Josh Brookes - HM Plant Honda 2010

It was a great weekend for the HM Plant Honda team for the latest round of the British Superbike championship with Ryuichi Kiyonari winning the opening race of the day and his team-mate Josh Brookes taking the victory in race two.

Race One

In race one, Ryuichi Kiyonari took his first win of the season despite nearly losing his Honda in the closing stages.

Kiyonari led the field as the lights went out for the start of the race followed by pole sitter Tommy Hill, Michael Rutter and Stuart Easton.

Easton lost his position on the second lap after losing the rear of his Swan Honda at Charlies and was followed two laps later by Tommy Hill who went down at Hall.  The Worx Crescent Suzuki rider managed to ground an engine case on the Kerb racing through Hall Bends causing him to crash and the deployment of the safety car.

As the race restarted on lap 8, Kiyonari pulled away from Rutter who was being put under pressure from Michael Laverty on the Relentless Suzuki who soon moved into that second position and began chasing down the race leader.  Laverty worked his way past Kiyonari with just a couple of laps left to run but the position was soon taken back by the Honda rider, crossing the line to take the chequered flag.

Laverty took second place ahead of Michael Rutter on the RidersMotorcylces.com Ducati and Tommy Bridewell for an impressive fourth place on the Quay Garage Honda.

Here are the results;

1. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda 27m 35.356s
2. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +0.497s
3. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +1.877s
4. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +2.528s
5. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +5.168s
6. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +7.754s
7. Chris Walker GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +10.072s
8. Martin Jessopp GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +11.042s
9. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +11.953s
10. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +13.178s

24. David Anthony AUS MIST Suzuki Racing 13 laps completed
25. Christian Iddon GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda 8 laps completed
26. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki 3 laps completed
27. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda 1 lap completed

Race Two

Josh Brookes took the victory in the second British Superbike race of the day while his team-mate and race one winner Ryuichi Kiyonari was forced to miss out after his HM Plant Honda developed techincal problems on the warm-up lap.

Michael Laverty got the lead as the race got underway followed by Michael Rutter and Brookes but before the end of the first lap, Brookes had moved past Rutter for second place.

The Australian rider then made his move to take the lead on lap 2 where he stayed until lap 16 of race two when the red flag came out after Dan Linfoot had a big accident going up the Mountain.

On lap 13, Laverty, who had looked good for second position, made a mistake at the chicane which saw him riding across the grass allowing Rutter to close-up while he fought to hold off the challenging Tommy Hill.  Hill soon moved into third position before slotting into second as he passed Laverty on the following lap.

Here are the results;

1. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda 22m 15.411s
2. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +4.398s
3. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +5.675s
4. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +5.921s
5. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +10.465s
6. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +10.731s
7. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +13.663s
8. Chris Walker GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +19.568s
9. Martin Jessopp GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +1 lap
10. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda +1 lap

24. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha 14 laps completed
25. Steve Heneghan IRL Quattro Plant Honda 7 laps completed
26. Chris Burns GBR Splitlath Aprilia 6 laps completed
27. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda Did not start

Stuart Easton - Oulton Park 2010

This weekend saw the British Superbike championship riders head to Oulton Park for a wet bank-holiday Monday outing with Stuart Easton and Michael Laverty taking victory in the two races.

Race 1

In Race 1, Stuart Easton, on the only Swan Honda of the weekend, managed to hold back a challenging Tommy Hill to take the chequered flag by just 0.058 seconds.

It was the first win of the season for Easton after a fantastically quick get away off the line, his team-mate James Ellison, was unable to race this weekend due to the injuries he suffered at the last round of the championship.

Hill on the Worx Crescent Suzuki had qualified in pole position and stuck to the tail of the Swan Honda for the entire race while his team-mate Yukio Kagayama, crashed out at Island bend on the opening lap.

Michael Rutter on the Ridermotorcycles.com Ducati was running in an impressive fourth place and attempting to pass the HM Plant Honda of Josh Brookes but ran wide and within a few laps was forced to retire from the race.

On lap 2, Ian Lowry on the Motorpoint Yamaha, crashed out at the Shell Oils corner ending his race followed moments later by Christian Idden on the Sorrymate.com Honda at Brittens.

The second HM Plant Honda rider Ryuichi Kiyonari had been running in fifth place until Alstair Seeley on the Relentless Suzuki began to pile on the pressure behind him, eventually making a move up the inside at Shell Oils corner on lap 9, forcing the Honda rider wide and moving him down to seventh.  Kiyonai later retired from the race.

John Laverty on the Buildbase Kawasaki and his brother Michael on the Relentless Suzuki, appeared to be racing each other on the track with Michael running wide on lap 16 of the race leaving enough space for John to get through and move in to fifth place.

Easton crossed the line for the win followed by Hill in second and an impressive John Laverty in third after a fantastic final lap.

Alastair Seeley finished in fourth place ahead of Michael Laverty in fifth, Josh Brookes in sixth, Gary Mason on the MSS Colchester Kawasaki in seventh, Chris Walker on the second MSS Kawasaki in eighth, Dan Linfoot on the Motorpoint Yamaha in ninth and Tommy Bridewell on the Quay Garage Honda in tenth.

Here are the results;

1. Stuart Easton GBR Swan Honda 28mins 55.815s 18 laps
2. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +00.058s
3. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +10.399s
4. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +10.843s
5. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +10.849s
6. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +11.073s
7. Gary Mason GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +23.428s
8. Chris Walker GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +27.478s
9. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +35.997s
10. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +36.709s
11. Martin Jessopp GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +37.359s
12. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Racing Yamaha +43.608s
13. Adam Jenkinson GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +47.997s
14. Hudson Kennaugh RSA MAR Kawasaki +48.550s E
15. Steve Brogan GBR Jentin Racing BMW +59.109s E
16. David Anthony AUS MIST Suzuki Racing +59.203s E
17. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki +1m 04.680s E
18. David Johnson GBR TwoWheelTuning.com Suzuki +1m 12.038s E
19. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Spike Suzuki +1m 22.557s E
20. Pauli Pekkanen FIN 777 RR Motorsport Suzuki +1 lap E
21. Peter Ward GBR Astro-Chase SST Racing Kawasaki +1 lap E
22. Michael Howarth GBR Magic Bullet Two Wheel Suzuki +1 lap E
23. Michael O’Brien GBR Motomob/O’Brien Hifi +1 lap E

DNF. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda 12 laps completed
DNF. Craig Fitzpatrick GBR Close Print Finance Honda 6 laps completed E
DNF. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati 5 laps completed
DNF. Christian Iddon GBR Sorrymate.com SMT Honda 3 laps completed
DNF. Tom Tunstall GBR Doodson Motorsport Honda 3 laps completed
DNF. Alex Lowes GBR Redline KTM 3 laps completed E
DNF. Ian Lowry GBR Motorpoint Yamaha 1 lap completed
DNF. Yukio Kagayama JPN Worx Crescent Suzuki 0 laps completed

Fastest laps:

Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda 1m 35.859s
David Anthony AUS MIST Suzuki Racing 1m 37.841s E

Race 2

Michael Laverty appeared to be the happiest man on the planet yesterday after sealing his first win in the second race of the day for the Relentless Suzuki team.

With very changeable weather conditions for the third round of the championship, Laverty rode a faultless race to secure his number one spot on the podium.

It was the HM Plant Honda rider Ryuichi Kiyonari who got to the front as the race got underway ahead of Tommy Hill and Michael Laverty.  However, Laverty was already on a mission and had moved past the championship leader to move up to second place as they headed to the Shell Oils corner.

Michael Rutter on the Ridersmotorcyles.com Ducati had moved into fourth place by the second lap before passing Kiyonari.  Rutter and Kiyonari swapped the position once again before Rutter made the move stick and Laverty slipped back to fourth place.

Michael Laverty crossed the line to take the victory on his maiden win ahead of an impressive Michael Rutter and third placed man, championship leader Tommy Hill.

In fourth place was Ryuichi Kiyonari followed by John Laverty, Alastair Seeley, Tommy Bridewell, Josh Brookes, Hudson Kennaugh and Adam Jenkinson.

Stuart Easton failed to finish in the second race after struggling for grip.  He was seen returning to the pits with a possible rear tyre problem but it later turned out to be a problem with the electronics and he later retired.

Chris Burns was forced to miss both races this weekend after his wrist injury failed to heal in time following the surgery only 12 days ago.  The Splitlath Motorsport Aprilia rider, found the practice and qualifying stints to painful to endure and was forced to withdraw on the morning of the race.

Here are the results;

1. Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki 27mins 26.150secs 15 laps
2. Michael Rutter GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +06.000s
3. Tommy Hill GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +11.333s
4. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN HM Plant Honda +16.029s
5. John Laverty GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +23.590s
6. Alastair Seeley GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki +27.258s
7. Tommy Bridewell GBR Quay Garage Honda +30.287s
8. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +30.823s
9. Hudson Kennaugh RSA MAR Kawasaki +32.463s E
10. Adam Jenkinson GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +54.950s
11. Chris Walker GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +56.620s
12. Martin Jessopp GBR Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati +59.748s
13. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Spike Suzuki +59.957s E
14. Dan Linfoot GBR Motorpoint Yamaha +1m 10.760s
15. Steve Brogan GBR Jentin Racing BMW +1m 11.833s E
16. David Anthony AUS MIST Suzuki Racing +1m 14.396s E
17. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Racing Yamaha +1m 35.805s
18. Gary Johnson GBR AIM Suzuki +1m 44.656s E
19. Pauli Pekkanen FIN 777 RR Motorsport Suzuki +1m 54.437s E
20. Alex Lowes GBR Redline KTM +1 lap E
21. David Johnson GBR TwoWheelTuning.com Suzuki +1 lap E
22. Craig Fitzpatrick GBR Close Print Finance Honda +1 lap E
23. Michael Howarth GBR Magic Bullet Two Wheel Suzuki +1 lap E
24. Peter Ward GBR Astro-Chase SST Racing Kawasaki +1 lap E

Michael Laverty GBR Relentless by TAS Suzuki 1m 48.173s
Hudson Kennaugh RSA MAR Kawasaki 1m 49.813s E

Race 1 Winner Shane Byrne - Mallory Park 2008

Michael Rutter has allegedly secured a last minute deal to ride for the SMT Honda team at Mallory, replacing Jason O’Halloran.

The team recently admitted that without further financial backing they could not survive, however, it is believed that a sponsor has now come forward at the last minute.

Rutter began the season on the North West 200 Yamaha, but his association with the team ended in May, he was then offered a ride with the Worx Suzuki team who then ousted him for young, upcoming rider Tommy Hill.

British Superbike rider Michael Howarth, is set to return to the track this weekend when he steps aboard the MV Augusta at Mallory Park.

The former Tena For Men Honda rider, broke his collarbone last time racing in 2008 at Croft and was out for the remainder of the season.  However, the Bolton lad has been testing for the STP MV Augusta team at Cadwell Park and was said to have put in some respectable laps.

The Mist Suzuki team will be absent at the Mallory Park round after their rider Matt Bond announced his immediate retirement from the competition due to personal reasons.

Bond has been struggling to juggle full-time work, racing, family and training and said that something had to give.  The team however, have said they will be back in time for the Brands Hatch round with a new rider and hopefully an upgraded package on the Suzuki.

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

Leon Camier 2009

Last weekend saw the British Superbike Championship heading to Thruxton with Leon Camier on the Airwaves Yamaha winning both races.

Race One

In the first race of the afternoon, Leon Camier, who had qualified in pole position for the fourth round of the championship, led home the Airwaves Yamaha team ahead of his team-mate James Ellison.

Stuart Easton on the Hydrex Honda crossed the line in third followed by MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider Simon Andrews who battled with Glen Richards on the HM Plant Honda for the fourth place.

As the race got underway it was Ellison who took the lead into the first corner with Easton in second as Camier dropped back to third.  Andrews came from tenth on the grid up to an impressive fourth place until he was pushed back to fifth by Richards before the end of the first lap.

Camier passed Easton on lap 3 before passing his team-mate to take the lead on the next lap as the battle continued behind him between Andrews and Richards for the fourth position.

Andrews made an impressive move on Richards with two laps of the race remaining but couldn’t hold it, however, later in the lap he made his move stick as he entered Campbell’s.

Tristan Palmer on the Buildbase Kawasaki did not start either of the races on Sunday after being thrown from his bike at the Noble bend during qualifying.  The 26-year-old suffered bumps and bruises and took part in the Sunday warm-up session but decided that he was in no condition to take part in the race and did not line up on the grid.

Here are the results;

1. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha 25mins 27.557secs 20 laps
2. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha +1.296secs
3. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +7.236secs
4. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +11.670secs
5. Michael Rutter GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +11.304secs
6. Glen Richards AUS HM Plant Honda +11.515secs
7. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +15.872secs
8. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki +19.707secs
9. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda +23.199secs Cup
10. Julien Da Costa FRA MSS Colchester Kawasaki +27.392secs
11. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda +31.048secs
12. Graeme Gowland GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +32.266secs
13. Jason O’Halloran AUS SMT Honda +32.392secs
14. Atsushi Watanabe JPN Relentless TAS Suzuki +33.021secs
15. Tom Tunstall GBR Hardinge Doodson Honda +33.294secs Cup

Tristan Palmer GBR Buildbase Kawasaki Did Not Start

Race Two

The Airwaves Yamaha rider, Camier, took his sixth win in race two at Thruxton, again followed by his team-mate Ellison.

Brookes took third for the HM Plant Honda team followed by Easton on the Hydrex Honda and Michael Rutter on the Worx Suzuki.

An impressive ride for the Quay Garage Honda rider Gary Mason, who had qualified on the front row of the grid, and Michael Rutter who was alongside him, riding for the injured Sylvain Guintoli.

As the bikes left the line, it was once again Ellison who took the advantage and led going into Allard, while behind him Andrews sneaked up the inside of Easton to take third.

Camier was soon past Ellison and stretching the gap between himself and the other riders, setting the fastest lap of the race.

On lap 7, Easton passed Andrews at the chicane, while on lap 9 Brookes began to make progress, closing the gap as he then proceeded to pass Rutter, Richards and Andrews.

Atsushi Watanabe on the Relentless Suzuki, crashed out at the chicane on lap 14, ending his race as his bike hit the kerbing.

It was a disastrous weekend for the Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha rider Chris Walker after retiring on lap 1 of race one with a generator failure and then following an engine change, retired on lap 8 of race two with another mechanical failure.

Disappointment also for the Relentless Suzuki rider Ian Lowry at Thruxton after struggling for grip with his rear tyre leaving him with only an eighth place.

Here are the results;

1. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha 25mins 25.643secs 20 laps
2. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha +3.505secs
3. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +3.640ecs
4. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +5.693secs
5. Michael Rutter GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +6.632secs
6. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +8.089secs
7. Glen Richards AUS HM Plant Honda +11.365secs
8. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +11.648secs
9. Karl Harris GBR Hydrex Honda +14.344secs
10. Julien Da Costa FRA MSS Colchester Kawasaki +17.324secs
11. John Laverty IRL Buildbase Kawasaki +21.427secs
12. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda +25.302secs Cup
13. Graeme Gowland GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +33.961secs
14. Martin Jessopp GBR Riders Racing Honda +34.061secs Cup
15. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha +34.260secs Cup

Tristan Palmer GBR Buildbase Kawasaki Did Not Start

British Superbikes 2008

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shane Byrne - Brands Hatch 2008

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

Race 1

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

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

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

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

Here are the results;

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

Race 2

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

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

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

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

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

Here are the results;

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

Shane Byrne - Brands Hatch Qualifying

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are the results;

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

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

Local boy Shane (Shakey) Byrne began his career at Brands Hatch and is expected to put on a show after clinching the British Superbike championship in the last round at Silverstone, his second BSB title in five years.

Those who have followed ‘Shakey’ throughout his career will know that despite already having won this years title, he will not be content unless he finishes on the top step of the podium at Brands Hatch. That may be easier said than done as no less than four of Byrne’s rivals are set to fight it out for the BSB runners up spot.

The British Superbike results from the last Brands Hatch meeting saw Shane Byrne winning race one with the second race going to Cal Crutchlow. Crutchlow currently sits in fourth place of the championship just ahead of another local rider Leon Camier who will be keen to shine at Brands.

They will both be slugging it out for the runners up position with third placed Tom Sykes and Leon Haslam who currently sits in second place in the Championship.

Of the four Leon Haslam is the current man in form having been the top points scorer in the previous four rounds, but they all share the same desire to end the season as runner up to Byrne, as best of the rest.

Ironically this will also be the final British Superbike race for Leon Haslam, Tom Sykes and Cal Crutchlow, with Haslam and Sykes joining Shane Byrne in World Superbike next year and Crutchlow departing for World Supersport, so everyone involved will be keen to finish this series on a high.

The latest British Superbike news from Brands Hatch is that Leon Haslam is setting the pace in free practise, of course that doesn’t count for much when it comes to the actual race, but one thing is certain,  the scene is set for  a grand finale to this years series.

Shane Byrne 2008 BSB Champion

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

Race One

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

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

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

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

Here are the results;

Pos – Rider – Bike – Team – Time

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

Race Two

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

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

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

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

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

Here are the results;

Pos – Rider – Bike – Team – Time

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