Motourage

Swan Yamaha’s Tommy Hill returned to the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Croft today, and despite still suffering from his shoulder injury sustained two weeks ago at Oulton Park, he defied the odds to set the fastest time after the opening two free practice sessions.

Hill has been battling fitness to return this weekend at the Guisborough-based team’s home round and after ending the morning session in mixed conditions eighth, he was able to set the fastest time on his final lap this afternoon. Michael Laverty had been fastest in the opening session of the day for Swan Yamaha and in the second session he was also able to improve his pace, ending third fastest after leading until the final ten minutes.

Tommy Hill:
“It has been a fantastic start to the weekend but I have to keep reminding myself that I am riding injured. I have been riding at maybe something like 85% as I don’t want to push it too hard and crash which could undo all my hard work between Oulton Park and here and jeopardize the next round. I am currently struggling in the Complex but the Swan Yamaha team have worked hard to get me as comfortable as possible out there. People might ask why I am riding here, but I don’t want to miss out – I have a fantastic package with the team and the Swan Yamaha and I need to do everything I can to be out there scoring points. We are happy though at the end of day one and to be fastest was definitely more than I expected from today.”

Michael Laverty:|
“Today has been good for me and the Swan Yamaha team, especially here at our home round. We have been consistently quick in both sessions so I know we have the pace to be up there in the races on Sunday. We have been working well and know we need to make some more adjustments to the suspension tomorrow in the final free practice ready for qualifying. Once we have made those changes we will feel more comfortable over the bumps and ready for the race.”

Thanks to Timing Solutions Ltd. Sports Timing for complete times from today’s BSB qualifying from Croft Circuit.
For more timing results from all British racing leagues, visit www.tsl-timing.com

BSB qualifying practice
1 Leon Camier Airwaves Yamaha 1’20.124
2 Simon Andrews MSS Kawasaki 1’20.974
3 Stuart Easton Hydrex Honda 1’20.980
4 Josh Brookes HM Plant Honda 1’21.072
5 James Ellison Airwaves Yamaha 1’21.079
6 Gary Mason Quay Garage Honda 1’21.136
7 Tommy Hill Hydrex Honda 1’21.138
8 Ian Lowry Relentless Suzuki 1’21.254
9 Graeme Gowland Motorpoint Yamaha 1’21.296
10 Chris Walker Motorpoint Yamaha 1’21.626

BSB free practice three
1 Leon Camier Airwaves Yamaha 1’19.808
2 Stuart Easton Hydrex Honda 1’20.858
3 Simon Andrews MSS Kawasaki 1’21.053
4 Tommy Hill Hydrex Honda 1’21.081
5 James Ellison Airwaves Yamaha 1’21.204
6 Josh Brookes HM Plant Honda 1’21.212
7 Julien Da Costa MSS Kawasaki 1’21.316
8 Ryuichi Kiyonari HM Plant Honda 1’21.417
9 Gary Mason Quay Garage Honda 1’21.561
10 Sylvain Guintoli Worx Suzuki 1’21.567

BSB Supersport – combined qualifying
1 Billy McConnell MAP Raceways Yamaha 1’21.547
2 James Westmoreland A1 Moto Services Triumph 1’21.826
3 Ben Wilson Gearlink Kawasaki 1’22.051
4 Tom Grant Hydrex Honda 1’22.082
5 Ian Hutchinson Padgett’s Honda 1’22.151
6 Lee Johnston MAP Raceways Yamaha 1’22.214
7 Dan Cooper Centurion Honda 1’22.384
8 Marty Nutt Nutt Travel Yamaha 1’22.536
9 Steve Plater HM Plant Honda 1’22.545
10 AJ Venter MAP Raceways Yamaha 1’22.730

BSB Supersport qualifying practice one
1 Billy McConnell MAP Raceways Yamaha 1’21.547
2 James Westmoreland A1 Moto Services Triumph 1’21.931
3 Ian Hutchinson Padgett’s Honda 1’22.157
4 Lee Johnston MAP Raceways Yamaha 1’22.214
5 Ben Wilson Gearlink Kawasaki 1’22.258
6 Tom Grant Hydrex Honda 1’22.441
7 Marty Nutt Nutt Travel Yamaha 1’22.536
8 Steve Plater HM Plant Honda 1’22.545
9 Dan Cooper Centurion Honda 1’22.732
10 Joe Dickinson PTR Honda 1’22.739

BSB 125GP combined qualifying
1 Martin Glossop KRP Honda 1’27.506
2 Rob Guiver SP125 Honda 1’27.723
3 Robbie Stewart Repli-Cast Honda 1’27.847
4 Danny Kent Aztec Honda 1’27.926
5 Tim Hastings KRP Honda 1’28.087
6 Brian Clark Banks Racing Honda 1’28.116
7 Connor Behan SP125 Honda 1’28.158
8 James Lodge KRP Honda 1’28.211
9 Matt Hoyle SP125 Honda 1’28.566
10 Tom Hayward KRP Honda 1’28.576

BSB 125GP qualifying practice one
1 Rob Guiver SP125 Honda 1’27.723
2 Robbie Stewart Repli-Cast Honda 1’27.847
3 Martin Glossop KRP Honda 1’28.016
4 Tim Hastings KRP Honda 1’28.087
5 Connor Behan SP125 Honda 1’28.286
6 Danny Kent Aztec Honda 1’28.325
7 James Lodge KRP Honda 1’28.495
8 Tom Hayward KRP Honda 1’28.697
9 Taylor Mackenzie Motorpoint Honda 1’28.786
10 Brian Clark Bankds Racing Honda 1’28.834

BSB Superstock 1000 combined qualifying
1 Alastair Seeley Relentless Suzuki 1’23.462
2 Steve Brogan Padgett’s Honda 1’23.662
3 John McGuinness Padgett’s Honda 1’23.889
4 Marshall Neill McConnell-Brown Suzuki 1’24.151
5 Scott Smart Moto Rapido Ducati 1’24.191
6 Gary Johnson Bartonfields Honda 1’24.192
7 Sam Warren Skipshop Honda 1’24.228
8 Richard Cooper Co-ordit Yamaha 1’24.232
9 Adam Jenkinson SMT Honda 1’24.393
10 Daniel Hegarty DW Racing Suzuki 1’24.502

BSB Superstock 10000 qualifying practice one
1 Steve Brogan Padgett’s Honda 1’23.797
2 John McGuinness Padgett’s Honda 1’23.899
3 Alastair Seeley Relentless Suzuki 1’24.030
4 Gary Johnson Bartonfields Honda 1’24.285
5 Sam Warren Skipshop Honda 1’24.338
6 Daniel Hegarty DW Racing Suzuki 1’24.502
7 Adam Jenkinson SMT Honda 1’24.554
8 Conor Cummins Blackhorse Yamaha 1’24.564
9 Richard Cooper Co-ordit Yamaha 1’24.794
10 Marshall Neill McConnell-Brown Suzuki 1’24.952

BSB Superstock 600 combined qualifying
1 Luke Mossey Sabresport Yamaha 1’25.617
2. Jamie Hamilton Gearlink Kawasaki 1’25.675
3. Luke Stapleford Buildbase Kawasaki 1’25.856
4. Nikki Coates MAP Raceways Yamaha 1’26.053
5. Johnny Blackshaw Haribo Yamaha 1’26.065
6. Matt Bilton HB Racing Yamaha 1’26.141
7. Jack Groves Haribo Yamaha 1’26.325
8. Jesse Trayler MSS Kawasaki 1’26.371
9. Joshua Day George White Yamaha 1’26.384
10. Jonathan Dickson Bell Yamaha 1’26.397

BSB Superstock 600 qualifying practice one
1 Luke Mossey Sabresport Yamaha 1’25.993
2 Nikki Coates MAP Raceways Yamaha 1’26.069
3 Luke Stapleford Buildbase Kawasaki 1’26.123
4 Jamie Hamilton Gearlink Kawasaki 1’26.191
5 Jess Trayler MSS Kawasaki 1’26.371
6 Josh Day George White Yamaha 1’26.384
7 Jonathan Dickson Bell Yamaha 1’26.397
8 Jordan Thompson Appleyard Yamaha 1’26.432
9 Luke Jones MAP Raceways Yamaha 1’26.468
10 Matt Bilton HB Racing Yamaha 1’26.489

Hydrex Honda's Stuart Easton

Leon Camier powered in his eighth pole start of the campaign ahead of the tenth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli at Croft in which he could clinch the sport’s premier crown.

Stuart Easton third best for Hydrex Honda with Josh Brookes putting in a late flyer to secure a front row start for his HM Plant Honda as he returns to action after a two event ban.

Tommy Hill who is making his Hydrex Honda debut, while Ian Lowry completed the second row, eighth fastest on the Relentless Suzuki.

Top ten qualifying times

1          L Camier           Airwaves Yamaha          1m 20.124s
2          S Andrews        MSS Colchester Kawasaki 1m 20.974s
3          S Easton           Hydrex Honda                1m 20.980s
4          J Brookes          HM Plant Honda            1m 21.072s
5          J Ellison            Airwaves Yamaha          1m 21.079s
6          G Mason           Quay Garage Honda       1m 21.136s
7          T Hill                 Hydrex Honda                1m 21.138s
8          I Lowry              Relentless Suzuki          1m 21.254s
9          G Gowland        Motorpoint Henderson Yamaha 1m 21.296s
10         C Walker           Motorpoint Henderson Yamaha 1m 21.626s

Superbikes on track

Sunday 13 September
12-12:10 (Warm-up practice)
1:30 Race one – 20 laps
4:35 Race two – 20 laps

Round ten – 11/12/13 September – Croft
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli

Leon Camier dominated the opening exchanges ahead of the tenth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli at Croft in which he could clinch the premier crown in domestic racing.

Stuart Easton, the former Supersport title winner who is targeting the runner-up spot in the standings, ran his Hydrex Honda third fastest with a lap in 1m 21.751secs, just ahead of Simon Andrews aboard the MSS Colchester Kawasaki.

Ellison, was fifth, though credited with the same time, 1m 21.540secs as Andrews, as he prepared for races in which he hopes to add to his three racing pedigree – he pegged back ground on Camier with a win last time out at Cadwell Park when his team-mate was excluded from the results for a flag infringement.

Tommy Hill marked his debut on the second Hydrex bike by setting sixth best time, 1m 21.575secs, ahead of the leader in the chase for the Mirror.co.uk Cup, Gary Mason, aboard the Quay Garage Honda. Motorpoint Henderson Yamaha’s Chris Walker was eighth fastest.

Top ten free practice times

1          L Camier           Airwaves Yamaha          1m 20.571s
2          I Lowry              Relentless Suzuki          1m 21.333s
3          S Easton           Hydrex Honda                1m 21.370s
4          S Andrews        MSS Colchester Kawasaki 1m 21.540s
5          J Ellison            Airwaves Yamaha          1m 21.540s
6          T Hill                 Hydrex Honda                1m 21.575s
7          G Mason           Quay Garage Honda       1m 21.629s
8          C Walker           Motorpoint Henderson Yamaha 1m 21.827s
9          J Brookes          HM Plant Honda            1m 21.828s
10         J Laverty           Buildbase Kawasa         1m 22.028s

Superbikes on track

Saturday 12 September
10-10:50 (Free practice)
1:45-2:49 Swan Combi 50 Roll for Pole

Sunday 13 September
12-12:10 (Warm-up practice)
1:30 Race one – 20 laps
4:35 Race two – 20 laps

Airwaves Yamaha's Leon Camier will start on pole at Croft tomorrow

Leon Camier will start on pole for tomorrow’s two British Superbike races at Croft. James Ellison secured a second row spot, qualifying 5th.

The Airwaves Yamaha pair made it through to the final qualifying phase with James 2nd fastest and Leon 3rd. In the final 10 minute Roll for Pole, Leon immediately went to the top of the timesheets. He then produced his fastest time, 1:20.124 on his second flying lap. James best time, 1:21.079 initially placed him 2nd. He was unfortunate not to improve and dropped down the order after experiencing a technical problem with his bike.

After qualifying James said, “I’m pretty frustrated with final qualifying. Like Cadwell Park, I’ve produce the 2nd fastest time of the day, but in the wrong session! Overall I’m pleased with how much we’ve progressed over the weekend. My time in Qualifying 3 was easy, and I know I can go consistently quicker so I’m confident ahead of the races tomorrow.”

Reflecting on his 8th pole position of the season, Leon said, “The times weren’t as fast as we were expecting, but another pole start is awesome. The circuit seems to be well suited to the Airwaves Yamaha, but the high track temperature made it quite slippery. There were a couple of moments when I scared myself a bit! We’ll keep pushing tomorrow and look to make a few set-up changes depending on the track temperature. As usual, I’ll probably get a bad start to both races but I’ll be pushing the guys around me and hopefully Airwaves Yamaha can get another good result.”

Race One is scheduled to commence at 1330 and Race Two at 1635.

Qualifying Results:

1. Leon Camier – Airwaves Yamaha 1:20.124
2. Simon Andrews – MSS Colchester Kawasaki 1:20.974
3. Stuart Easton – Hydrex Honda 1:20.980
4. Josh Brookes – HM Plant Honda 1:21.072
5. James Ellison – Airwaves Yamaha 1:21.079

The British Superbike Championship visits Croft in North Yorkshire this weekend. Scoring a win apiece last time out, Leon Camier and James Ellison head to the 2.1 mile circuit determined to continue their remarkable run of results.

Aboard the factory-supported Airwaves Yamaha YZF-R1, the pairing has won all but one of the races held so far this season. Leon now sits at the top of the Championship table on 399.5 points with James in 2nd on 302 points.

Speaking ahead of Round 10, James said, “I didn’t have much luck at Croft last year; we struggled all weekend with set-up problems. But this year I’m a lot more comfortable on the Airwaves Yamaha. I’m looking forward to getting on track. I’ve really got nothing to lose, but everything to gain in terms of the Championship so I’ll be pushing to try and win some more races. Getting a victory at Cadwell Park was fantastic in that I closed the gap in the standings to Leon, but I desperately want to win on merit rather than being handed the victory because of someone else’s bad luck.”

On the weekend ahead, Leon commented, “I like Croft, it’s got a bit of everything; it’s fast and flowing and I think the Airwaves Yamaha will work well round there. I’ve also got some great memories of racing at Croft, especially from my win in 2008. I think this weekend is going to be one of the toughest yet. Josh Brookes is back and he’s going to be fast, as is Ryuichi Kiyonari and of course my teammate James. I’m really looking forward to it. We should have two really exciting races.”

Round 10 of the British Superbike Championship takes place on 11/12/13 September at Croft.

Ian Lowry

The Relentless Suzuki team will be looking to capitalize on their recent success when the action kicks off later today at Croft for round 10 of the 2009 BSB series.

Despite recent media speculation, 2009 National Superstock Champion Alastair Seeley will remain in the Superstock class this weekend, riding his all conquering 2009 GSX–R1000. With only three races remaining in the series, Seeley is still on course for an unprecedented season-long clean sweep – having already won the opening nine races of 2009.

Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing will remain fully committed to Ian Lowry and Atsushi Watanabe in the British Superbike class for the final three meetings.

Ulsterman Lowry, proved his pedigree at Cadwell Park with a fine fourth place in the opening race at the ‘mountain circuit’ and is confident of building on that result this weekend at Croft.

Ian Lowry
“I’m looking forward to this weekend, especially as I’m now back to full fitness and feeling really good. Croft is one of my favourite circuits and I’ve had a lot of success there in my Supersport days. Our Superbike package is getting stronger as the season goes on, thanks to our team at Relentless Suzuki, so I’m confident of another successful weekend on my GSX–R1000.”

Philip Neill – Team Principal
“Alastair will continue with the Superstock class at Croft on the 2009 GSX–R1000. It was never in our plans to run a third rider in the Superbike class during 2009 as we are fully committed to Ian and Atsu; and, if Alastair could make it 12 from 12 in the ’stock class it would be a phenomenal achievement for Suzuki, Relentless and all our loyal sponsors.

“As I say, our attention and priority must remain with our current riders in BSB, but Alastair will now take in the final seven races in the Irish Superbike class, as winning that championship is also a realistic goal.

“He has been competing in selected ISB rounds on his Superstock machine so far this year, but he will be furnished with a Superbike for the final two rounds in October at the end of season Sunflower Trophy races. Our full line-up for that meeting will be announced in the coming weeks.”

Saturday’s track action commences at 9:30am with free practice and the all-important qualifying sessions, including the exciting F1-style Roll for Pole knockout qualifying session to set the grid for Sunday’s two Superbike races, as well as the qualifying sessions for the other classes.

Sunday’s action kicks off with the warm up sessions at noon before the first British Superbike race which is scheduled to start at 1:30pm. However, during the morning, as well as there being an open paddock, there will be an hour-long Pit Walk between 10:30 and 11:30am for fans to meet the riders.

Children aged 15 and under are admitted FREE and there is FREE paddock access and car/bike parking.

Weekend Schedule

Saturday, September 12
9:30 – 9:55am  Metzeler National Superstock 600 – Qualifying 1
10 – 10:50am  2009 MCE Insurance British Superbikes – Free Practice
11 – 11:35am  Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport – Qualifying 1
11:45am – 12:10pm  Relentless British 125cc – Qualifying 1
12:20 – 12:45pm  Metzeler National Superstock 1000 – Qualifying 1
1:45 – 2:50pm  British Superbikes – Swan Combi 50 Roll for Pole
3:05 – 3:40pm  Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport – Qualifying 2
3:50 – 4:25pm  Relentless British 125cc – Qualifying 2
4:35 – 5pm  Metzeler National Superstock 600 – Qualifying 2
5:10 – 5:35pm  Metzeler National Superstock 1000 – Qualifying 2

Sunday, September 13
7am Gates Open
10:30 – 11:30am  Pit Lane Walk
Noon- 12:10pm  2009 MCE Insurance British Superbikes – Warm Up
12:15 – 12:25pm  Relentless British 125cc – Warm Up
12:30 – 12:40pm  Metzeler National Superstock 600 – Warm Up
12:45 – 12:55pm  Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport – Warm Up
1- 1:10pm  Metzeler National Superstock 600 – Warm Up
1:30pm  2009 MCE Insurance British Superbikes – Race 1 – 20 laps
2:15pm  Relentless British 125cc – 14 laps
3pm  Metzeler National Superstock 1000 – 15 laps
3:30pm  Fuchs Lubricants Rallycross Supercar Demonstration
3:50pm  Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport – 18 laps
4:35pm  2009 MCE Insurance British Superbikes – Race 2 – 20 laps
5:15pm  Metzeler National Superstock 600 – 14 laps

Ryuichi Kiyonari

HM Plant Honda’s Josh Brookes will be back in the seat of his CBR1000RR Superbike at this weekend’s 10th round of the British Superbike Championship at Croft, paired with the former HM Plant Honda double BSB Champion Ryuichi Kiyonari who is making a sensational return to the championship just for this weekend.

The 26-year-old Japanese rider will ride for the HM Plant Honda team, with whom he won the title in 2006 and 2007, in place of the injured Glen Richards who is still recovering from a broken leg.

Kiyo has been racing for multiple world champions Ten Kate Honda, in the World Superbike Championship for the past two seasons, and the ride is a one-off as Glen is expected to return to the Honda squad at the following round at Silverstone,

The former MotoGP rider has an impressive pedigree at the 2.125-mile North Yorkshire track, the home round for Honda team sponsor, HM Plant, winning four times – once in each of 2005 and 2006 and then taking the double ahead of his teammate Jonathan Rea in 2007.

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

Having missed two rounds of the championship due to injury and also a penalty at Mallory Park, Josh Brookes is fired up to get back and make the most of the remaining three rounds of the season. Josh commented, “I’m totally fired up and ready to go. I had a day riding a standard road bike around Croft last week to learn the circuit which will help me a lot this coming weekend. Before going there I had it in my mind that I wouldn’t like the track, but having now ridden it I really like it and the flowing nature, so can’t wait for the event now to get back into my stride and put me and HM Plant Honda ‘Blade back up with the front runners.”

Team-mate Glen, who was due to return to his seat at Croft, commented, “I rode a lot of laps of Croft last week with Josh on a standard road bike and whilst I could ride round there all day, I really don’t feel my leg is fit to race yet so it would be foolish to come back too soon and risk further injury, but I’ll certainly be back at Silverstone.”

World Superbike racer and fellow Aussie Karl Muggeridge stood in for Glen at the previous two rounds of Brands Hatch and Cadwell Park, but the HM Plant Honda team didn’t want to stand in the way of Karl’s opportunity to race at this weekend’s Bol D’or endurance race, therefore employing the services of the familiar Kiyo.

Havier Beltran, HM Plant Honda Team Manager said, “We only needed a rider for one race weekend. Kiyo was free, has a great history at Croft and also knows the Honda Fireblade Superbike well, so he was the perfect choice. Kiyo is also experienced with bike set-up and development so we’ll also be utilising those skills this weekend as well.”

Sylvain Guintoli

Two weeks on from his return to BSB action, Worx Crescent Suzuki’s Sylvain Guintoli is looking forward to another round of challenges at the tenth round of the British Superbike Championship – Croft – this weekend.

Guintoli has never ridden the Croft circuit before, so he faces yet another steep learning curve if he’s to be on the pace come Sunday’s races. As well, he faces increased competition this weekend as Josh Brooks returns to the grid joined by former BSB champion Ryuichi Kiyonari (on a break from WSBK duties). Swelling the grid further is Guintoli’s former stand-in, Tommy Hill.

Sylvain Guintoli: “I’ve been doing my usual preparation of watching DVDs to get an idea of how the circuit goes, and I’ve even been looking at the team’s data from last year. I understand it’s another ex-World War II airfield circuit, so it’s flatter and maybe less technical than Cadwell Park.  I was pretty sore after Cadwell Park and I definitely made a mistake by not icing my leg and knee after each ride, but it was important for me to get back into the rhythm of racing and for my leg to get used to the stresses and strains again. I think Cadwell was certainly the greatest test for it, everything from here on should be easier, physically at least. It’s going to be an exciting weekend this weekend, with Kiyo, Brooks and Tommy Hill added to the starting grid it can only be good for the competition, good for the championship.”

Jack Valentine, team manager: “We always look forward to coming to Croft; it’s a circuit I personally like and it should suit the Suzuki well. We’ll have another one of those weekend’s, though, where Sylvain needs to learn the track and we make a gradual build up. And this weekend he faces probably the strongest field we’ve seen in the championship this year. With the weather forecast looking good it should an exciting weekend.”

BSB Worx Crescent Suzuki's Sylvain Guintoli

It’s another slow week in the world of motorcycle racing, especially for those of us here in the US.  AMA Pro Road Racing concluded its season last weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park, and the cancellation of the Hungary MotoGP race at Balatonring leaves a gap in that schedule as well.  World Superbike action will resume in two weeks at Imola with a new points leader in the form of American rookie Ben Spies.  If you’re in the UK, you’ll be treated to BSB round 10 at Croft where Ryuichi Kiyonari will make his return to British Superbikes and Worx Suzuki – and former MotoGP rider – Sylvain Guintoli is still looking to get back to racing form after his early season injury.  The FIM World Endurance Championship heads to Magny-Cours, France where they believe that any race lasting less than 24 hours is a waste of time, and, here in the States, there are many local and regional events at tracks throughout the country. Check your local tracks or call your local motorcycle dealers for more information on events in your area.

This week’s event schedule

Sep 12-13
British Superbike Round 10 – Croft
Croft, Dalton-on-Tees, North Yorkshire, England

http://www.britishsuperbike.com/events/croft.aspx

Sep 12-13
CCS/ASRA
Firebird International Raceway, Chandler, Arizona, USA

http://www.ccsracing.us

Sep 12-13
CCS/ASRA
Heartland Park, Topeka, Kansas, USA

http://www.ccsracing.us

Sep 12-13
FIM Endurance World Championship
Bol d’Or, Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, France

http://www.fimendurance.com

Sep 12-13
AHRMA Vintage Motocross Nationals
Devil’s Ridge Motocross Track, Sanford, North Carolina

http://www.devilsridgemotox.com