INJURED KIYONARI TO MISS SILVERSTONE RACES, FREDDY FORAY TAKES THE RIDE Ryuichi Kiyonari, the former three times winner of the British crown, misses the races at the Northamptonshire circuit having sustained a shoulder injury in training, and though he hopes to return for the Brands Hatch finale his hopes of regaining the silverware are all but ended. He will be replaced by Freddy Foray. Foray, who has never raced at Silverstone before, faces a tough weekend not only will he have to learn the circuit he will also have to adjust to the Honda in BSB specifications after racing in the IDM series, and the change in tyres. Foray believes he will adjust quickly to the BSB specifications, and he thinks there will be less of a difference between Dunlop and Pirelli than in previous years. The two Samsung Honda riders, Alex Lowes and Foray, face hectic challenges, not just from series points leader Shane Byrne, Kawasaki, but also James Ellison, Yamaha, plus Suzuki’s Josh Brookes and BMW riding James Westmoreland. Honda rider quotes Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda): “I am feeling pretty good ready and that is what we are focused on now. Assen is done and makes no difference; I am still feeling confident because we have shown our pace at the past three rounds. We have won the last six races on track, obviously we were excluded from race two at Assen, but that shows how strong we have been and if we keep working hard we shouldn’t be too far away from trying to win again at Silverstone. We also can’t take it for granted because the races are sure to be close and I think we will have some tough battles again. Myself and Shakey have had some great races this season and we know it will be close again.” Freddy Foray (Samsung Honda): Of course, I want to wish Kiyo a quick recovery but I am grateful to Samsung Honda for this opportunity. I have not ridden at Silverstone before but I have done many laps on my MotoGP game on Playstation! I am excited to ride this bike which will be a little bit different to my IDM machine, but I am not so worried about the change in tyres. I think the difference between Dunlop and Pirelli tyres is not so big as a few years ago. Both are very good, so I am looking forward to this weekend. More, from a press release issued by Doodson Motorsport: Doodson Motorsport Turn Focus to 2014 Having experienced a tough and challenging British Superbike campaign the Doodson Motorsport team run by TTR have decided to turn their focus to 2014. Following the success at the end of 2012 when the Doodson Motorsport team enjoyed multiple top ten results with team newcomer Robbin Harms, plus addition of new 2013 Honda Fireblade machine the stage was set for strong and competitive season. The early part of the season was a learning curve as the first five circuits were new to the Dane yet despite the weather conditions not helping he more than impressed with his pace as he quickly adapted to the unique nature of the British circuits. Harms showed top ten pace on his debut at nearly all the new tracks culminating in an excellent 7th place in the first race at Snetterton – Proving both Robbin and the Doodson team’s undoubtable ability to run at the highest level in British Superbikes. Less than a few hours later a cruel twist saw Harms taken down by another rider’s crash resulting in multiple injuries requiring surgery to remedy. Following arduous rehabilitation he and the team returned at Assen and in hindsight, unsurprisingly, the recovering injury was understandably limiting him. With the situation apparent, the team has decided to regroup and look to focus on 2014 plans a few weeks earlier than planned. Team owner Tom Tunstall explained: “It’s disappointing for the whole team but “that’s racing” sometimes. We’ve had our fair share of challenges this year and although it’s not quite gone to plan the dedicated efforts of every member of the team has been exceptional. A huge amount of gratitude must go to all our sponsors most notably Doodson Insurance who’s loyal and enthusiastic support of the team and motorsport in general has made it all possible” The penultimate round of this year’s fiercely competitive British Superbike championship takes place at Silverstone this weekend, with the season finale two weeks later at Brands Hatch. More, from a press release issued by Team WD-40: TEAM WD-40 GOING FOR GOLD AT SILVERSTONE As the British Superbikes Championship moves to Silverstone this weekend for the penultimate race weekend of the season, Team WD-40 is on the verge of celebrating its first title. Joe Francis’ dominant season-long displays in the Monster Energy British Motostar championship means he is just one podium finish away from being crowned champion. For Team WD-40 is will cap a remarkable first year of racing during which it has claimed 13 podiums so far and excited crowds with some excellent racing from all riders. In the Pirelli National Superstock 1000, Tommy Aquino will be fighting to claim enough points to finish third in the championship, another amazing achievement given he had never raced in the UK or on a 1,000cc bike before this season. He will once again be joined on the grid by Jon Railton, whose injury-hit season has hampered what was a promising start. Aquino said: “It’s been a while since the last round at Donington and I’m really looking forward to getting back on the Blue and yellow machine at Silverstone. “I’ve got a great chance of finishing the season in style and after three podiums in the last four races I’ll be looking for a good points haul.” Railton from Grafham, Huntingdonshire, is hoping to take the form from the recent Silverstone 200 into the race. “I’m hoping for a good result and performance at Silverstone this weekend, particularly after my recent race there, and know the team have prepared an excellent bike for me,” said Railton “Being part of Team WD-40 is a privilege and I couldn’t ask for a better crew to help me get back on track after my injuries.” For Francis, the race at Silverstone could cap a memorable season, and with ten podiums from ten races this season, the championship is tantalisingly close. The 15-year-old, from Backford near Chester, knows he is racing for the title rather than individual race honours, so his focus will be on finishing the race and gaining the vital championship points. His second place finish in the Moto 3 class at Assen less than two weeks ago gives Francis a 36 point championship lead, with a maximum of 50 points remaining. “The championship is so close, but just one mistake and it could be all in the balance again,” said Francis. “Although I would like to go for the race win, what’s important now is the championship and that means riding my own race and not worrying about what my rivals are doing, just concentrating on me. “Sometimes that’s harder than racing at the front, but I’ve had plenty of action there this season and the reward is my 36 point lead, now I just have to keep it!” Brent Gladwin, Team WD-40’s manager, said: “It’s been a superb season for everyone associated with Team WD-40 and this weekend at Silverstone could be the first reward for all the hard work. “Although Joe is riding the bike, it’s all about teamwork to get him a machine that is competitive and a plan for each lap of every race. “The championship is now in his hands and we’ll be keeping everything crossed that we can celebrate as a team. “Tommy could also finish the season with a championship trophy as he is in a great position to battle for third place in the title race. “His recent win at Cadwell Park meant we’re the first team in quite a while to win two separate championship races in one round. “Jon had a good start to the season, but a couple of nasty falls have led to injuries which have hampered his progress. In the last two meetings of the season we want Jon to get back to the early season form.” More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision: SEELEY BIDS TO CLOSE THE DEFICIT AS MOTORPOINT BRITISH SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP HITS SILVERSTONE Alastair Seeley has his full focus on closing the deficit to Motorpoint British Supersport Championship standings leader Stuart Easton in the two races at Silverstone this weekend as the Gearlink Kawasaki team bid to overturn their Martrain Yamaha rivals. Easton arrives at the penultimate round off the back of a double race win at Assen last time out as Seeley continued his fight to return to full fitness following crashes at the two previous events. The Gearlink Kawasaki rider performed a damage limitation act to finish fourth and fifth keeping his title hopes alive with a 34 point deficit with four races and 100 points up for grabs. The pair are coming under fire from the chasing pack and the second Gearlink Kawasaki of Ben Wilson was back on the podium at Assen in the Feature race as he made amends for a crash in the Sprint race. Wilson needs to be back on the podium again this weekend as Smiths Racing Triumph’s Billy McConnell is now just five points adrift as the Australian bids for a strong finish to his campaign. Graeme Gowland currently locks out fifth in the overall standings but Jason O’Halloran has been closing him down in recent rounds with his best performance of the season at Assen with a double podium finish for Samsung Honda. Oxford TAG Triumph’s Richard Cooper also celebrated his best result of the season when he scored his first podium in the Sprint race. Motorpoint British Supersport Championship standings: 1. Stuart Easton (Martrain Yamaha) 376 2. Alastair Seeley (Gearlink Kawasaki) 342 3. Ben Wilson (Gearlink Kawasaki) 279 4. Billy McConnell (Smiths Racing Triumph) 274 5. Graeme Gowland (Appleyard Macadam Racing Yamaha) 217 For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com