Next stop Scotland as the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship returns to Knockhill
The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship returns this weekend (June 24/25/26) for round four as the series heads north of the border to Knockhill in Scotland with just three points separating Leon Haslam from Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne at the top of the standings.
The opening six races of the season have produced five different race winners with a further three different riders securing podium finishes, and as the championship prepares for its annual visit to Knockhill, Leon Haslam and the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team hold the narrow advantage in the standings.
Haslam is the only rider to have notched up more than one race victory, which moved him to the top of the standings after Brands Hatch. The ‘Pocket Rocket’ has good memories of the frantic Knockhill circuit and the last time he raced there in 2008, he was victorious in the second race.
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne claimed his first victory with the Be Wiser Ducati at his home round and the four-time champion is ready to come out all guns blazing in Scotland, given that he was a double winner there last season.
Christian Iddon has come tantalising close to securing his first race victory, the Stockport-based rider has celebrated four podium finishes from the opening six races and the Tyco BMW rider will be pushing to add his name to the winners list.
Richard Cooper’s return to the podium at Brands Hatch off the back of his debut win at Oulton Park puts the Buildbase BMW rider in fourth place overall in the standings and just eight points ahead of Silverstone race-winner Michael Laverty on the second of the Tyco BMWs ahead of the two races this weekend.
Jason O’Halloran leads the three-strong Honda Racing charge and narrowly missed out on the podium at Oulton Park; something that the Australian will want to change if he is going to remain ahead of the hunting pack of JG Speedfit Kawasaki duo James Ellison and Peter Hickman.
Tommy Bridewell’s first podium finish of the season for the Bennetts Suzuki means the top ten in the standings features five different manufacturers, whilst Luke Mossey and Quattro Plant Kawasaki complete the top ten ahead of Knockhill to make it seven different teams represented.
Local hero Stuart Easton will be pushing to fire the ePayMe Yamaha into a leading position though at his home circuit; the Hawick rider scored his best result of the season last time out with a top ten finish and is eager to put on a show for his home crowd.
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings:
Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 93
Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) 90
Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) 86
Richard Cooper (Buildbase BMW) 74
Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) 66
Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) 62
For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Leon Haslam
(JG Speedfit Kawasaki)
Championship leader
“Although Knockhill is another circuit I’ve not visited for eight years, and is very different to the tracks I’m used to, it’s a place I’m really looking forward to going back to.
“I’ve won in the past round there and after a very good test at Snetterton I’m confident we can be challenging for top honours again this weekend.”
Stuart Easton
Knockhill home round
(ePayMe Yamaha)
“I always get excited for the Knockhill round as we only get to race in Scotland once a year and it is my one and only home race so I always look forward to it.
Last year I had a really good weekend there with a pair of second place finishes and over the last few years I have had some good results there so I can’t wait to get back this weekend.
We made some big progress at Brands Hatch on raceday so hopefully we can get to Knockhill and continue on where we left off. I need to improve my qualifying one off lap, but my race pace is consistent and I am looking forward to getting the party started.”
More, from a press release issued by ePayMe Yamaha:
Easton gearing up for Scottish homecoming at Knockhill
The ePayMe Yamaha team head north of the border this weekend (June 24/25/26) for the fourth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Knockhill as Stuart Easton prepares for his home round alongside team-mate John Hopkins.
Last time out at Brands Hatch Easton scored his best result of the season with both riders now notching up top ten finishes and following a positive test at Snetterton last week, the pair are eager to move forward again this weekend in Scotland.
Hopkins said: “We made some good improvements at the Snetterton test and I am really excited to keep moving forward and get onto the next races this weekend at Knockhill. Honestly I think Knockhill will be really good for us; I am really looking forward to getting back there and riding the Yamaha there for the first time.
“The improvements we made at Snetterton should make a difference this weekend and they will benefit us more there than they even did at the test and we are excited and looking forward to it, I think we can finally start to get the results that we know we are capable of.”
Easton said: “I always get excited for the Knockhill round as we only get to race in Scotland once a year and it is my one and only home race so I always look forward to it. Last year I had a really good weekend there with a pair of second place finishes and over the last few years I have had some good results there so I can’t wait to get back this weekend.
“We made some big progress at Brands Hatch on raceday so hopefully we can get to Knockhill and continue on where we left off. I need to improve my qualifying one off lap, but my race pace is consistent and I am looking forward to getting the party started.”
Team owner Tommy Hill commented: “I am really hoping Knockhill will be a turning point for us. I really feel the new team has connected well and overall the team structure is very strong.
“Our riders have been strong over the past few years with race wins and a good amount of experience between them, we have good proven machinery with the Yamaha R1, so on paper we have the ingredients to challenge for podiums.
“The recent tests have allowed us to progress with some new settings and new bike components which proved positive. The break has seemed to have gone pretty quick and now we are just wanting to get back on track and progress forward and challenge for higher results.”
More, from a press release issued by GR Motorsport/Team WD-40:
Australian Josh Hook joins Team WD-40
Sheffield based GR Motosport are pleased to announce that former Australian Champion Josh Hook will join Team WD-40 Superbike for the forth round of the MCE British Superbike Championship at Knockhill.
Josh who came to the team highly recommended by WSB star Leon Camier recently completed a 2 day BSB test at Snetterton to familiarise himself with the Team and bike. Although Josh has not yet seen Knockhill he is now looking forward to his first BSB race.
The Team and Jack, who is still on the road to full recovery from his spill in qualifying at brands hatch, decided it would be the best option for him to sit this one out ensuring his return to full fitness for Snetterton in 2 weeks time.
Knockhill will also see on form Tarran Mackenzie, début his Stauff Connect Academy Supersport ZX6r at his home circuit. Tarran’s form at the first 3 Dickies British Supersport races has been fantastic taking pole position and podiums. Resently leaving the Snetterton BSB test heading the times at the end of day one, set the tone for Knockhill where Taz won last year’s Superstock 600 race in style.
Danny Wright wins first speedway race for Team WD-40
In the long break after Brands Hatch BSB, Team WD-40 / Stauff Connect Academy have been extremely busy away from BSB. Team WD-40’s Danny Wright took our first Speedway victory, whilst Josh Bannister and Amanuel Brinton have been piling on the points in the Cool Fab Minimoto Championships. Stauff Connect Academy’s Sam Atkinson continues his very busy schedule and winning streak in MotoX, and we even took part in a Soap Box Derby.
GR Motosport’s busy off track activities has seen our bike and equipment and more importantly our partners branding at many events including, The Seaworks exhibition, Oakley bike night, VW owners Club and The coffee House. We have had some fantastic visits to the HQ’s of our partners, Tungum and Borley’s Minimix where we were able to meet staff have a laugh and get a real insight to their industries.
Josh Bannister on his way to 3rd over all at LLandow
Brent Gladwin, GR Motosport Managing Director:- “Whilst everyone else has been away doing the NW200 and the IOM TT, It’s been a very interesting break for us. We have been flat out with the fun and success of the junior team’s, while enjoying our many and varied promo activities.
I love what the little ones are doing on track and as many of you have seen on our social media it is hilarious what they do off track too. Rob and Sue of Dunsley Heat came to Rawrah and never stopped laughing.
Jack has had time to nearly fully recover but not quite so will miss Knockhill and we will look forward to his return at Snetterton. We decided to bring in Josh who did a excellent job at the test, He seems like a great kid and made me ‘smile’ by requesting number 16 the one we ran with Bomber in winning the European Championship.
I hope that the weather in Scotland is kind to BSB again encouraging the hugh crowds to visit and see what BSB is all about.
More, from a press release issued by JG Speedfit Kawasaki:
CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERS JG SPEEDFIT KAWASAKI HEAD NORTH OF THE BORDER!
MCE British Superbike Championship leaders JG Speedfit Kawasaki head to the popular Knockhill circuit in Scotland this weekend, with Leon Haslam eager to extend his lead at the top of the standings, whilst James Ellison and Peter Hickman aim to move into the all-important Showdown positions.
It has been a lengthy break for the JG Speedfit Kawasaki British Superbike team since the last round at Brands Hatch in May, but the trio of James Ellison, Leon Haslam and Peter Hickman are raring to go when the season gets back underway at Knockhill this weekend.
With three wins and a further four podiums between them from the six races so far, it has been a fantastic start for the team. Following on from a successful two day test at Snetterton last week, the whole team is eager to continue this form at Knockhill. At only 1.2 miles long, the circuit is one of the shortest tracks on the calendar and its tight and twisty nature makes it a very physical weekend for the riders.
Having made a big step forward at the Snetterton tests, James Ellison is looking forward to getting back out on his ZX-10R, “I’m really looking forward to it! It’s been a long time since we were last racing and although we had the two day test at Snetterton last week – it’s just not the same as a race weekend! The test was really good for us though, we had a new fuel tank to try which should give us an improved feeling at the start of the race, when it’s full.
I really like Knockhill, it’s a great circuit and the fans are always out in force and passionate. Given the power our bikes now have, it makes Knockhill very different to any other circuit with it being so short, tight and twisty. We’re just outside the all-important Showdown top six at the moment so I’ll be looking to fix that this weekend!”
Another circuit he has not ridden for a long time, Leon Haslam is excited to be heading back to Knockhill “Although Knockhill is another circuit I’ve not visited for eight years, and is very different to the tracks I’m used to, it’s a place I’m really looking forward to going back to. I’ve won in the past round here and after a very good test at Snetterton I’m confident we can be challenging for top honours again this weekend.
Coming in as Championship leader doesn’t change the way I approach things – it’s fantastic to be leading the series already, particularly after the technical problems at Silverstone, but it’s a long season! The bike is getting better with every outing, and we still have new components planned to be arriving throughout the rest of the year which will hopefully mean we can keep taking steps forward and arrive at the Showdown in the best possible position.”
Having had a busy few weeks competing at the Isle of Man TT, Peter Hickman is now ready to get his BSB season back on track, “Knockhill is very different to what I’ve been used to over the last few weeks but I can’t wait to get back into BSB action. The test last week was really good, not only did it let me get my head back into short circuit mode and riding on Pirelli’s again without the pressure of a race weekend, but the bike felt mega too.
I love Knockhill, it’s a circuit that I’ve traditionally gone well at and it’s a lot of fun to ride. It seems to suit my riding style quite well so I’m hopeful we can be pushing up towards the front this weekend. We’re sitting in eighth in the Championship and although it’s still early days we’re close the Showdown positions, so the goal this weekend is move up the standings and get into the top six! ”
GBmoto Racing Team Principal Mark Smith-Halvorsen concluded, “Although it has been a lengthy break in terms of BSB, the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team just hasn’t stopped as we’ve been busy with our Road Racing commitments and testing. We now switch our focus fully back into short circuit racing as we look to extend our lead at the top of the MCE British Superbike standings this weekend. We’ve won fifty percent of the races so far this year, which is a real testament to not just our riders but the technical team as well.
I love travelling up to Scotland and racing at Knockhill and I know the camp is in the mood to win – so that’s exactly what we are all going to try and do. The riders and all the lads are in good form and I’m confident we can see another green machine on the top step again”
More, from a press release issued by Be Wiser Ducati:
Be Wiser Ducati Aiming For More Scottish Success
The Be Wiser Ducati British Superbike Championship Team heads north of the border this weekend full of confidence for round four of the 2016 MCE British Superbike Championship to be held at the Shane ByrneKnockhill racing circuit in Fife.
Hot on the heels of Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne taking his first win of the season with a superb victory in the second race held at his local Brands Hatch circuit last month, that has put him to within three points of the championship lead arriving in Scotland.
Aboard the factory-supported Be Wiser Ducati Panigale R, the 39-year-old Londoner will be hoping to continue that momentum at a track which has seen many of his successes in recent times, and which included a double victory for Paul Bird’s team at the corresponding event last season.
Indeed, the four-times MCE BSB champion has an envious record at Knockhill, where he can boast an incredible six wins and two second places in his last eight races around the twisty track which overlooks the Firth of Forth. In total, Shakey has ten wins and a further six podium places there and with a successful recent test around the track too, he’s raring to go.
The Cumbria-based PBM team scored a double 1-2 last year with local ace Stuart Easton trailing Shakey home in both races so Glenn Irwin knows he has a tough task if he’s to repeat that. The 26-year-old Ulsterman, however, is relishing the task and has performed admirably on his Be Wiser Ducati Panigale R so far.
In his rookie season in MCE BSB, the Carrickfergus rider has scored points in every race bar one when a technical problem sidelined him at Brands Hatch and he too enjoyed a successful test at Knockhill recently. Irwin won a race at Knockhill last year in the British Supersport Championship as well as scoring a podium so he too knows what it’s like to sample success there.
Shane Byrne: “It’s very important that we get to Knockhill with our feet firmly on the ground. We tested up there recently which will help, and we won our first race of the season last time out, but keeping our heads down and pushing to the maximum is the only way we’ll keep progressing. I’ve won six of the last seven races at Knockhill and another win or two would go down a treat although I’m sure that’ll be as difficult as always, but after a nice relaxing family holiday, I’m ready to go and try!”
Glenn Irwin: “The team have worked hard again at our recent test at Snetterton. We found yet another direction to go in with the bike that will give us another option at Knockhill other than the set up we Glenn Irwinachieved during testing there. I enjoy the circuit and it’s as close to home as I can get. I’ve worked hard in between times and it’s been a long time since the last race so I can’t wait to get going again.”
MCE British Superbike Championship Standings (after three rounds)
1 L Haslam 93pts
2 S Byrne 90
3 C Iddon 86
4 R Cooper 74
5 M Laverty 66
6 J O’Halloran 62
14 G Irwin 20
For further information, please visit www.pbmuk.net and www.pbmuk.net
More, from a press release issued by James Rispoli’s publicist:
Rispoli targets Scottish success at Knockhill
James Rispoli returns to action this weekend for the fourth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Knockhill in Scotland and the American is ready for battle at one of the most intense circuits on the calendar.
The Scottish track is one of the shortest of the season and following a break back home in America after the previous round at Brands Hatch, the 24-year-old arrives feeling revitalised and eager to return to the track.
Rispoli and the Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha team recently tested at the circuit and were also on track yesterday (Tuesday) at Snetterton and the combined force are now feeling even more determined to score two strong finishes in the races this weekend.
Rispoli said: “I am feeling pretty good and I am all healed after Brands Hatch with the time at home after a tough weekend. We go into Knockhill and the rest of the season with a new focus and we are looking forward to it. I have said it quite a lot, but we had good success at Silverstone and we are trying to find that form again and we know the bigger tracks coming up will help us.
“We are going into Knockhill feeling positive; we are going to take it session by session and work on making the bike a bit easier to ride so we can climb the order as best we can. We had a test at Knockhill which helped us a lot and blew away the cobwebs after the break since Brands Hatch and I feel ready for this weekend.
“We had another test at Snetterton yesterday (Tuesday) and now we are heading straight into Knockhill. There is a lot of stuff that can happen there and so we are going to rebuild, take it as it comes, and move forward from there.”
For more information please visit www.jamesrispoli.com