Rizla Suzuki MotoGP heads ‘home’ for next race Rizla Suzuki MotoGP has made the journey home to Donington Park in England, for the GAS British Grand Prix, with hopes high for a good result. The British based multi-national squad which includes staff from the UK, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Ireland and the USA – will be racing in the UK for the first time since Rizla became the new title sponsors of the team and it will give the British public the first chance to see the Suzuki GSV-R adorned in the distinctive Rizla Blue. Donington is round nine of the MotoGP World Championship and signals not only the end of an exhausting three-week tour of Europe, but also the half-way point in the MotoGP season. The 4,023kms long circuit is set in a natural amphitheatre in the Derbyshire countryside. It has many exciting corners and curves set over its elevation changes and not many tracks have a sight to compare with the entire field roaring down Craner Curves on the first lap – possibly one of the best stretches of tarmac on the entire calendar. Rizla Suzuki MotoGP comes to Donington on the back of John Hopkins’ first ever pole position last weekend at Assen and a string of top 10 places for him and Chris Vermeulen which sees the team take its points total to over double what it had at the same time last season. Track action will begin on Friday, as Hopkins and Vermeulen take to the circuit for two free practice sessions. Saturday will have another practice session in the morning and the all important qualifying practice – to determine grid positions for Sunday – in the afternoon. The 30 lap race will get underway at 13.00hrs local time (12.00hrsGMT) on Sunday 2nd July. Paul Denning Team Manager: “The whole team is coming to Donington with high hopes for a successful weekend. We think that the track will suit the chassis and set-up of the GSV-R and the riders’ styles alike. Bridgestone has been working hard on development and I’m sure they will give us all the help and assistance we need to compete well, wet or dry, at Donington. “John and Chris both consider this to be their second home race of the season and together they will want to put on a good display for all their friends and family that will be at trackside. We will also be welcoming many sponsors and guests to Donington, and as with the riders the whole team will be trying to get the best result for all of them.”