MCE INSURANCE BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP Round two Thruxton 13-15 April CAPTAIN KIRKHAM IN COMMAND WHILST CHAMPION HILL STARTS FIGHT BACK Jon Kirkham was the top gun in the opening race last weekend but now the dogfight reaches the former RAF airfield of Thruxton for the second round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship this weekend and the high-speed Hampshire circuit will test the title contenders. Samsung Honda’s Kirkham won at Brands Hatch but it was disaster for reigning champion Tommy Hill who left his home circuit pointless after a crash and now need to turn their title defence around as riders have to contend with the unforgiving 2.35-mile circuit. With speeds of up to 180mph without the benefit of the now abolished traction control fans can expect astonishing drifts and riders wrestling to keep the bikes in line as they vie for the slipstream advantage. Whilst the reigning champion struggled, three different manufacturers featured on the race one podium (Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki) and the revolutionary regulation changes have given new teams the chance to rival for top positions and that is set to continue this weekend. At Brands Hatch there were top six finishes from Padgetts Honda’s Ian Lowry and Italian Supersonic BMW’s Tommy Bridewell, plus Liverpool-based Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s Gary Mason’s fifth place gave the team their best finish in their ten year Superbike history ahead of this weekend’s Thruxton round. For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com More, from another press release issued by MotorSport Vision: WARREN ON TOP AS HIGH-SPEED DUEL REACHES THRUXTON Seton Tuning Yamaha’s Sam Warren heads the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship protected by Datatag standings ahead of this weekend’s high-speed Hampshire circuit of Thruxton. Warren won the opening Sprint race of the season before finishing the shortened Feature race in second to take a 12.5 lead over the chasing Colin Appleyard/Macadam Racing Yamaha of Jack Kennedy and 2011 title runner-up Ben Wilson on the Gearlink Kawasaki. Warren said: “I couldn’t have asked for more after the first round with a first and second place in the races and leading the championship. The team deserved it and we just need to keep the ball rolling.” The Triumph teams are targeting an onslaught after missing out on the victories at the opening round with Smiths (Gloucester) Racing Triumph’s Billy McConnell, Glen Richards amongst the contenders whilst Richard Cooper and Christian Iddon will be fighting for the Oxford TAG Triumph team. Motorpoint British Supersport Championship protected by Datatag standings after Brands Hatch: 1. Sam Warren (Seton Tuning Yamaha) 35 2. Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Yamaha) 22.5 3. Ben Wilson (Gearlink Kawasaki) 20 4. Christian Iddon (Oxford TAG Triumph) 19.5 5. Pauli Pekkanen (777RR Triumph) 16 For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com