MCE British Superbike Championship Donington Park, England September 8, 2013 Race Results: Superbike Race One (all on Pirelli tires): 1. Alex Lowes, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), 20 laps, 30:12.264 2. Shane Byrne, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -0.111 second 3. James Ellison, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -0.521 4. Josh Brookes, Australia (Suz GSX-R1000), -6.866 seconds 5. James Westmoreland, UK (BMW S1000RR), -11.628 6. Jon Kirkham, UK (BMW S1000RR), -18.210 7. Chris Walker, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -19.873 8. Jakub Smrz, Czech Republic (Hon CBR1000RR), -20.425 9. PJ Jacobsen, USA (Suz GSX-R1000), -23.489 10. Barry Burrell, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -28.550 11. Peter Hickman, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -30.092 12. Josh Waters, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), -33.857 13. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Japan (Hon CBR1000RR), -34.006 14. Michael Rutter, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -36.686 15. Dan Linfoot, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -39.721 16. Lee Costello, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -42.913 17. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -82.426 18. Jamie Poole, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -89.909 19. Matteo Baiocco, Italy (Duc 1199), -4 laps 20. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), -4 laps, DNF 21. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -7 laps, DNF 22. Karl Harris, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -8 laps, DNF 23. Howie Mainwaring, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -11 laps, DNF 24. Jenny Tinmouth, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -13 laps, DNF Superbike Race Two Results (all on Pirelli tires): 1. Alex Lowes, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), 20 laps, 30:07.355 2. Shane Byrne, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -0.058 second 3. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -2.327 seconds 4. James Westmoreland, UK (BMW S1000RR), -3.667 5. Josh Brookes, Australia (Suz GSX-R1000), -4.494 6. James Ellison, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -9.365 7. Jon Kirkham, UK (BMW S1000RR), -15.597 8. Chris Walker, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -20.645 9. PJ Jacobsen, USA (Suz GSX-R1000), -21.048 10. Jakub Smrz, Czech Republic (Hon CBR1000RR), -21.350 11. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Japan (Hon CBR1000RR), -21.787 12. Josh Waters, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), -29.080 13. Peter Hickman, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -36.885 14. Dan Linfoot, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -37.802 15. Michael Rutter, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -38.740 16. Howie Mainwaring, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -39.624 17. Matteo Baiocco, Italy (Duc 1199), -46.122 18. Lee Costello, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -61.614 19. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), -73.107 20. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -73.622 21. Jamie Poole, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -2 laps, DNF 22. Barry Burrell, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -11 laps, DNF 23. Karl Harris, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -15 laps, DNF 24. Jenny Tinmouth, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -15 laps, DNF Championship Point Standings (after 19 of 26 races): 1. Byrne, 370 points 2. Lowes, 343 3. Brookes, 208 4. Ellison, 200 5. Kiyonari, 170 6. TIE, Westmoreland/Kirkham, 154 8. Bridewell, 126 9. Walker, 123 10. Jacobsen, 115 Results of other Americans racing at Donington Park: Tommy Aquino, riding his Team WD-40 Kawasaki ZX-10R, placed 14th in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000cc Championship race. Aquino is fifth in the Championship point standings after 10 of 12 races: Jayson Uribe, riding his Rock & Sons Racing Honda RS125, finished 13th overall and ninth in the 125cc class of the Monster Energy British Motostar race. Uribe is 11th in the 125cc Motostar class Championship after nine of 12 races. Michael Corbino, riding a spec Triumph Daytona 675, finished 12th in Triumph Triple Challenge Race Two. Corbino is 16th in the Championship point standings after 14 of 19 races. More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision: Round 9 Donington Park 8 September LOWES DOUBLES UP AS WESTMORELAND SNATCHES FINAL TITLE FIGHTER PLACE Results Race one: 1: Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) 2: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.111s 3: James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.521s 4: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +6.866s 5: James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +11.628s 6: Jon Kirkham (Buildbase BMW) +18.210s Race two: 1: Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) 2: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.058s 3: Tommy Bridewell (Halsall Racing Kawasaki) +2.327s 4: James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +3.667s 5: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +4.494s 6: James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) +9.365s Championship standings heading into the Showdown: 1: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 539 2: Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) 533 3: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 522 4: James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) 513 5: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Samsung Honda) 504 6: James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) 500 Report Alex Lowes has upped the pressure on his MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship rivals by claiming a double win in a hard-fought ninth round at Donington Park, which decided the top six riders who will become the Title Fighters in the Showdown. Samsung Honda’s Lowes was full of confidence from his winning double in the previous round at Cadwell Park and he narrowly took the first win from Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne, and it was even closer next time out with the margin just 0.058 seconds. Lowes said: “I don’t think I have ever pushed as hard as I did at the end of those races but now the Showdown is all important and I go into it only six points down on Shakey so it is going to be lots of fun and I will give it everything.” Lowes and Byrne had gone into the Donington Park races knowing that together with Tyco Suzuki’s Josh Brookes they had already secured places among the elite Title Fighters, but for the chasing pack it became an epic battle for the final three positions. James Ellison ensured his place with a strong and determined ride into third place in the opening race and he reflected: “That was a big relief, it was a strong race and I was really happy to be able to run at the pace of Shane and Alex.” Former three times title winner Ryiuichi Kiyonari sealed his place with thirteenth and eleventh places on his Samsung Honda and that left a straight fight for the one remaining slot between the Buildbase BMW team-mates James Westmoreland and Jon Kirkham. Pole-sitter Westmoreland finished the all important second race in fourth place while Kirkham ran seventh, leaving them level on points in the closest ever finish to the Main Season, with Westmoreland taking the verdict on the tie-breaker. Westmoreland said: “It is just a great feeling and I am so relieved to have qualified. I couldn’t have pushed harder. I was at the limit but now I have broken through and it is brilliant. Now I am going to come out fighting at Assen.” The Showdown kicks off at Assen over the weekend of 20-22 September as five different teams representing five different manufacturers with riders from three different nationalities battle for the 2013 MCE BSB title. For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com More, from a press release issued by Milwaukee Yamaha: MILWAUKEE YAMAHA’S ELLISON SECURES SHOWDOWN POSITION AT DONINGTON PARK The Milwaukee Yamaha team have secured their position in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship Showdown for the third consecutive season as James Ellison scored a third place in the opening race at Donington Park. In the opening race Ellison was pushing hard in the leading pack as he put in a determined performance to move up the order and was running third and despite trying to make a move on Shane Byrne ahead of him and maintained his position to claim the podium credit. In the second race Ellison was pushing to claim another haul of podium credits but as he made a bid to move ahead at the Esses on the tenth lap he ran on and then had to make up the places again, working his way through to sixth. Josh Waters scored a pair of twelfth places. Ellison said: “It is job done now to get our position in the Showdown which was the main thing but I still wanted a podium. It was a really hot pace and we managed to gap some of the other riders; none of the guys were making any mistakes so we were all looking to try and make a move but as usual there were areas where someone was stronger than someone else. I saw Shakey have a few looks at Alex and I thought he might have a go, I thought maybe he might and push them both wide, but it didn’t happen and we had a third but I was happy with that. Race two was looking good until we had that moment, but we showed our pace and we will be ready for the Showdown.” Waters said: “We had two hard races and in both of them I had a bad couple of opening laps and that really cost me in both races. I enjoyed Donington Park though and I feel we made some more improvements so I am looking forward to the next round at Assen.” Team co-ordinator Mick Shanley concluded: “It was really positive for the Milwaukee Yamaha team to secure the position in the Showdown and overall we had a positive day despite the race two result. James had a great podium in the first race and again showed what he was capable of, it was just a shame he couldn’t get on the podium in the second race when he ran on at the Esses. Josh is continuing to try hard but there is obviously still work to do. The whole team are now going to prepare for the Showdown and we look forward to Assen.” For more information visit www.milwaukeeyamaha.com More, from a press release issued by Paul Bird Motorsport: Byrne Leads British Superbikes Going Into Showdown Reigning MCE British Superbike Champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne took a brace of runner-up placings at round nine of the series at Donington Park today which sees the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki ZX-10R rider head into the final three-round Showdown with a six-point advantage over rival Alex Lowes. Having qualified in fourth place which was the first time he’d been off the front row all season, Shakey, from Sittingbourne, and the Penrith-based PBM team made considerable changes to the suspension for today’s first 20-lap race and it was clear they were the right ones as he immediately slotted into second place behind Lowes. The duo, along with James Ellison, were never more than a few feet apart but positions remained the same throughout and so Shakey took a strong second at the chequered flag, just behind Lowes which netted him two more valuable podium credits. For the second race later in the day, it was an even closer affair with Shakey, Lowes, Ellison, Tommy Bridewell, James Westmoreland and Josh Brookes separated by just over a second in the early stages. As the race entered its final third, it became a battle between Shakey and Lowes once more and on the last lap the three-time MCE BSB champion hit the front for the first time. However, try as he might with a couple of moves on the last lap, Byrne couldn’t quite box off the victory so again settled for a safe second place. Team-mate Keith Farmer had been running well during free practice aboard the Minxflix supported Paul Bird Motorsport Kawasaki ZX-10R but a heavy spill at Starkeys Bridge during the second part of qualifying left him down in 18th on the grid. With the Clogher rider sadly having picked up a number of injuries, he reluctantly had to withdraw from the two races thus ending his hopes of reaching the Showdown. Shane Byrne: “Full credit to the team and K-tech for the changes they made to the suspension prior to the races as they really paid dividends and I was able to lap quicker in the races than I had done all weekend. I was planning my move on Alex on the last lap but I found a neutral instead of fourth gear on the exit of Coppice so I couldn’t try the inside going into the Esses. No excuses though, Alex rode an incredible race. The result got us back in the window for the second race and I knew what I needed to do although it was again a tough battle. I did everything I could to get the win and although I’m never happy to finish second, this weekend’s second places were as good as a win. Going into the Showdown, I have just a six point lead but we’ll keep doing what we’re doing and treat each weekend the same.” Keith Farmer: “It’s hugely disappointing having had to pull out of the two races but due to a haematoma at the top of my hamstring, it wasn’t possible for me to sit on the bike properly. It was a struggle just walking and it’s almost a carbon copy of the crash and injury earlier in the year as the bike fell on me in the crash. I’ve been battling a viral infection too so am feeling very second hand and it’s a weekend I just want to forget. Hopefully, I’ll bounce back, get back to full fitness and health and look to end the year on a positive note.” Paul Bird, Team Owner: “Shakey did OK today but a win in the second race would have been better as Alex has won four races on the trot now and he has the momentum going into the Showdown. But with wins comes pressure and we know what we need to do so we are confident of building on our championship lead. We need to assess Keith’s fitness over the next week or so as he’s been really struggling lately so we will take a decision prior to Assen as to whether he should ride or whether we need look at a substitute rider.” MCE British Superbike Championship Race 1 20 laps 1 Alex Lowes (Honda) 2 Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 3 James Ellison (Yamaha) 4 Josh Brookes (Suzuki) 5 James Westmoreland (BMW) 6 Jon Kirkham (BMW) DNS Keith Farmer (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) MCE British Superbike Championship Race 2 20 laps 1 Alex Lowes (Honda) 2 Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 3 Tommy Bridewell (Kawasaki) 4 James Westmoreland (BMW) 5 Josh Brookes (Suzuki) 6 James Ellison (Yamaha) DNS Keith Farmer (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) Championship Standings (after nine rounds) 1 Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 539pts 2 Lowes 533 3 Brookes 522 4 Ellison 513 5 Kiyonari 504 6 Westmoreland 500 11 Farmer (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 93 More, from a press release issued by Honda: 2013 MCE INSURANCE BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 09 DONINGTON PARK SUNDAY 8 SEPTEBMER 2013 Weather: Warm and sunny. Temperature: Air 18 degrees C, track 26 degrees C. LOWES TAKES WINNING DOUBLE AS KIYONARI SECURES SHOWDOWN PLACE Alex Lowes made it four straight race victories in as many starts as he underlined his credentials to take the MCE Insurance British Superbike crown in the ninth round at Donington Park and has closed to within six points of defending champion Shane Byrne going into the all important Showdown sequence. His Samsung Honda team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari will join him in the ranks of the six “title-fighters” who will duel for the country’s premier crown over the final seven races of the campaign which begin at Assen and then continue through Silverstone to Brands Hatch. Lowes was always at the sharp-end of the action, missing out on pole position by barely a quarter of a second to James Westmoreland, BMW, but outgunning him at the start of both races and then dictating terms while behind him Byrne, trying everything he knew, worked intensely to find a way ahead for his Kawasaki. Lowes had the edge, taking the race by 0.111secs from Byrne with James Ellison securing his place in the Showdown with a third place on his Yamaha. Suzuki’s Josh Brookes, finishing fourth, had like Lowes and Byrne been assured of his place in the Showdown prior to this round. Kiyonari, like Byrne, aiming for a record fourth BSB crown, was struggling for pace throughout the opening race, but worked into the points scoring positions, finishing the first race in thirteenth, and then going two places better in the second race and that was enough to secure his place in the Showdown. Lowes continued in the second race in the same form as in the opener, leading throughout, apart from a few yards at the Esses when Byrne lunged through, but was unable to complete the move and the Samsung Honda rider went on to take his sixth victory of the season, and complete his second winning double in as many rounds. Other Honda riders will now fight for honours in the BSB Riders Cup. Jakub Smrz took eighth and tenth places on the Padgetts Honda. Peter Hickman took his Lloyds British GBmoto Honda into eleventh and thirteenth places while his team-mate Dan Linfoot was fifteenth and fourteenth. After Donington Park, the two Samsung Honda riders Alex Lowes and Ryuichi Kiyonari are through to the Showdown and are joined by Byrne, Brookes, Ellison and James Westmoreland who secured the sixth and final place on a tie-breaker at the expense of his BMW team-mate Jon Kirkham. Honda rider quotes: Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) Championship position 2nd 533pts Race results 1st/1st “I got a good start and that was good. I thought the guys must have been messing my pit board up as each lap it just said +0! I enjoyed the race, I didn’t know it was Shakey behind me but I obviously knew someone was there, the bike was working well though. I don’t think I have ever pushed as hard as I did at the end of those races to take the double. I wanted wins this weekend as the points make it close and I am really excited about the Showdown. It is so close so it should be really good fun at Assen.” Ryuichi Kiyonari (Samsung Honda) Championship position 5th 504pts Race results 13th/11th “I am happy for the Showdown but this weekend has been very difficult and I am not happy with these races. I hope the next three rounds are better and that I will win.I have not had big problems but we haven’t been able to fix the small ones. We have been trying to improve set up again as I don’t have the feeling I need, but we have been trying things in order and trying to get a balance. I know what I have to do and will push more than 100% and hope for podiums and wins to take the title.” RESULTS BRITISH SUPERBIKE RACE1: POS / RIDER / NAT / MOTORCYCLE / TIME / GAP 1 / Alex LOWES / GBR / Honda – Samsung Honda / 30:12.264 / 2 / Shane BYRNE / GBR / Kawasaki – Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki / 30:12.375 / 0.111 3 / James ELLISON / GBR / Yamaha – Milwaukee Yamaha / 30:12.785 / 0.521 4 / Josh BROOKES / AUS / Suzuki – Tyco Suzuki / 30:19.130 / 6.866 5 / James WESTMORELAND / GBR / BMW – Buildbase BMW Motorrad / 30:23.892 / 11.628 6 / Jon KIRKHAM / GBR / BMW – Buildbase BMW Motorrad / 30:30.474 / 18.210 7 / Chris WALKER / GBR / Kawasaki – Quattro Plant Kawasaki / 30:32.137 / 19.873 8 / Jakub SMRZ / CZE / Honda – Padgetts Honda / 30:32.689 / 20.425 9 / PJ JACOBSEN / USA / Suzuki – Tyco Suzuki / 30:35.753 / 23.489 10 / Barry BURRELL / GBR / Kawasaki – Quattro Plant Kawasaki / 30:40.814 / 28.550 11 / Peter HICKMAN / GBR / Honda – Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Honda / 30:42.356 / 30.092 12 / Josh WATERS / AUS / Yamaha – Milwaukee Yamaha / 30:46.121 / 33.857 13 / Ryuichi KIYONARI / JPN / Honda – Samsung Honda / 30:46.270 / 34.006 14 / Michael RUTTER / GBR / Honda – Bathams Honda / 30:48.950 / 36.686 15 / Dan LINFOOT / GBR / Honda – Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Honda / 30:51.985 / 39.721 Fastest lap: James WESTMORELAND GBR BMW – Buildbase BMW Motorrad Lap 9 1:29.815 160.44 Km/h RACE2: POS / RIDER / NAT / MOTORCYCLE / TIME / GAP 1 / Alex LOWES / GBR / Honda – Samsung Honda / 30:07.355 / 2 / Shane BYRNE / GBR / Kawasaki – Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki / 30:07.413 / 0.058 3 / Tommy BRIDEWELL / GBR / Kawasaki – Halsall Racing Kawasaki / 30:09.682 / 2.327 4 / James WESTMORELAND / GBR / BMW – Buildbase BMW Motorrad / 30:11.022 / 3.667 5 / Josh BROOKES / AUS / Suzuki – Tyco Suzuki / 30:11.849 / 4.494 6 / James ELLISON / GBR / Yamaha – Milwaukee Yamaha / 30:16.720 / 9.365 7 / Jon KIRKHAM / GBR / BMW – Buildbase BMW Motorrad / 30:22.952 / 15.597 8 / Chris WALKER / GBR / Kawasaki – Quattro Plant Kawasaki / 30:28.000 / 20.645 9 / PJ JACOBSEN / USA / Suzuki – Tyco Suzuki / 30:28.403 / 21.048 10 / Jakub SMRZ / CZE / Honda – Padgetts Honda / 30:28.705 / 21.350 11 / Ryuichi KIYONARI / JPN / Honda – Samsung Honda / 30:29.142 / 21.787 12 / Josh WATERS / AUS / Yamaha – Milwaukee Yamaha / 30:36.435 / 29.080 13 / Peter HICKMAN / GBR / Honda – Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Honda / 30:44.240 / 36.885 14 / Dan LINFOOT / GBR / Honda – Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Honda / 30:45.157 / 37.802 15 / Michael RUTTER / GBR / Honda – Bathams Honda / 30:46.095 / 38.740 Fastest lap: James WESTMORELAND GBR BMW – Buildbase BMW Motorrad Lap 5 1:29.677 160.69 Km/h CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS: 1 BYRNE 370, 2 LOWES 343, 3 BROOKES 308, 4 ELLISON 200, 5 KIYONARI 170, 6 WESTMORELAND 154, 7 KIRKHAM 154, 8 BRIDEWELL 126, 9 WALKER 123, 10 JACOBSEN 115, 11 FARMER 93, 12 HICKMAN 89, 13 LINFOOT 73, 14 WATERS 67, 15 SMRZ 53. POINTS BEFORE ROUND 10 1 BYRNE 539, 2 LOWES 533, 3 BROOKES 522, 4 ELLISON 513, 5 KIYONARI 504, 6 WESTMORELAND 500, 7 KIRKHAM 154, 8 BRIDEWELL 126, 9 WALKER 123, 10 JACOBSEN 115, 11 FARMER 93, 12 HICKMAN 86, 13 LINFOOT 73, 14 WATERS 67, 15 SMRZ 53. NEXT EVENT: ROUND10 SEPTEMBER 22, ASSEN, THE NETHERLANDS. More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service: TOUGH DAY AT DONINGTON BUT BROOKES LOOKING AHEAD TO ASSEN SHOWDOWN OPENER British Superbike Championship, Round 9 – Donington Park Josh Brookes will start his 2013 British Superbike Championship Showdown account at Assen in the Netherlands in a fortnight’s time, just seventeen points behind series leader Shane Byrne. Brookes finished fourth and fifth in today’s British Superbike races at Donington Park with team-mate PJ Jacobsen taking ninth place in both races on his British Superbike debut at the Leicestershire venue. Josh Brookes: “Well I’m pretty disappointed with the results. This time last year my lap times were good enough to win both races and I went faster this weekend and didn’t get much for mine or the team’s efforts. We just didn’t get the best out of the bike today, but it’s disappointing, as I’ve probably ridden as hard, or harder than I have in the past to win races and we get fourth and fifth. I was pushing the front way past where I should have been and got away with it, yet at Cadwell, I was doing the opposite and crashed. I know the team is working as hard as they can and if we look at the bigger picture, it’s not that bad, but it has been frustrating for everyone today.” PJ Jacobsen: “This weekend I gained more experience at a Grand Prix type circuit both setting up and riding a Superbike. It’s a totally different animal than twelve months ago riding the GSX-R1000 Superstock bike, but I think overall two top ten finishes is a good account from my side of the Tyco Suzuki garage. Next up is Assen, which I really enjoy riding. Hopefully we can give a good account and get closer to those front guys.” Philip Neill – Team Manager: “In terms of our championship challenge today was very disappointing, that’s for sure. Although our pace was quite good all weekend we simply were not fast enough over race distance to challenge the podium positions. In the coming days we will analyse everything possible to understand why this was the case. Of course we still intend to fight for this championship, however we have some work to do before Assen to ensure we are back at the front challenging for race wins. “PJ had a steady weekend as he continues to learn the art of finding the best possible set-up with a Superbike over a race weekend. His results were satisfying considering the company he is racing against.”