Motourage

The Ducati 848 Challenge returns for 2012 now firmly established as the premier one-make series in the UK.

For many riders the Ducati 848 Challenge series has been the ideal platform to display their talents in front of huge BSB TV audiences, and for many it provides the best profile for their valued sponsors.

The success of the championship has been reflected with 25 riders already signed up for the 2012 season and a large number still looking to join the series before the opening round at Brands Hatch over the Easter weekend.

Ducati Manchester’s Robbie Brown, who last season finished third overall, returns for 2012 and must start as one of the Championship favorites along with Darren Fry (JHP Racing/Ducati Coventry) hoping to return to the form that took him to the title in 2010. However, they face stiff competition from riders switching to the Challenge for the first time in 2012, including Marty Nutt (NUTTTravel.com), Ed Smith (Ultim8 Racing) and Max Hunt (OHLINS @ P&H Motorcycles) who all spent last season in British Supersport. Former British 250 Champion Woolsey Coulter is coming out of retirement to take up the Challenge and will be joined by 2011 MRO Stock1000 Champion Byron Beckett, ex-TTC rider Nicky Wilson (NWR), along with Sean Neary (Motocorse) and Ryan Myler (Close Print Ducati).

Although there are some experienced riders competing, the Challenge welcomes a group of up and coming young riders eager to make their mark in the paddock. James White, 18, (Team After Dark) the 2011 Thunderbike Champion will seek to use his experience of racing a Ducati (his 2011 title was achieved on a 749) while James Folkard, 20, (Win43.com) will be stepping up as last year’s Aprilia RRV450 Challenge champion. Sam Coventry (Moto Rapido) joins the series from the Spanish CEV Stock Extreme Championship, Ryan Gibson, 17, (Fast Frame UK) comes from North Gloucestershire 600 class while Kasey Wyatt, 18, (GBmoto Racing) moves up from the highly competitive Aprilia Superteens.

Other riders returning to the fray include Stuart Poyser (P & H Motorcycles), Mark Cheetham (Hunt Pie Machines), Ricky Holden (Holden Racing), Jamie Poole (Moto Rapido), Aaron Brown (Ladybirds Ducati) and Barry Poll and Dan Cruickshank (both Pumpkin Patch Racing). Another returnee, Steve Jordan, will be joined this year by his wife, Sarah Jordan (both Global Robots/Steve Jordan Motorcycles), no doubt creating the first husband and wife team in the BSB paddock to ever race against each other!

The Ducati 848 Challenge will again consist of eight rounds and sixteen races, including six British Superbike rounds, as well as the now traditional two overseas rounds. The series kicks off at the British Superbikes opener at Brands Hatch before visiting Assen, Snetterton 300, Misano and the famous World Ducati Week, Oulton Park, Cadwell Park, Donington Park and finally Ducati UK’s home circuit, Silverstone.

Swan Yamaha will defend their MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship title in 2012 as team principal Shaun Muir has confirmed the team’s lineup of reigning British champion Tommy Hill (@tommyhill33) and TT record-breaker Ian Hutchinson.

Reigning champion Hill will make his much-anticipated BSB return after claiming a maiden crown in sensational style in the final race of 2011 at Brands Hatch last October, in which the Lingfield, England native defeated rival John Hopkins (@jhopper21) by just 0.006 seconds following a last-lap battle. Hill’s return makes him the first British BSB champion to defend the number one plate since John Reynolds in 2005, and he is now determined to become the third rider in history to win consecutive BSB titles.

Hutchinson completes the team’s lineup as the record-breaking five-time Isle of Man TT winner embarks on his first full season of BSB after a dramatic comeback from a broken tibia and fibula which required several operations to save his leg. Hutchinson had been sidelined since the crash at the penultimate round of the 2010 season before making his comeback at the Macau Grand Prix last month where he celebrated a podium finish.

Tommy Hill: “At the end of last season after winning the title I was speaking to different teams and looking at the different championships, but I knew I needed to have the complete package. I have a lot of fans in BSB, and I think having a British champion trying to hold on to the number one plate is something to get excited about; I certainly am. I really wanted to stay with Yamaha and build on the results and our relationship. The Swan Yamaha team have won one BSB title but now we are looking at how we can improve so we can do it again. The consistency with the team is very important and they have already started looking at what we can do to move forward again. The rule changes don’t worry me as through most of my career I haven’t used traction control. I think it will now come down more to rider input and also working as a team to get the chassis set up right. I know there has already been hard work behind the scenes at the workshop and as a rider that really gives me confidence before we even begin testing.

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Having recently agreed terms with TAS Racing team manager Philip Neill, reigning British Supersport champion Alastair Seeley will complete the all-new Tyco Suzuki line-up for next season’s British Superbike Championship.

The Northern Ireland rider has won two British Championships – Superstock and Supersport – for the Moneymore, Northern Ireland-based team since joining them in 2009 and will now form a formidable partnership with Australian Josh Brookes in the official Suzuki BSB team aboard the GSX-R1000.

Seeley made the all-important Title Fighters’ top six during his debut season in British Superbike in 2010, which included a memorable victory at Brands Hatch. He will also represent the team at the International North West 200 in May where he has scored five victories to date. He is the current NW200 Superbike Champion.

Alastair Seeley:
“I’m very excited to be back with the TAS team for another year, especially getting back on a Superbike, and I’m equally excited about the new Tyco Suzuki colors. The bike looks really well. Once we get some pre-season testing done my aim will be to try and win the Championship; that really is my only goal. I think the new rules in BSB will be in my favor, having already won two Championships without electronic aids, and I have every confidence in the boys at TAS to give me the best possible package. Until then I’ll be doing plenty of motocross and trials riding to hone my throttle control skills, but I can’t wait to get started.”

Philip Neill, Team Manager:
“It’s fantastic to be able to confirm Alastair Seeley as our second rider in BSB for next year and also for another North West 200 campaign in May. We have had a tremendous journey with Alastair since we brought him into our set-up at the start of 2009, quite unexpectedly. He was a relative unknown in British championship terms back then, so to be able to turn him into a double Champion in such a short space of time is very satisfying.

“He has been hugely impressive on all types of GSX-R machinery and his goal now is to go on and become the first rider ever to win three different British Championships. He had a great rookie season in Superbike back in 2010; probably the best one we have seen so far. He then took on the Supersport challenge this season with the all-new GSX-R600 and did a great job for TAS Racing and Suzuki, taking 10 wins on the way to the Championship.

“We have rewarded that success with another shot in BSB and after his performance recently at Portimao for Crescent Suzuki, standing in for the injured John Hopkins at a track he’d never seen before and posting more-than respectable times, we believe he can be a genuine title contender during 2012 in BSB.”

American John Hopkins extended his lead in the 2011 British Superbike Championship after finishing third in the first race of the final round today at the Brands Hatch GP circuit.

The Samsung Crescent Suzuki rider now leads the championship by 11 points with just two more races to run as teammate Jon Kirkham finished in eighth place and maintains his lead in the Riders’ Cup.

Hopkins rode a steady race today electing to not fight for the win – against riders who will struggle to overcome his points’ advantage – and instead focused on his battle with Tommy Hill, his nearest rival. Hill attacked Hopkins on the final lap and took a momentary lead but Hopkins was able to counter attack and hold the advantage to the finish, netting a further three points advantage over Hill.

Kirkham continues to improve his pace and was one of the few riders to lap in the 1:25-minute bracket today. With a good start, Kirkham should be able to secure the top-five finishes he seeks tomorrow.

Earlier today, both had ridden strong in qualifying with Hopkins securing third fastest for a front-row starting position and Kirkham seventh fastest for a second row.

John Hopkins:
“We’ve had a good day today. We’ve got great lap and race speeds so we can race for wins. But today Michael Laverty and Josh Brookes were riding hard; they both had nothing to lose and everything to gain, while for my part I didn’t need to ride with them or beat them to win this Championship, so I elected to stay clear and ride safe. Maybe too safe, as that tactic did allow Tommy Hill to close on me and it made for an exciting last lap, but I was able to deal with his attack and lead him home. I still can’t rest easy. 11 points isn’t enough to make us feel secure and the strategy for tomorrow is still race to win. I just need to ride the way I have all season and we’ll get the job done.”

Jon Kirkham:
“I’m really pleased to be on the pace and to do the lap times. Dipping into the 1:25s I’m again matching the front runners. Now it’s now just a case of being stronger in the first third of the race, both in defence and attack. For my part, I want two top-fives tomorrow, I want to be at the front – and if my doing so helps Hopper’s cause, then so much the better. Everything is good to go.”

Jack Valentine, Team Manager:
“Weekends like this are never easy. The stakes are that high. It was no surprise Hopper had a small dose of nerves today, but if that’s how he rides when he’s being cautious then we should be good for tomorrow. He’s reflected on his performance today and he’s acknowledged he wasn’t his usual self and he’s judged that a bit of a mistake. Lesson learned; he’ll be back tomorrow the attacking, calculating rider we’ve come to know. Everything is ready. The bike is great; nothing wanting there. The team’s ready. And Hopper’s ready. It’s been a good day today, we’ve done some hard work and I think we’ve felt – and withstood – the pressure. We head into tomorrow with a single purpose.”

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship
Round 12, Brands Hatch GP

Qualifying:
1 Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 1m: 25.111s
2 Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha) +0.031s
3 John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing) +0.177s
4 Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +0.473s
5 James Ellison (Sorrymate.com Honda) +0.617s
6 Michael Rutter (Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati) +0.861s
7 Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing) +0.879s
8 Graeme Gowland (WFR Honda) +1.078s
9 Martin Jessopp (Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati) +1.248s
10 Alex Lowes (Motorpoint Yamaha) +1.873s

Race one result:
1 Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha)
2 Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +0.396s
3 John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing) +8.766s
4 Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +8.873s
5 James Ellison (Sorrymate.com Honda) +9.007s
6 Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) +11.681s
7 Michael Rutter (Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati) +13.752s
8 Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing) +13.923s
9 Graeme Gowland (WFR Honda) +18.452s
10 Martin Jessopp (Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati) +24.763s

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings (after race one at Brands Hatch):
1 John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing) 625
2 Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) 614
3 Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha) 590
4 Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 588
5 Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) 575
6 Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 521
7 Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing) 190

BSB rookie – and MotoGP, AMA and WSBK veteran – American John Hopkins leads the 2011 British Superbike Championship as it heads to the final round this weekend at the Brands Hatch GP circuit in Kent, England.

Hopkins and the Samsung Crescent Suzuki team have an eight-point lead over his nearest rival, Swan Yamaha’s Tommy Hill, but with three races on the schedule – and 75 points available for the winner of all three – there’s still everything to race for.

Teammate Jon Kirkham in turn leads the Riders’ Cup for the best rider outside of the Title Fighter’s Showdown; and with top-five and podium finishes in recent rounds, he looks set to make the Cup his, while also lending valuable support to Hopkins in the battle at the front.

John Hopkins:
“I’m really keen to get started into the weekend. The points-gap that I have is a great advantage but not really a comfort. The strategy still has to be ‘race to win’ as anything less and we won’t have the Championship, but I’m confident we can do just that. The Samsung Crescent Suzuki has a great set-up, I love riding it and with the data we took from our previous visit to the GP circuit – together with the track knowledge I gained – it puts us in a strong position coming in.

“My injured finger gets stronger each day and I don’t expect it to be a problem. Again I’ll have to manage it – and with three races there’ll be a lot of work to do – but I think we proved at Donington Park and Silverstone that it’s not affecting my racing. There’s mental pressure as well, but it’s nothing new to me; nothing I can’t deal with. The job stays the same: go for the holeshot, take the lead and stay out of trouble. Get the win. It’s racing. I love it.”

Jon Kirkham:
“I’m really looking forward to the weekend. I love the circuit and so after having a bad time here earlier in the year I’ll be going all-out to put in the best performance and finish the year on a high. I’ve got the bike the way I like it now so I’m aiming to be there in the leading pack again. I want to get the points to make the Riders’ Cup mine, but if along the way my being in there helps John’s Championship, then so much the better.”

Jack Valentine, Team Manager:
“Showdown time. Here we are again – just as last year so let’s hope we can finish the job this time. As a team we’re preparing the way we always do – everything 100 percent and everything sorted so we give our riders everything they need to do the job.

“With just eight points in the lead we’re nowhere near applying tactics; we’re in the same boat as everyone and we have to win races to win the Championship. Maybe if we get a win in the first race on Saturday we might be able to play tactical on Sunday, but we know it’s when you start being too clever, or start relaxing – that’s when the problems come. For the riders, they prefer to race to win, it’s probably the safest strategy.

“Hopper’s a great racer in any case. He’s shown all season long that he can respond to challenges and I don’t see anything changing this weekend. Business as usual for him. JK’s had a brilliant end to the year. Mid-season it got away from him for a bit, but since Cadwell Park he’s been brilliant; he’s on the pace all-race, and his race craft improves with every battle. His presence in the top five could yet make every difference to the Championship outcome. Everything is readied: the riders, the bikes, the team. Let’s race.”

John Hopkins placed 4-3-2 for the weekend at the eighth round of the 2011 British Superbikes Championship at the Brands Hatch GP. Hopkins Samsung Crescent Suzuki teammate, Jon Kirkham, placed 9-8-10.

Saturday’s Race 1 saw a dramatic change in conditions as a light drizzle fell over the circuit. Hopkins elected to ride on intermediate tires. After challenging for the lead at mid-distance, he dropped to fourth as the track dried and his tires degraded.

Kirkham hit a technical issue that meant he only rode three laps in first practice. He recovered well to make 11th-fastest in second practice but missed out on making the final 10 in qualifying. Starting race one from P16, he pulled through to an impressive ninth by the flag, only 22 seconds off the lead.

For both Hopkins and Kirkham it was a tough first race on Sunday having to battle from the third and fourth rows respectively at the start. Hopkins was in fine form, and despite gear-shift issues, was able to fight his way through traffic, finishing third. Kirkham also rode a strong race to come through to eighth, 17 seconds behind the winner.

Hopkins had a front-row start for the final race and capitalized to take second position off the start. He held on to the leader, Tommy Hill, for most of the race distance but had to settle for second to secure yet more podium credits. Kirkham also made a good start, but after getting hemmed in at the first turn, he found himself in an eight-bike battle for eighth, finally finishing in 10th.

John Hopkins:
“It all went well today. We had a little issue with shifting gear in that first race and so I couldn’t ride as hard as I’d like to have, but I was very happy to pick up that last podium credit. In the second race the bike was perfect and everything was great but Tommy Hill rode really well; I couldn’t have ridden any harder; it hurts to be beaten, but we did what was needed.

“Importantly I’m now secure in the top six for the Showdown and that’s exciting and something I can really look forward to. Going to Cadwell Park I don’t need to worry about Championship points and will instead ride for the podium credits – they’re most-important now. Once again the team proved just how good it is this weekend, sorting the shifter-issues between races today and the bike was perfect for that last race. We’re looking set for a great time at Cadwell Park.”

Jon Kirkham:
“Three top-10 finishes from three rides – I should be happy with that after my recent run of bad luck, but I can’t be totally happy though: The first race today was hard work, so to come away with a second-row start for the last race was a good outcome. But then I got trapped in the pack on turn one and all the good work was undone. I got some decent lap times in but got stuck behind another rider, so the result could have been better.

“I know the Title Fighters really is a long shot for me now: 24 points doesn’t sound so much, but at this level all the riders know how to get results. I’ve still got the goal to improve my results though and I think top-six finishes are achievable – as long as I get my starts sorted. I’m still looking to improve.”

Jack Valentine, Team Manager:
‘It’s been a tough but successful weekend. We’ve got a strong set of results. Overall I think Hopper netted the most points of any rider this weekend – again he’s been a consistent and strong points scorer, showing the kind of form which is going to be decisive come the Showdown. He’s off to Brno now for a little MotoGP action, and the whole team is willing him to do well; he’s on top form.

“JK had a better weekend. Unfortunately so did the other riders around him who are all vying for that final spot on the Title Fighters list. He’s only 24 points off that sixth position and with three races to run at Cadwell Park; mathematically he could do it, but I think we’ll need quite a few factors to come into play for it to go his way and we have to be realistic. The important thing is JK is showing good form. I can see he’s riding with a lot more confidence and building on this weekend, top-six finishes at Cadwell Park should be possible.”

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The Samsung Crescent Racing Team heads to Brands Hatch GP this week for the eighth round of the 2011 British Superbikes Championship after a successful trip to Silverstone where John Hopkins took pole position and two top-10 finishes. The team is anticipating another highly-competitive weekend of racing at what is a crucial point in the BSB season.

Jon Kirkham

With two rounds – six races – remaining before the Championship switches to its Showdown phase – the final three rounds where only the top six riders can compete for the Championship – John Hopkins is second in the title standings. Although Hopkins lies 32 points adrift of the lead rider, only podium points carry forward to the Showdown, and in that category, Hopkins is only one point off the lead.

John Kirkham is currently seventh in the Championship, just 20 points outside the top six, but with a maximum potential of 150 points up for grabs, he could overcome this quite readily.

Jack Valentine, Team Manager:
“The team is really buzzing after the Silverstone weekend. Coming after two very successful tests it was another demonstration of our true potential. And as the BSB Championship gets closer to the final Showdown we’re again contenders for the title.

“Hopper’s clearly on top of his game. After qualifying fastest at Silverstone it was always going to be a tall order for him to back that up with a podium finish – the factory-backed WSB Superbikes have an edge on us on top speed – but again he showed his ability to take his bike to the very limit of its capability and bring home the high-scores.

“Earlier in testing here at Brands Hatch GP we found within his first half an hour on track Hopper was on BSB race pace. Importantly he says he loves this circuit. He’s having fun out there. For everyone else in the paddock that’s a dangerous mood for Hopper to be in.

“JK’s probably suffered a few rookie-blues this season; he’s had his fair share of misfortunes, but he’s still in the fight. JK’s on the edge of the Title Fighters top-six and with six races over the next two rounds he stands a very good chance of netting the points he needs to be in the running for the Showdown. He’ll remember he scored a strong fifth finish at Brands at the 2011 season opener, so he’ll be looking to get back to his top-six form over the weekend. All in all, we’re definitely looking forward to some strong performances this weekend.”

Samsung Crescent Racing is heading north as it gets ready for the second round of the British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park this weekend.

BSB rookie John Hopkins hopes to improve on his 5th-place Brands Hatch result

After the mayhem of the incredibly short Indy circuit at Brands Hatch, this weekend’s prospect is altogether bigger. The 2.692-mile course, set in the estate grounds of the former Oulton Hall, combines rolling contours with breathtaking high-speed sweepers to create one of the season’s most challenging circuits. After the close-quarters cut-and-thrust of Brands Hatch, this weekend will be about high-speed mastery; and for John Hopkins and Jon Kirkham, it’ll be about putting together two high-points-scoring rides as they look to establish themselves in the crucial top-six Title Fighters league.

John Hopkins:
“Last weekend was certainly a tough introduction to BSB. I guess it was everything I expected – not for one minute I have imagined this task to be a walk in the park – but it certainly brought it back to me that I have to take this job step-by-step.

“Oulton Park is the next step; quite a big one at that. I first visited the circuit a fortnight ago for a track day on a road bike, so that I’d get an idea of where it goes and what the challenges will be. And, oh yes, there are lots of ups and downs and no question you have to know where you’re going if you’re to get a fast lap time. I’m in no doubt, this weekend I’ve a lot of work to do.”

Jon Kirkham:
“After Brands Hatch, I want to bag two good finishes from this weekend. To not make the start of second race last weekend – because of one very small part – that was massively disappointing. So coming here I’m ready to pull in a lot more points.

“I feel for Hopper having to learn this place from scratch, but for me Oulton Park has to be my favorite track; I simply love this place. And tracks like this really show the difference between the true Superbikes and the Evo bikes in the class – which I rode last year – so I’m really looking forward to what I’m sure is going to be an exciting ride.”

Jack Valentine, Team Manager:
“Coming to Oulton Park the team has a lot of work to do. The past two seasons we’ve led into this round – this year the lads are equal 10th. That’s down to the manic nature of Brands Hatch and not a little bad luck. But both Hopper and JK showed they can do the lap times, they both took away a top-five finish and proved they can run at the front. So this weekend will be about hauling in as many points as we can to get the both of them closer to, if not in, the vital Title Fighters top-six bracket. That’s an intermediate goal, of course. Both our riders can, and will, be podium contenders, we’ve 11 more rounds to run, so much can happen.”

This weekend’s BSB round gets underway with free practice on Saturday, with qualifying Sunday. Race day is May Day (Bank Holiday Monday).

Josh Brookes is challenged by Dan Linfoot (#4), Thomas Bridewell (#46) and John Kirkham (#10)

Josh Brookes was forced out of his debut British Superbike Championship race at Brands Hatch on medical grounds after crashing out of the opening race yesterday.

The Relentless Suzuki by TAS rider was deemed “not fit” to take part in the second race after high-siding while challenging for the lead in the opening race at the Kent circuit, after scything through the pack from a lowly 13th-placed start on the grid.  Just when the Australian was planning his attack on race-leader Shane Byrne, he suffered a spectacular high-side at the top of Paddock Hill Bend, prematurely ending his Easter Monday debut.

Josh Brookes:
“I suppose we did all right coming back from where we were in qualifying and I have to say, everything felt 100 per cent better today on my bike. As I said after qualifying, I knew what caused the problem and once we’d that sorted; we were fast in morning warm-up and in the race. While I was battling with people in the race, I couldn’t get into a proper rhythm, but once I got to P2 – which was quite easy – I was totally confident. I saw Shakey and thought, ‘I’m in a good position here,’ but it all ended at Paddock Hill. I’m upbeat because I really can’t believe how I didn’t injure myself in such a big crash. Now I’m just looking forward to Oulton Park.”

Philip Neill, Team Manager:
“Josh proved in the opening BSB race that we’d really cracked it with his set-up this morning in warm-up and I have to admit, watching him come through from 13th to second place – it’s been a long time since I’ve taken so much pleasure watching someone on a Superbike: He was so strong and made a pass on almost every lap; no one could hold him off at Clearways. He can certainly ride a motorbike and that’s why we signed him, for his ‘never say die’ attitude. He just pushed that little-too hard down Paddock Hill which caused the crash, but we’ll accept that and move on. Until then, he made the whole GSX-R1000 Superbike package look absolutely superb.

British Superbike Race 1:
1st – Shane Byrne (Honda); 2nd – Tommy Hill (Yamaha); 3rd – Tommy Bridewell (Honda); 4th – Stuart Easton (Kawasaki); 5th – Jon Kirkham (Suzuki); 6th – Michael Rutter (Ducati); 7th – Loris Baz (Yamaha); 8th – Dan Linfoot (Honda); 9th – Martin Jessopp (Ducati); 10th – Chris Walker (Kawasaki). Josh Brookes DNF

British Superbike Race 2:
1st – Tommy Hill (Yamaha); 2nd – Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda); 3rd – Shane Byrne (Honda); 4th – Michael Laverty (Yamaha); 5th – John Hopkins (Suzuki); 6th – Stuart Easton (Kawasaki); 7th – Michael Rutter (Ducati); 8th – Dan Linfoot (Honda); 9th – Peter Hickman (Honda); 10th – Gary Mason (Kawasaki). Josh Brookes DNS.

As the long Easter Weekend draws to a close, the Buildbase BMW Motorrad team leaves Brands Hatch with their first British Superbike Championship points of the season and some much-needed track time on their new BMW S 1000 RR race bikes.

Monday’s first race saw Richard Cooper bring his S 1000 RR home in sixth position in the Superstock 1000 race. The first of the day’s British Superbike/BSB-EVO races was a mixed bag with Buildbase BMW Motorrad rider Barry Burrell finishing 21st overall and sixth in the EVO Championship. However, the race wasn’t so productive for the team’s two BSB riders, John Laverty and Ian Lowry, who were both knocked off by rivals at Druids on laps four and 27 respectively, which put paid to their race one hopes.

John Laverty lost the tip of his right index finger in race one and did not start race two

John Laverty was unable to return for Race Two having lost the tip of his right index finger in the race one incident, leaving Ian Lowry the sole Buildbase BMW Motorrad rider in the BSB class. As with the first race, his times were improving and he was steadily climbing positions until, late in the race, an electrical fault caused him to return to the pits. Barry Burrell brought his S 1000 RR home and secured his second top-ten EVO finish of the day with a 22nd overall/seventh place in class result.

Stuart Hicken, Buildbase BMW Motorrad team principal, said: “Richard Cooper did very well, delivering a solid race and taking home a nice haul of points. In the first Superbike race, both my BSB riders went down, both knocked off by other riders, which is very annoying as it was a good day until then! Barry did very well today, taking a respectable sixth place finish. He was a little nervous, I think, to be taking his first EVO Championship ride, and I think he’ll only get better.

“Unfortunately, in the second race – while John Laverty was being checked out at the hospital – Ian suffered from a small electrical gremlin which ended his race. But Barry finished in a similar way to his first race, bringing his bike home seventh in class.

“There’s a lot of positives to take from this meeting, the overall results do not do justice to the hard work and the huge progress the team has made this weekend. I’m not unhappy with where we are; our times were getting very close to the front runners and I see huge potential in the riders and the S 1000 RR.”

The Buildbase BMW Motorrad team will be taking to the track next weekend for round two of the season at Oulton Park.
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