Home Round for Tom as Akira Joins The Fray WSBK, Silverstone, Great Britain, 27 July 2010 Regular team rider Tom Sykes and high-class stand-in Akira Yanagawa will compete for the Kawasaki Racing Team at the British WSBK round this coming weekend, a home event for most of the team. The venue is Silverstone, back on the Superbike World Championship trail for the first time since 2007. It enjoys a very different layout now, with an extensive infield section making it almost 6km long, with only a few areas of track left over from that last used for WSB racing. This new version of a classic track is certain to be one of the faster circuits on the calendar, and the mighty Ninja ZX-10R may well get to stretch its legs to full speed for the first time since Monza in May, when Tom had a season best result of fifth, in race two. Silverstone, in the Midlands, is the only British round of the 2010 season, making this event extra-special for many in the team, which is based in Northern England. This coming weekend marks the tenth round of the season, with three more to go after the long break in August. Battle recommences at the Nürburgring, on September 5. Right now Sykes in 16th in the overall rankings, only five points from the rider ahead. Akira has not raced in World Superbike since the 2002 season, but in his long career in WSB he has taken three race wins, 23 podiums, two pole positions and six fastest laps. He was fourth overall in the 1997 Championship. Team regular Chris Vermeulen is recuperating from the effects of reconstructive surgery on his right knee, and thus will not be riding in the last four rounds of the series. Tom Sykes: “I have been taking it steady since Brno so I am very keen to get back into race action. It will be an interesting weekend, a new circuit for everybody. I would like to put on a good show for my home crowd and see if we can get a strong result. Very little of the track will be familiar to me, but I did ride the old full track on a standard 600 back in 2002. There have been a lot of changes at Silverstone and it looks good. With seven British riders involved this year it will be fantastic for the local fans and I hope there is a big crowd. It will be a busy round for me but I will be out to dig deep, as will the whole Kawasaki team.” Akira Yanagawa: “It has been a long time since I raced in World Superbike, not since Sugo in 2002, but it will be a pleasure to join this series once again and race at Silverstone. I have a long relationship with Kawasaki and the Ninja ZX-10R machine so I will be out to take the best results possible. I never raced at the old Silverstone but understand it will be fast!” More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki: More Opportunities Await Joan and Katsuaki WSS, Silverstone, Great Britain, 27 July 2010 Joan Lascorz and Katsuaki Fujiwara approach the tenth round of a busy Supersport World Championship season in good form as they prepare to face the challenge of Silverstone. Joan has taken his Ninja ZX-6R to second in the championship after the first nine rounds, and with four rounds remaining he is working on building his way to the lead once again when it really matters. He is currently 15 points behind Kenan Sofuoglu and seven ahead of Eugene Laverty, with a single win and eight podium finishes in the nine races held so far. Katsuaki made a swift recovery from the appendix problems that made him miss the Misano round, posting fifth place at Brno last time out and equalling his best result of the year. He is now eighth overall, looking forward to Silverstone after using his two free weekends since Brno to good effect in training. Kawasaki Lorenzini by Leoni Ninja ZX-6R rider Fabien Foret looks to Silverstone to get back to his best early season form, when he was fifth on two occasions. He is currently 11th overall. Joan Lascorz: “I have relaxed a little since the last round, did some good work in the gym and in the mountains. I have been improving my English skills as well. I don’t remember much about Silverstone the way it was in 2007 but I remember it was difficult, and very wet. I saw the Moto2 race from the new Silverstone this year and the track is obviously very fast, but it seems to have a lot of bumps. We will have to allow for that with our suspension and machine set-up, but we won’t know how it really is until we get there. But I am looking forward to it.” Katsuaki Fujiwara: “The last race was very satisfying after being so ill in the weeks before it, but I was very tired at the end of that Brno race. So I have been training hard to get back to full race fitness by riding Supermotard, working in the gym and then relaxing by going fishing in Spain. Silverstone has changed a lot since we were last there, so I am keen to see it up close again. They say it is bumpy and quite fast, but we will be ready anyway. I was on the podium last time we went there so I have some good memories, and want to make new ones.” More, from a press release issued by Infront Motor Sports: Biaggi and Co. make eagerly awaited Silverstone comeback Round ten of the 13-round HANNspree FIM Superbike World Championship will take place at the latest incarnation of the classic Silverstone circuit this weekend, between 30 July and 1 August. The championship has been to Silverstone on six previous occasions, the most recent being in 2007, when only one race took place due to incessant rain that flooded the track before race two could get underway. The Silverstone that WSB returns to this year is a very different venue from previous versions, with massive investment in both a heavily modified circuit layout and infrastructure improvements resulting in a 5.902 km circuit, which owes a lot to the ex-airfield circuit’s original reputation as a fast and open racetrack, where speed is a key element. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) and his factory team have been almost immaculate in 2010, winning half the races on offer, finishing every race in the points and having no individual placing lower than eighth. Biaggi has been so consistent he has only had five non-podium finishes all season. No surprise to find that Max is a clear championship leader after round nine at Brno, now having a 68-point advantage approaching Silverstone. Biaggi has not got far to look to see the immediate threat at Silverstone, with the first of seven well-equipped local riders being second placed in the overall WSB rankings, Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare). Haslam could ask for no better current WSB venue to try to make big inroads into Biaggi’s points lead, as he will have the crowd firmly on his side for the first time all year, and greater recent experience of at least some of the Silverstone layout than many of his rivals. There are no fewer than seven full time riders in the 2010 line-up who emanate from the UK, and all of them are on either official or well-supported machinery. For this reason alone Silverstone may well provide the best chance of a new name appearing on the 2010 winner’s roster since Kyalami in May. So far we have had six different race-winning riders, the roll of honour led by Biaggi with nine victories. Next up, Haslam is tied on three wins with overall third placed rider Jonathan Rea (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda). Rea has been busy of late, winning the first race at Brno last time out before heading to Japan and a podium slot at the Suzuka 8 Hours last weekend. Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) was a winner at round one in Australia and he is now fourth in the points, close to Rea and the following rider in fifth place, Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox). Haga is another with a single win to his credit in 2010, and the most recent rider to enter the 2010 winners’ club is Haga’s own team-mate, Michel Fabrizio – eighth overall and twice a podium man in the past two rounds. The Ducati 1200cc Vee-twin riders will all arrive at Silverstone with the same regulation minimum weight of 162 kg as the other machines, after once more breaking through the lower threshold of the balancing regulations at the previous Brno round. The seven British regulars looking for hometown glory on Sunday include James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda), a double WSBK champion but a rider still looking for his first win in his comeback season. He has already stated that a British 1-2-3 is very possible at Silverstone and for him the top step of the podium is his overriding motivation this weekend. James is sixth in the current rankings. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) was unlucky to injure himself at the previous round in Brno, missing raceday, but he is expecting great things from his S1000RR around the fast sweeps of Silverstone, if he comes through a test at Mugello in good condition. Troy is seventh now, two points ahead of a chasing Fabrizio, with the second official BMW rider, Ruben Xaus, 13th overall and improving all the time. One of the ‘magnificent seven’ local riders is particularly well known to British crowds, 2009 BSB champion Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia). Already a podium placer on his vee-four Aprilia, Camier is having an intense learning year in WSB, tied on points with a Superpole expert in his first full season, Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda). Briton Crutchlow has scored pole four times so far, and has four podium places to boot. He is tenth in the championship, but tied on the same 138 point total as Camier and British-domiciled Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare). Shane Byrne (Althea Ducati) sits 12th right now, looking forward to his latest return home to race and another chance to match his sheer speed over a single lap to a race result of equal prominence. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) is the seventh Brit in regular WSB competition in 2010 and he more than anyone will see Silverstone as an opportunity to shine. With his regular team-mate Chris Vermeulen out for the rest of the year through injury, he will have the legendary figure of Akira Yanagawa alongside him at Silverstone, as the Japanese star stands-in for Chris for this race. Series regular Luca Scassa (Supersonic Ducati) who suffered a fracture at the Brno race weekend, has recovered well and will race in England. Jakub Smrz (Pata B&G Aprilia) will be on a vee-four for this round again, with Max Neukirchner (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda) and Honda privateer Broc Parkes (ECHO CRS) out for more points to move up the standings. Lorenzo Lanzi (DFX Corse Ducati) plus Pedercini Kawasaki team-mates Roger Lee Hayden and Matteo Baiocco are also privateers worth watching. Wildcards of the highest quality and equipment levels are set to join the Silverstone party in 2010, as Josh Brookes and Ryuichi Kiyonari (both HM Plant Honda) combine forces to lever points and places from the hands of the regulars. Privateer rider Tommy Bridewell will also be made welcome in the WSB paddock on his Quay Garage Honda. Points (after 9 rounds of 13): 1. Biaggi 352; 2. Haslam 284; 3. Rea 203; 4. Checa 189; 5. Haga 172; 6. Toseland 160. 7. Corser 149; 8. Fabrizio 147; 9. Camier 138; 10. Crutchlow 138. Manufacturers: 1. Aprilia 358; 2. Suzuki 305; 3. Ducati 276; 4. Honda 214; 5. Yamaha 206; 6. BMW 163; 7. Kawasaki 55. SUPERSPORT: For the fifth time this year the championship lead has changed hands once again with three riders having taken turns to head up the standings even before the last round at Brno. After another win, his third of the year, Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) left Brno at the top of the reckoning and second place in the race gave Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) second in the rankings also, some 15 points behind Sofuoglu. Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) no-scored for the first time last time and is now third, 22 points adrift but with four races to go – including Silverstone. ParkinGO Triumph BE-1’s Chaz Davies is an increasingly impressive fourth, having scored three podium finishes so far. Almost a podium finisher last time out, Gino Rea (Intermoto Czech Honda) is looking forward to his first full Supersport World Championship race at Silverstone. Ronan Quarmby (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) will replace injured regular runner Michele Pirro at Silverstone and there are no fewer than 28 riders on the Silverstone grid, thanks to a wildcard rider influx. Points (after 9 rounds of 13): 1. Sofuoglu 183; 2. Lascorz 168; 3. Laverty 161; 4. Davies 113; 5. Salom 72; 6. Harms 61; 7. Rea 67; 8. Fujiwara 59; 9. Pirro 58; 10. Lagrive 56. Manufacturers: 1. Honda 220; 2. Kawasaki 168; 3. Triumph 123; 4. Yamaha 11. SUPERSTOCK 1000: Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia STK) has remained untouchable at the top of the Superstock 1000 standings, winning six from six as his championship carries on relentlessly. He now has a 77-point advantage over Michele Magnoni (Bevilacqua Corse Honda), and a win at Silverstone would give Badovini the championship no matter what. Lesser results would also see him crowned champion, if all his four main rivals have poor weekends. Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Racing Junior Honda) is third overall, while Andrea Antonelli (Team Lorini Honda) heads up the final top five runners, together with Davide Giugliano (Team06 Suzuki). Points (after 6 rounds of 10): 1. Badovini 150; 2. Magnoni 73; 3. Berger 66; 4. Antonelli 57; 5. Giugliano 53; 6. Barrier 47; 7.Baz 44; 8. Bussolotti 37; 9. Petrucci 36; 10. Beretta 34. Manufacturers: 1. BMW 150; 2. Honda 109; 3. Suzuki 69; 4. Ducati 46; 5. Yamaha 46; 6. Kawasaki 38; 7.KTM 29; 8. Aprilia 18. SUPERSTOCK 600: Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Racing Yamaha) is overcoming all obstacles in his way this year in the 600 Superstock division, having won four races and been placed in the other two. He leads his French countryman Florian Marino (Ten Kate Junior Racing Honda) by 30 points after his last win in the Czech Republic. Italian rider Federico D’Annunzio (Martini Corse Yamaha) is still third but looking for his first win of the year. Points (after 6 rounds of 10): 1. Guarnoni 136; 2. Marino 106; 3. D’Annunzio 70; 4. Lombardi 59: 5. Karlsen 51; 6. Fanelli 51: 7. Calero Perez 44; 8. Lanusse 39. TRIUMPH PARKINGO SERIES: The monomarque Triumph ParkinGO European Series will be back at Silverstone, with riders on identical Triumph Street Triple R machines battling it out for glory in this thrilling class. Fabrizio Perotti is the leader with three rounds to go, 16 points ahead of Matteo Marzotto. THE CIRCUIT: The recent works at Silverstone have now created a multiple use circuit of truly international class, including several initiatives that have been specifically designed for motorcycle use. Riders and spectators have been well catered for in the layout to be used for World Superbike, with the track now shooting to the infield at one key section to allow spectators in that area a closer look at the action, while still meeting all the latest safety requirements. The work at Silverstone is still continuing, to make the classic British circuit even more user-friendly for all. High top speeds and fast average lap speeds will be much in evidence. More, from a press release issued by Hannspree Ten Kate Honda: The Hannspree Ten Kate Honda World Superbike championship team is looking forward to round ten of the 2010 series this weekend (30 July-1 August), which takes place at the revised Silverstone circuit, just over 100km northwest of the UK’s capital, London. Jonathan Rea is hoping to build on his sparkling performance last time out at Brno in the Czech Republic where he won the first race and finished second in race two. The Ulsterman, who recently moved to the Isle of Man, retains third place in the championship standings behind Max Biaggi and fellow Brit, Leon Haslam. Immediately following his Brno success, Rea, 23, jetted directly to Japan to test with the FSS TSR Honda team in preparation for the prestigious but gruelling Suzuka 8 Hour race, which he contested with team-mate Kousuke Akiyoshi last weekend. Despite two stop-go penalties and a crash with a back-marker, which left them in 42nd place, the CBR1000RR-mounted duo staged a remark able comeback to take the third podium slot. Rea is looking forward to getting to grips with Silverstone’s new circuit layout in what will be his second ‘home’ race of the season after Assen in Holland. After racing in both British Supersport and Superbike championships earlier in his career, he has a strong following in the UK and is looking forward to an enthusiastic British crowd this weekend. His Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team-mate, Max Neukirchner, is hoping to put the last races at Brno behind him after crashing out of both encounters on the opening lap. The German was understandably disappointed for himself and his team, as well as the hoards of his fans who had made the trek down to the Czech Republic from his home town of Chemnitz. By his own admission, Neukirchner has not enjoyed the level of results that he had hoped for this season but the 27-year-old heads to Silverstone more determined than ever to fulfil his a nd his CBR1000RR Fireblade’s undoubted potential. Jonathan Rea The 8 Hour was a pretty gruelling race probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever done physically. I had an awesome time, though, and had a great team who really looked after me well and made the whole experience a lot of fun. Now it’s back to business at Silverstone, which looked like a pretty fun place to ride when I went up to watch the MotoGP race there. Some friends have ridden it, too, and given me a few pointers. But it’s a new challenge and fresh motivation for me, so I’m really looking forward to riding there. It’ll be a tough weekend and, just because it’s my home race, it won’t be any easier than any other. But I’m hoping I’ll get a lot of support and I’m really looking forward to racing in front of the brilliant British fans. We have to forget about earlier races and see how the bike i s performing on Friday morning; then we’ll move forward in as positive a way as we can from there. Max Neukirchner Brno was a very tough weekend for me and the two crashes were very difficult to deal with after we had found something positive over the two days before. It was also very disappointing for all the friends who came down from Germany to see the race. I’ve tried to put it out of my mind and focus on the positives though and I’m looking forward to bringing these to Silverstone this weekend. I’ve had a good conversation with Ronald ten Kate and we both really want to finish the season in a good direction and hopefully on a high. Silverstone is a new circuit for everyone and therefore we all start a little bit more equal. I also hope that the weather is a little better than the last time I was there three years ago, when the second race was cancelled! Ronald ten Kate team manager This weekend should be even more interesting as Silverstone is a new circuit and a new experience for all the riders. I’m quite sure that Jonathan will recover well from his Suzuka experience where, despite some early problems, he and his team still managed to get on the podium. He will certainly want to perform well this weekend too, especially in front of his home crowd. For Max, we all hope he can build on the positives from Brno where he was denied a good result on race day by two unfortunate crashes. More, from a press release issued by Hannspree Ten Kate Honda: Kenan Sofuoglu travels to the United Kingdom this weekend (30 July-1 August) for round 10 of the 2010 World Supersport championship at Silverstone, seeking to build on his current 15-point advantage over Spain’s Joan Lascorz. Sofuoglu has battled intensely with Lascorz and Irishman, Eugene Laverty, throughout the season and a dramatic win last time out his third of the season at Brno in the Czech Republic, where Laverty retired with engine problems, gave the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda ace his slender points cushion. The 25-year-old from Turkey raced against doctors’ advice at Brno, battling against the pain of a badly gashed left arm. However, with his injury almost healed, Sofuoglu is looking forward to the challenge of a new circuit layout at Silverstone this weekend. Sofuoglu’s regular team-mate, Michele Pirro, sustained facial bruising and a dislocated wrist in a Brno crash and the Italian has been forced to sit out this weekend, temporarily lending his Honda CBR600RR to South African Ronan Quarmby. Quarmby, 19, contested the Kyalami round near Johannesburg as a wildcard rider on Ten Kate machinery earlier in the season but was forced to withdraw after the first day when medical investigations following a qualifying crash revealed a rare bone condition. Now fully recovered, the youngster is relishing the prospect of racing again in the United Kingdom, having competed in the Virgin R6 Cup in 2007. Kenan Sofuoglu Since the really tough Brno weekend I have been relaxing at home to give my arm a chance to heal. It’s almost ready for Silverstone, where I really want to win again and continue the push over the last four races of the season. The circuit is not a favourite of mine and in the really bad conditions three years ago, I crashed at the first corner. The new circuit layout looked really nice when I watched the MotoGP race and it looks as though it will suit the CBR600RR, so I will try to get the maximum points that I can. I know my team will work as hard as they can to give me the best bike possible to do the job and I will try to reward them with the best result possible. We will see how it goes at the weekend, but I am really looking forward to it. Ronan Quarmby Since coming over from South Africa I have managed to spend a few days with the Ten Kate team in Holland and spent a really nice weekend with Gerrit and Ronald and their families. They have made me feel really welcome and looking round the workshop last week just blew my mind! I’ve been to Silverstone before when I was racing in the UK, but our race was cancelled because of the weather. I’ve been watching the MotoGP and Moto2 races online and the new layout looks awesome. Now I can’t wait to get going and I think I can do well I’m just no t sure yet how well. We’ll know more after practice and qualifying on Friday! Ronald ten Kate team manager We know that Eugene Laverty and his team have been testing at Silverstone, which will give them quite an advantage. Our first job will be to chip away at that advantage over the weekend. We know that Kenan is unlikely to be happy to settle for second or third place on Sunday, so there is a big challenge for the whole team to get things right as quickly as possible. Michele is recovering well from his crash at Brno and we’ll all miss him this weekend, but we’ll be hoping for a solid performance and result from Ronan, who takes his place for this race. It’s always nice to come to the UK round of World Superbikes since the crowd there is very passionate about their racing. Let’s hope we get something of the British summer this time round! More, from a press release issued by Yamaha: Toseland and Crutchlow prepare for their ‘home race’ at the Silverstone WSB weekend Yamaha Sterilgarda riders James Toseland and Cal Crutchlow are geared up and determined to give it their all this weekend for their home race in front of the British fans at Silverstone for round 10 of the World Superbike Championship. The Silverstone circuit, which has gone undergone major restructuring this year, was last visited by the World Superbike paddock in 2007. With the changes this year, the circuit will be new to all riders who will be riding on its 5.9km track for the first time on Friday. “The home race is no different to any other race,” said Cal Crutchlow. “I always want to do well and give it my best shot. Last year in World Supersport at Donington I did the same. I especially hope that we put on a good show for all the fans that turn out to see the seven Brits in action. We had some tyre issues at Brno; hopefully these won’t be repeated this round and we can focus on being fastest all weekend and delivering two race wins.” “We had a decent second race coming from last to finish fourth at Brno which wasn’t a bad result although fourth isn’t where I want to be,” commented James Toseland. “All the little problems we’ve had this year has meant the championship has gone away a little bit. I’m going to Silverstone with nothing to lose; the icing on the cake would be to win at home. The track looks really good; I did a PR event to launch it last week and had a look round. With seven British riders there’s every chance the podium will be all British which would be great. It should be a great event for the UK.” Silverstone technically speaking according to Marcus Eschenbacher, Cal Crutchlow’s Crew Chief “Silverstone is a completely new track for us so we have to evaluate a new gearbox, chassis and electronic setup. The track has all kinds of character, a fast part and also a very tight infield. The challenge will be to find the best compromise in a very short timeframe. We will start the weekend with our base setup that we’ve developed bit by bit. We also have some new chassis setups to try; this will be introduced in the spare bike. So we hope to find the best gearbox and base setup on Friday and start fine tuning on Saturday.” Silverstone technically speaking according to Frankie Carchedi, James Toseland’s Crew Chief “Silverstone could be one of the most exiting races of the year with James eager to carry on from Brno where he battled through from last to fourth in extreme track temperatures. We had good race pace in Brno but our problem area was both race starts. We have some new parts and strategies to improve this and we will be testing before the race weekend. The factory MotoGP team have provided us with some valuable information so we can get a head start on a good gearing, as this is a new track for all teams. The track looks a little bumpy in places, but with plenty of overtaking opportunities. During the weekend we will work hard on the set-up to suit the new Pirelli tyres which will be used for the first time at Silverstone.” Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team Manager “It’s the only ‘new’ track we visit on the 2010 World Superbike calendar so we don’t have any data at all to prepare ourselves. With the exception of the information from the GP team everything has to be discovered by us on Friday in the first session. We are going to Cal and James’s home country so we are really motivated because it’s like a home race for us. We are looking forward to Sunday and believe we can give a good performance for the British fans.” More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki Alstare: LEON AND SYLVAIN LOOKING FORWARD TO THEIR HOME RACE The tenth round of this year’s Superbike World Championship is a ‘home’ race for both Team Suzuki Alstare riders Leon Haslam and Sylvain Guintoli. It is a home race for Leon because he is a Briton and lives in Derbyshire, but it is also a home race for Sylvain because the Frenchman has lived in UK for some time and is married to an English girl. Sylvain will be making the short trip from his home near Melton Mowbray, while Leon will have a slightly further journey. Both have raced in the British Superbike Championship and have been to Silverstone before, but this will be their first time on the “new” track. The historic Silverstone circuit has undergone major reconstruction this year and the new layout is very different to to that which was used when World Superbikes were last there in 2007. Leon I was at the launch of the new track at Silverstone earlier this year and it’s very different to what it was before. It seems to be a fast and flowing high-speed track and I’m sure the racing is going to be very close. I am looking forward to the weekend and although some might say that there is extra pressure on me to do well in front of my home fans, I do not see it that way. I want to do well at all tracks and although I’d obviously like to do well in Silverstone, my main concern will be to finish in front of Max in both races. The ideal situation would be for me to win both races and the other six Brits to finish ahead of Max! Sylvain It’s always good to race at home and because I have been in England so long, I feel like it is my home, which in fact it is because I live here! I have raced at Silverstone before, but now the track is very different and all of us will have to learn the track before we can really charge. Normally, I am quite good at learning tracks, so hopefully things will go well for me in practice and qualifying, so that I can do a good Superpole and end up with a good grid position. If I do that, I have a very good good chance of giving my ‘home’ fans and friends something to shout about. 2009 – no race More, from a press release issued by Honda: British World Superbike at Silverstone Tuesday July 27 2010 World Superbike and World Supersport preview 5.902km circuit REA OUT FOR MORE WINS AT NEW SILVERSTONE Unlike many of his Superbike World Championship peers Hannspree Ten Kate Honda rider Jonathan Rea has been busy since the last race at Brno, competing in the Suzuka 8-Hours race and posting a podium result on raceday. Rea was a race winner last time out in World Superbike at Brno, overcoming some recent set-up issues with a great race one victory, his third of the year. It moved him to third place in the standings, with his home British round awaiting him on Sunday 1 August. The Silverstone circuit, in Northamptonshire, has been heavily modified since it last featured on the WSBK calendar in 2007. It has recaptured some of its original spirit as a fast and flowing track, and also features an extensive infield section that brings the lap length up to 5.902 kilometres. MotoGP machines have already raced on the new layout and they proved the theory that the track will be one of the fastest on the WSBK calendar. Two Honda riders are in a three-way fight for the Supersport World Championship title, championship leader Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and former leader Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda). The first DNF of the season for Laverty and a brilliant win for Sofuoglu at the previous round (despite carrying a deep laceration to his left elbow) put Kenan on 183 points. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki) ended Brno with 168 points and Laverty has an unchanged 161 points. Back in the Superbike World Championship, Hannspree Ten Kate Honda rider Max Neukirchner is keen to use Silverstone as the venue to turn his season around, after a double DNF at Brno left him 18th in the overall championship fight. The ECHO CRS Honda team, and its Australian rider Broc Parkes have made some recent progress, with two points scoring finishes at Brno last time out placing Broc inside the top 20. WSS competitor Gino Rea (Intermoto Czech Honda) had a career best fourth place finish at Brno in early July, his rookie season highpoint proving his talents and determination to succeed. He is keen to get back into action after a quiet time since his last race, and sees Silverstone as a good opportunity to go for his first podium finish. Gino is seventh in the points standings. Michele Pirro has been forced to miss the Silverstone round for his Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team after suffering facial bruising and a dislocated wrist at the Brno race. South African rider, Ronan Quarmby, will replace him. Parkalgar Honda rider Miguel Praia posted a career best seventh at Brno last time out, a result he now hopes to improve on at his crew’s home circuit in England. Like his team-mate Laverty, he has tested at Silverstone recently. Massimo Roccoli from the Intermoto Czech Honda team is another rider hoping to turn his season around at this race, after suffering some bad luck at key times this year. In 13th place overall, one place behind Praia, Roccoli is only 11 points from a top ten spot, with four points scoring rounds to go, including Silverstone. The long summer break in August starts as the action at Silverstone ebbs away, with the 11th round of 13 taking place at the Nürburgring, Germany, between September 3 and September 5. WSBK Rider Comments Jonathan Rea, Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR: “The 8 Hour was a pretty gruelling race, probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever done physically. I had an awesome time, though, and had a great team who really looked after me well and made the whole experience a lot of fun. Now it’s back to business at Silverstone, which looked like a pretty fun place to ride when I went up to watch the MotoGP race there. Some friends have ridden it, too, and given me a few pointers. But it’s a new challenge and fresh motivation for me, so I’m really looking forward to riding there. It’ll be a tough weekend and, just because it’s my home race, it won’t be any easier than any other. We have to forget about earlier races and see how the bike is performing on Friday morning; then we’ll move forward in as positive a way as we can from there.” Max Neukirchner, Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR: “Brno was a very tough weekend for me and the two crashes were very difficult to deal with after we had found something positive over the weekend. I’ve tried to put it out of my mind and focus on the positives though and I’m looking forward to bringing these to Silverstone this weekend. Silverstone is a new circuit for everyone and therefore we all start a little bit more equal. I also hope that the weather is a little better than the last time I was there three years ago, when the second race was cancelled!” Broc Parkes, ECHO CRS Honda CBR1000RR: “It’s been quiet since Brno but I have been training and cycling to get ready for the next round. Hopefully we can get in the points again when we get to Silverstone. Our bike has been back on the dyno and the team reckons they have found some good things, and I hope we can get those improvements to work on the track. I enjoyed the old Silverstone layout and the new one looks even better. It seems like a bit of a horsepower circuit again but there are a few corners to allow you to make up time.” WSS Rider Comments Kenan Sofuoglu, Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR: “Since the tough Brno weekend I have been relaxing at home to give my arm a chance to heal. It’s almost ready for Silverstone, where I really want to win again and continue the push over the last four races of the season. The circuit is not a favourite of mine and in the really bad conditions three years ago I crashed at the first corner. The circuit looked really nice when I watched the MotoGP race and it looks like it might suit the CBR600RR so I will try to get the maximum points that I can. We will see how it goes at the weekend, but I am really looking forward to it.” Eugene Laverty, Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR: “We had a really good Silverstone test despite it being part of a trackday and it was beneficial to learn the new track layout. Even the lap times were down where we wanted them to be. We have now started the Silverstone weekend a step ahead and it is a tricky enough new layout that does take a bit of learning. It’s quite fast, more third and fourth gear corners than second and third gear corners. It is pretty bumpy in some places but not the worst one on our calendar. I lost a lot of points in Brno but I am just looking ahead and I am capable of winning a lot of races. I am all out for the championship itself now. I have already been runner-up last year, so it’s just about going for the title itself in the final few races.” Ronan Quarmby, Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR: “Since coming over from South Africa I have managed to spend a few days with the Ten Kate team in Holland, and spent a really nice weekend with Gerrit and Ronald and their family. They have made me feel really welcome – and looking round the workshop just blew my mind! I’ve been to Silverstone before, when I was racing in the UK, but our race was cancelled because of the weather. I’ve been watching the MotoGP race online and the new layout looks awesome. Now I can’t wait to get going and I think I can do well I’m just not sure yet how well. We’ll know more after practice and qualifying.” Gino Rea, Intermoto Czech Honda CBR600RR: “Been a long time off the bike and I am glad to be able to get back onto the bike on home ground. It will be weird to ride in England again but I am really looking forward to it, the whole atmosphere of the weekend as well.” Miguel Praia, Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR: “We did a small test at Silverstone during a trackday last week so I think we may have a small advantage this time, if only on the first day at least. The team is based in the UK so I have one British bone in my body I suppose! Silverstone will be like a second home race for me, after Portimao back in March.” Massimo Roccoli, Intermoto Czech Honda CBR600RR: “Silverstone is a special track, and you got a special feeling when you rode there. I always seemed to get good results. The track is new this time but I love England and English tracks, so I hope to get a good result again.” More, from a press release issued by Xerox Ducati: THE DUCATI XEROX TEAM CROSSES THE CHANNEL FOR ROUND 10 AT NEW-LOOK SILVERSTONE Silverstone (UK), Tuesday 27th July: the Ducati Xerox Team heads to the UK or, more specifically, to Silverstone, the only “new” track to feature on this year’s World Superbike calendar, after a two year absence. The upcoming tenth round is also the last event before the championship’s traditional month-long summer break; Round 11 is scheduled for 5th September at the Nürburgring in Germany. The historic Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire, UK, has undergone some major restructuring during recent months and the track layout is now very different to that on which the Superbikes last raced in 2007. The last time Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio visited the English circuit, they experienced some particularly bad weather that resulted in the cancellation of Race 2. Race 1 went ahead as planned but heavy rain conditioned the outcome and while Noriyuki finished on the podium behind Troy Bayliss (race winner on the Ducati), Michel unfortunately crashed out. Haga has raced at Silverstone on five previous occasions, and has achieved seven podium finishes over nine races, an impressive record. Michel is yet to celebrate a podium finish at this particular circuit but he, Noriyuki and the entire Ducati Xerox Team are looking forward to the challenge that the new look track will present. At the latest round, held three weeks ago at Brno in the Czech Republic, both Noriyuki and Michel made a great start to the weekend, topping the timesheets in the early sessions. Superpole did not go as planned for either rider, but despite their grid positions, the Ducati Xerox men fought hard with Michel scoring a podium finish in the second race and Noriyuki making up many positions in both races to close in fifth and sixth. Going into round ten of thirteen, Haga is still in fifth position in the overall standings while team-mate Fabrizio finds himself eighth. Ducati lies in third position in the manufacturers championship. Noriyuki Haga (5th in championship, 172 points) Noriyuki has scored some impressive results at the British track in the past. “We haven’t been to Silverstone for a few years but we’ve heard that they’ve made some great track modifications and I’m looking forward to going back there. I’ve had some good results there in the past, quite a few podiums from what I remember and it was always a track that seemed to suit my riding style. We’ll have to wait and see just how much it’s changed but I’m looking forward to the event and hope we can do well.” Haga’s Superbike form at Silverstone: 2007: Race 1 2nd 2006: Race 1 2nd, Race 2 2nd 2005: Race 1 – DNF, Race 2 3rd 2004: Race 1 winner, Race 2 2nd 2002: Race 1 2nd, Race 2 10th Michel Fabrizio (8th in championship, 147 points) Michel looks forward to riding the new-look track. “I’ve raced at Silverstone before of course but my results were nothing to write home about. With the changes to the track layout it will be interesting to see how everyone goes, I guess we’ll all be starting on a level playing field, and so I am confident that we can put together two great races. I hoped to do better at the recent Brno round and so will try my best to take as many points as possible this weekend to improve my position in the overall standings.” Fabrizio’s Superbike form at Silverstone: 2007: Race 1 DNF 2006: Race 1 DNF, Race 2 15th CIRCUIT DATA: Country: UK Name: Silverstone Circuit length: 5.902 km Pole position: left Corners left: 10 Corners right: 8 Race distance: 18 laps = 106.236 km LAP RECORDS: Fastest lap Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1’26.299 (2006). Superpole Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1’24.558 (2007). 2007 RESULTS: Race 1 – 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox); 2. Haga (Yamaha); 3. Corser (Yamaha).