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

Tom Sykes - Kawasaki WSB 2010

The former British Superbike rider Tom Sykes is to make an appearance once again in the series when he rides the factory Kawasaki in the eighth round of the championship at Brands Hatch at the beginning of August.

Sykes is currently riding for the PBM Kawasaki team in the World Superbike Series where at the moment he is their only rider after team-mate Chris Vermeulen has been ruled out for the remainder of the championship through injury.

The triple header event will be Sykes first return to the BSB grid since leaving at the end of 2008 where he rode for the Rizla Suzuki team.  He began his 2009 season aboard the Yamaha before a switch to Kawasaki for this season but is really looking forward to being in front of a British crowd again.

Chris Burns - MV Agusta

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

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

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

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

Leon Camier - Airwaves Yamaha 2009

Leon Camier won both races at the Knockhill round of the British Superbike Championship for the Airwaves Yamaha team today.

Race 1

From second on the grid, Leon Camier took the lead in race one on the second lap after passing Stuart Easton on the Hydrex Honda.

Towards the end of the race, Gary Mason on the Quay Garage Honda, lost the front end of his machine and collected Tristan Palmer on the Buildbase Kawasaki in the process, bringing out the red flag.

At the restart, it was once again Camier that took the lead, and held it for the remaining six laps. Easton finished in second, almost two-seconds behind Camier, followed by Josh Brookes in third for the HM Plant Honda team.

Simon Andrews on the MSS Colchester Kawasaki finished in fourth place ahead of James Ellison on the second Airwaves Yamaha and Ian Lowry on the Relentless Suzuki.

Chris Walker claimed seventh place for the Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha team followed by his team-mate Graeme Gowland in eighth.

In ninth place was the Mirror Cup runner Tommy Bridewell riding the Team NB Suzuki followed by Jason O’Halloran in tenth on the SMT Honda.

Karl Harris crashed his Hydrex Honda while trying to pass Chris Walker at the Hairpin, and just a couple of laps later Julian De Costa and then John Laverty both went down.  David Johnson crashed out not long after leaving a list of retirees from the first race with no points.

Here are the results;

1. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha 27mins 49.745secs 33 laps
2. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +1.805secs
3. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +1.904secs
4. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +4.001secs
5. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha +4.875secs
6. Ian Lowry GBR Relentless TAS Suzuki +4.898secs
7. Chris Walker GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +6.587secs
8. Graeme Gowland GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +7.326secs
9. Tommy Bridewell GBR Team NB Suzuki +9.551secs Cup
10. Jason O’Halloran AUS SMT Honda +9.728secs
11. Michael Rutter GBR Worx Crescent Suzuki +9.928secs
12. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha +11.750secs Cup
13. Tom Tunstall GBR Hardinge Doodson Honda +22.387secs Cup
14. Atsushi Watanabe JPN Relentless TAS Suzuki +28.191secs
15. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Honda +1 lap
16. David Haire GBR DHR Racing Honda +1 lap Cup

DNS. Glen Richards AUS HM Plant Honda Did not start
DNS. Jon Kirkham GBR North West 200 Yamaha Did not start
DNS. Alastair Fagan GBR Red Viper Honda Did not start Cup

Race 2

Camier went onto win the second race of the day at Knockhill after passing Stuart Easton and then chasing down the race leader, Josh Brookes on lap 7.  However, Camier didn’t make the move stick until the following lap when he then began to edge away from the pack.

Brookes finished in second place for the Honda team ahead of James Ellison on the second Airwaves Yamaha, who had passed Easton earlier when the Hydrex rider made a mistake.

Easton claimed fourth place followed by Chris Walker on the Yamaha and Simon Andrews on the Kawasaki in sixth.  In seventh place was Walker’s team-mate Graeme Gowland ahead of Julian De Costa on the second Kawasaki.

Tommy Bridewell took ninth position ahead of Gary Mason, who had managed to get his Quay Garage Honda on the grid for the second race to take tenth place.

On lap 4, John Laverty crashed his Buildbase Kawasaki while a technical problem caused the retirement of Ian Lowry on the Relentless Suzuki on lap 8.

Karl Harris retired his Hydrex Honda later in the race followed by the Worx Suzuki rider Michael Rutter on lap 21, who went off at the hairpin.

Here are the results;

1. Leon Camier GBR Airwaves Yamaha 24mins 41.486secs 30 laps
2. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda +4.996secs
3. James Ellison GBR Airwaves Yamaha +6.307secs
4. Stuart Easton GBR Hydrex Honda +6.748secs
5. Chris Walker GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +16.488secs
6. Simon Andrews GBR MSS Colchester Kawasaki +26.311secs
7. Graeme Gowland GBR Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha +29.157secs
8. Julien Da Costa FRA MSS Colchester Kawasaki +30.550secs
9. Tommy Bridewell GBR Team NB Suzuki +30.813secs Cup
10. Gary Mason GBR Quay Honda +31.621secs Cup
11. Tristan Palmer GBR Buildbase Kawasaki +32.134secs
12. Jason O’Halloran AUS SMT Honda +36.114secs
13. David Johnson AUS Team Maxxis Adept Yamaha +42.160secs
14. Peter Hickman GBR Ultimate Yamaha +44.008secs Cup
15. Atsushi Watanabe JPN Relentless TAS Suzuki +1 lap
16. Tom Tunstall GBR Hardinge Doodson Honda +1 lap Cup
17. Kenny Gilbertson GBR Jx Fuelcards Kawasaki +1 lap
18. David Haire GBR DHR Racing Honda +1 lap Cup
19. Aaron Zanotti GBR Red Viper Honda +1 lap

DNS. Glen Richards AUS HM Plant Honda Did not start
DNS. Jon Kirkham GBR North West 200 Yamaha Did not start
DNS. Alastair Fagan GBR Red Viper Honda Did not start 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

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

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

Sylvain Guintoli - Brands Hatch 2009

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

Race 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fastest Lap

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

Race 2

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

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

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

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

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

Here are the results;

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

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

Fastest Lap

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

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.

Tom Sykes

Tom Sykes won the Race Of The Year at Mallory Park on Sunday, riding the Rizla Suzuki for the last time before moving to the World Superbike series with team Yamaha Italia.

Not only did he take the win after dominating the race, he qualified on pole position and set a new lap record with a time of 51.271seconds.

Karl Harris on the Co-Ordit Yamaha, stayed with Sykes but couldn’t pass him and finished in second followed by Glen Richards on a 600cc Triumph, who had an amazing race against the 1000cc Superbikes.

Pete Bradshaw showed the fans true sportsmanship after qualifying way down the grid in 23rd place.  Dan Hagerty, who had qualified in fifth place suffered mechanical problems with his machine while lining-up and Bradshaw swapped bikes with him on the grid.  Hagerty finished the race in fourth while Bradshaw watched from the sidelines.

Here are the results;

1: TOM SYKES (RIZLA SUZUKI) 15:35.197
2: Karl Harris (Yamaha) +2.772
3: Glen Richards (Triumph) +21.325
4: Daniel Hagerty (Yamaha) +28.328
5: James Westmoreland (Triumph) +30.998
6: Kenny Gilbertson (Kawasaki) +31.127
7: Pete Ward (Kawasaki) +46.747
8: James Hillier (Kawasaki) +46.790
9: Peter Baker (Suzuki) +49.264
10: Jenny Tinmouth (Honda) +1 lap