26-year-old  Jon Kirkham had a great race to win his first British Superbike race in poor weather conditions at Croft at the weekend by beating Samsung Crescent Suzuki team-mate John Hopkins while MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider Gary Mason finished in third.  Kirkham had a great race clinching victory after starting in 16th position on the grid.

MCE Insurance BSB championship leader Shane Byrne had a great start and led the race while John Hopkins, the former MotoGP rider, also began well and made up ground moving from ninth to second.  But it wasn’t such a good race for Jenny Tinmouth who slid off the track on lap two.

Jon Kirkham becomes the fifth winner in the five BSB races this season.

Race One (18 laps):
1.Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing)
2.John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing) +2.940 seconds
3.Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +3.715 seconds
4.Loris Baz (Motorpoint Yamaha) +13.335 seconds
5.Alex Lowes (WFR Honda) +14.699 seconds
6.Stuart Easton (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +19.433 seconds

MCE Insurance British Superbike Race Two:

Shane Byrne, the HM Honda plant rider once again leads the MCE Insurance British Superbike championship after what seemed like an easy ride to win race two by just under two seconds.

Stuart Easton and John Hopkins battled for second place and was finally won by when the  Scotsman finished ahead of the ex-MotoGP rider.

Jon Kirkham began the race in pole position but spun off in the first lap after colliding with Michael Laverty.

Race Two (20 laps):
1.Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda)
2.Stuart Easton (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +1.887 seconds
3.John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing) +2.269 seconds
4.Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki) +2.461 seconds
5.Loris Baz (Motorpoint Yamaha) +5.517 seconds
6.Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +6.094 seconds

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship 2011:

1.Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) – 95 points
2.John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing) – 92 points
3. Stuart Easton (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) – 89 points
4.Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) – 59 points
5.Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) – 57 points
6.Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing) – 54 points

David Johnson - Maxxis Yamaha 2008

Australian rider David Johnson will be joining the Jentin Racing Yamaha team for the final two rounds of the British Superbike Championship at Silverstone and Oulton Park.

Johnson was injured at the triple-header at Brands Hatch in August after his brakes failed causing him too jump off his bike at 160mph heading into Hawthorns on the fourth lap of race two, while riding the Team Maxxis Yamaha.

While recuperating from his injuries, Johnson was released from his contract with the Yamaha team and replaced for the remainder of the season by Howie Mainwaring.

The Jentin Racing Yamaha team began the season with Jon Kirkham as their rider but their partnership ended before the Thruxton round, leaving the team side-lined.

Now they are returning to the championship with David Johnson on board after a long absence, with both rider and team determined to prove themselves over the seasons final two events.

Dan Linfoot - Oulton Park 2009

Dan Linfoot began the season on the Node 4 Yamaha in the Supersport series until a crash during the qualifying session at Snetterton left him with a broken foot.

Now out of contention for the Supersport championship, Dan is going to have some fun at the final two rounds of the British Superbike championship at Silverstone and Oulton Park.

Dan said;

“We have talked through the year about getting a blast on the Superbike and with the Supersport championship over for me we might as well get on with it!I can’t wait, I have had a few tests last year and a couple on the new bike this year and to think now I will be going for it on Sunday with the big boys it’ll be amazing. It has been my goal to get into Superbikes and now I have a chance, it’s a big jump straight into race weekend and I am more than up for it”

Dan will be riding the Node 4 Yamaha in replace of John Kirkham and has the advantage of having already tested the bike this season.

Ryuichi Kiyonari - HM Plant Honda

This weekend the British Superbike teams and riders head to the Croft circuit for round 10 of the British Superbike Championship.

One of the biggest surprises coming to the circuit will be Ryuichi Kiyonari, who has confirmed that he is to ride for the HM Plant Honda team as a replacement for the injured Glen Richards. The double British Superbike champion will ride alongside Josh Brookes who will be returning to the championship after serving his two-race ban.

Kiyonari said;

“I’m really excited to be riding for the HM Plant Honda team again.  I’m also very happy to race in BSB and especially at Croft. I love this circuit and won both races when I last raced there in 2007.”

Tommy Hill will also be back at the British Superbike series with the Hydrex Honda team this weekend, replacing Karl Harris who recently lost his ride with the team.  The former World Superbike rider, rode for the Worx Crescent Suzuki team earlier in the year while Sylvain Guintoli recuperated from his injuries, but was left on the side-lines on his return.  Hill will be riding alongside Stuart Easton at Croft and his hoping to secure some points for the team.

Meanwhile Karl Harris has been given a one-race deal with his former Rob Mac boss, to ride the MCE British Superbike at Croft.  Harris will be replacing Jon Kirkham in the team after his seasons struggle to regain full fitness to his hand, broken earlier in the year.  Harris is looking forward to experiencing  the Yamaha R1 alongside Chris Walker for the Motorpoint/Henderson team.

James Ellison - Airwaves Yamaha 2009

The British Superbike riders and teams were at Cadwell Park this weekend for round nine of the championship, with the Airwaves Yamaha riders Leon Camier and James Ellison taking the wins.

Race One

Simon Andrews on the Confused.com Kawasaki that took to the front as the race got underway but was soon passed by Stuart Easton on the Hydrex Honda.  Camier was running in third place when he tried to make a move on Easton but the Honda rider snatched the place back as he dived up the inside of the Yamaha.  Camier moved into second on the following lap before hunting down Easton and then passing him to create a gap.

Andrews made a mistake going into Charlie’s and was passed by the second Airwaves Yamaha of James Ellison, who had already passed the Buildbase Kawasaki of John Laverty.

Easton, Ellison and Ian Lowry on the Relentless Suzuki by TAS, were fighting each other for the other two steps on the podium, with Easton and Ellison almost touching in their battle for second.  Easton managed to hold off the Yamaha to claim second followed by Elllison in third.

In fourth place was Lowry, scoring his best place this season ahead of the two Confused.com Kawasaki’s of Simon Andrews and Julien Da Costa. The two Kawasaki riders were in a race of their own and after Simon had held his position for most of the race, Da Costa made his way past on the penultimate lap.  On the final lap, Andrews tried to retake his position but was too fast and forced both riders onto the grass.  Andrews secured fifth place ahead of his team-mate who took sixth.

Karl Muggeridge took seventh place for the HM Plant Honda team, holding off the Worx Crescent Suzuki of Sylvain Guintoli as they crossed the line.  John Laverty finished in ninth for the Buildbase Kawasaki team ahead of Gary Mason on the Quay Garage Honda in tenth.

Here are the results;

1. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha 26mins 38.546secs 18 laps
2. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +7.384secs
3. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha +7.651secs
4. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +8.133secs
5. Simon Andrews GBR Confused.com Kawasaki +17.793secs
6. Julien Da Costa FRA Confused.com Kawasaki 18.126secs
7. Karl Muggeridge AUS HM Plant Honda +25.398secs
8. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Worx Crescent Suzuki +25.522secs
9. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki +25.979secs
10. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda +28.760secs Cup
11. Chris Walker GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +30.488secs
12. John McGuinness GBR HM Plant Honda +32.582secs
13. Tommy Bridewell GBR Team NB Suzuki +34.734secs Cup
14. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha +34.988secs Cup
15. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda +44.779secs

23. Tom Tunstall GBR Hardinge Doodson Honda 11 laps completed Cup
24. Michael Howarth GBR STP-JHS MV Agusta 8 laps completed
25. Kenny Gilbertson GBR Jx Fuelcards Kawasaki 3 laps completed Cup

Race Two

Leon Camier crossed the line to take the second win of the day but he was excluded from the race after an incident on the final lap, gifting the victory to his team-mate James Ellison.

On the final lap of the race, Camier’s Yamaha was seen with blue smoke coming from the back.  Black and orange flags were waved but Camier remained on track and continued to the chequered flag where he was  disqualified for not stopping immediately on seeing the flags.

A statement was released by the team, stating that Camier mistakenly believed that he had until the end of the lap to come in.  The team apologised to Leon for the problem on his bike which turned out to be a small oil leak, and thanked him for his dignity and professionalism after learning of the disqualification.

Stuart Easton again took to the front as the race got underway while Camier passed the Buildbase Kawasaki of Laverty, with Andrews following his lead.  Andrews lost the place almost immediately as Ellison slipped up the inside.

On the following lap, Camier took Easton with Ellison making a copycat manoeuvre three laps later as Andrews then passed the Honda of Easton.

On lap 6, the safety car was deployed after the STP MV Agusta of Michael Howarth developed a huge oil leak, leaving marshalls to clean-up the track.  The safety car left the track on lap 9 and Easton made an immediate move on Andrews at Coppice, but Andrews snatched it back before the end of the lap.

On the penultimate lap, Easton moved in front of Andrews to take second place ahead of Easton in third.  Julian Da Costa finished in fourth followed by his team-mate John Laverty in fifth.

The Motorpoint Yamaha rider Chris Walker finished in sixth ahead of Sylvain Guintoli on the Worx Suzuki, Karl Harris on the Hydrex Honda, Gary Mason on the Quay Garage Honda and Tommy Bridewell for Team NB Honda.

Ian Lowry had been in ninth place on the Relentless Suzuki, putting in faster laps than both Easton and Andrews until he crashed out on lap 16.  John McGuiness was another non-finisher after retiring the HM Plant Honda with two laps to run.

Here are the results;

1. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha 28mins 02.679secs 18 laps
2. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +4.099secs
3. Simon Andrews GBR Confused.com Kawasaki +4.584secs
4. Julien Da Costa FRA Confused.com Kawasaki +5.435secs
5. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki +6.843secs
6. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Worx Crescent Suzuki +7.239secs
7. Chris Walker GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +12.836secs
8. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda +14.833secs
9. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda +15.100secs Cup
10. Tommy Bridewell GBR Team NB Suzuki +16.684secs Cup
11. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha +19.920secs Cup
12. Tristan Palmer GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +24.193secs
13. Karl Muggeridge AUS HM Plant Honda +24.359secs
14. Howie Mainwaring GBR Team Maxxis Yamaha +24.769secs
15. Jon Kirkham GBR Rob Mac Racing Yamaha +26.729secs

Graeme Gowland GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha
Kenny Gilbertson GBR Jx Fuelcards Kawasaki Cup

Leon Camier - Airwaves Yamaha 2009

Leon Camier won all three races at the British Supebike Championship at Brands Hatch over the weekend, giving him a lead in the points standing of 113.5 over team-mate James Ellison for the Airwaves Yamaha team.

The first race of the weekend took place on Saturday with Camier taking the chequered flag ahead of Broc Parkes on the WSB Kawasaki in second and Stuart Easton on the Hydrex Honda in third.

Parkes led the field from the start of the race ahead of Karl Muggeridge on his HM Plant Honda debut and Camier as they headed into Druids.  Parkes team-mate Sheridan Morais, was thrown of his machine as he made an error trying to pass Tommy Hill at Stirling, he was unhurt.

By lap 2, Camier had moved into second place, passing Muggeridge and chasing down the leading man.  On lap 10,  he passed Parkes on the inside going into Druids and pulled away from the pack.

Here are the results;

1. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha 26mins 15.747secs 18 laps
2. Broc Parkes AUS Kawasaki SRT +1.901secs
3. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +11.495secs
4. Karl Muggeridge AUS HM Plant Honda +15.461secs
5. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +15.840secs
6. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha +17.959secs
7. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki +19.646secs
8. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda +21.033secs
9. Chris Walker GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +23.195secs
10. Julien Da Costa FRA MSS Colchester Kawasaki +23.236
11. Michael Rutter GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +24.319secs
12. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +30.084secs
13. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda +35.556secs Cup
14. Steve Brogan GBR HM Plant Honda +37.052secs
15. Tristan Palmer GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +37.204secs

Kenny Gilbertson GBR Jx Fuelcards Kawasaki
Jon Kirkham GBR Node 4 Yamaha

Sunday

Race 1

Leon Camier led from the start on the Airwaves Yamaha, followed by Broc Parkes and Stuart Easton.  As Camier and Parkes began to pull away from the rest of the pack the red flag came out as David Johnson crashed his Maxxis Yamaha at Hawthorn.

Once the safety car came in Camier was off again followed by Parkes as the two soon created a gap between themselves and Easton.

Tommy Hill finished in fourth ahead of the second Airwaves machine of James Ellison and Karl Harris on the second Hydrex Honda in sixth.

Chris Walker struggled with some sort of problem on the Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha and retired just before the end of the race.

Here are the results;

1. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha 30mins 36.823secs 20 laps
2. Broc Parkes AUS Kawasaki SRT +4.534secs
3. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +7.775secs
4. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +8.713secs
5. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha +10.072secs
6. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda +12.688secs
7. Karl Muggeridge AUS HM Plant Honda +15.025secs
8. Steve Brogan GBR HM Plant Honda +16.575secs
9. Graeme Gowland GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +19.466secs
10. Sheridan Morais RSA Kawasaki SRT +19.561secs
11. Julien Da Costa FRA MSS Colchester Kawasaki +20.297
12. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +22.112secs
13. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki +22.179secs
14. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda +24.535secs Cup
15. Atsushi Watanabe JPN Relentless TAS Suzuki +41.291secs

Steve Mercer GBR MIST Suzuki
Jon Kirkham GBR Node 4 Yamaha

Race 2

Camier went onto win the third race of the weekend, beating the record number of wins in one season previously held by Niall Mackenzie.

It was Broc Parkes that led the way as the lights went out while Camier got off to a terrible start and dropped back to eighth place.  Karl Muggeridge was in second followed by the second Airwaves Yamaha of James Ellison in third.

Camier started to carve his way through the pack and on lap 3, had passed Stuart Easton, Tommy Hill and Michael Rutter.  On the following lap he nipped up the inside of his team-mate Ellison, and into third place as he began to chase down Muggeridge for second.

After passing the HM Plant Honda rider, Camier set about Parkes and eventually passed him on lap 15 before he once again, headed for the chequered flag for his fourteenth win of the season.  James Ellison managed to take his first podium of the season after passing Easton on lap 12, while John Laverty finished in an impressive fifth position after taking Muggeridge.

Here are the results:

1. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha 29mins 05.284secs 20 laps
2. Broc Parkes AUS Kawasaki SRT +2.272secs
3. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha +11.587secs
4. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +13.884secs
5. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki +21.338secs
6. Karl Muggeridge AUS HM Plant Honda +21.395secs
7. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +21.891secs
8. Sheridan Morais RSA Kawasaki SRT +22.818secs
9. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +26.534secs
10. Michael Rutter GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +27.405secs
11. Steve Brogan GBR HM Plant Honda +30.536secs
12. Chris Walker GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +30.662secs
13. Graeme Gowland GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +31.582secs
14. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda +39.247secs
15. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda +42.554secs Cup

Tommy Bridewell GBR Team NB Suzuki Cup
Kenny Gilbertson GBR Jx Fuelcards Kawasaki Cup
David Johnson AUS Team Maxxis Adept Yamaha
Steve Mercer GBR MIST Suzuki Cup
Jon Kirkham GBR Node 4 Yamaha

Josh Brookes - HM Plant Honda 2009

Qualifying for the British Superbike Championship took place today at the Knockhill circuit with the HM Plant Honda rider Josh Brookes claiming his first British Superbike Pole.

Leon Camier had to settle for second place on the grid for the Airwaves Yamaha team, after finding no way around the Honda rider.

Stuart Easton on the Hydrex Honda qualified in third position ahead of Worx Crescent Suzuki rider Michael Rutter in fourth.

The session ran in two-parts after a crash for HM Plant Honda rider Glen Richards,brought out the red flag.  The rider went down at the hairpin leaving nowhere for Ian Lowry to go, crashing his Relentless Suzuki into the Honda.

Richards is receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital for what it suspected to be a broken right femur, he is awaiting x-ray results.

Karl Harris on the Hydrex Honda will start in fifth on the grid after crashing out towards the end of the session, ahead of James Ellison on the second Airwaves Yamaha and Chris Walker on the Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha.

Graeme Gowland, Walker’s team-mate, was in eighth and Ian Lowry was able to return to the session on his spare bike and qualified in ninth place followed by Glen Richards in tenth, it remains to seen if Richards will be on the grid tomorrow but it seems unlikely.

Alastair Fagan on the Red Viper Honda crashed and is suspected of suffering a dislocated shoulder and Jon Kirkham went down on his Lloyds British Yamaha and looked to have injured his hand.

Here are the results;

1. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda 48.759secs
2. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha 49.056secs
3. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda 49.110secs
4. Michael Rutter GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki 49.133secs
5. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda 49.183secs
6. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha 49.348secs
7. Chris Walker GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha 49.383secs
8. Graeme Gowland GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha 49.490secs
9. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki 50.404secs
10. Glen Richards AUS HM Plant Honda No time

11. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda 49.584secs Cup
12. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki 49.605secs
13. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki 49.614secs
14. David Johnson AUS Team Maxxis Adept Yamaha 49.663secs
15. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha 49.698secs Cup
16. Tristan Palmer GBR Buildbase Kawasaki 49.764secs
17. Julien Da Costa FRA MSS Colchester Kawasaki 49.772secs
18. Tommy Bridewell GBR Team NB Suzuki 49.804secs Cup
19. Jon Kirkham GBR North West 200 Yamaha 49.864secs
20. Jason O’Halloran AUS SMT Honda 49.929secs

21. Atsushi Watanabe JPN Relentless TAS Suzuki 50.015secs
22. Tom Tunstall GBR Hardinge Doodson Honda 50.526secs Cup
23. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Honda 50.572secs
24. David Haire GBR DHR Racing Honda 50.772secs Cup
25. Alastair Fagan GBR Red Viper Honda 51.133secs Cup

Cup denotes eligible for Mirror.co.uk Cup

Leon Camier - Snetterton 2009

On Sunday, the fifth round of the British Superbike Championship took place at Snetterton with Leon Camier taking a double victory for the Airwaves Yamaha team.

Race 1

Leon Camier qualified on pole position for the fourth consecutive time on Saturday just before the rain began and the third part of the session was cancelled with his team-mate James Ellison beside him.

Josh Brookes qualified in his best position this season with third for the HM Plant Honda team followed by Stuart Easton on the Hydrex Honda machine.

Camier dropped back to eighth place as the race got underway but by lap four the race had been red flagged after oil on the track caused several riders to go down.

Camier once again got off  badly when the race was restarted as Stuart Easton took the lead followed by Ellison and Chris Walker on the Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha.

Ellison tried every which way to get past Easton, finally managed to outbreak the Honda rider going into the Esses, but not for long as Easton retook his position on the following lap while Camier made his move on Relentless Suzuki man Ian Lowry who was running in fourth.

By lap 8, Ellison and Easton were challenging each other for the lead while Brookes sat behind the battling duo hoping for a mistake, behind Camier caught up with the battle and swapped paint with Ellison as he tried to pass.

Camier made his move stick on lap 10 and then chased down the leading man Easton, who after making a mistake on lap 14, allowed the Airwaves Yamaha rider through to take the win.

Here are the results;

1. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha 19mins 51.245secs 20 laps
2. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +1.575secs
3. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +2.450secs
4. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha +3.028secs
5. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +6.309secs
6. Chris Walker GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +6.628secs
7. Michael Rutter GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +6.721secs
8. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda +10.415secs
9. Julien Da Costa FRA MSS Colchester Kawasaki +11.074secs
10. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +11.804secs
11. Graeme Gowland GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +12.899secs
12. Jason O’Halloran AUS SMT Honda +16.298secs
13. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki +17.399secs
14. Jon Kirkham GBR North West 200 Yamaha +22.559secs
15. Tommy Bridewell GBR Team NB Suzuki +25.159secs Cup

DNS. Tom Tunstall GBR Hardinge Doodson Honda Cup
DNS. Martin Jessopp GBR Riders Racing Honda Cup

Race 2

Camier claimed his third double win of the season in race two at Snetterton yesterday, finishing ahead of his team-mate Ellison.

Once again it was the Hydrex Honda rider Easton that led going into the first corner ahead of Brookes, Walker, Ellison and Camier.

Brookes flew past Easton on lap 4 with Camier and Ellison getting a tow in his slip-stream.  Brookes managed to re-pass Ellison but not for long as he made a mistake and lost the position.

Camier out-braked Brookes going into Russell’s followed by his team-mate who then started closing the gap until Camier got his head down on lap 11.

An exciting battle was going on behind the leading pack as John Laverty on the Buildbase Kawasaki, Julian Da Costa on the MSS Colchester Kawasaki and Ian Lowry on the Relentless Suzuki battled it out for position, swapping places several times.

It was a disappointing weekend for Michael Rutter and the Worx Crescent Suzuki team when they got caught up in the crash that saw the red flag waved in race one.  Fortunately, Rutter managed to get back on the grid for the restart on his second bike where he finished in seventh.  In the second race, Rutter was once again running well until lap 3 when the GSX-R Suzuki developed an engine problem and Rutter lost power seeing him retire from the race.

Here are the results:

1. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha 24mins 10.003secs 20 laps
2. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha +3.050secs
3. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +7.827secs
4. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +11.135secs
5. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki +15.972secs
6. Julien Da Costa FRA MSS Colchester Kawasaki +16.639secs
7. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +16.655secs
8. Glen Richards AUS HM Plant Honda +16.729secs
9. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda +19.145secs
10. Jason O’Halloran AUS SMT Honda +21.505secs
11. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +21.894secs
12. Graeme Gowland GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +22.157secs
13. Jon Kirkham GBR North West 200 Yamaha +28.819secs
14. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda +28.866secs Cup
15. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha +29.072secs Cup

DNS. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Honda
DNS. Martin Jessopp GBR Riders Racing Honda Cup

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

Leon Camier - Airwaves Yamaha - 2009

Last weekend the British Superbikes were at Oulten Park for the second round of the Championship with Leon Camier winning both races on the Airwaves Yamaha.

Race One

The first race had to be red-flagged after John Laverty on the Buildbase Kawasaki crashed out at Hill top and leaving him unconscious on the track.

The Irishman was taken to the medical centre and it was later announced that he had suffered no serious injuries in the incident.

Before the red flag,  Stuart Easton on the Hydrex Honda was leading as they left the grid followed by his team-mate Karl Harris, Leon Camier in third and Glen Richards on the HM Plant Honda in fourth.

Laverty crashed on lap 2, after Harris made his move on Easton to take the lead, the race was stopped while the medical team attended to the rider.

At the restart it was again Easton that led the pack ahead of Harris, Richards and Camier.   Camier then went up the inside of Richards forcing him wide and allowing Simon Andrews on the MSS Colchester Kawasaki through to sit in fourth place.

Harris pulled-away from the other riders as Worx Crescent Suzuki rider Sylvain Guintoli slid up the inside to pass Andrews and began his chase of the leaders as Andrews went down after snagging the kerb with his foot-peg and ending his race.

Camier tailed Harris before making his move at Cascades and pulling away while Guintoli and Easton swapped places behind, with Guintoli finally making his move stick to take third behind Harris.

James Ellison finished in fourth place on the second Airwaves Yamaha ahead of Richards in fifth and Ian Lowry on the Relentless Suzuki in sixth.

Here are the results;

1. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha
2. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda
3. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Worx Crescent Suzuki
4. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda
5. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha
6. Glen Richards AUS HM Plant Honda
7. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki
8. Jason O’Halloran AUS SMT Honda
9. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda
10. Joshua Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda
11. Chris Walker GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha
12. Julien Da Costa FRA MSS Colchester Kawasaki
13. Jon Kirkham GBR Jentin Yamaha
14. Atsushi Watanabe JPN Relentless TAS Suzuki
15. Tristan Palmer GBR Buildbase Kawasaki
16. Martin Jessopp GBR Riders Racing Honda
17. Michael Rutter GBR North West 200 Yamaha
18. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha
19. Tom Tunstall GBR Hardinge Doodson Honda
20. Kenny Gilbertson GBR JX Fuelcard Kawasaki
21. Dan Stewart GBR Wilcock Consulting Honda
22. Brian McCormack IRL MAR Kawasaki

Race Two

Camier also won the second race of the day, almost 7seconds clear of second place man Karl Harris, as he continued his winning streak in this seasons championship.

Off the line it was once again Easton that took the lead followed by Harris as Simon Andrews slotted into the third place spot ahead of Glen Richards for the HM Plant Honda team and Camier in fifth.

Easton made a pass on Harris but it was snatched back as the Hydrex Honda stopped on track with a problem while Andrews and Richards battled for that podium position.

Camier took the lead on lap 3 as Andrews and Richards scraped fairings and swapping places with Richards claiming the position.

As Richards passed Andrews, so did James Ellison on the Airwaves Yamaha while Sylvain Guintoli lined them up in his sights, passing Andrews and then Ellison to claim third.

Andrews finished in eighth place after developing gear problems on his machine while the Josh Brookes retired his HM Plant Honda to the pits with an engine problem.

Here are the results;

1. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha
2. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda
3. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Worx Crescent Suzuki
4. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha
5. Glen Richards AUS HM Plant Honda
6. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki
7. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda
8. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki
9. Chris Walker GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha
10. Jason O’Halloran AUS SMT Honda
11. Jon Kirkham GBR Jentin Yamaha
12. Atsushi Watanabe JPN Relentless TAS Suzuki
13. Martin Jessopp GBR Riders Racing Honda
14. David Johnson AUS Maxxis Adept Yamaha
15. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha
16. Tom Tunstall GBR Hardinge Doodson Honda
17. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Honda
18. Alastair Fagan GBR Red Viper Honda