MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship – Round 10 Croft, North Yorkshire Friday 11th to Sunday 13th September 2009 BRITISH SUPERBIKES DESCEND ON CROFT The 2009 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli pays its one and only visit of the season to the North East when Croft Circuit, North Yorkshire hosts rounds 20 and 21 of the 26 race series on Sunday September 13th. Billed as Britain’s most popular motorsport series, with nearly 100,000 fans attending the previous two rounds at Brands Hatch and Cadwell Park, the action is fast and furious with a truly international flavour which sees the best of the British riders take on stars from France, Australia and Japan. The round at Croft will give tens of thousands of race-starved local fans the chance to see top class bike racing without having to travel to the next nearest circuit some two or three hours away at places like Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire, Oulton Park in Cheshire or Knockhill in Scotland. In the BSB class, Kent’s Leon Camier leads the series on his Airwaves Yamaha ahead of his team-mate James Ellison, but the rider from Kendal in Cumbria will be looking to his local track to pull back some points. Camier has been a class apart this season, winning fifteen of the nineteen races held so far and has a healthy 97.5 point lead over three-time race winner Ellison and whilst he can mathematically wrap up the title at Croft, its more likely he can take another huge step towards it with a decent showing. There’s local interest also with the riders in third and fourth place in the standings, Stuart Easton from Hawick and Yorkshireman Karl Harris, who ride for Guisborough businessman Shaun Muir’s Hydrex Honda Team and both are still searching for their debut win. Returning to the series after a two- race ban for his part in the accident at Mallory Park, Australian Josh Brookes returns aboard the HM Plant Honda, although team-mate Glen Richards is still unfit and will be replaced once again at Croft and also in action aboard the Worx Crescent Suzuki will be Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli who just last season was racing in MotoGP against the likes of Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner. Perennial crowd favourite Chris ‘The Stalker’ Walker rides for Henderson Motorpoint Yamaha, as does Hexham youngster Graeme Gowland who won on his last visit to Croft so he’ll be hoping for home advantage too. In addition to the two, twenty-lap feature races, a full support race programme is included during the weekend. Huddersfield rider James Lodge narrowly leads the Relentless 125cc class ahead of KRP team-mate Martin Glossop and in the Metzeler 1000cc Superstock Championship, Ulsterman Alastair Seeley has already wrapped up the title on his Relentless TAS Suzuki. Ballyclare’s Jamie Hamilton comfortably leads the Metzeler 600cc Superstock Championship on the Gearlink Kawasaki and in the Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport Championship; just two points separate HM Plant Honda’s Steve Plater from Australian Billy McConnell on the MAP Raceways Yamaha. Other local interest will see Yarm-residing South African AJ Venter hoping to score a podium in the Supersport class and Newcastle rider Joe Burns and Blyth’s Jonathan Dickson will be in action in the 1000cc Superstock and National 600cc classes respectively. Saturday’s action commences at 09.30 and sees the all-important qualifying sessions, including the exciting F1-style Swan Combi 50 Roll for Pole knockout qualifying session to set the grid for Sunday’s two Superbike races as well as the qualifying sessions for the other classes. Due to stringent noise restrictions and to comply with local authority regulations, the action cannot commence until after 12.00 noon on Sunday whereby the action kicks off with the warm up sessions before the first British Superbike race which is scheduled to start at 13.30. However, during the morning, as well as there being an open paddock, there will be an hour-long ‘Pit Walk’ for fans to meet the riders and that is scheduled for between 10.30 and 11.30. Adult admission costs £6.00 per adult on Friday, £12.00 per adult on Saturday and £26.00 per adult on Sunday. Children aged 15 and under are admitted FREE and there is FREE paddock access and car/bike parking. For further information call Croft Circuit on 01325 721815. * The Northern Echo is running a free competition on Monday 7th September, courtesy of Croft Circuit, to offer four lucky readers the chance to win both a VIP Hospitality package and admission tickets. Up for grabs is 1 x pair of VIP passes to include race day hospitality for two in the Croft Suite, free parking, free programme and a VIP tour of the Hydrex Honda pit garage to meet Stuart Easton and Karl Harris and team owner Shaun Muir and three runner-up prizes of pairs of Sunday admission tickets. NOTE TO EDITORS – NOT FOR PUBLICATION: Any media requests for interviews, previews or further information should be directed to Larry Carter of Cartersport on 01609 761346 or 07831 890486 ( [email protected]). Based locally at Northallerton, North Yorkshire, Larry is the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship Series Presenter as well as his company running the PR Office for a number of leading teams and organisations. Timetable Saturday 12th September 09.30 – 09.55 Metzeler National Superstock 600 – Qualifying 1 10.00 – 10.50 2009 MCE Insurance British Superbikes – Free Practice 11.00 – 11.35 Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport – Qualifying 1 11.45 – 12.10 Relentless British 125cc – Qualifying 1 12.20 – 12.45 Metzeler National Superstock 1000 – Qualifying 1 —Interval— 13.45 – 14.50 British Superbikes – Swan Combi 50 Roll for Pole 15.05 – 15.40 Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport – Qualifying 2 15.50 – 16.25 Relentless British 125cc – Qualifying 2 16.35 – 17.00 Metzeler National Superstock 600 – Qualifying 2 17.10 – 17.35 Metzeler National Superstock 1000 – Qualifying 2 Sunday 13th September 07.00 Gates Open 10.30 – 11.30 Pit Lane Walkabout 12.00 – 12.10 2009 MCE Insurance British Superbikes – Warm Up 12.15 – 12.25 Relentless British 125cc – Warm Up 12.30 – 12.40 Metzeler National Superstock 600 – Warm Up 12.45 – 12.55 Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport – Warm Up 13.00 – 13.10 Metzeler National Superstock 600 – Warm Up 13.30 2009 MCE Insurance British Superbikes – Race 1 – 20 laps 14.15 Relentless British 125cc – 14 laps 15.00 Metzeler National Superstock 1000 – 15 laps 15.30 Fuchs Lubricants Rallycross Supercar Demonstration 15.50 Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport – 18 laps 16.35 2009 MCE Insurance British Superbikes – Race 2 – 20 laps 17.15 Metzeler National Superstock 600 – 14 laps More, from a press release issued by Steve Plater’s publicist: STEVE PLATER CROFT PREVIEW With just three rounds left in the Fuchs/Silkolene British Supersport championship, Steve Plater heads to round 10 of the series at Croft in North Yorkshire knowing that nothing less than a win will suffice if he is to remain in control at the top of the table. Plater, from Woodhall Spa near Lincoln holds a narrow two point advantage over Yamaha rider Billy McConnell and it is vital to his championship challenge that he completes the race at Croft ahead of his rival. With two wins each under their belts the pair will be going head to head for the championship lead at the North Yorkshire circuit and Plater knows he must steer the HM Plant Honda machine to victory to stave off the attention of the young Australian rider. “Things are really tight now at the top of the table and its not just McConnell I have to think about,” said Plater. “There are four of us who have a realistic chance of winning the championship and although James Westmoreland and Ben Wilson are 30 or more points behind us they could still pose a threat as there are 75 points at stake in the remaining three races. “It is essential that I complete my race at Croft ahead of McConnell as that would put me a few more points ahead of him. Billy is on form right now having taken the win last time out but I hold the series lead and he has to beat me on Sunday if he is to overtake me. The pressure is on for both of us and all I can do is ride to the best of my ability and see how it pans out.” Free practice takes place on Friday followed by two 35-minute qualifying sessions on Saturday. The 18-lap British Supersport race is scheduled to start at 3.50pm on Sunday when Plater will be hoping to leave Croft with his series lead intact. More, from a press release issued by British Superbike Championship organizers: Camier expectant but rivals re-group to challenge Round ten 11/12/13 September Croft MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli Leon Camier is eager for an action replay of his winning ride at Croft of last season in his efforts to secure the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli but the Airwaves Yamaha rider, who has a comfortable lead in the title stakes, goes into the tenth round knowing that the action will be tough. His rivals have re-grouped, with something of a re-shuffle of the pack. Hydrex Honda, who currently have Stuart Easton running third in the title stakes, adrift of Camier and his team-mate James Ellison, have dropped Karl Harris from their line-up after several disappointing results, and replaced him by former World Superbike rider Tommy Hill. Hill impressed when he deputised for the injured Sylvain Guintoli aboard the Worx Crescent Suzuki but was left without a ride when the Frenchman returned at Cadwell Park putting in two strong performances, with the promise of better things to come at the North Yorkshire circuit. Harris, a former winner of the Supersport crown, has meanwhile returned to the Rob McElnea equipe for whom he raced last year, taking over their Node 4 bike as a replacement for their injured rider Jon Kirkham. The HM Plant Honda team meanwhile have their Australian Josh Brookes returning to action having served a two event ban, imposed on him after the Mallory Park round, and he is keen to make a big impression having tested at the circuit in readiness for these races. “I am there to get results, to be back on the podium and to stay focussed on the final rounds,” said Brookes, adding: “At Knockhill I was running at the front, not that far off Camier and we had a bit of a scrap, so I want to come back here and challenge him again.” Camier, who goes into these races with a massive 97.5 points lead in the series, over Ellison, has a settled team environment in which to work and he intends to use this to good effect to tighten his grip on the sport’s premier trophy which he believes will be a stepping stone to his graduation onto the World stage. The two Airwaves rider have won all but one of the races between them so far, and they aim to maintain the pedigree in this round, with Ellison positive that he can rack up the points to keep second place in the standings out of reach of Easton. There are other riders capable of springing surprises with Simon Andrews aboard the MSS Colchester Kawasaki along with John Laverty on the similar machine, running in Buildbase colours, while Chris Walker needs a strong result on the Motorpoint Henderson Yamaha as does Relentless Suzuki’s Ian Lowry. Gary Mason, the clear leader in the Mirror.co.uk Cup, expects to add to his winning tally aboard the Quay Garage Honda, but under pressure from local favourite Tom Tunstall together with Peter Hickman and Martin Jessopp. Croft fast facts Lap records – 2.1250 mile circuit Superbike Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 1m 19.695s, 95.99mph, 12/08/07 Supersport Glen Richards, Triumph, 1m 22.166secs, 93.10mph 14/09/08 125GP Robbie Stewart, Honda, 1m 26.613s, 88.32mph, 12/08/07 1000 Superstock Jon Kirkham, Yamaha, 1m 22.914secs, 92.62mph, 14/09/08 600 Superstock Robbie Brown, Yamaha, 1m 25.409secs, 89.57mph 13/09/08 Flashback 2008 British Superbikes round 10, Sunday 14 September Race one 20 laps 1 L Camier, Ducati, 27m 06.760secs 2 L Haslam, Honda 3 T Sykes, Suzuki 4 C Crutchlow, Honda 5 S Byrne, Ducati 6 M Rutter, Ducati Race two 20 laps 1 L Haslam, Honda, 27m 04.305secs, 94.19mph 2 T Sykes, Suzuki 3 C Crutchlow, Honda 4 S Byrne, Ducati 5 L Camier, Ducati 6 M Rutter, Ducati Superbikes on track Friday 11 September 11.05-11.55 and 14.20-15.10 (Free practice) Saturday 12 September 10.00-10.50 (Free practive) 13.45-14.49 Swan Combi 50 Roll for Pole Sunday 13 September 12.00-12.10 (Warm-up practice) 13.30 Race one 20 laps 16.35 Race two 20 laps Superbikes on television Sunday 13 September British Eurosport 13.00-18.00 Raceday “live” Full television transmission details: www.britishsuperbike.com More, from a press release issued by British Superbike Championship organizers: Double champion Kiyonari returns to boost HM Plant Honda challenge Round ten 11/12/13 September Croft MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli Ryuichi Kiyonari makes a dramatic return to British Superbike action this weekend at Croft as he lines up for the HM Plant Honda team with whom he has twice won the sport’s premier domestic crown. The Japanese rider, currently riding with the Ten Kate Honda team in World Superbikes, joins forces with Aussie Josh Brookes for the tenth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli at the North Yorkshire circuit. Kiyonari replaces the team’s injured rider Glen Richards and is ready to take the fight for race victories to the series leading Leon Camier aboard the Airwaves Yamaha. The GSE Racing equipe, who run the Airwaves bikes for Camier and James Ellison, know all about the strength of Kiyonari as he beat them to the title in both 2006 and 2007. He has an impressive pedigree at Croft, the home round for Honda team sponsor’s HM Plant, winning four times, once in each of 2005 and 2006 and then taking the double, ahead of his team-mate Jonathan Rea in 2007. “I’m really excited to be riding for the HM Plant Honda team again. I’m also very happy to race in BSB and especially at Croft. I love this circuit and won both races when I last raced there in 2007,” said Kiyonari. Brookes returns to action having served a two event ban, imposed on him after the Mallory Park round, and he is keen to make a big impression having tested at the circuit in readiness for these races. “I am there to get results, to be back on the podium and to stay focussed on the final rounds,” said Brookes, adding: “At Knockhill I was running at the front, not that far off Camier and we had a bit of a scrap, so I want to come back here and challenge him again.” Camier goes into these races with a massive 97.5 points lead in the series, over Ellison.