MCE British Superbike Championship

Donington Park, England

April 6, 2015

Race Two Results (all on Pirelli tires):

1. Shane Byrne, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 20 laps, 30:15.457

2. Dan Linfoot, UK (Hon CBR1000RR SP), -0.589 second

3. Stuart Easton, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -1.331 seconds

4. Peter Hickman, UK (BMW S1000RR), -3.343

5. Christian Iddon, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -4.239

6. Josh Brookes, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), -5.327

7. Michael Laverty, UK (BMW S1000RR), -8.786

8. Tommy Bridewell, UK (BMW S1000RR), -9.311

9. Billy McConnell, Australia (BMW S1000RR), -10.931

10. Chris Walker, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -11.346

11. Jason O’Halloran, Australia (Hon CBR1000RR SP), -18.093

12. James Ellison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -18.642

13. Lee Jackson, UK (BMW S1000RR), -18.792

14. Howie Mainwaring Smart, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -19.893

15. Josh Waters, Australia (Suz GSX-R1000), -19.996

16. Robbin Waters, Denmark (BMW S1000RR), -25.685

17. Richard Cooper, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -26.394

18. Ian Hutchinson, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -26.655

19. Luke Mossey, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -26.939

20. Daniel Johnson, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -41.265

21. Victor Cox, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -47.297

22. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), -53.457

23. Jack Kennedy, Ireland (Kaw ZX-10R), -54.239

24. Jakub Smrz, Czech Republic (Duc Panigale R), -54.484

25. Shaun Winfield, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -63.759

26. David Johnson, Australia (BMW S1000RR), -76.585

27. Danny Buchan, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -4 laps, DNF

28. James Westmoreland, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -7 laps, DNF

29. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -11 laps, DNF

30. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Japan (BMW S1000RR), -15 laps, DNF

31. Broc Parkes, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), -17 laps, DNF

32. Taylor Mackenzie, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -19 laps, DNF

33. Filip Backlund, Sweden (Kaw ZX-10R), -19 laps, DNF

More, from a press release issued by Paul Bird Motorsport:

Byrne Wins And Easton On Podium For PBM At Donington Park

The PBM Kawasaki Racing Team opened their 2015 MCE British Superbike Championship season in fine style at Donington Park today with reigning champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne taking a win and a second place to take an early championship lead with team-mate Stuart Easton securing a podium place also.

Sittingbourne rider Byrne, aiming for his fifth MCE BSB title, qualified third for today’s first 20-lap race and despite still suffering from a hand injury sustained in pre-season testing, was immediately locked in a battle for the lead with fellow Kawasaki rider James Ellison. With a difference in tyre strategies, Shakey hoped his harder rear tyre would come into force in the second half of the race but Ellison was able to hold on meaning Byrne had to settle for a close runner-up spot.

Scotsman Easton, from Hawick, was showing well in race one and challenging in the leading bunch but started to suffer from arm pump in the second half of the race and when he hit a false neutral going into the Old Hairpin, he ran wide and dropped down the order before clawing his way back to 11th at the chequered flag.

Race two saw the PBM Kawasaki pairing run inside the top three throughout the race and with Honda’s Dan Linfoot also in the mix, a terrific three-way battle ensued. It was nip and tuck all the way with Byrne and Linfoot constantly changing positions but on the 18th lap, Byrne finally made his move count and he was able to take his 62nd career race win. Easton crossed the line close behind in third meaning the duo already occupy first and sixth in the championship table.

It was the third time the Penrith-based PBM team have scored a double BSB podium following Byrne and Easton claiming first and third at Oulton Park in 2012 and Byrne following Tom Sykes home in second and third at Donington Park back in 2007.

Meanwhile, third team member Ian Hutchinson was gaining valuable track time prior to the International road race season and the Yorkshireman from Bingley enjoyed a solid weekend where he was rewarded with 18th and 20th from the two races.

Shane Byrne: “I’m made up with how the weekend’s gone given how I launched myself into orbit back in Spain. I’ve done everything possible to be on the grid but my fitness isn’t where I want it to be. The bike is very much work in progress too, particularly with the balance, and the team have been working hard all winter to improve it. We opted for the harder tyre and with the increase in track temperature, the bike was the best it had been all weekend. To start the season with a first and a second is brilliant and fair play to the whole PBM Kawasaki Team, they’ve done a great job.”

Stuart Easton: “I’m really happy to end the weekend with a podium as the first race was a bit of a disaster. I started to suffer with a little arm pump and I simply couldn’t pull the clutch in. It meant I hit a false neutral going into the Old Hairpin and it cost me the chance of a good result but third in the second race was a good way to finish. I was still struggling a bit and whilst I could run the pace of Shakey and Dan, I couldn’t really challenge them but I’m more than pleased to start the season with a podium.”

Ian Hutchinson: “I’m really pleased with how the weekend’s gone and to get so much mileage under my belt is great preparation for the Isle of Man TT. I’ve gone quicker than I’ve gone before here and was running in the company of some established BSB front runners so it’s been very positive.”

Paul Bird, Team Owner: “It’s been a brilliant weekend for the team and I’m chuffed to bits with all three riders. The cream always rises to the top and Shakey’s proved that again today even though he was struggling a bit with a bicep injury which we think may need a trip to a specialist for an MRI scan. To end up with a first and a second is unbelievable and a great start to the season for us. Stuart also rode brilliantly and I’m delighted he got onto the podium in the second race as it was the least he deserved. His two results don’t really do him justice this weekend but we know he’s going to be up there all year so we can’t wait for the next round. Hutchy rode well all weekend too, putting in some strong, consistent lap times and it’s great preparation for him and the team for when we get to the North West 200 and TT. We’ll certainly be in a strong position.”

The second round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship takes place at Brands Hatch in two weeks’ time (17/19th April). For more information, please visit www.britishsuperbike.com and the brand new team website www.britishsuperbike.com

More, from a press release issued by Quattro Plant Kawasaki:

Tough BSB opener for Quattro Plant Kawasaki

The Quattro Plant Kawasaki team had a tough start to their 2015 MCE British Superbike Championship at Donington Park on Easter Monday but although the results weren’t what they’d hoped for, both Luke Mossey and Howie Mainwaring Smart were able to get their first points on the board.

BSB rookie Mossey took 11th in qualifying, despite a heavy spill at Redgate which required a major rebuild by the team, whilst team-mate Mainwaring Smart was three places further back on the grid for the opening race. It proved to be a tough opening encounter for the two riders though with Mainwaring Smart crashing out at Coppice on the eighth lap and Mossey slipping back to 15th at the chequered flag although he did pick up a hard earned point in his first ever BSB race.

Whilst Howie was able to start from the slightly advanced position of 13th for race two, Luke found himself back in 23rd and on the eighth row of the grid and although Mainwaring Smart was soon up to seventh, he gradually slipped back as the race wore on and had to settle for 14th place. Luke, meanwhile, was unable to make a major impression from his lowly start position but he battled all the way to the end to take 19th position to ensure two finishes from two starts.

Luke Mossey: “I had no real expectations for the weekend but I found a good race set-up and was feeling pretty good but the crash took the edge off my confidence and they proved to be two tough races. I lost a bit of faith in myself and I’m disappointed with my two results but, on the plus side, I got two finishes under my belt so I know what to expect now. I’m glad to get the first round out the way and Brands is a circuit I enjoy so I’ll be looking to build upon this weekend there and get closer to where I want to be.”

Howie Mainwaring Smart: “It’s been a difficult weekend and although everything was looking pretty decent to begin with, I found myself chasing a good race set-up. The first race started well and I felt strong but I made a mistake and ran too tight into a corner, subsequently losing the front. Race two started well also and I was running on the edge of the top six again but once the tyres started to go off, it was a lot more difficult to run the pace of the other riders. I felt I had the pace to run with them but the grip issues I encountered meant I just couldn’t so brought the bike home for a finish. We’ve got some work to do and need to improve next time out for sure.”

Pete Extance, Team Owner: “The weekend started well with both riders inside the top ten during free practice but we’re naturally disappointed with the outcome as they both suffered from a few issues in qualifying. It put us on the back foot for the races but Luke rode a sensible race in race one to score a point in his first ever BSB outing. However, with a lowly grid position for the second, he struggled although it was good to get another full race distance under his belt.”

“Howie was unlucky to tip off in the first race whilst running strongly inside the top eight and he started well again in the second, running as high as seventh. Unfortunately, he couldn’t hold the pace due to a few braking and grip issues but he ended up with a couple of points for his efforts. Both riders deserved a lot more this weekend so we’ll regroup for the next round at Brands Hatch in two week’s time and look to get the results we know they’re capable of.”

More, from a press release issued by Peter Hickman’s publicist:

RAF Reserves BMW

Hickman shines at opening BSB round

Peter Hickman and the RAF Reserves BMW team got their 2015 British Superbike Championship season up and running in superb style over the Easter weekend with the Lincolnshire-based rider scoring a brace of top five finishes at Donington Park.

Despite limited test time, 27-year old Hickman got quicker and quicker as the weekend progressed, brilliantly putting himself into the final qualifying session to give himself a great opportunity for Monday’s opening race. With a time of 1m30.322s, Peter took an excellent seventh place to claim a third row start and ahead of a number of the Championship favourites.

Easter Monday saw bright blue skies and pleasant sunshine at the Leicestershire venue and a good start to the first 20-lap race saw ‘Hicky’ move into the top six at the completion of the first lap and here he remained throughout. Locked in battle with four other riders for the final podium position, Peter had moved up to fourth at three quarters race distance and although Josh Brookes pushed him back to fifth, it was a brilliant start to the year.

Starting from the advanced position of fifth for the second race later in the day, Peter performed even better particularly as he had to fight his way up from the bottom end of the top ten. Pushed wide at the first corner, he dropped back to ninth but regrouped quickly and was up to fourth by mid-race distance. The front three riders had made a break but for the remainder of the race, Peter consistently closed the gap and although he finished fourth, he only missed out on a podium position by 0.8s.

Peter Hickman: “To be honest, I’m not quite sure how we’ve finished in the top five this weekend as Saturday was the first full day I’d had on the bike with the whole team here and I never expected to be in the top ten never mind the top six! We’ve been trying so much in terms of set-up and the opening race was the 40th electronic map we’d put in whilst we were continually playing with the suspension and the like.”

“Aside from the gearbox, the bike’s completely stock so we know there’s plenty more to come and I’m confident we can make further strides forward next time out. The bike’s absolutely brilliant and I can’t thank the team enough. It was a shame I got bullied a bit at the beginning of the second race whilst I also ran out of fuel on the final lap otherwise I think I could’ve run with the top three for the entire race. We’ve probably surprised ourselves to be so high up on the results sheets this weekend but it’s been a mega first round and I’m so, so pleased.”

Lee Hardy, Team Owner: “It’s been an amazing weekend for us and although we knew Peter would be strong at this circuit, with such limited time on the bike we’d have been happy with the top 15 and some points. We never expected fourth and fifth place finishes at all and although it’s early days, to be lying in fifth overall is no mean feat for a team operating on the budget that we do.”

“It means a lot to me on a personal level and with a new bike and manufacturer this year, it’s nice to show them what we’re capable of. We know there’s a lot of work to be done still but we know what changes we need to make and although they’re little changes, they’re changes which will allow us to get the bike to where we want it to be. It’s been a superb first round and we’ll hopefully do the same next time out!”

The second round of the series will be held at Brands Hatch, Kent on the weekend of April 17/18.

More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision:

Ellison and Byrne emerge victorious after opening clashes at Donington Park

Race one:

1: James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)

2: Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) +0.131s

3: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +9.112s

4: Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +9.170s

5: Peter Hickman (RAF Reserves BMW) +11.276s

6: Tommy Bridewell (Tyco BMW) +16.139s

Race two:

1: Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki)

2: Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +0.589s

3: Stuart Easton (PBM Kawasaki) +1.331s

4: Peter Hickman (RAF Reserves BMW) +3.343s

5: Christian Iddon (Bennetts Suzuki) +4.239s

6: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +5.327s

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings:

1: Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) 45

2: Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) 33

3: James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 29

4: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 26

5: Peter Hickman (RAF Reserves BMW) 24

6: Stuart Easton (PBM Kawasaki) 219

Report

JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Ellison headed off four-time MCE Insurance British Superbike Champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne to win the first race of the opening round at Donington Park, but in race two the PBM Kawasaki rider grabbed glory after an intense battle with Dan Linfoot.

Byrne had grabbed the early lead in the first race, but after the intervention of the Nissan GTR Safety Car as marshal’s dealt with Ralf lo Turco’s crash, Ellison forced his JG Speedfit Kawasaki into the lead.

Byrne was trying to repay the move, but there was no way ahead of the Cumbrian who took his first race win in two years by 0.131s and Kawasaki’s first in the championship at the Leicestershire circuit since 1999.

Josh Brookes had ridden hard and strong, surpassing even his own expectations, to bring the all-new Milwaukee Yamaha on to the podium in third place as he outgunned Honda Racing’s Linfoot at the Melbourne Hairpin to take the placing by 0.058s.

Ellison’s hopes of a repeat performance in race two were thwarted by a flat battery which caused him to miss the sighting lap period and because of that an enforced start at the back of the grid. He put in a determined performance to charge through the pack to salvage a twelfth place finish.

Ahead of him Byrne claimed the initial advantage, but Linfoot in second after pushing his way ahead of Stuart Easton, was reeling him in. The front running scrap was fast developing and soon they were trading places, with positions changing at nearly every opportunity.

At the end Byrne had that little bit extra, taking the victory from the young Yorkshireman as Easton finished third from RAF Reserves BMW rider Peter Hickman and Christian Iddon on the Bennetts Suzuki.

Brookes, who had lost ground after taking evasive action Kiyonari high-sided in front of him fought back to finish sixth. The Buildbase BMW rider leaving Donington Park with a single 14th place finish ahead of the next round at Brands Hatch in two weeks time.

Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki)

Championship leader, R1: 2nd, R2: 1st

“Honestly I didn’t know what to expect this weekend. I said after race one that I felt quietly confident that we would get stronger but I didn’t expect to go one stronger in race two to be honest! We have all been around a long time and we know you can never expect anything.

“I expected a battle with Kiyo, Josh and James and then I was racing with Stuart and Dan. The battles with Kiyo last year were so intense because of what was at stake, but this was the start of the season! To have a good old fashion bumping and racing with Dan, who is young and keen, in that race, reminded me a lot of how I raced with Alex [Lowes] in 2013.

“Dan rode really well and to be honest I just wanted someone in front of me because every time I got in front I made little mistakes as I am a little rusty, but now we can build off this and the PBM Kawasaki will only get stronger. I am only going to get stronger and fitter myself and I think we can be even stronger going into the next races and we will have a good plan for Brands Hatch.

“I was a little disappointed after qualifying as we were two tenths off, but the reality is I should have only taken the plaster off my hand on the Thursday before this race so to leave with a second and first place I really can’t grumble! We have been working really hard this weekend to get a better feeling and now it is onwards and upwards!”

James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)

R1: 1st, R2: 12th

“It’s certainly been a mix of highs and lows, but to be walking away having taken GBmoto and JG Speedfit’s first ever BSB win is amazing. The team really deserve it too, so a big thanks to them for their support – especially Mark Smith-Halvorsen who stuck by me last year through the accident.

“It’s so frustrating to have missed the opportunity to challenge for a second win in race two though, the bike starts on a slave battery but every time we removed it the bike would die. It meant we had to replace it, but that requires us removing the fairings, seat and tank from the machine and despite the whole garage helping out, we just couldn’t do it time. Starting from the back wasn’t ideal, particularly with the size of the grid, and fighting through just takes time. We still scored points though so we can’t be too disappointed.”

More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki Press Office:

IDDON & BENNETTS SUZUKI TOP-5 IN BSB DEBUT

Bennetts Suzuki made its MCE British Superbike debut Donington Park today as Christian Iddon raced to a top-five finish in race two.

From his third-row grid-position, Iddon was circulating inside the top-10 in the early stages of the Bank Holiday Monday event, then after dispensing with Tyco BMW’s Tommy Bridewell, he found himself behind Peter Hickman in a battle for fourth place. The pair made progress towards the lead-group but Iddon was unable to put himself in a position to make a pass and crossed the line in fifth for positive start to the season.

Despite suffering illness throughout most of the weekend, Iddon still managed to convert his 13th-placed qualifying position into a top-10 result in race one, coming through the pack to finish seventh.

Iddon said of his first race weekend with the new team: “To be honest I’m absolutely over the moon with the weekend. Through being ill we didn’t get the work done that we wanted to in the first few days, so we actually came to race day without the set-up that we should have had as I couldn’t spend enough time on the bike. I was very happy with seventh in the first race because it was a solid start to the year. We made some modifications between races and the guys have done a mega job with the bike. It was just brilliant in the second race; it was so good it almost rode itself and that’s a credit to all the guys and I’m really happy with fifth. I’m looking forward to Brands now and a weekend where I can smile a bit more and stand-up straight.”

Josh Waters struggled with set-up over the weekend with grip issues costing him a better qualifying position. In race one the Australian was in the hunt for the final point-scoring positions, but slipped-back in the closing stages of the race to finish 18th.

The team made some changes to the bike for race two which saw him finish inside the points in 15th place; but with more work to be done in preparation for Brands Hatch.

Waters said: “Not the best weekend. We’ve had some issues with set-up and chatter which we’re working to improve. We haven’t made the progress I’d have liked and the bike’s not quite how I need it to be to be comfortable on it. But we have a plan and we’ll keep working hard for the next round.”

Team Manager Jack Valentine said: “It was a bit of a shaky start and unfortunately on Christian’s side of the garage we had a really sick rider. He was doubled-up with stomach cramps and all sorts. At one point I didn’t think he was going to make it out on track on the first day. He had a good showing with a seventh place in the first race and moved up the grid as well so that set us up well for the second. The team made some changes before the second race, which obviously worked, and his lap-times were really consistent. There’s no question that if he was on the back of the leaders he could have run with them, because the lap-times were there. It was a very good fifth place with a really sick rider.

“We’re struggling a little bit still on Josh’s set-up. He’s had some chatter all weekend and I we’re going to have a big sit down and work to address it. We work as a team so we’ll work together to find a solution and give him the bike he needs so he can get the results everyone knows he’s capable of. We just need to keep working. But overall it’s been a good weekend and it’s been good to show how competitive the Bennetts Suzuki is.”

The next round takes place on April 17-19th on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit in Kent.

More, from a press release issued by Milwaukee Yamaha:

Milwaukee Yamaha’s Brookes celebrates first podium finish for new YZF-R1 in MCE British Superbike Championship

The Milwaukee Yamaha team celebrated their first podium finish of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship season at the opening round at Donington Park today (Monday) as Josh Brookes proved the capability of the next generation YZF-R1 with a third place.

In the opening race of the weekend Brookes fought with Dan Linfoot (Honda) on the closing laps to snatch the position to the line after carving his way through the pack. For Broc Parkes it was a tough opening race with the Australian finishing the opening race in 16th position.

In race two Brookes was again fighting with the leading pack, however as Ryuichi Kiyonari (BMW) crashed out in front of him he was forced to take evasive action. Brookes held the Milwaukee Yamaha across the grass and rejoined, but dropped drastically down the order. A strong run of consistent fast laps but Brookes back up into sixth position and holding fourth in the overall standings. Parkes was determined to make improvements for the second race, but he crashed out at Goddards.

Josh Brookes

R1: 3rd, R2: 6th, Championship position: 4th

“We’ve been in and out of the pits all weekend and all through testing trying to fast track the learning of the bike – for me as a rider to learn the bike. I purposely didn’t ride the first few laps too hard in race one, because there was a lot of testosterone going on! I was all the way back, and it wasn’t an ideal situation – but I wanted to make sure I put a strong race together and not fade off at the end.

“I maintained my focus, kept looking at my own lap times and just keeping them steady. I picked away at a few other riders, and made it up through to third. We’re obviously expecting the bike to improve as the year goes on, but to put it on the podium at the first round is testament to what Yamaha have done with a brand new model.

“After race one we considered making changes, but we decided to stick with the set-up – we had a bike that was working and I went about trying to ride smoothly. It felt better and I was able to go with the front guys, but then Kiyo crashed right in front of me. I had to brake hard and stand the bike up to avoid him. Once I was back on the track, among the other guys who were racing on, with dirty tyres, I took it easy into the chicane and then had a battle to come back.

“I was pleased because when I rejoined I was nine seconds down, but by the end of the race I was four and a half seconds down so I did a good job. I’m pleased with what we did, it was just the circumstances – Kiyo came and apologised to me as he does, and I am just glad that I didn’t hit him. Now we go onto Brands Hatch and will take it from there.”

Broc Parkes

R1: 16th, R2: DNF, Championship position: –

“I didn’t have the best of starts to the season. I had a problem in race one when I only had half the handle bar grip so I just had to ride and couldn’t do anything about it. I had better pace in the second race, but lost the front into Goddards. I ran a bit shallow into the last corner and just lost the front.

“It is just so disappointing not to get any points today. I have to try and make up for it next time out at Brands Hatch which in the past had been a good circuit for me. I hope to be strong there as things just didn’t work out here today.”

Team Manager Mick Shanley

“Overall we have to be happy – we’ve done a massive amount of work to get to this position.The lads in the team and the riders have worked so hard this weekend. For Josh to finish on the podium in the first race was a bit like a fairytale. It was such a shame for him that he got caught up in Kiyo’s accident; it was no-ones fault and again he showed he had the pace to be running up front.

“Broc had a tough weekend, but he was on the pace in the second race only to crash at the last turn over the bumps. We have a lot of data to take back and work on and we will come back stronger at Brands Hatch.”