he was taken out of the race by Robbie Rolfo at Fogarty esses, but rejoined the race to finish in a respectable eighth place.  In race two, Haslam crashed out at the Old Hairpin with only three laps of the race remaining.

Crutchlow said,

“This result is going to Jonesy – my good mate Craig Jones.  Obviously I was disappointed in the first outing with the problem I had, but I so wanted to make amends in race two, which I did.  I was confident of catching Kio when we were clear of the pack, but as soon as I got close I was getting spray and debris on my visor so it was difficult to close on him to make a pass.  Discretion is the better part of valour and eventually I decided to stick in second and get a good result for HM Plant Honda and myself.  Thanks to the team for all the hard work they put in this weekend.”

Haslam said,

“I’m very disappointed with the results to be honest, but it’s tinged with the fact that I’ve shown once again today that I can run with a World-class field, as I’ve done in the past.  A podium was ours in the re-started race one until Robbie Rolfo took me down with a rash move up into the Foggy esses.  I came back as strong as I could, but that was as high up as I could finish.  In race two again I was holding a strong fourth when I went down at the Old Hairpin and that was that.  We’ve got to move on from this now and look to Croft where I’m chasing second in the Bennetts British Superbike title.”

James Ellison on the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda finished an impressive fourth in the second race at Donington riding the Shaun Muir Racing 1000cc Honda Fireblade.

All hopes of a good result in race one were dashed after a terrible start off the grid for Ellison resulting in a collision with the Yamaha of Noriyuki Haga, although he still finished in tenth place.

Ellison put in the best performance of his career in race two and ran with the leaders on a sodden track for the opening part before running off track and rejoining and clawing his way back up to fourth.

Ellison said,

“It’s a shame I lost those thirteen seconds in the gravel trap because I could have been up there on the podium, but I can’t be disappointed even though it was so close.  The team has spent a lot of money coming here but it’s been worthwhile and I think they’ve enjoyed it, so it’s a big thanks to Shaun and the sponsors as I’ve always wanted to race in World Superbikes.  This has boosted by confidence going into the next BSB round at Croft next week.”

Craig Jones - Brands Hatch

The British Superbike riders are at Knockhill this weekend for round eight of the Championship as spectators, teams and riders remember Craig Jones.

Craig Jones, 23, died last week after injuries sustained in round seven of the Championship when he crashed.

The HM Plant Honda rider, Cal Crutchlow will be wearing one of Craig’s crash helmets during the race as a mark of respect to his best friend, he said,

“I’m so fired up for this weekend.  I want wins – nothing else.  Knockhill is tight and twisty and it’s up-hill and down-dale but I do enjoy going north of the border.  I’m hoping the sun will shine but we will do our best whatever the weather.

This will be a special, but hard weekend for me, after one of my best mates – Craig Jones – passed away at the start of the week.  I will be wearing one of his actual helmets that he wore this season for the weekend and I’ll be proud to do so and I hope my results will make him proud of me.”

Jim Moodie will also take a lap of honour on the Valmoto Triumph which Craig won the British Supersport series on four years ago.

The tribute by Moodie will take place at 11am on the Sunday morning, with the triumph bearing the number 18.

In the free practice today, Leon Haslam and Shane Byrne were joint leaders at the Fife circuit, followed by Tom Sykes and Cal Crutchlow.

Stuart Easton was back on track today after suffering a broken wrist at the Snetterton round, however, after a dozen laps out of the circuit, he was replaced for the afternoon session by Steve Mercer.  Easton felt he could not ride competitively as his wrist was too weak.

John Laverty high-sided heavily off his Ducati in the first free practice session and suffered concussion and rib injuries.

Here are the top ten riders;

1. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) 49.004s

2. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) +0.000s

3. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +0.002s

4. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +0.008s

5. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 0.193s

6. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +0.317s

7. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +0.324s

8. Billy McConnell (MSS Discovery Kawasaki) +0.396s

9. Scott Smart (Hawk Kawasaki) +0.494S

10. Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) +0.537s

Fans get the chance to meet the riders and drivers when they sign autographs and show their racing machines off in the pit and paddock area.

The Airwaves Ducati riders, Shane Byrne and Leon Camier will be attending ahead of round 8 of the British Superbike Championship at Knockhill on Sunday.

Niall McKenzie, Jamie Whitham and Rob McElnea are all to be at the event along with a Suzuki stunt rider and there will be a Gordan Sheddan Touring Car demo.

Kicking off the event will be ‘go fast jet-pack man’, Texan, Eric Scott, who will fly over the square and track powered only by a jet-pack strapped to his back.

The race car of the late David Leslie, who died in aircraft crash earlier this year, will be on show in a fitting tribute to the Scotsman.

The free event is being hosted for the first time by Glasgow City Council along with a strong road and bike safety awareness message.

Here’s a little clip from last year’s ‘Superbikes In The Square’;

Tom Sykes - WSB Wild-Card

Tom Sykes continued with his impressive form from qualifying in the Sunday race of the World Superbike Championship.

In race one, Sykes got a fantastic start off the line and slotted into the fourth position as he pressured Max Biaggi.

Unfortunately, a stone had gone through the radiator of his Suzuki, which led to his retirement nine laps later after moving into third place.

In race two, the 22-year-old, again battled the likes of Troy Corser and Troy Bayliss, getting up to fourth again.  He was unable to keep up the pace towards the end of the race and finally finished in a still impressive seventh place as a Wild-Card entry in WSB.

Sykes said on the team website,

“I have had an excellent weekend at Brands Hatch mixing it with the World Superbike regulars.  The fans really got behind me and every time I came over the line I got a big cheer.  I want to say a huge thank you to the Rizla Suzuki team for all their hard work; I’m thrilled with what we have achieved.  It was a superb opportunity and I have enjoyed every moment of it plus I have learned a lot from the other riders.  I am now looking forward to Knockhill next weekend where I hope I can pick up from where I left off at Oulton Park.”

This weekend in the World Supersport race, Craig Jones suffered serious head injuries in a crash.  Sadly, the 23-year-old died in the early hours of this morning.

Condolences to all of Craig’s family, friends and team at this very sad time.  RIP Craig Jones

Ollie was 21-years-old when he was thrown off his bike that day, he landed heavily and slid towards the barriers on the rain-soaked track.

Ollie rode for Vivaldi Suzuki in 2006 and again in 2007 when he rode alongside his brother Tommy.

On the 20th July 2007, he lost control of his bike and received serious head and neck injuries, he was treated at the scene and then moved to the medical centre at the circuit where he died.

Ollie’s sister Charlotte, has announced that she is doing a charity skydive to raise money for Cancer Research, which was her brothers favourite charity.

The Chris Jones Riders Fund have also pledged to donate half of the money raised at Oulton Park this weekend to the Cancer charity.

The Chris Jones Riders Fund was set up in 2006 when Chris Jones, 14-years-old, died after a tragic accident at Cadwell Park in August 2005. The fund raises money within the motorcycle industry to provide vital medical equipment and to improve the safety at the British Motorcycle Races.