Editorial Note: American James Rispoli, riding his Quattro Plant FS-3 Racing Kawasaki ZX-10R, finished seventh in the Superstock 1000 race, which was won by Richard Cooper on a Bennetts Suzuki GSX-R1000. Danny Buchan leads the Superstock 1000 Championship standings with 297 points, while Rispoli is ninth with 80 points.
American Brandon Paasch, riding his G & S Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R, finished 20th in the Superstock 600 race, which was won by Jordan Gilbert on his Mission Racing Yamaha YZF-R6. Dan Stamper leads the Superstock 600 Championship point standings with 164, while Paasch is tied with Liam Shellcock in 28th with two points.
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship
Silverstone Circuit, England
September 10, 2017
Race Two Results (all on Pirelli tires):
1. Josh Brookes, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), 8 laps, Total Race Time 16:59.718, Best Lap Time 2:06.856
2. James Ellison, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -0.274 second, 2:06.171
3. Shane Byrne, UK (Duc Panigale R), -0.732, 2:06.520
4. Sylvain Guintoli, France (Suz GSX-R1000), -1.268 seconds, 2:07.159
5. Jason O’Halloran, UK (Hon CBR1000RR SP2), -1.329, 2:06.979
6. Bradley Ray, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -2.338, 2:06.609
7. Christian Iddon, UK (BMW S1000RR), -2.765, 2:07.272
8. Peter Hickman, UK (BMW S1000RR), -3.067, 2:06.926
9. Jake Dixon, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -4.977, 2:07.106
10. John Hopkins, USA (Duc Panigale R), -7.617, 2:07.237
11. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Kaw ZX-10RR), -9.224, 2:07.372
12. Luke Mossey, UK (Kaw ZX-10RR), -10.437, 2:07.729
13. Jakub Smrz, Czech Republic (BMW S1000RR), -10.437, 2:07.871
14. James Westmoreland, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -28.948, 2:10.382
15. Michael Laverty, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -31.265, 2:07.227
16. Dean Harrison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -41.445, 2:11.588
17. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -45.465, 2:11.532
18. Andy Reid, UK (BMW S1000RR), -9.422 seconds, DNF, 2:07.507
19. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), -9.679 seconds, DNF, 2:07.490
20. Shaun Winfield, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -40.607 seconds, DNF, 2:10.973
21. Glenn Irwin, UK (Duc Panigale R), -7 laps, DNF, no lap time recorded
22. Leon Haslam, UK (Kaw ZX-10RR), -7 laps, DNF, no lap time recorded
23. Lee Jackson, UK (BMW S1000RR), -8 laps, DNF, no lap time recorded
24. Taylor Mackenzie, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -8 laps, DNF, no lap time recorded
25. Dan Linfoot, UK (Hon CBR1000RR SP2), -8 laps, DNF, no lap time recorded
26. Luke Stapleford, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), DNS
Race Three Results (wet conditions, all on Pirelli tires):
1. Dan Linfoot, UK (Hon CBR1000RR SP2), 9 laps, Total Race Time 22:50.725, Best Lap Time 2:30.303
2. Michael Laverty, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -4.115 seconds, 2:30.558
3. Jake Dixon, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -20.423, 2:31.700
4. James Westmoreland, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -1 lap, 2:33.513
5. Jakub Smrz, Czech Republic (BMW S1000RR), -1 lap, 2:33.770
6. Bradley Ray, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -1 lap, 2:36.087
7. Lee Jackson, UK (BMW S1000RR), -1 lap, 2:35.538
8. Christian Iddon, UK (BMW S1000RR), -2 laps, DNF, 2:29.128
9. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Kaw ZX-10RR), -2 laps, DNF, 2:32.687
10. John Hopkins, USA (Duc Panigale R), -3 laps, DNF, 2:31.094
11. Shane Byrne, UK (Duc Panigale R), -4 laps, DNF, 2:32.142
12. Peter Hickman, UK (BMW S1000RR), -4 laps, DNF, 2:32.865
13. Glenn Irwin, UK (Duc Panigale R), -4 laps, DNF, 2:32.487
14. Luke Mossey, UK (Kaw ZX-10RR), -4 laps, DNF, 2:36.200
15. Dean Harrison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -4 laps, DNF, 2:39.616
16. Sylvain Guintoli, France (Suz GSX-R1000), -5 laps, DNF, 2:34.006
17. James Ellison, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -7 laps, DNF, 2:32.110
18. Josh Brookes, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), -7 laps, DNF, 2:34.014
19. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), -7 laps, DNF, no lap time recorded
20. Shaun Winfield, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -7 laps, DNF, no lap time recorded
21. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -7 laps, DNF, no lap time recorded
22. Jason O’Halloran, UK (Hon CBR1000RR SP2), -8 laps, DNF, no lap time recorded
23. Leon Haslam, UK (Kaw ZX-10RR), -8 laps, DNF, no lap time recorded
24. Andy Reid, UK (BMW S1000RR), DNS
25. Taylor Mackenzie, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), DNS
26. Luke Stapleford, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), DNS
Championship Point Standings (after 19 of 26 races):
1. Byrne, 235 points
2. Brookes, 212
3. Haslam, 209
4. Hickman, 208
5. O’Halloran, 194
6. Dixon, 192
7. Mossey, 176
8. Iddon, 172
9. Ellison, 139
10. Linfoot, 110
12. TIE, Hopkins/Laverty, 91
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Showdown Six confirmed as Linfoot becomes ninth different winner at dramatic Silverstone
Dan Linfoot became the ninth different race winner at Silverstone today (Sunday) as he mastered the wet conditions to claim his first victory in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, but at the top six decider it was Jason O’Halloran and Jake Dixon who completed the final line up after the third race.
Defending champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne had confirmed his place after the opening race on Saturday but tensions were high with the final five places up for the taking in the final two races of the Main Season.
In the second race of the weekend Byrne led the pack from Christian Iddon, but Guintoli was pushing and soon was attempting to make a move on the Be Wiser Ducati rider for the lead after passing his Tyco BMW rival.
There was more drama for Leon Haslam as the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider crashed out at Stowe; he had been fighting his way through the pack from the back of the grid, but despite his second non point score of the weekend after also crashing out of race one yesterday, he was able to confirm his Showdown position.
On the fifth lap Guintoli hit the front of the pack onboard the Bennetts Suzuki, but it was frantically changing as Brookes then stole the position to lead Guintoli and Byrne with a freight train of riders including Iddon and James Ellison, who had carved his way through from the back of the grid.
The positions were chopping and changing at the front, with every point crucial for a place in the Showdown, but for race one winner Glenn Irwin his race was over when he crashed out unhurt.
Andy Reid and Martin Jessopp then also crashed out, bringing out the BMW Safety Car, and just before the race was due to resume Shaun Winfield suffered a blow up, leaving oil on the circuit which then bought out the red flag.
Brookes was declared the race winner for the second time this season to move second in the standings and secure his position in the Showdown ahead of Ellison, who delivered a gritty performance from starting last on the grid. Byrne completed the podium to add to his Podium Point tally.
Guintoli scored his best result of the season in fourth ahead of Showdown Six contender Jason O’Halloran and rookie Bradley Ray. Iddon held on to seventh ahead of Peter Hickman, who confirmed his place in the Showdown with eighth place. Jake Dixon and John Hopkins completed the top ten.
The final two Showdown positions were then up for the taking in the final race of the day at Silverstone with O’Halloran, Luke Mossey, Dixon and Iddon all still in contention.
It all changed in race three with completely wet conditions, but for Haslam his woes continued as he was unable to make the start due to a technical problem. Then the tension heightened again as Honda Racing’s O’Halloran crashed out on the opening lap, leaving himself vulnerable in the Showdown with Dixon, Iddon and Mossey all capable of claiming the positions.
At the front Brookes had hit the front of the field ahead of Byrne and Ellison who were instantly dicing for positions. On the second lap Brookes had a moment which pushed him wide and allowed Byrne and Ellison to carve through. However a lap later there was disaster for Ellison as he crashed out unhurt.
Brookes was then the next rider to crash out of contention as he fought for the lead, leaving Byrne in the lead for the Be Wiser Ducati team with Dan Linfoot in third and Hickman holding fourth after confirming his Showdown position in the earlier race.
On the sixth lap though there was a crash from Byrne and he slid out of contention at Farm leaving Linfoot to master the conditions and edge out an advantage over the chasing pack to claim his first win in the series.
Meanwhile the positions were changing throughout the field as Michael Laverty had moved into third place as Iddon moved into second and potentially securing his position in the Showdown Six for Tyco BMW. However on the eighth lap Iddon had a moment and crashed out at Club, ending his hopes of a position in the top six for the Showdown.
Dixon then had the advantage and he held third place to the finish to secure his place and become the youngest ever rider to line up in the Showdown with O’Halloran still holding enough points despite his non finish to complete the Title Fighter line up as Mossey crashed out.
James Westmoreland secured his best result of the season and Gearlink Kawasaki’s best result in the class in fourth place ahead of Jakub Smrz and rookie Ray for Buildbase Suzuki. Lee Jackson was the final finisher in seventh place.
The 2017 Showdown Six line-up features two riders appearing for the first time with Dixon and Hickman plus three teams will make their Showdown debut next weekend at Oulton Park – Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha, RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki and Smiths Racing BMW.
The final title fight will now be between six different teams and five different manufactures with three rounds remaining.
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, race two result:
1.Josh Brookes (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha)
2.James Ellison (McAMS Yamaha) +0.274s
3.Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) +0.732s
4.Sylvain Guintoli (Bennetts Suzuki) +1.268s
5.Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +1.329s
6.Bradley Ray (Bennetts Suzuki) +2.338s
7.Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +2.765s
8.Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +3.967s
9.Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) +4.977s
10.John Hopkins (Moto Rapido Ducati) +7.617s
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, race three result:
1.Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing)
2.Michael Laverty (McAMS Yamaha) +4.115s
3.Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) +20.423s
4.James Westmoreland (Gearlink Kawasaki) 1 lap
5.Jakub Smrz (Lloyd & Jones PR Racing BMW) 1 lap
6.Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) 1 lap
7.Lee Jackson (Smiths Racing BMW) 1 lap
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship Showdown Six:
1.Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) 532
2.Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 526
3.Josh Brookes (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) 522
4.Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 518
5.Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) 509
6.Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) 503
For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Dan Linfoot
Honda Racing
Silverstone Race 3 winner
“I am so happy to finally take my first race win, I was starting to think it was never going to happen with all the times I have been trying and either crashed out of the lead, or gave it to Jason on the last corner at Snetterton last year! But today it was meant to be.
“I haven’t had the easiest of weekends with three crashes and have made some work for the team, but to be rewarded with my first win and the new Fireblades first win feels good. It’s a funny one, the race where everyone else crashes out I stay on!
“We have a good wet setting with the Fireblade so going into the race I knew we could be strong. I started 21st, which wasn’t easy and with the riders crashing in front of me I had to be careful, but once I was settled I was able to make it to the front.
“Thanks to the team, three years of trying and we get that first win today! I am not in the Showdown, but I am happy for Jason as he’s in there, so at least we have a Honda there fighting in the Showdown. But I can still play a part and maybe be a Showdown spoiler over the next few rounds; I want to stand on that podium a few times more this season that’s for sure.”
Jake Dixon
RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki
Youngest ever Showdown Six contender
“Coming into the weekend we were expecting rain but in Friday’s wet practice sessions, I wasn’t very strong and even in the races I wasn’t that strong. Christian (Iddon) came by me and although I tried to pick up the pace, I couldn’t go with him. Just after half race distance, the tyres suddenly kicked in and I started moving forward. When Christian went down though it really threw me and I was riding like a novice
“It’s so easy to go down in the wet but I managed to stay upright and not only get on the podium but clinch my spot in the Showdown. It’s my first full year in BSB so to make it into the Showdown is an amazing feeling and for the team as it’s their first time also.
“The whole team has worked incredibly hard all year long so now we’ve made it through, I’m ready to take the fight to the other five riders and have a real good go for the title.”
More, from a press release issued by Be Wiser Kawasaki:
Podium For Byrne In Dramatic Day At Silverstone
After the highs of Glenn Irwin’s first MCE British Superbike Championship race win yesterday, the Be Wiser Ducati Racing Team had a challenging day at Silverstone today, the highlight of which was five-times and defending champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne finishing third in the opening race to grab another valuable Podium Point prior to the Showdown starting next weekend.
Londoner Byrne, who had already sealed his place in the all-important top six, started the first race of the day from pole position and a perfect start on the factory-backed Be Wiser Ducati Panigale R saw him grab the lead into the first corner from where he held sway over the field for the first half of the race before dropping to third.
Following a safety car intervention, the pack closed up but just as Byrne was planning a charge to victory in the closing laps, out came the red flag due to oil being dropped on the circuit leaving him to claim the final podium spot for Paul Bird’s Penrith-based team.
Team-mate Irwin, fresh from his maiden BSB win yesterday, started the opening 14-lap encounter from the second row of the grid, completing the opening lap in sixth place. However, the Carrickfergus rider’s race was soon over as he crashed out a lap later, fortunately without injury, at Stowe corner.
Byrne started the second race, which was held in wet conditions, on the front row once more with Irwin on row four before taking over the lead on the second lap and extending it as Irwin moved up to seventh. However, it all went wrong for the team on the sixth lap as both Shakey and Irwin crashed out just prior to the red flag as conditions deteriorated.
As a result, Byrne leads the standings on 532 points ahead of Leon Haslam on 526 going into next weekend’s opening Showdown encounter at Oulton Park.
Shane Byrne: “Saturday was a very difficult day so it was nice to get today underway with a good, solid ride onto the podium in race one. I rarely use the harder SC1 tyre as it’s hard to make it work on the Be Wiser Ducati but with the cooler temperatures I felt I had little option and was ready to have a big push in the closing stages only for the red flag to end the race early. I felt comfortable at the front in race two but the weather made it really difficult and I was down before I knew it. We came here with the aim of getting three wins and 15 Podium Points but racing doesn’t always work out like that and whilst you could look at this weekend in a negative way after two crashes, the positive is how well the bike has performed on the harder SC1 tyre. With autumn and the cooler temperatures now upon us, I’ve gained a lot of confidence which should stand us in good stead. The Showdown’s now upon us and we’ve got five days before we come out fighting.”
Glenn Irwin: “It’s obviously been a mixed weekend starting out with my first ever BSB win on Saturday but suffering two crashes today. I made a mistake in the first race as everything was going well up until that point and the bike was working really well so hats off to the team. The last race of the weekend was a complete lottery as it was difficult out there and, like Shakey, I was down before I knew it or had any chance to try and save it. It’s a shame to end the weekend in that manner but thanks as always to the team for a great job.”
Phil Borley, Technical Director: “It’s been a very disappointing day with Shakey’s third place and additional Podium Point the only positive really. It would have been nice to have seen the race go full distance as the bike was working really well and Shakey was looking very strong but it wasn’t to be. The conditions were difficult in race two which could be seen by the number of fallers and it led to zero points for Shakey as he went down. After yesterday’s high, Glenn was brought back down to earth in both races which was obviously a shame as he could have scored some good points. Instead he ended up with none but, thankfully, both riders are injury free so we’ll pick ourselves up, repair the damage and get ready for the Showdown opener next weekend.”
More, from a press release issued by RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki:
Dixon secures Showdown spot for RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki
Jake Dixon overcame difficult conditions throughout round nine of the MCE British Superbike Championship at Silverstone at the weekend with three strong rides, including a third place, securing both him and the RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki team a place in the six-rider Showdown.
The 21-year old qualified in a strong second place for the first of the three races, which was held on Saturday afternoon in damp, and extremely slippy, conditions and a good start saw him grab the lead on the opening lap. With one half of the circuit wet and the other half dry, riders on full wet tyres were those in the ascendancy and although Jake slipped back to fourth a lap later, he rode a mature race to secure 13 extremely valuable points.
Despite finishing fourth, the nature of the race meant he had to start Sunday’s opening 14-lap encounter from 12th and the fourth row of the grid which left him with considerable work to do. Indeed, whilst he opted for the softer SC0 tyre, he wasn’t able to make as much progress as he would have liked and had to settle for ninth after the race was ended early due to a slight oil spill.
It meant there were just four points covering the three riders – Jake, Luke Mossey and Christian Iddon – going for the final Showdown spot and there was everything to play for in the third and final race of the weekend. Jake lined up in seventh with Iddon (13th) and Mossey (16th) further behind.
The race was held in wet conditions to make it even trickier for the riders and with an extremely slippy surface, staying upright proved to be extremely challenging. Indeed, five riders crashed out on the third lap by which time Jake was in seventh place but Iddon was proving to be the danger man as he moved up into fourth.
By lap six, Jake had moved up to fifth as Iddon took second but the BMW rider crashed out two laps later which handed the Showdown position to Jake. With riders continuing to fall, the race was eventually brought to an end on lap ten with Jake finishing in third place to pick up another podium credit. The final three rounds, dubbed the ‘Showdown’ will now see the leading six riders dispute the Championship with the points reset at 500 and the podium credits of each rider added on.
Team-mate Jordan Weaving qualified in 14th place for the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship race with the Briggs Equipment Kawasaki rider, like the whole field, only managing five minutes of dry time in the session before rain began to fall. Indeed, the class experienced more wet weather than most although the race was, thankfully, dry with another solid ride by the South African seeing him rewarded with a good ninth place at the chequered flag.
Jake Dixon: “Coming into the weekend we were expecting rain but in Friday’s wet practice sessions, I wasn’t very strong and even in the races I wasn’t that strong. Christian (Iddon) came by me and although I tried to pick up the pace, I couldn’t go with him. Just after half race distance, the tyres suddenly kicked in and I started moving forward. When Christian went down though it really threw me and I was riding like a novice.”
“It’s so easy to go down in the wet but I managed to stay upright and not only get on the podium but clinch my spot in the Showdown. It’s my first full year in BSB so to make it into the Showdown is an amazing feeling and for the team as it’s their first time also. The whole team has worked incredibly hard all year long so now we’ve made it through, I’m ready to take the fight to the other five riders and have a real good go for the title.”
Lee Hardy, Team Owner: “I’m a little bit lost for words to be honest but for a small team from Norwich to make it into the Showdown is a major achievement and something we can all be proud of, not least Jake. We knew Christian would be the major challenger in the wet as his pace was so strong in practice but whilst Jake was nervous, we told him to try and dig in as a lot could – and did – happen. Jake didn’t have the grip he wanted in the early stages but he didn’t panic when Christian went ahead and kept plugging away.”
“Riders were falling everywhere and when Christian went down, we had the board ready for Jake to tell him the Showdown place was his. He had a huge moment almost straightaway so it was a relief for everyone to see the race end and Jake finish on the podium, picking up the bonus of a podium credit. Heading into the Showdown, we’re in a strong position in terms of podium credits and Oulton is a strong circuit for us so we’re all excited to see what Jake can do now that the pressure’s off.”
There’s little rest for the team with the next round taking place at Oulton Park, Cheshire on September 15-17.
More, from a press release issued by Smiths Racing:
Hickman Secures Showdown Spot For Smiths At Silverstone
The Smiths Racing BMW team and Peter Hickman battled the elements at round nine of the MCE British Superbike Championship at Silverstone this weekend, but two finishes from the three races secured fourth place in the championship table and with it, one of the coveted Showdown positions which will now see the top six riders dispute the title over the final three rounds.
After qualifying in seventh place for yesterday’s 14-lap race, rain beforehand had left the circuit in an unusual state of half wet and half dry which made tyre choice difficult and Peter made a last-minute decision to call into the pits to change from intermediate tyres to full wets.
It meant the Lincoln-based rider had to start the race from pit lane but it proved the correct decision as he was soon up into the points and continued to move gradually forward on the Smiths Racing BMW S1000RR, his determined ride seeing him rewarded with ninth place and seven points at the flag.
Starting today’s first race from 17th on the grid meant there was more hard work to be done but the combination of a good start and a number of other riders not finishing meant he was already up to ninth before taking eighth place at the finish to secure his Showdown position for a first time.
That just left the third and final race to negotiate but by that time the weather was at its worst with rain falling but the 30 year old slotted into third in the early laps. It proved to be a race of attrition as Hickman too crashed out without injury in the latter stages whilst holding sixth place.
Meanwhile, team-mate Lee Jackson struggled in qualifying and was back on the seventh row for the opening race later in the day whereby he eventually crossed the line in 12th place and in today’s first 14-lap affair, from the second row, the 21 year old from Lincoln was unlucky to crash out on the opening lap.
The team did a great job in rebuilding the bike and getting Jackson on the grid for the third and final race of the weekend and he was one of the few that managed to stay upright. He plugged away and with the race being stopped on the tenth lap, he picked up nine more points for a dogged ride into seventh place.
Peter Hickman: “It’s certainly been a challenging weekend but I’m naturally over the moon to have made it through to the Showdown for the first time. I’ve come close before so to finally do it is great, not just for myself but also the team. It’s a small, family run team but Alan and Rebecca put their heart and soul into their racing with the whole team working tirelessly so they deserve it as much as anyone. It was hard work and I crashed out of the third race but it’s my first crash anywhere this year so to get to September without falling off is no mean feat so now we’ll get ready for the Showdown and give it our best shot.”
Lee Jackson: “Despite finishing 12th, I was quite pleased how Saturday’s race went as I’d come from a long way back on the grid and a good lap gave me a good grid position for today’s opener. Unfortunately, I got taken out on the first lap and I gave my ankle a good bashing whilst the bike was also pretty battered. The team did a great job in getting me back out and it was simply a race of survival. I lost the front a few times so it was a real challenge but I managed to bring it home and ended the weekend with two points-scoring finishes but I’ll be looking to get back into the top six next time out.”
Alan Smith, Team Owner: “We came into the meeting fairly confident of securing a Showdown position but you can never be too confident in racing as anything can, and often does, happen. The weather made it difficult for everyone but Peter got the job done so I’m really pleased for him and the team that we’ve made it into the Showdown. It’s all to play for now in the final three rounds so we’ll be giving it our best shot and fingers crossed for some decent weather so we all get to do it on a level playing field.”
More, from a press release issued by Bennetts Suzuki:
Cooper takes Superstock 1000 victory as Guintoli secures season-best finish of fourth
Richard Cooper closed in on the lead of the National Superstock 1000 championship, taking victory in today’s race at Silverstone onboard his Bennetts Suzuki GSX-R1000.
Cooper qualified on pole for today’s race, but given the competitive nature of the class and the close racing the Silverstone circuit creates, he knew it would be difficult to break away from the chasing pack. Instead, the Nottinghamshire rider used his experience to manage his position and the front and secure another win for him, the Bennetts Suzuki team, and the new GSX-R1000.
Richard Cooper, “It went to plan really. With such little dry track time – maybe only seven or eight laps all weekend – our setup probably wasn’t perfect, but I felt I had an answer every time I was passed. Obviously I would have liked to have pulled away, but I always knew it was going to be a fight. In terms of the championship, we’re now 15 points behind, three races to, so it’s all to play for.”
Sylvain Guintoli took a season-best result of fourth in today’s opening MCE British Superbike race at Silverstone, after leading the opening stages onboard his GSX-R1000.
The Frenchman started the second of three races that made up this weekend’s triple-header from the front row, before taking the lead to control the race from the front until the halfway stage.
He dropped to fourth place, before the race was red-flagged under safety car conditions for two separate incidents. However, it still gave Guintoli and the team their best result of the season as they continue to develop the new GSX-R1000 in Superbike trim. Unfortunately he crashed out of race three that was eventually red-flagged due to the conditions.
Sylvain Guintoli, “It was good to lead for a few laps today and fight at the front. Everyone has worked hard and today we showed that we can race at the front when things are working for us. I’m happy to get our best result of the season today and fourth is a strong finish. In the wet in race three we struggled. We hadn’t had a good feeling in the wet all weekend really, but also a lot of others struggled, too. Hopefully we can push on from here and have a strong end to the season and be at the front again.”
After finishing seventh in yesterday’s race, Taylor Mackenzie went into today’s action looking to build on that performance, and was confident of pushing on for top-five finishes. Sadly for the youngster, he suffered a nasty crash on the opening lap of race two, as he looked to make a pass into the Maggots and Beckets section of the circuit, resulting in a broken foot.
Taylor Mackenzie, “It was a fairly big one today. I was trying to make a pass and just ran out of room on the inside. I got on the back brake and it ended with a highside to the moon and a broken foot. It’s a shame because yesterday was good and I thought we could build on it today. I’m going to try and be back for Oulton, but we will see how the recovery goes.”
Team manager, Steve Hicken, “It’s been another up and down weekend but with lots of positives. With Richard [Cooper] we’ve closed in at the top of the championship and he’s taken another win for the team and the new GSX-R1000. There are still three races to go and a lot can change, and we’re still chasing that top spot. It’s just a case of taking each race as it comes.
“With Sylvain [Guintoli], it’s good to show how the hard work pays off. He’s shown what he and the bike are capable of today; racing at the very front and leading in dry conditions. It’s a shame to miss out on the podium, but we’ve got to be happy with fourth and can hopefully push on from here.
“Taylor [Mackenzie] had a good race yesterday and seventh is a solid finish. We’d had a bit of bad luck in the middle part of the season, and it was good to get back into the top-10 as that’s exactly where we know he can be. We were aiming to improve again today and get into the top-five, but unfortunately that bad luck’s struck again. It was a mistake from Taylor as he was looking to make a pass and get by some of the guys in front, but sadly it’s ended in a broken foot. He’s aiming for an Oulton return but realistically we’re probably looking at Assen, with any comfort and competitiveness.”
Superstock 1000 race result: 1. Richard Cooper, 2. Josh Elliot, 3. Michael Rutter
Superbike race two result: 1. Josh Brookes, 2. James Ellison, 3. Shane Byrne, 4. Sylvain Guintoli, DNF. Taylor Mackenzie
Superbike race three result: 1. Dan Linfoot, 2. Michael Laverty, 3. Jake Dixon, DNF. Sylvain Guintoli, DNS. Taylor Mackenzie
More, from a press release issued by Tyco BMW:
ELLIOTT PODIUM HIGHLIGHT AT SILVERSTONE
Josh Elliott took second place, a fastest lap, and a well-earned podium finish for Tyco BMW earlier today in the National 1000cc Superstock class at Silverstone, but there was no such luck for his BSB team-mates.
Andy Reid suffered a fractured femur after an incident in today’s opening British Superbike race, with Christian Iddon disappointingly missing out on a top six Showdown position, when he crashed out of second place in today’s third and final BSB race of the weekend in treacherous conditions.
Iddon took sixth and seventh placed finishes in the opening two races of the Silverstone triple-header and despite his third race no-score, he did take the fastest lap of the race.
Josh Elliott:
“I’m absolutely delighted to get my first podium this season. After being off a bike for so long this year, it’s nice to show what I’m capable of doing. I have to thank Philip Neill for giving me this opportunity and my crew at Tyco BMW for working with me all weekend to improve the bike.”
Christian Iddon:
“Obviously I’m gutted we are not in the Showdown. But we missed two rounds during the season through injury which didn’t help our cause. We may not have got things quite right but we’ve put a huge effort in during the year. We came to Silverstone this weekend outside the Showdown top six, so we had nothing to lose. Saturday’s race I rolled the dice with the tyre choice and came in sixth; then the second race in the dry, I could have had a better result. I made a settings’ change mid-race and it caught me out and I missed a gear.
Today’s last race was wet and we’ve been fast in the wet. We found a good set-up and I felt confident. There was a crash on the first lap that I nearly got caught up with, but I just tried to manage the race and worked my way through from last to second. There were only seven finishers and I wasn’t one of them. I was relaxed and pushing at the time and it caught me out. I’m gutted to have crashed out, but I’d like to send my best wishes to my team-mate Andy Reid and wish him a speedy recovery.”
Philip Neill – Team Manager:
“Firstly, our thoughts are with Andy Reid at this point. I must say the lad has impressed every time he has ridden the Tyco BMW S1000RR and this weekend was no exception.
It was great to see Josh back where he belongs fighting for race wins on the S1000RR. His pace when coming through the pack was fantastic and a reminder of how good a rider he is, and also how strong a package the BMW S1000RR is in Superstock specification.
We honestly could not have tried any harder to make it into this year’s BSB Championship Showdown and I would like to say a massive thanks to our sponsors, team members and most of all our riders for their efforts. The conditions this weekend were very difficult at times although, with the very clear advantage Christian had in the wet conditions throughout the weekend, we cannot hide our disappointment at not securing the all-important top six position for Tyco BMW.
Two rounds missed through injury clearly halted our championship challenge for this year however, we would like to congratulate those who secured the top six positions especially Jake Dixon who rode his heart out this weekend. We will regroup this week and aim to finish the season on a positive note for our sponsors Tyco Security Products and BMW Motorrad.”