Castle Combe Superbike Grand National Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st July 2005 STARS SIGN UP FOR CASTLE COMBE SUPERBIKE MEETING Plans are at an advanced stage for the second running of the Castle Combe Superbike Grand National meeting which takes place at the Wiltshire circuit later this month, with a number of stars and top teams from the Bennetts British Superbike Championship set to battle it out for the £20,000 prize fund. Heading the entry list over the weekend of July 30th and 31st and looking for the victory which eluded him last year is none other than Michael Rutter aboard his factory backed HM Plant Honda Fireblade. The BSB series leader will be joined in the Honda ranks by the www.hondaracing.co.uk entry of Karl Harris and Red Bull Honda starlet, Jonathan Rea. Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamaha field team leader Sean Emmett who won both races at the inaugural meeting last year. The Londoner will be making his first appearance since his recent arm injury and will be joined by youngsters Tommy Hill and Richard Wren. Rizla Suzuki meanwhile will be in action with recent signing James Haydon who will be teaming up with talented young Ulsterman William Dunlop who makes his superbike debut on the GSXR1000K5. Other top teams will include AIM Racing with TT hero John McGuinness, local team Jentin Racing with rider Luke Quigley and a second rider still to be announced as well as Hydrex Honda with regular rider Kieran Clarke and possibly Steve Plater. Team Branson Racing include Steve Brogan in the ranks whilst Dean Ellison will be aboard the Slingshot Racing Honda and making his superbike debut will be local rider Alistair Fagan. Castle Combe Circuit is also in negotiation with a number of other top riders and teams and further news will be announced shortly. The top six finishers in the superbike races will take home a total of £7,000, the Independents Cup (for teams not directly supported by a manufacturer/importer) will take home a total of £4,600 and the Privateers Cup riders will race for their own prize fund of over £3,500. Several local riders will be involved in the meeting including the Bridewell brothers from nearby Etchilhampton. 16 year old Tom became the youngest ever winner of a Virgin Mobile Cup race last weekend at Knockhill and he’ll be joined by elder brother Ollie (19) who is very much on form aboard his Vivaldi Kawasaki. Other local top runners include Phil Bevan from Cardiff and Damien Fricker from Trowbridge and Steve Lane from Devizes. In addition to the two feature races, there is a full supporting programme including a Sidecar Invitation race featuring ten times World Champion Steve Webster and young pretender and last year’s winner Tim Reeves. Other support races include the New Era Club Championships for 125’s, 250’s, Sound of Thunder and Superstock. Sponsorship for the meeting comes from Bradstone the giant paving stone company who also sponsor the Leicester Tigers rugby team and this will be the first time they have been involved in motorcycle racing, The Safety Camera Partnership will be promoting safe riding by sponsoring the Independents Cup and local motorcycle retailer Fowlers continue their long term support at Castle Combe by backing the Privateers Cup. With additional backing from Subaru, Dunlop and Bikesport News, this promises to be a meeting not to be missed. Throw in a Superbike Riders Parade at lunchtime, the appearance of various guest BSB riders including current champion John Reynolds, an air display and the unique challenge of Castle Combe’s famous corners and it promises to be a cracker! Advance tickets are available now via the ticket hotline or for latest information go to the Castle Combe website at www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk