MCE British Superbike Championship
Snetterton Circuit, England
June 13, 2014
Superbike Practice Two Results (all on Pirelli tires):
1. Shane Byrne, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:48.181
2. Julian Da Costa, France (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:48.309
3. Jakub Smrz, Czech Republic (Duc 1199 Panigale), 1:48.708
4. Josh Brookes, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), 1:48.930
5. Chris Walker, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:48.963
6. James Westmoreland, UK (BMW S1000RR), 1:49.033
7. James Ellison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:49.209
8. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Yam YZF-R1), 1:49.340
9. Patric Muff, Switzerland (BMW S1000RR), 1:49.419
10. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Japan (BMW S1000RR), 1:49.460
11. Barry Burrell, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:49.839
12. John Hopkins, USA (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:49.870
13. Dan Linfoot, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:49.943
14. Keith Farmer, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:49.980
15. Ben Wilson, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:50.392
16. Josh Waters, Australia (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:50.620
17. Richard Cooper, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:50.670
18. Michael Rutter, UK (BMW S1000RR), 1:50.694
19. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:50.796
20. Harry Hartley, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:50.868
21. Stuart Easton, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:51.172
22. Ian Hutchinson, UK (Yam YZF-R1), 1:51.173
23. Jon Kirkham, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:51.729
24. John Ingram, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:51.848
25. Mitchell Carr, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:52.475
26. Howie Mainwaring, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:53.289
27. Jenny Tinmouth, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:53.565
28. Rhalf Lo Turco, Brazil (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:54.435
Other Americans competing at Snetterton:
James Rispoli rode his Team Traction Control Suzuki GSX-R600 to 10th in the Motorpoint British Supersport Free Practice Two. Rispoli’s best lap time was 1:53.445. Billy McConnell, riding a Triumph, posted the fastest time of 1:51.662.
Jayson Uribe was seventh-fastest overall and fourth in the Moto3 class in Motul British Motostar Free Practice Two on his FPW Racing/R5R Honda. Uribe’s best lap time was 2:05.070. Bradley Ray, riding a 125cc-class machine, was the fastest rider in the session with a 2:01.527.
Anthony Alonso was 14th-fastest overall and eighth in the 125cc class in Motul British Motostar Free Practice Two on his SP125/BARF Racing Honda. Alonso’s best lap time was 2:08.626. Bradley Ray, riding a 125cc-class machine, was the fastest rider in the session with a 2:01.527.
Former AMA Pro regular Ben Young, a resident of Canada, was 28th out of 42 riders in the first 1000cc Superstock qualifying session on his Team WD-40 Kawasaki ZX-10R. Danny Buchan, riding a Kawasaki ZX-10R, posted the fastest time in the session, a 1:50.544.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision:
Round 3 Snetterton 300 13—15 June
BRITAIN’S BYRNE LEADS INTERNATIONAL OPPOSITION AT SNETTERTON
Results
Free practice one:
1: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 1m:48.900s
2: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.370s
3: Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +0.627s
4: Julien Da Costa (Honda Racing) +0.701s
5: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) +0.782s
6: James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +1.055s
Free practice two:
1: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 1m:48.181s
2: Julien Da Costa (Honda Racing) +0.128s
3: Jakub Smrz (Millsport Ducati) +0.527s
4: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.749s
5: Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +0.782s
6: James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +0.852s
Report
Home hero Shane “Shakey” Byrne set the pace in the opening MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship free practice sessions at Snetterton, leading his international rivals Julien Da Costa, Jakub Smrz and Josh Brookes in a top six that featured five different manufacturers.
Byrne has won three of the four races so far as he bids to claim the title for a record fourth time and he was quickly down to business, powering in consistently strong laps at the Norfolk circuit to edge out his closest rival by 0.128s.
Byrne said: “In the morning we were able to open a gap over the rest, using only one set of tyres, and we were happy with the work we had done. In the afternoon, we went quicker, and a couple of others went faster too, but towards the end of the session we found a big improvement. My rhythm was much better and we got faster and I really loved riding even more than usual for those four or five laps. Hopefully now we can continue in that direction and perfect the bike tomorrow for qualifying.”
World Endurance Champion Julien da Costa marked Honda Racing’s return to the Championship in fine style as he closed to within 0.128s of Byrne in the final stages of the session. The Frenchman is making the first of four scheduled ‘wild-card’ appearances for Honda as they continue to develop their bike for a planned return to the series next year.
Millsport Ducati’s Jakub Smrz continued to show his pace at the Norfolk circuit, setting the third fastest time ahead of Josh Brookes, the only rider so far this season to beat Byrne. The Australian riding the Milwaukee Yamaha, ran just 0.749s down on his title rival and just ahead of Chris Walker aboard the Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki.
James Westmoreland ran sixth fastest for Buildbase BMW ahead of James Ellison who will be looking to continue his consistent podium finishing record for the Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki team. Tommy Bridewell, Swiss rider Patrick Muff on the Bathams BMW and three times title winner Ryuichi Kiyonari riding the Buildbase BMW completed the top ten that represented six different nationalities.
For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com
More, from a press release issued by Milwaukee Yamaha:
MILWAUKEE YAMAHA BUILDING ON RETURN TO SNETTERTON
The Milwaukee Yamaha team returned to action at Snetterton today for the third round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship with Josh Brookes and Tommy Bridewell ending the opening day in fourth and eighth respectively.
Brookes made his return to the track and was quickly on the pace, setting the second fastest time in the morning session before rounding out the afternoon in fourth after making further changes to the setting ahead of qualifying tomorrow. Bridewell made positive steps forward throughout the day, moving from tenth up to eighth in the afternoon and feeling stronger for tomorrow’s sessions.
Brookes said: “I am really happy with the transition back to the track as in the first session we were second and so that was fine to start with and then we cracked on making changes. We had a problem with the front tyre we were working on so we made some changes for the second run to relieve the pressure on the front tyre and that seemed to work really well, but then we had a few concerns about the back end of the bike is working. We now just need to piece it together as we have improved the lap time it’s just we are in the middle period where we need to get the front feeling and then get the rear to work as it did before, then we will be further up the order again. I am not concerned though, it is just part of racing and we will be ready tomorrow.”
Bridewell said: “It’s been a very productive day and a strong Friday. I’m not a Friday person usually but I felt really comfortable on the bike like I did in Spain. In the five and a half weeks since the previous round I have re-focussed, re-trained and am refreshed coming back stronger. I feel really happy on the bike doing the times within my comfort zone. Now I am looking to push on in qualifying, we have some improvements to make but after so long off the bike, it is nice to be back.”
For more information visit www.milwaukeeyamaha.com