High speed Snetterton the next stop for MCE British Superbike battle

Snetterton is the next stop for the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship this weekend (July 8/9/10) and with five different race winners and a further five podium finishers already in 2016, Leon Haslam leads the pack into the fifth round in Norfolk.

Haslam holds a 13 point advantage over arch rival Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne ahead of the next two races and is gunning for his first double win of the season after jetting back to the UK following a test in Japan ahead of the Suzuka Eight Hour event.

Byrne has been unbeaten at the Norfolk track in recent seasons, but the four-time champion knows that he has an all-new challenge this year with the Be Wiser Ducati as he bids to extend his winning form.

Christian Iddon holds third in the standings courtesy of his string of podium finishes earlier this season, however he is yet to claim a victory in MCE BSB. It was his Tyco BMW team-mate Michael Laverty who topped the times at the recent official test at the circuit and he will be pushing to add to his Silverstone win.

James Ellison, Tommy Bridewell, Dan Linfoot and local contender Luke Mossey have all been podium finishers this season and will be fighting to the finish for the victories as will previous race winners Richard Cooper and Peter Hickman.

The Marham-based RAF Regular and Reserve BMW team will be pushing for home success with Alastair Seeley and rookie Jake Dixon. The local team strengthened their challenge to a two-strong rider line up at the previous round of Knockhill and will be pushing for honours at the Norfolk circuit.

The weekend gets underway with free practice on Friday with Datatag Qualifying on Saturday before the two MCE BSB races on Sunday.

For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)

“At the last round I felt confident going into Knockhill and we had another win in the dry but it rained before race two and I thought that would be more of a challenge for us. But we had a great pace and I felt a win was on the cards before my visor misted up. The potential of the bike was definitely for a double win, which is obviously the target going into Snetterton; we know everyone will be getting stronger, but we still have more to come too.

“The Snetterton test recently was the first time I had ridden the 300 circuit layout and I am looking forward to the races; the number of corners has doubled since my last race there so that gives even more chances for moves and definitely makes it more exciting for the fans, especially with the improved spectator areas.

“We are all pushing really hard for every point and you can’t afford to give an inch in these races – you have to stamp your authority but also ride smart and smooth which is the plan for Snetterton.”

Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati)

“We tested at Snetterton before Knockhill and although we didn’t get any clear laps in we did post some pretty fast times and we have a good base setting with the bike to start free practice with, which is good.

“I think that the nature of the 300 circuit should suit the Panigale and I am 99% confident that we will get our first round of upgrades for the bike at Snetterton too. These aren’t going to make me ten seconds a lap faster, but they will potentially make life that little bit easier.

“I am really looking forward to Snetterton and seeing how the Be Wiser Ducati works with the potential new upgrades. I know that there are stats with how many races I have won at Snetterton in recent years but I tend not to count on the past – my priority is to make those numbers even more impressive!”

More, from a press release issued by Be Wiser Ducati:

 Snetterton Awaits For Byrne And Irwin

Snetterton is the next destination in the 2016 MCE British Superbike Championship whereby the Be Wiser Ducati British Superbike Championship Team of Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and Glenn Irwin will beShane Byrne looking forward to continuing the momentum of the opening four rounds.

Londoner Byrne is hitting a rich vein of form, taking two wins in the last three races to run second in the series and he arrives in Norfolk full of confidence aboard the factory-supported Be Wiser Ducati Panigale R. And with good reason as the 39-year-old four-times MCE BSB champion is unbeaten in his previous five races around the ‘300’ circuit.

Shakey knows it’s not going to be easy but is in good spirits, buoyed by the fact that Paul Bird’s team has made further improvements to the bike following some senior personnel from Ducati Corse visiting the previous round at Knockhill and spending time with the Penrith-based squad.

Northern Irish team-mate Glenn Irwin arrives at Snetterton following a hectic week which saw him become a father for the first time. His son Freddie was born a couple of days ago but now his focus is back on racing and continuing his great form in his rookie season.

The 26-year-old from Carrickfergus won one of the British Supersport races at Snetterton last year and hopes to round out a memorable week by adding to his points total which sees him in 14th place in the standings. Irwin was unlucky to get knocked off in race two at Knockhill two weeks ago so plans on making amends this weekend.

Shane Byrne: “I’m really looking forward to going racing again this weekend, the fresh challenge that the Ducati Panigale R has provided the team with has been great. As a package we know with our continuing hard work it’s only going to get better and better. And on a plus side, after digging out and planting 90 trees over the past few days, going racing will provide a nice little bit of time off!”

Glenn Irwin: “It’s been a memorable week what with the birth of Freddie and now I’m looking forward Glenn Irwinto Snetterton for round five of my British Superbike experience. Every week we are making progress and growing in confidence and once again we will work hard as a team to fine tune this fantastic motorcycle and continue our progression.”

MCE BSB Championship Standings (after four rounds)

1 L Haslam 128pts

2 S Byrne 115

3 C Iddon 94

4 R Cooper 93

5 J Ellison 89

6 M Laverty 74

= P Hickman 74

14 Irwin 25

For further information, please visit www.pbmuk.net and www.britishsuperbike.com.