MCE British Superbike Championship

Donington Park, England

September 6, 2014

Qualifying Results (all on Pirelli tires):

From Knockout Qualifying Session Three:

1. John Hopkins, USA (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:29.555

2. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Japan (BMW S1000RR), 1:29.594

3. Shane Byrne, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:29.677

4. Peter Hickman, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:29.810

5. Stuart Easton, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:29.810

6. Josh Brookes, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), 1:29.882

7. Josh Waters, Australia (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:29.979

8. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Yam YZF-R1), 1:30.027

9. James Westmoreland, UK (BMW S1000RR), 1:30.133

10. Dan Linfoot, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:30.310

From Knockout Qualifying Session Two:

11. Julien Da Costa, France (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:30.189

12. Patric Muff, Switzerland (BMW S1000RR), 1:30.215

13. Jon Kirkham, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:30.453

14. Chris Walker, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:30.523

15. James Ellison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:30.578

16. Michael Rutter, UK (BMW S1000RR), 1:30.578

17. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), 1:30.752

18. Howie Mainwaring, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:31.180

19. John Ingram, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:31.326

20. Filip Backlund, Sweden (Yam YZF-R1), 1:31.501

From Knockout Qualifying Session One:

21. Gary Mason, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:31.676

22. Ben Wilson, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:31.778

23. Barry Burrell, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:32.338

24. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:32.567

25. Christophe Ponsson, France (Bim BB3), 1:33.039

26. Mitchell Carr, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:33.039

27. Rhalf Lo Turco, Brazil (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:33.616

28. Abdulaziz Binladen, Saudi Arabia (BMW S1000RR), 1:36.116

29. David Johnson, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), no time recorded

Other Americans competing at Donington Park:

James Rispoli qualified 10th in British Supersport with a time of 1:33.068 on his Team Traction Control Yamaha YZF-R6 and DNF the 10-lap “sprint” race. The British Supersport “feature” race runs on Sunday.

Jayson Uribe, riding his FPW Racing/R5R Honda, DNF the British Motostar make-up race that was rained out at Cadwell Park and held Saturday at Donington Park. Uribe did not record a time during British Motostar qualifying for the race at Donington Park, but he is listed seventh on the grid Sunday’s race.

Cory West, riding a Splitlath Motorsports EBR 1190 RS, was 33rd with a lap time of 1:33.893 in British 1000cc Superstock qualifying.

Former AMA Pro regular Ben Young, a resident of Canada, was 21st in British 1000cc Superstock qualifying with a time of 1:32.886 on his Team WD-40 Kawasaki ZX-10R.

More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision:

Round nine 6-7 September Donington Park

HOPKINS OUTGUNS KIYONARI AND BYRNE TO SCORE FIRST POLE POSITION OF 2014

Results
Datatag Extreme Qualifying
1: John Hopkins (Tyco Suzuki) 1m:29.555s
2: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) +0.039s
3: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.122s
4: Peter Hickman (RAF Reserves Honda) +0.255s
5: Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.255s
6: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.327s

Report

John Hopkins continued his resurgent performance at the ninth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike at Donington Park as the American fired his Tyco Suzuki to the top of the times ahead of triple champions Ryuichi Kiyonari and Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne.

The Tyco Suzuki rider headed off the determined challenges of Title Fighters Kiyonari and Byrne as they continue their chase a record-breaking fourth British title. Hopkins powered in a scorching lap of 1m 29.555s to top qualifying for the first time in three years at the circuit where has last celebrated a pole position in the Championship. The pole position was even sweeter for the American after he was sidelined with a technical problem in this morning’s final free practice session.

Hopkins scored a double win at the Leicestershire circuit in 2011, he said: “This is a really big treat. I didn’t do a lap in this morning’s free practice because of an electrical problem but the boys worked hard and got me back out there. I really enjoy this circuit because it is more about momentum and that is what we have with the Tyco Suzuki. We have a good pace and I am looking forward to the races.”

Kiyonari closed his Buildbase BMW to within 0.039s of Hopkins and reflected: “I am a little disappointed as I had gone faster in Q2 than in Q3, but I have a good pace for tomorrow and I am ready for the races.”

Byrne who is aiming to end a run of nine races without a win, was content with third on his Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki. The championship leader said: “Being on the front row here is so important, as it is about getting away and keeping the rhythm. They will be two long and difficult races tomorrow but we have some things to try in warm up ahead of them. We want to try and get those final Podium Points ready for the Showdown.”

Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Stuart Easton and RAF Reserves Honda’s Peter Hickman recorded identical lap times to secure second row starts along with Aussie Josh Brookes on the Milwaukee Yamaha. Brookes bounced back from a crash in free practice at Redgate this morning to head off Josh Waters on his Tyco Suzuki and Tommy Bridewell. James Westmoreland and Dan Linfoot completed the top ten qualifiers.

For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com

More, from a press release issued by Milwaukee Yamaha:

BROOKES AND BRIDEWELL READY TO PUSH IN DONINGTON PARK RACES

Josh Brookes and Tommy Bridewell are determined to come out fighting for podium finishes in tomorrow’s ninth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Donington Park.

The team have worked hard throughout the weekend to be in the best possible position ahead of the races as both riders bid to score the final Podium Points after securing their places in the Showdown.

Brookes will start on the second row of the grid in fourth position as he fought back following a crash in the final free practice session this morning at Redgate. The Australian was unhurt, but is ready to make amends in the races tomorrow.

Bridewell on the second Milwaukee Yamaha will start from the third row of the grid in eighth place as he bids for a repeat performance of his double podium finish last time out at Cadwell Park.

Brookes said: “It hasn’t been the best day with the crash this morning in free practice. I was ok, it was just a shame that it gave the boys in the garage more work to do before qualifying. Normally the rear tyre starts to slide, but it didn’t. It loaded the front and then it let go and I slid off. We qualified on the second row which means that we have a bit more work to do in the races but we will be pushing as hard as we can. Every race we come to we are trying to get on the podium, so although we have made it a bit more difficult for ourselves tomorrow we will be doing everything possible.”

Bridewell said: “Today we made big changes. We have been riding today and making improvements and steps to get more trust in the front of the bike. In Q3 we made a small change, but we went in the wrong direction and although it wasn’t ideal it wasn’t too bad. I think looking ahead to the races our pace is good and I think that with some changes in warm up we can be battling for the podium again.”

For more information visit www.milwaukeeyamaha.com

More, from a press release issued by Buildbase BMW Motorrad:

Kiyonari shows his strength at Donington Park by dominating practice and securing front-row start.

Ryuichi Kiyonari delivered a show of strength at Donington Park, dominating practice sessions and setting the fastest times in the first two qualifying sessions on his Buildbase BMW Motorrad S 1000 RR. He went on to set the second fastest time overall, just 0.039 seconds behind John Hopkins who earned his first Pole Position of the year.

Kiyonari is fighting for vital Podium Credits to close the gap on current championship leader Shakey Byrne. With both riders guaranteed a place in the Showdown, any additional podiums earned will boost the points awarded for the last three rounds of the 2014 season.

Both Kiyo and Byrne have three BSB Championships to their name and the ‘War for Four’ is heating up as both seek the 2014 title. Donington Park is the final round before the Showdown and the Title Fighters riders will all be seeking an extra boost to their title hopes.

As the final practice session got underway Kiyonari and Byrne swapped positions at the top of the times before the Buildbase BMW Motorrad rider again upped the pace, although Hopkins’ time from yesterday remained the fastest lap of free practice. Kiyo also used the FP3 session to run a full 24-lap race simulation, showing good pace and still setting the third fastest time of the session. He then topped both Q1 and Q2, narrowly missing out to Hopkins by 1/25th of a second.

Ryuichi Kiyonari said: “I am very happy with second place but I am also a bit disappointed. We need to see what our race pace is like tomorrow because the races will be hard. In Q2 I did a perfect lap but in Q3 I tried for more but I couldn’t go faster. The front row is important and tomorrow I want to keep strong and try to win races again. I am happy with the Buildbase BMW S 1000 RR so we will push tomorrow for the best results we can.”

James Westmoreland qualified ninth, showings signs of an impressive recovery from his wrist injury that kept him off his bike for three rounds earlier this season. Last year at Donington Park Westmoreland took both Pole Positions, BMW Motorrad’s first ever and a first for the Yorkshire rider as well.

Lee Jackson, campaigning the BMW HP4 in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 series, qualified fourth for tomorrow’s race. Jackson also took a podium finish in the Superstock 1000 support race held at MotoGP last weekend.

Tomorrow’s racing begins at 11:30 with the main events broadcast live on British Eurosport 2 from 12:30.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, Datatag Extreme Qualifying:

1.John Hopkins (Tyco Suzuki) 1m:29.555s

2.Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW Motorrad) +0.039s

3.Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.122s

4.Peter Hickman (RAF Reserves Honda) +0.255s

5.Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.255s

6.Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.327s

7.Josh Waters (Tyco Suzuki) +0.424s

8.Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.472s

9.James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW Motorrad) +0.578s

10.Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +0.755s

The next round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship takes place at Donington Park on 5/6/7 September – the Showdown decider. 

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

HOPKINS & TYCO SUZUKI ON DONINGTON BSB POLE

Tyco Suzuki’s John Hopkins put his GSX-R1000 on Pole Position for tomorrow’s British Superbike Championship ninth round at Donington Park.

Watched by his Mother – who jetted in from California for the event – Hopkins’ lap of 1min 29.555sec was under the official British Superbike lap record for the Donington Park circuit [1min: 29.677sec] giving him his first Pole and front-row start of the season.

The Californian’s Australian team-mate Josh Waters also impressed, posting seventh place for tomorrow’s opening British Superbike race at the Leicestershire venue, as his Best Man flew in from Australia to watch the action.

Hopper, who also topped two of the three free practice sessions, said: “My goal this weekend was a front-row qualifying, so it feels really good to be on Pole at a track that has always been good to me. I have really enjoyed riding here this weekend, but now we must turn it into the results we deserve after a tough start to the year. All the Tyco Suzuki boys did a good job as always, so this is as much for them as it is for me.”

Josh Waters pretty-much missed two sessions with technical problems, but was also delighted with his qualifying performance. He said: “The boys worked hard to give me a top-class bike for qualifying and we can’t be too disappointed with that. I just chipped-away and once we got into Q3 my goal was the front two rows, but with the top-three all under the lap record, and to only be 0.4sec off the Pole-time, is a good effort. The goal is a good start tomorrow and tag onto that front group and score as heavily as I can.”

Taylor Mackenzie qualified in seventh position on the third row for today’s 10-lap British Supersport sprint race, but after fighting through to fourth place, he hit a false neutral going into Goddards at the end of lap one and had to run off the circuit. He eventually finished in 10th and takes up a fourth-row grid spot in 11th place for tomorrow’s feature race onboard his Tyco Suzuki GSX-R600.

Philip Neill – Team Manager:

“It may not look like it from the outside but it has been a tough weekend for us with various obstacles for the boys to overcome – however pole position and two in the top eight makes it all worthwhile. John has been superb all weekend; he really has been like a new man and there is no doubt this is where he belongs. This is also the first time our team has been complete for a few rounds and a pole-position is the perfect way to welcome Mark McCarville back.”