MCE British Superbike Championship
Oulton Park, England
May 2, 2016
Provisional Race One Results (drying conditions, all on Pirelli tires):
1. Leon Haslam, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 18 laps, Total Race Time 31:31.339, Best Lap Time 1:43.644
2. Christian Iddon, UK (BMW S1000RR), -0.103 second, 1:43.685
3. James Ellison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -2.644 seconds, 1:44.134
4. Jason O’Halloran, Australia (Hon CBR1000RR SP), -7.750, 1:44.158
5. Alastair Seeley, UK (BMW S1000RR), -14.162, 1:44.492
6. Michael Laverty, UK (BMW S1000RR), -14.682, 1:42.972
7. Jack Kennedy, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -19.710, 1:44.664
8. Shane Byrne, UK (Duc Panigale R), -24.796, 1:44.953
9. Richard Cooper, UK (BMW S1000RR), -26.506, 1:44.692
10. Billy McConnell, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), -34.773, 1:45.412
11. John Hopkins, USA (Yam YZF-R1), -38.074, 1:45.348
12. Peter Hickman, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -40.858, 1:45.886
13. Glenn Irwin, UK (Duc Panigale R), -41.135, 1:45.535
14. Lee Jackson, UK (BMW S1000RR), -42.761, 1:45.777
15. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -47.223, 1:46.194
16. Luke Mossey, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -55.332, 1:45.664
17. Stuart Easton, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -64.938, 1:46.797
18. Jakub Smrz, Czech Republic (BMW S1000RR), -65.102, 1:46.017
19. James Rispoli, USA (Yam YZF-R1), -70.717, 1:45.739
20. Filip Backlund, Sweden (Kaw ZX-10R), -82.415, 1:48.022
21. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), -92.211, 1:47.652
22. Jenny Tinmouth, UK (Hon CBR1000RR SP), -1 lap, 1:49.059
23. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -1 lap, 1:48.886
24. Dan Linfoot, UK (Hon CBR1000RR SP), -3 laps, DNF, 1:43.585
25. Shaun Winfield, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -6 laps, DNF, 1:54.457
26. Michael Dunlop, UK (BMW S1000RR), -11 laps, DNF, 1:48.800
27. Howie Mainwaring Smart, UK (BMW S1000RR), -12 laps, DNF, 1:45.959
28. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Japan (Suz GSX-R1000), -14 laps, DNF, 1:47.286
29. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Italy (Kaw ZX-10R), -18 laps, DNF
30. Danny Buchan, UK (Duc Panigale R), DNS
Provisional Race Two Results (drying conditions, all on Pirelli tires):
1. Richard Cooper, UK (BMW S1000RR), 18 laps, Total Race Time 29:50.563, Best Lap Time 1:37.364
2. Christian Iddon, UK (BMW S1000RR), -0.105 second, 1:37.484
3. Leon Haslam, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -7.639 seconds, 1:37.159
4. James Ellison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -8.062, 1:36.473
5. Michael Laverty, UK (BMW S1000RR), -8.183, 1:36.769
6. Shane Byrne, UK (Duc Panigale R), -17.447, 1:37.871
7. Glenn Irwin, UK (Duc Panigale R), -17.836, 1:37.677
8. Jason O’Halloran, Australia (Hon CBR1000RR SP), -25.634, 1:38.410
9. Jack Kennedy, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -26.039, 1:38.554
10. Stuart Easton, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -34.027, 1:38.953
11. Howie Mainwaring Smart, UK (BMW S1000RR), -34.598, 1:39.434
12. Peter Hickman, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -42.3990, 1:37.571
13. Lee Jackson, UK (BMW S1000RR), -42.486, 1:39.791
14. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -51.617, 1:38.910
15. Jakub Smrz, Czech Republic (BMW S1000RR), -51.879, 1:38.496
16. James Rispoli, USA (Yam YZF-R1), -84.151, 1:41.874
17. Filip Backlund, Sweden (Kaw ZX-10R), -100.413, 1:41.950
18. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Italy (Kaw ZX-10R), -1 lap, 1:43.253
19. Jenny Tinmouth, UK (Hon CBR1000RR SP), -1 lap, 1:47.369
20. Luke Mossey, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -3 laps, DNF, 1:41.579
21. Shaun Winfield, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -6 laps, DNF, 1:44.562
22. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -9 laps, DNF, 1:49.591
23. Dan Linfoot, UK (Hon CBR1000RR SP), -11 laps, DNF, 1:40.880
24. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), -15 laps, DNF, 1:45.495
25. Alastair Seeley, UK (BMW S1000RR), -17 laps, DNF
26. John Hopkins, USA (Yam YZF-R1), -17 laps, DNF
27. Billy McConnell, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), -18 laps, DNF
28. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Japan (Suz GSX-R1000), -18 laps, DNF
26. Michael Dunlop, UK (BMW S1000RR), DNS
30. Danny Buchan, UK (Duc Panigale R), DNS
Championship Point Standings (after 4 of 26 races):
1. Iddon, 72 points
2. Byrne, 58
3. Laverty, 56
4. Haslam, 52
5. O’Halloran, 44
6. Cooper, 41
7. Ellison, 40
8. Hickman, 33
9. Jackson, 22
10. Mossey, 19
15. Hopkins, 12
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Haslam back on top as Cooper claims first MCE BSB race win in dramatic Oulton Park races
Leon Haslam returned to winning ways in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, scoring the opening race victory at Oulton Park, but he couldn’t make it a double celebration as Richard Cooper claimed a hard-fought debut race win to become the fourth different winner in as many races.
Haslam was forced to fight his way through to the front of the pack in the wet conditions, proving his determination to return to the top step of the podium for the first time since 2008 in the opening race. The Pocket Rocket instantly got stuck into the fight and first dispensed with Jack Kennedy at Lodge and then repeated the move just a few laps later on Linfoot with the pair almost inseparable.
Haslam then closed the advantage to the group ahead of him and when Dan Linfoot crashed out of the lead he had the opportunity he needed; that left him leading from Iddon and Ellison. The race winner would come down to the last lap and Haslam held the initial advantage, but Iddon was pressing hard and the pair almost collided at Island as they pushed to stay ahead.
Iddon tried everything possible but it was Haslam who held the slight advantage out of Lodge for the final time to score his first victory of the season by just 0.103s as Ellison completed the podium line up.
A rain shower before the start of the race two left the teams and riders gambling on tyre choice and that would prove to be crucial with the track drying throughout the race. At the start Dan Linfoot had hit the front of the field, eager to make amends for crashing out of the lead in race one, with Jack Kennedy.
Cooper was then holding his position in the lead but Iddon was closing him down at a rapid rate with Kennedy holding third place until the JG Speedfit Kawasaki pairing hunted him after Haslam and Ellison had moved up the order when their choice of slick tyres paid off mid distance. Linfoot though had a double disappointment when he crashed out on the eighth lap.
Michael Laverty had thrown himself into contention; moving up to third place, behind the leading pair of Cooper and Iddon, but ahead of the quarrelling JG Speedfit Kawasakis of Ellison and Haslam who were embroiled in their own battle of supremacy and by lap 13 the pair were almost swapping paint in their quest to head the team charge.
At the front Iddon had hunted down Cooper and waited until the last lap to make his move; the Tyco BMW rider had taken the lead at Cascades and was desperately trying to defend as the pair both aimed for their first race victory in MCE BSB. A moment on the exit of Hizzys chicane didn’t stop Iddon from holding the lead, but he drifted marginally wide on the exit of Lodge and it was enough for Cooper to win the drag to the line.
The battle for third was equally intense with the JG Speedfit Kawasakis taking the fight all the way to the finish with Haslam emerging ahead as they crossed the line for the final time to return to the podium after securing his first race win of the season earlier in the day.
Iddon now leads the championship charge to Brands Hatch for the next round of the Championship on May 20/21/22.
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, race one result:
Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)
Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +0.103s
James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +2.644s
Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +7.750s
Alastair Seeley (Royal Air Force BMW) +14.162s
Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) +14.682s
Jack Kennedy (Team WD-40 Kawasaki) +19.710s
Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) +24.796s
Richard Cooper (Buildbase BMW) +26.506s
Billy McConnell (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +34.773s
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, race two result:
Richard Cooper (Buildbase BMW)
Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +0.135s
Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +7.639s
James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +8.062s
Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) +8.183s
Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) +17.447s
Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +17.836s
Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +25.634s
Jack Kennedy (Team WD-40 Kawasaki) +26.039s
Stuart Easton (ePayMe Yamaha) +34.027s
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings after Oulton Park:
Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) 72
Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) 58
Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) 56
Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 52
Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) 44
Richard Cooper (Buildbase BMW) 41
For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Race one winner:
Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)
“After the difficulties of Silverstone, to walk away this weekend having taken my first British Superbike win since 2008 and another podium is fantastic and I’d have taken it all day long!
They were two tough races with the changing conditions – race one stayed wetter for longer which helped, whilst the second outing we opted for slicks on the grid. It was definitely the right choice of tyre to be on at the end, but we just ran out of time a little on the grid to get a full dry set up together.
“Oulton Park is a challenging circuit, but leaving here with the results we had is awesome.”
Race two winner:
Richard Cooper (Buildbase BMW)
“This is something that I have strived for since starting racing, especially now I have had some podium finishes and it feels amazing. I knew I would have a day when I could win with Buildbase BMW and we seized that opportunity today.
“I knew I was strong on the brakes and I knew Christian would go hard on the brakes into Lodge on the last lap, and I thought if he makes that then he can have it! He didn’t and I took the opportunity and the drag to the line felt pretty good! We are against some big teams and today has shown that we can compete for the win.”
More, from a press release issued by Be Wiser Ducati Racing:
Be Wiser Ducati Rack Up The Points At Oulton
The Be Wiser Ducati Racing Team endured a challenging day today at Oulton Park in round two of the 2016 MCE British Superbike Championship but both Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and Glenn Irwin came Shakeyaway with two points scoring finishes each despite the changeable weather conditions.
Aboard the factory-backed Be Wiser Ducati Panigale R, 39-year-old Byrne was making his 300th start in the MCE BSB series, although 18th on the grid wasn’t how he planned on celebrating following a crash in qualifying the day previously.
Nevertheless, a strong start in the opening 18-lap race saw him immediately make his way up to 12th and he was able to make steady progress throughout. The wet weather made it difficult for everyone but the four-times champion came home in eighth place to score more valuable points.
That result gave him a higher starting position on the grid for race two but conditions were once again tricky as the race started with a damp, but drying track making tyre choice crucial. The Sittingbourne-based Londoner opted for intermediate tyres all round although he later admitted, he’d never known the Cheshire track dry so quick. Ninth place in the early stages wasn’t what he’d hoped for but he dug deep and fought to the end, eventually crossing the line in sixth place to hold second place in the early season title race after his double podium at Silverstone in round one.
26-year-old Carrickfergus team-mate Irwin also found the conditions challenging but put in two fine rides gaining his first experience of riding the Be Wiser Ducati Panigale R in the wet. Having to start from the back row of the grid for the first race following a technical problem in qualifying was always going to be a tough ask but, aided by a good start, he fought his way up to 13th at the chequered flag.
However, he saved the best until last and gave a good indicator of his potential for the rest of the year as he took seventh place in the day’s second race, briefly leading his vastly more experienced team-mate Byrne at one point and going into the next round at Brands Hatch in three weeks’ time, holds a creditable 12th place in the title standings.
Shane Byrne: “Being my 300th race start it was a big weekend for me and also for the team with it being their local circuit as we always get a strong following and having missed the test last week, we knew it would be tricky for us. The changeable weather obviously didn’t help and the first race was a bit of a disaster to be honest. After the problems in qualifying, we tried a different wet setting but the track dried really quickly and the set up we had didn’t suit the conditions. In the second race, I opted for intermediate tyres and after the two sighting laps, I though we’d hit the nail on the head but I was astonished at how quickly the track dried up, more than I’ve ever known it do before. Sixth and eighth places aren’t ideal but Brands Hatch next time out is traditionally a good circuit for both me and the team and I’m ready to race there tomorrow!”
Glenn Irwin: “It’s been a challenging weekend as I’ve never raced the bike in these kind of conditions but I’m pleased with the progress I’ve made and I’ve definitely moved forward again. I was quick in Irwinall conditions and thought I could have a real good go in the second race but possibly respected the people around me a bit too much after I’d moved up to sixth place. Shakey came by me but I can’t be too disappointed with seventh. I’ve finished all four races so far inside the points and both me and the team are happy with the progress we’re making.”
Phil Borley, Technical Director: “It’s been a very challenging weekend and not testing here like the rest of the paddock didn’t help our cause. The problems in qualifying added to our problems so we were very much up against it but we managed to pull some reasonable results out of the weekend for both riders. Whilst obviously not happy with the results, we’re satisfied from Shakey’s point of view not to have lost too much ground to his main rivals whilst Glenn again had some good rides to pick up some good points.”
More, from a press release issued by Quattro Plant Kawasaki:
Reid and Stevens excel for Quattro Plant Kawasaki
Inclement weather conditions at Oulton Park over the Bank Holiday weekend meant it was a challenging weekend for the Quattro Plant Kawasaki team but whilst British Superbike Championship riders Luke Mossey and Filip Backlund found the going tough, Andrew Reid and Ricky Stevens and Ryan Charlwood gave the Bournemouth-based team plenty to cheer about with excellent results in the British Supersport and Sidecar Championships respectively.
Reid’s weekend didn’t start too well though as a spill in qualifying put him on the back foot and the fourth row for Sunday’s first race and the wet weather in the race made it treacherous for everyone. Nevertheless, the Northern Irishman put in a solid ride to take seventh place and extend his title lead. However, there were to be no problems at all come Monday’s feature race and having grabbed the lead in the early stages, he was never headed to run out a comfortable winner, his second victory from three rides.
Stevens and Charlwood, meanwhile, were having their first outing of the year in the team’s colours with the British Sidecar Championship having its opening round at the Cheshire venue. Third in qualifying, the duo occupied the same position up until lap six and this was where they finished getting the defence of their British title underway in fine style. They also had the honour of claiming the fastest lap of the race.
For Mossey and Backlund, the weekend proved to be a lot tougher affair. The qualifying conditions on Sunday didn’t work in Luke’s favour and the wet weather saw him end his day in 13th overall and with work to do in Monday’s opening race. Further rain meant he slipped back to 16th and he then retired from the second race, the first time he’d failed to score at least one point from a weekend since joining the team at the beginning of 2015.
Backlund also ended the weekend pointless but the Swedish rider was making his return from injury and the three days saw him improve his pace and performance throughout. Still suffering discomfort with his collarbone, he completed both 18-lap races, finishing 17th and 20th to get some valuable mileage under his belt.
Andrew Reid: “Sunday’s race was quite tough and it would have been easy to crash so I pushed as hard as I felt safe. Those nine points could be crucial at season’s end but Monday’s race was dry so I made the most of my second row start. I knew we had good pace in the dry so pushed hard from the start. I used more rear tyre than I thought we would so it’s perhaps a good thing that the rain came and ended the race early! The main thing is that we picked up another 25 points and extended our Championship lead so a massive thanks to the entire Quattro Plant Cool Kawasaki team and everyone that’s behind me.”
Ricky Stevens: “There are plenty of positives to take away from the weekend and we’ve continually built our speed with each and every session. It’s been a long winter and it’s been a while since we’ve raced in anger and that resulted in me suffering a bit of arm pump. It took me a while to get going in the race and should have gone harder from the start but we’ve scored some good points and set the fastest lap so it’s a solid start to the season.”
Luke Mossey: “I’m so disappointed about this weekend and having to leave Oulton Park having not gained any Championship points. It was a really difficult weekend with the changing conditions and we never really got any decent track time, as it seemed to change from wet to dry all weekend.
I’ve never done a race in the wet on the Kawasaki before today and I’m not a huge fan of the wet but the team found me a really good setting and I felt more confident in the wet conditions than I ever had. I’m sorry I couldn’t get them a result so hopefully we can go to Brands and have some dry weather and dry races as its long overdue.”
Filip Backlund: “The weekend has been a bit frustrating as I haven’t scored any points but I’m in one piece and made steady progress throughout and have plenty to build on. It was certainly hard to ride as the collarbone was still causing me quite a lot of pain but I know in three weeks time at Brands I’ll be in a lot better place with a lot more strength. The team are giving me a great package so I’ll be aiming to get back to the level we were at during testing – and beyond!”
Pete Extance, Team Owner: “It’s certainly been a mixed weekend at Oulton for the Quattro Plant Kawasaki team and the weather didn’t play into the hands of either of our Superbike riders. Luke set superb times in the dry but in the wet, he didn’t have the same feeling and this is the first weekend he hasn’t scored at least one point since joining us. Filip is still battling back from injury and he felt the pain during race day but he brought the bike home for two solid finishes.”
“Andy had a mixed weekend too with his spill in qualifying and then seventh in the opening race but he showed his true ability in the feature race on Monday to score another great win. The sidecar boys put in a great effort too and second place is a great way to start the defence of their British title.”
The team now heads to Northern Ireland for the first International road race of the season, the North West 200, with James Hillier expected to be in contention for the race wins across the classes. The event takes place from May 10-14.
More, from a press release issued by Smiths Racing:
Another Points Haul For Smiths BMW At Oulton Park
The Gloucester-based Smiths Racing BMW Team were back in action at round two of the MCE British Superbike Championship this weekend at Oulton Park where riders Howie Mainwaring Smart and HowieJakub Smrz were both able to record points scoring finishes.
The Cheshire venue was hit by inclement weather conditions for the majority of the three days and, subsequently, Mainwaring Smart and Smrz found themselves in 19th and 23rd on the grid respectively for today’s opening 18-lap race.
Held in wet weather, it was Aylesford’s Mainwaring Smart who started the better of the two and in the early stages he was comfortably running inside the top ten. Looking good for some solid championship points, the 29-year-old overdid it and crashed out leaving him to rue the missed opportunity. Czech Republic rider Smrz found the going a lot tougher although he did bring the bike home in 18th place.
The second race later in the day still saw a damp track but the rain had stopped and the circuit was rapidly drying, making tyre choice critical. Mainwaring Smart opted for intermediates, front and rear, and in the first half of the race, it was the perfect choice as he ran in fifth place. However, as the race wore on, the track dried rapidly and grip started to diminish meaning Howie slipped back to 11th but it still enabled him to get his first points of the season on the board.
The race was a lot more positive all round as Jakub also finished inside the points once more. Whilst 15th on the Smiths BMW S1000RR wasn’t what he’d hoped for, it nonetheless ensured it was the third time in four races he’d scored points.
Howie Mainwaring Smart: “All in all, it’s been a very positive weekend and we’ve taken massive steps with the bike that have taken us in the right direction. I was strong all weekend in the wet but made a bit of a rookie mistake in qualifying, staying in the pits thinking I was safe, when I should have gone out. It put me further back on the grid from where I should have been and I was perhaps a bit over eager in the first race, trying to capitalise on my good pace. Race two was looking good before the track dried up quickly but I’ve got my first points of the season and we’ve made great strides so there’s plenty to be positive about.”
Jakub Smrz: “It hasn’t been the best of weekends for me and with it being a circuit I’ve never really clicked with, the bad weather made things even more difficult. However, we got to the bottom of the Smrzproblems we’ve been having so far this season and it allowed me to move forward although not as high up the field as I would have liked. I didn’t have the best of feeling in the wet conditions of the first race and then in the second it took me too long to get going. When I did, I was able to make some good passes and get back in the points. I still need to improve the bike so it’s more comfortable for me but the team are working incredibly hard so a big thank you to them and we’re all looking forward to Brands.”
Rebecca Smith, Team Manager: “We’ve made big in-roads with the set-up this weekend and whilst we struggled with grip at Silverstone, we’ve cured that issue this weekend. The riders are getting more and more comfortable with the set-up of the bikes and we’re happy we’ve got to the bottom of the early season problems so it’s onwards and upwards now. To get both bikes in the points in the second race is a massive step for us and the team are all working incredibly hard so we’re confident we’ll be a lot stronger at the next round.”
More, from a press release issued by JG Speedfit Kawasaki:
2nd May 2016 – Following on from their one-two in qualifying yesterday, Leon Haslam and James Ellison enjoyed a double podium in the opening MCE British Superbike Championship race today, with Leon taking his first win in the series since 2008 and James finishing third. The second race saw them finish third and fourth. A difficult weekend for Silverstone race winner Peter Hickman saw him finish with a brace of twelfth places.
Bank Holiday Monday cemented a successful weekend for the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team, as they leave the Cheshire circuit adding pole position, a win and a pair of podium third placed finishes to their 2016 MCE British Championship campaign.
With Leon securing his second pole position, and James finishing in second, the pair started today’s opening race on the front row whilst Peter started 14th. With the morning’s heavy rain ceasing prior to the start, Haslam slipped back to fifth whilst James leapt off the line and built a healthy lead during the opening laps. As the track began to dry, and the wet tyres lost grip, it became a case of who could manage their tyres best. Moving into the lead during the closing stages, Leon held off a last lap charge from Iddon to claim his first BSB win since 2008, whilst James crossed the line in third. Silverstone race winner Hickman was unable to capitalise on his dry practice pace, taking a twelfth place finish.
With the heavens opening again shortly before the second outing, the race saw the BSB riders opt for a multitude of different tyre options on the grid. Opting for slick tyres front and rear, Leon and James took it steady on the wet track during the opening laps waiting for the dry line to appear. Working their way back through the pack, the duo traded places for the final rostrum finish, with it eventually going the way of Leon. Struggling during the wet laps, Peter was one of the fastest riders on track during the dry closing stages and crossed the line with another twelfth place finish.
Over the moon to take his first race victory since returning to the domestic series, Leon Haslam said, “After the difficulties of Silverstone, to walk away this weekend having taken my first British Superbike win since 2008 and another podium is fantastic and I’d have taken it all day long!
They were two tough races with the changing conditions – race one stayed wetter for longer which helped, whilst the second outing we opted for slicks on the grid. It was definitely the right choice of tyre to be on at the end, but we just ran out of time a little on the grid to get a full dry set up together. Oulton Park is a challenging circuit, but leaving here with the results we had is awesome.”
Pleased to secure his first podium of the year, James Ellison added, “It’s not been an easy day with the weather, but we’ve made a massive step this weekend and to walk away having taken our first podium of the season is really positive. We’ve experienced very different track conditions in pretty much every session, but we were still capable of pushing at the front in all of them so I’m feeling really good on the bike now.
We’ve got a couple of weeks until Brands, but I’m really looking forward to it – we had a fantastic weekend there last year so fingers crossed we can replicate it this time!”
Disappointed not to be able to replicate his pace from Silverstone in today’s tricky conditions, Peter Hickman added, “I’ll be honest, that was a really disappointing weekend. On Saturday, during the dry practice we were comfortably running top six and I believe we had the pace today to have been challenging for the podium if conditions were better. In the wet today I just couldn’t get the laps together or get going quick enough – but then as the track dried out in that last race I was one of the quickest guys on circuit for the last few laps.
As we proved last time out, and Leon and James proved today, two twelfth positions is not where the team, the bike or I should be. We’ll be back at Brands though ready to make amends!”
GBmoto Racing Team Principal Mark Smith-Halvorsen concluded, “It has been another very challenging BSB meeting for everyone involved, mainly due to the constantly changing conditions. We had a lot of wet track time on Sunday, and were able to get a good set up for that, but that all went out the window with today’s drying tracks! The opening outing was fantastic and Leon rode incredibly well to fend off Iddon on the last lap – equally James had a brilliant race and had it stayed wetter then he would certainly have been challenging Leon for the win. The second race saw a gamble for tyres and they both opted for slicks, which saw them pick their way through at the end to claim third and fourth.
On Peter’s side, he suffered with a loss of some track time after the problems of Saturday which has left him playing a little bit of catch up. We know two twelfth places aren’t where he deserves to be and are very confident we’ll be seeing him back to his best next time out.”