SWAN YAMAHA SEEKING SUCCESS ON NEW SNETTERTON 300 The Swan Yamaha team head to Snetterton in Norfolk this weekend for the sixth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship following Tommy Hill’s double win and Michael Laverty’s podium finish last time out at Knockhill. Hill and Laverty currently lie third and fourth respectively in the overall standings and this weekend the team are relishing the opportunity to race on the new ‘300’ layout following redevelopment at the Norfolk track over the winter. At a pre-season test at the track Laverty had set the pace whilst Hill suffered a crash, however both riders are confident of another strong performance this weekend in their quest to secure important podium credits ahead of the Showdown. Hill said: “We have a very strong base setting on the Swan Yamaha and I think that should be a place for us to start this weekend. It has been good for us; it took us to pole at Oulton Park and then a pole again and double win at Knockhill so we are hopefully not going to be far off from the start. I am just looking forward to getting out in practice and getting some laps in as I have done fewer than most of the other riders as when we were here for the test I had a crash and only did a handful of laps. The new track is going to be exciting that’s for sure and really for the first time this season everyone is in the same position with a completely new track. I definitely want to be back at the front collecting the points and the podium credits for the championship. My confidence is probably the highest it has been since before my crash at Oulton Park so it can’t come soon enough.” Laverty said: “I was quickest at the test here earlier in the season so hopefully we can maintain that during the race weekend. The circuit is like a big European circuit now and I am definitely looking forward to it. There hasn’t been a runaway winner at all in the championship so far and it will all come down to who is switched on to the new track and can pull it out of the bag at the event. There are lots of new passing spots and with everybody finding their feet the fans should get two great races on Sunday.” More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service: An all-new track will greet the Samsung Crescent Racing team for this weekend’s sixth round of the 2011 British Superbikes Championship as Snetterton’s winter reconstruction gives the Norfolk circuit an extra mile of track and, at three miles long, the ‘Snetterton 300’ becomes the second longest track in the UK. The former WWII USAF base will offer a level playing field for American BSB rookie John Hopkins, as all the riders will have to get to grips with the new layout. For Hopkins, this could be an opportunity to make a big points – and podium credits – haul as he looks to strengthen his hold on second position in the championship – and challenge for the lead. Team-mate Jon Kirkham will be looking to grab the top-five finishing positions his lap times have shown should be his as he endeavours to join Hopkins in BSB’s elite top-six. John Hopkins: “I’m looking to score a lot of points and net a lot of podium credits this weekend. My shoulder injury from Knockhill, while not completely healed, will not bother me. I went to the Clinica Mobile at the Dutch GP at the weekend and after the laser treatment and expert physio I’m in great shape. “We tested here at Snetterton 300 last Tuesday and I like the track. It’s the usual job of joining the dots to make the lap flow and there’s a lot happening in the first half of the lap; there’s lots to consider – it’ll be a busy weekend. But the bike felt great and I’ve got a good feel for what’s to come.” Jon Kirkham: “What a track! After Knockhill it took a few laps here to get used to riding the bike at top speed again as this is one fast circuit. But it’s also one with lots of passing places and I think we can look forward to some brilliant racing. “I know what my job is for the weekend: I’ve got to nail two top-fives and enough points to get back into the top six in the standings and consolidate my position there.” Jack Valentine – Team Manager: “We had a good test here last week. Both riders got in plenty of laps and comfortably set good lap times. Every lap meant more circuit knowledge and this will be important come the start of Friday’s practice – we’ll be starting straight away from a good base on which to build for qualifying and the races. “Hopper’s reporting his shoulder’s feeling much stronger and is now comfortable given the rest and the work the Clinica Mobile people did on it. I’m sure he’ll be on the pace and grabbing a good number of points and podium credits this weekend. JK should be on the pace as well. He was setting lap times comparable to the front runners during his comeback ride in race two at Knockhill. He’s got the pace and he’s shown he can beat everyone in the paddock. He just needs to put it all together consistently every weekend. “For the fans we’re certainly facing an exciting weekend. A new track means new lap records; new everything, just at the right time for the Championship.” More, from a press release issued by Honda: MCE INSURANCE BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 06 SUNDAY03 JULY SNETTERTON PREVIEW HONDA’S BYRNE READY FOR NEW CHALLENGES AS KIYONARI STEPS UP A GEAR Shane Byrne has the advantage in the MCE Insurance British Superbike title stakes going into the sixth round at Snetterton, but the HM Plant Honda rider will face new challenges at the Norfolk circuit which has been radically re-configured and extended during the closed season. Byrne and his team-mate, the reigning three times British champion, Ryuichi Kiyonari, have only had a one day test pre-season at the new three mile long circuit and will be using the data collected then to good effect as they intend to maximise their track time to ensure everything is set for the races that come at a crucial time in the “main season.” The British title is decided on the basis of performance of riders over the first nine rounds and 19 races of the “main season” with only the top six then going forward to the finale “Showdown for the title” over the final three rounds and seven races. Byrne is currently well placed, leading the points standings comfortably, and also collecting 15 podium credit scores which come into play in the finale. Kiyonari however is under some pressure to kick-start his challenge, currently placed sixth overall, but only a handful of points clear of several riders including Peter Hickman who is riding last year’s title winning Fireblade in Tyco colours. Kiyonari who reflected after his back to form fourth place in the second of the races in the Scottish round at Knockhill that he was happier with the balance of his bike and that gave him confidence to make overtaking moves needs to maintain that form. The Japanese rider has a good pedigree in past visits to Snetterton having won six times there while Byrne has twice been victorious, but now they have to get to grips with a rather different circuit that provides an intriguing mix of long, very fast straights with tight, twisting sections and an increased number of overtaking places. Byrne goes into these races with a lead of 172-141 over former MotoGP rider John Hopkins who left Knockhill with a sore shoulder after tipping off his Suzuki, but the American is in no mood to allow that to hamper his challenge for the crown. Hopkins will again pose a major threat to Byrne who will also be mindful of the challenges from the two Yamaha riders Tommy Hill, the first to score a winning daily double this season last time out as he returned to full fitness, and Michael Laverty who are immediately adrift of the leading duo in the standings. The continued absence of Stuart Easton through injury will ease Kiyonari’s concerns about maintaining a position in the top six, but the Japanese rider is determined to provide a winning flurry to rack up major points and with them podium credit scores in his efforts to secure an unprecedented fourth British title. Glen Richards, meanwhile, will be looking to add to his two victories aboard the WFR Honda so far in the “back to basics” BSB-EVO class to extend his lead in the title chase though under pressure from Kawasaki riding Simon Andrews. Honda rider quotes ahead of the Snetterton round: Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda): “We had a one day test on the new circuit and since then we have done a lot of work on the bike so we should be a lot better for the races. The circuit is alright, with a good fun mix of fast flowing section and some tight parts. The new section is a bit tighter that I had hoped it would be. But, we are going there definitely in a position to try and win races. My results in the previous round third and second were a good day’s work and there Tommy Hill had the edge, but, that was just one circuit. I expect him to challenge again here together with Michael Laverty, Josh Brookes, John Hopkins and my team-mate. I am looking for good strong races, good battles and hopefully coming out at the top.” Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda): “I liked Snetterton before, but now I think it will be more of a challenge and more exciting for the fans. I think we will all start the same so it is difficult to know who will be fastest, which is good for the fans, but not so good for me as I want to win. We have won before at Snetterton on the old circuit and I want to win again for sure. The HM Plant Honda has been fast there in the past so we need to push hard and do everything we can to win.”