MCE British Superbike Championship
Donington Park, England
September 18, 2016
Race Results (all on Pirelli tires):
Race One Results:
1. Shane Byrne, UK (Duc Panigale R), 20 laps, Total Race Time 29:52.369, Best Lap Time 1:29.136
2. Leon Haslam, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -7.225 seconds, 1:29.187
3. Jason O’Halloran, Australia (Hon CBR1000RR SP), -9.937, 1:29.198
4. James Ellison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -10.567, 1:29.435
5. Peter Hickman, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -14.441, 1:29.755
6. Richard Cooper, UK (BMW S1000RR), -15.381, 1:29.464
7. Dan Linfoot, UK (Hon CBR1000RR SP), -15.596, 1:29.805
8. Christian Iddon, UK (BMW S1000RR), -15.952, 1:29.566
9. John Hopkins, USA (Yam YZF-R1), -25.374, 1:29.987
10. Michael Laverty, UK (BMW S1000RR), -27.102, 1:29.937
23. Luke Mossey, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -17 laps, DNF, mechanical, 1:29.831
26. James Rispoli, USA (Yam YZF-R1), -20 laps, DNF, no lap time recorded
Race Two Results:
1. Shane Byrne, UK (Duc Panigale R), 20 laps, Total Race Time 29:56.112, Best Lap Time 1:28.896
2. Dan Linfoot, UK (Hon CBR1000RR SP), -2.502 seconds, 1:29.226
3. Christian Iddon, UK (BMW S1000RR), -5.475, 1:29.453
4. Peter Hickman, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -8.418, 1:29.431
5. Richard Cooper, UK (BMW S1000RR), -12.122, 1:29.491
6. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -12.335, 1:29.519
7. James Ellison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -15.888, 1:29.080
8. Luke Mossey, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -15.904, 1:29.426
9. Billy McConnell, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), -24.166, 1:30.230
10. Glenn Irwin, UK (Duc Panigale R), -24.614, 1:30.214
21. John Hopkins, USA (Yam YZF-R1), -6 laps, DNF, 1:29.435
22. Leon Haslam, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -8 laps, DNF, crash, 1:28.907
23. Jason O’Halloran, Australia (Hon CBR1000RR SP), -20 laps, DNF, no lap time recorded
25. James Rispoli, USA (Yam YZF-R1), DNS
Championship Point Standings (after 21 of 25 races):
1. Byrne, 593 points
2. Haslam, 566
3. Linfoot, 540
4. Ellison, 535
5. O’Halloran, 529
6. Mossey, 514
7. Hickman, 186
8. Cooper, 178
9. Michael Laverty, 177
10. Iddon, 156
15. Hopkins, 49
27. Rispoli, 3
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Shakey celebrates Donington double to kick off dramatic Showdown opener
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne celebrated a double dose of victories in the opening round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship Showdown at Donington Park. The four-time champion fought intensely with his closest rival Leon Haslam, who finished second in race one but crashed out of contention whilst battling to settle the score in race two.
In the opening Showdown race Byrne claimed a storming victory to move back to the top of the standings by just two points from arch rival Haslam who finished second.
At the start of race one Title Fighter James Ellison had taken the initial advantage from his team-mate Haslam, Byrne and Christian Iddon. Byrne was instantly on the attack though and moved into second with a move at the Hairpin on the second lap.
The Be Wiser Ducati rider then waited a lap later to make a pass on Haslam with a dive down the inside at the Esses to hit the front of the pack. It was on the same lap that Title Fighter Luke Mossey run straight on into the Esses before retiring to the pitlane with a brake issue.
Byrne and Haslam then pushed on at the front, with Byrne gradually edging a gap on his main title rival to win the race. The battle for third went down to the final laps and Honda Racing’s Jason O’Halloran was pushing to move back into the top three. The Australian waited until there were just three laps to go before pulling off a move into the Esses and then fending off the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider.
Peter Hickman was able to fight off Richard Cooper and Dan Linfoot in an intense battle for fifth place with Iddon holding eighth after dropping back down the order with an off track moment at Goddards earlier in the race. John Hopkins and Michael Laverty completed the top ten.
In race two Haslam looked to have the edge off the line as the pack steamed into the Craner Curves for the first time, but Ellison forced his way through with a determined move to take the lead.
O’Halloran was denied the chance to try and make his race one podium a repeat performance when he crashed out at the old Hairpin when the pack concentinered up. The Australian was left clearly frustrated as he now drops to fifth place in the Showdown standings ahead of Assen.
At the front Ellison was holding off Haslam and Byrne, but the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team-mates were soon to swap positions when the ‘Pocket Rocket’ moved ahead on the seventh lap. Ellison was then under fire from Byrne, who a lap later forced his way ahead as he focused on Haslam ahead of him.
Haslam and Byrne were then scrapping at the front, but as the pair dived for the Melbourne Loop, Ellison pulled one of the most spectacular moves of the season to ride around the outside of the duelling pair.
Ellison led over the line but Haslam then moved back ahead in one of the most intense races of the season so far between the leading trio. Ellison was dropping down the order as he began to lose grip and Linfoot took the advantage to move into third.
Haslam and Byrne were dicing at the front but then disaster struck the former championship leader when he crashed out at Redgate; frustrated the local hero was forced to watch the remainder of the race from the sidelines and subsequently fall 27 points behind double winner Byrne with still five races of the Showdown remaining.
Haslam’s crash then promoted Tyco BMW’s Iddon to third behind Linfoot as he returned to the podium for the first time since the second round.
The battle for fourth went to JG Speedfit Kawasaki with Peter Hickman leading Richard Cooper and Tommy Bridewell, who had a full-blow battle to the finish after Ellison dropped down the order to seventh. Luke Mossey, Billy McConnell and Glenn Irwin completed the top ten.
Byrne leads the Title Fighters to Assen as the championship standings were completely shaken up in Leicestershire. The Be Wiser Ducati rider has a 27 point advantage over Haslam, but Linfoot is now just 26 points adrift of second place with Ellison hot on his heels ahead of O’Halloran. Mossey ended a tough weekend with a single eighth place to hold sixth in the standings.
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, Race one result:
Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati)
Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +7.225s
Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +9.937s
James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +10.567s
Peter Hickman (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +14.441s
Richard Cooper (Buildbase BMW) +15.381s
Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +15.596s
Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +15.952s
John Hopkins (ePayMe Yamaha) +25.374s
Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) +27.102s
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, Race two result:
Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati)
Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +2.502s
Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +5.475s
Peter Hickman (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +8.418s
Richard Cooper (Buildbase BMW) +12.122s
Tommy Bridewell (Bennetts Suzuki) +12.335s
James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +15.888s
Luke Mossey (Quattro Plant Teccare Kawasaki) +15.904s
Billy McConnell (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +24.166s
Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +24.614s
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standing after Donington Park:
Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) 593
Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 566
Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) 540
James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 535
Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) 529
Luke Mossey (Quattro Plant Teccare Kawasaki) 514
For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati)
Double winner and championship leader
“It has been a great weekend. It started not so great when we had the first free practice session in the wet and I flicked myself off the bike on an in lap which wasn’t ideal as I smashed the bike up. Yesterday and Friday afternoon were a lot cooler than today and because of that it was a little bit hit and miss on what tyre to use. I think that the Ducati works the tyre well until I get stuck in a battle, a bit like at Oulton Park.
“When the track temperature came up today it played into my hands a little bit and I knew I needed to get out the front and control it and the second race was a little bit tougher. I felt comfortable in third but I knew there would be some harsh moves, I am not an idiot – I have been around a long time and raced a lot of strong, fast guys and I wanted to make sure when I got through I really got my head down and make a break.
“I waited for my moment, got to the front and then pushed on for a few laps and believe it or not, I saw on my board a really weird thing but I don’t tend to look at everything on my board in one go. I thought it said LH out but I wasn’t sure and I thought ‘it can’t be, not Leon at Donington that just wouldn’t happen’.
“The gap went up then I saw Dan was in second, but the gap came down and I thought I didn’t want to lose any points so I pushed on for the final laps. I am over the moon for the team and it is a great start to the Showdown, but there are still five very tough races to come. Fingers crossed we can stay where we are, but it is never that straight forward as it can all change so quickly.”
More, from a press release issued by JG Speedfit Kawasaki:
DONINGTON DISASTER AS JG SPEEDFIT KAWASAKI LOSE CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD
18th September 2016 – After setting the fastest ever British Superbike Championship lap of Donington Park during qualifying yesterday, race day proved a disappointing outcome for JG Speedfit Kawasaki as Leon Haslam crashed out of contention whilst tyre issues prevented James Ellison from showing his true potential. It was a different story on the other side of the garage as Peter Hickman had a strong day, claiming fifth and fourth.
With strong pace during practice, and a dominant display during qualifying, confidence was high coming into the opening two Showdown races at Donington Park today. With track temperatures increasing, Leon gambled on running the harder front and rear options during the opening race, however he just could not match the pace of eventual leader Byrne and crossed the line in second. A strong start from James saw him lead the opening half of the race, however he had slipped back to fourth by the flag. Continuing to show strong pace throughout, Pete took a strong fifth place.
Race two looked set to be a thriller as again Leon and James ran at the front, however disaster first struck James as a problem with his rear tyre saw him lose grip and drop back through the pack whilst only laps later Leon crashed out of second place. Hicky ensured spirits remained high in the JG Speedfit camp however by claiming a hard fought fourth place finish, moving him up to seventh in the Championship standings and leading the Riders Cup.
A rare mistake from Leon Haslam has seen him drop 27 points behind Byrne “I’m gutted! Our pace all weekend was really strong and the bike was working really well – unfortunately that crash in race two has left us with a lot of work to do for the Championship. It was our first racing crash of the year, it was my fault I just ran in a little too hot and down we went. Of course it’s disappointing to have crashed out, especially during the Showdown but there’s still two rounds and five races to go so our aim is to head out and win as many races as possible.”
After leading both races, James Ellison is disappointed to not have achieved a podium “I’m not really sure what to say! All weekend we’ve had really strong pace and have been running at the front and we even led both races. Unfortunately in that final race we had a problem with our tyre around lap six and I just couldn’t turn or keep the pace. It’s really disappointing if I’m honest, I felt really strong and thought we could definitely have been fighting for the podium. It was a bad end to the weekend, and although some of the other Showdown guys had difficult races we shouldn’t be finishing in seventh.”
Two strong races has seen Peter Hickman move to seventh in the Championship standings and lead the Riders Cup “It’s been a really good weekend for us! We’ve been pushing at the front in every practice session and we’re walking away with some great results. For some reason in that opening race I couldn’t quite get the feeling I wanted from the bike and we’re not sure why as we didn’t make any changes for race two but it felt like a different machine. I’m really happy though, it’s been a very strong round for us and we’re now leading the Riders Cup.”
GBmoto Racing Team Principal, Mark Smith-Halvorsen concluded, “To have lost so much ground in the Showdown is very disappointing. That said though it was a fantastic days racing for Peter Hickman who has done his bid for the 2016 Riders Cup a world of good. James had great pace all weekend but was unfortunately let down by a fault outside of our control. Whilst it’s disappointing, the war isn’t over and we’ve seen today that anything can happen so we’re going to keep battling until the very end and will be aiming to get the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team back on top.”
More, from a press release issued by Be Wiser Ducati:
First Showdown Blood To Byrne With Donington Double
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne opened up a healthy 27-point lead in the race for the 2016 MCE British Superbike Championship at Donington Park today after an emphatic double victory around the 2.5-Shane Byrnemile Grand Prix circuit.
Having qualified the factory-backed Be Wiser Ducati in second place for the opening 20-lap race, the 39-year-old Londoner took a commanding victory in both races to draw first blood in the title-deciding Showdown part of the season for Paul Bird’s Penrith-based team.
In glorious sunny conditions, the four-times champion completed the first lap of race one in third place after overhauling Christian Iddon and a lap later he was up to second. Wasting no time, Shakey then overtook arch rival Leon Haslam at the Esses and by half race distance, he began to stretch the gap.
Aided by a new lap record, his advantage went above half a second for the first time on lap 12 and he added to his advantage over the next few laps. At three-quarters race distance, his lead was up to 1.2s and he wasn’t to be denied his eighth win of the season, taking the chequered flag a dominant 7.2s clear of Haslam.
Starting from pole position for the second race later in the day, Byrne slotted into third place in the early stages behind the Kawasaki duo of Haslam and James Ellison but another new lap record saw him close in and on lap eight he moved up to second, overtaking Ellison at the Old Hairpin. However, a near coming together soon after at the Melbourne Loop with Haslam dropped him back to third.
Regrouping, he got back up into second place a lap later and then set about closing the gap to race leader Haslam. On the twelfth lap, he took the lead for the first time and moments later Haslam crashed out at Redgate, which gave Shakey a second lead over Dan Linfoot. He slowly pulled away from the Honda rider and despite a scare at Goddards on lap 17 he swept home for his 77th career win to seal a brilliant double and take firm control of the championship going into the penultimate round at Assen in a fortnight.
Team-mate Glenn Irwin lined up in 14th place for race once, ending the first lap a place further back in 15th. He was soon up to 12th but then lost time on lap nine when Billy McConnell crashed in front of him at the Melbourne Loop. He eventually found himself locked in battle with Jakub Smrz and Lee Jackson for 11th but ultimately had to give best to the two riders to end the race in 13th place.
The Carrickfergus rider started the second race from 13th which was where he completed the first lap. Overtaking opportunities were scarce but by half race distance he was up to 11th and part of a four-rider battle for ninth. Battling hard as always, the 26-year-old came home in tenth to ensure his weekend ended on a high note and with another top ten finish.
Shane Byrne: “My strategy for race one depended on what Leon’s tyre choice was as I know he’s very good at managing his tyre life and making the harder tyre work. Seeing him choose the SC1 harder Shane Byrnetyre, I went for the softer option and decided I needed to get to the front as soon as I could and get into a rhythm so as not to hammer the tyre too much and lose time in the latter stages of the race. It all went to plan so big thanks to my crew chief Giovanni and the team for doing a great job. The increase in temperature was a big factor in today’s results and the weekend has been so good for us as I’m able to make the softer tyre last so it was a similar strategy for the second race. Once again, I knew I needed to get to the front as early as possible and although it took me a bit longer second time around, once I did, I kept my head down and maintained a sensible rhythm. I wasn’t 100% sure Leon had crashed out but I’m sure he’ll be back at the front at Assen so we’re not counting our chickens yet.”
Glenn Irwin: “After a few crashes recently, I’ve taken a few knocks and I really struggled today, especially with my shoulder. I didn’t have enough strength in race one to hold on and it would have Glenn Irwinbeen foolish to try and keep Jackson and Smrz behind me so I brought the bike home for a finish. Thanks to the circuit physio, I got out for race two and whilst it was difficult again physically, the team did a great job with the bike and it was working really well. I made a bad start but the tyres were good and I got a top ten finish. Today’s results aren’t what I’m capable of and I feel like I’ve let the team down but I’ve two weeks to get fully fit for the next round and that’s the aim.”
Phil Borley, Technical Director: “It’s been a fantastic day and to take a double win in the first round of the Showdown and leave with a 27-point lead is more than we could have hoped for. Shakey had great pace today and the tyres held up really well whilst I think he outrode everyone in the two races. Glenn struggled a bit with a shoulder injury from his crash at Oulton Park, particularly in race one, but he had better pace in race two and got a decent top ten finish. He wasn’t able to show his full potential though so it’s been a little frustrating but hopefully he’ll be fully recovered in time for the next round.”
The penultimate round sees the team head to Assen in Holland with the meeting taking place on September 30-October 2.
More, from a press releases issued by Quattro Plant Kawasaki:
Mossey’s Showdown hopes dashed at Donington
The 2016 MCE British Superbike Championship hopes of Luke Mossey and the Quattro Plant Kawasaki team took a major downturn at Donington Park at the weekend with the Cambridge rider only picking up eight points from the two races in what was the first part of the three-round Showdown.
Having been strong throughout free practice, Luke qualified in a strong fourth place for Sunday’s opening 20-lap race but a sluggish start saw him drop back to ninth at the completion of the first lap although he moved up to eighth a lap later. However, having opted to run the harder SC1 rear tyre, the 23-year old was losing ground to the front runners but it was with an issue with his front brakes that caused him to run off track at Goddards at the end of the third lap and subsequently retire.
It meant he had to start the second race later in the day from the much lower position of tenth and having slipped back to eleventh on the opening lap, he regrouped to haul his way inside the top ten by half race distance. By that time though, the front group of riders had broken away and although he salvaged eighth place at the chequered flag, he lost considerable ground to his Showdown rivals with just five races now remaining.
Meanwhile, team-mate Filip Backlund looked like he was going to have one of his strongest weekends of the year so far as he ran inside the top twenty throughout free practice and qualifying. The opening race saw the Swede more than hopeful of some points once more but just moments after Mossey’s race came to an early end, so too did Filip’s with a crash at the Old Hairpin. His weekend then went from bad to worse as he crashed out of the second race at Coppice on the opening lap.
It was left to the sidecar crew of Ricky Stevens and Ryan Charlwood to salvage the weekend for the team in the three Hyundai Heavy Industries British Sidecar Championship and the duo duly extended their Championship lead. An excellent win in Saturday’s race was followed up by two close seconds in Sunday’s two encounters and they now head to the penultimate round with a healthy 49-point advantage over second placed Ben Holland/Lee Watson.
Luke Mossey: “It’s been a very tough day and after practice and qualifying, I thought we were on course for two decent results today. Unfortunately, I had an issue with the brakes in the first race and with the lever coming back to the bar, I ran on and had little option other than to retire. In the second, I did the best job I could but to come away with just eight points isn’t the way we wanted our Showdown to start. We’ll learn from the weekend though and definitely come back stronger and come out fighting at the next round.”
Filip Backlund: “I’m naturally very disappointed and also a bit angry as the whole team did a good job this weekend and we made good progress. The pace was good and we deserved some points this weekend so I’m sorry for the guys. The first race crash was very strange as I lost the front end when I was off the brakes and on the throttle and there was nothing on the data to show anything wrong. I was possibly a bit over excited in the second race and it was a big high-side so I’m fortunate to have walked away uninjured. Our pace would probably have put me around the 10th-15th area so I’ll take those positives away with me, get my head down and regroup for Assen.”
Pete Extance, Team Owner: “Without doubt, it’s been a disappointing start to our Showdown campaign and after riding really well throughout free practice and qualifying, Luke was unfortunate to suffer a brake issue in race one and retire. The second race was always going to be difficult starting lower down the grid and it meant he lost the tow to the leaders although he brought the bike home for a solid finish.”
“It was a weekend to forget for Filip and he’ll need to regroup now the next round at Assen and move forward but the sidecar boys did us proud once more with a great set of results. They’ve extended their lead over the Championship rivals but with double points on offer at the final round, they know there’s still plenty to do as they look to take their second British Championship.”
The penultimate round takes place in two week’s time at Assen, Holland.
More, from a press release issued by Pirelli UK:
PIRELLI TAKES HISTORIC MOTO3 BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP WITH CHARLIE NESBITT
Dominant win for 15 year old rider in ‘open tyre’ competition
Donington Park, Derbyshire, UK – Charlie Nesbitt wrapped up the Hel Performance British Motostar Championship Saturday, September 17 with a win at Donington Park, praising his KTM 250 and Pirelli tyres.
Having dominated the series all year, 15 year old Charlie Nesbitt took the championship crown two rounds (five races) early on his e3 motorsport/Redline KTM. Nesbitt and his team chose to use Pirelli DIABLO™ Slicks for 2016, a decision fittingly made at the series pre-season test at Donington.
Although Pirelli is the single tyre supplier to the MCE British Superbike Championship, the Moto3 class remains an ‘open tyre’ competition, with a battle between brands, which is why this title has an added significance for Pirelli. This victory marks an important milestone for Pirelli in this type of racing, which is being rolled out in several National competitions.
The tyres available for all Moto3 competitors are three compound choices of rear (120/70 R17) and a single front (110/70 R17) Pirelli DIABLO™ Slick tyres. Nesbitt also won on Pirelli DIABLO™ Rain tyres in the wet at the opening Silverstone round.
Nesbitt’s statistics for the season included 14 wins so far, seven pole positions and has only finished off the podium twice. Pirelli also have a good presence in the ‘Standard’ sub-class with several leading riders and series leader Dan Jones campaigning on the tyres.
The 2016 Hel Performance British Motostar Champion Charlie Nesbitt explained “It’s been an awesome year, I really can’t believe it. To go out with a win is great, I didn’t want to just cruise around to be honest. I really have to say the bike and tyres have been amazing all year, big thanks to Pirelli for all their support.”
Pirelli UK Racing Manager Jason Griffiths commented, “Congratulations to Charlie Nesbitt on securing the British Moto3 Championship title with five races still to run. An exceptional performance from such a young rider displaying racecraft well beyond his years, logging up 14 wins. For Pirelli it was important to find the right partner for this season and it has been a pleasure working with Nick Carpenter of e3 Motorsport, Tim Walker of Redline KTM and of course Charlie and his family. The confidence of the Pirelli R&D team in the Moto3 range has been proven with 14 race victories so far this year, in dry and wet track conditions. We’re supplying a number of other customers in the class and look forward to the remaining races at Assen and Brands Hatch, with the intention of making it a clean sweep by also securing the Standard class title.”
Follow Pirelli in British Superbikes and beyond on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PirelliMoto and Twitter ‘PirelliMoto’ . For more circuit and BSB information visit www.britishsuperbike.com