SCOTLAND SET FOR BIGGEST SPORTING EVENT AS MCE BRITISH SUPERBIKES HITS KNOCKHILL The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship arrives in Scotland for the annual event this weekend (14/15/16 June) as Knockhill (Fife) gears up for the biggest event of the racing season. The opening three rounds have produced three different race winners and Samsung Honda’s Alex Lowes leads the standings ahead of this weekend by just a single point after his Oulton Park victory. The Lincolnshire young gun is the only rider to have finished each race on the podium so far and is aiming for his first Superbike win at the Knockhill circuit. Lowes said: “I can’t wait to race the Samsung Honda again. It has been nice to have the break and I am ready to come back strong at Knockhill. The team have been working hard and we want to try and keep scoring podiums consistently as that is what we will need when it comes to the Showdown. We are in a good position and I am focused on having fun and getting some good results.” Defending champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne for the first time this season is in the chasing pack, but the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider knows the 1.27-mile circuit has been one he has celebrated success in the past. “Knockhill I am sure will produce some good battles and we will be trying to get some more wins for the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team as we want to be back on the top of the podium,” said Byrne. Tyco Suzuki’s Josh Brookes will be pushing for his first win of the season as the Australian returns to MCE British Superbike Championship action, whilst Brands Hatch race winner James Ellison onboard the Milwaukee Yamaha is also sure to be a contender for the victories. Buildbase BMW’s Jon Kirkham and James Westmoreland have both come close to scoring the manufacturer their first podium finish in MCE BSB and Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s Chris Walker could spring a surprise on his title rivals. MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings: 1. Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) 117 2. Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 116 3. Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 96 4. James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) 71 5. Jon Kirkham (Buildbase BMW) 68 6. Chris Walker (Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki) 43 Knockhill round to celebrate BSB legend Steve Hislop The late Steve Hislop will be celebrated at Knockhill as the event will carry his name and commemorate his racing achievements on the 10th anniversary of the year of his passing. Hislop was renowned for his extraordinary riding talent and remains one of the most successful riders in BSB history. To celebrate his life and accomplishments there will be a special ride around during the weekend featuring his iconic Cadbury’s Boost Yamaha. Former on track rival and team-mate Niall Mackenzie and former protégé Stuart Easton on a replica Monstermob Ducati will take part in the lap. Motorpoint Glasgow preview Knockhill event Ahead of this weekend, Motorpoint, the UK’s leading car supermarket, will be giving fans the chance to join racing stars and their racing machines at a preview evening on Thursday 13 June. Motorpoint Glasgow will host an exclusive preview where fans can meet the riders for autographs and photos including Easton, the Lloyds British GBmoto Honda team of Dan Linfoot and Peter Hickman plus the Niall Mackenzie and racing sons Taylor and Tarran. The free event is open to all, getting underway from 17:30 – 19:00. For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com More, from another press release issued by MotorSport Vision: SCOT STAR EASTON EXPECTING SUPERSPORT SPECTACULAR AT KNOCKHILL HOME ROUND Just two points separate Stuart Easton from Motorpoint British Supersport Championship leader Alastair Seeley as the fight for the title reaches Knockhill this weekend (14/15/16 June) and the Martrain Yamaha rider is hoping he can turn the standings around at his home round. Hawick’s Easton returned to the Supersport class this season and has scored four wins and a second place in the six races so far, but Gearlink Kawasaki’s Alastair Seeley has a second title in his sights and won’t give an inch in his quest to maintain his record of podium finishes in each of the opening six races. Easton said: “I am really looking forward to Knockhill as it is my home round and that one is always pretty special as I get a lot of local support. We have started the season well and we obviously want to continue that; it has been nice for me to adapt so quickly back to Supersport and I think that is a testament to the Martrain Yamaha team with all their hard work. The last two rounds have been really hard fought and after we had a good test last week I think we can only move forward.” Gearlink Kawasaki’s Ben Wilson and Smiths Racing Triumph’s Billy McConnell both will be targeting their first wins having scored podium finishes already this season, but defending champion Glen Richards knows that he has to push hard at Knockhill to close the points’ deficit to his rivals. Samsung Honda’s Jason O’Halloran and Graeme Gowland on the Seton Tuning Yamaha will also be pushing for podium finishes after missing out at the opening three rounds. Taylor Mackenzie will also be hoping that the home crowd will give him the boost he needs for Tyco Suzuk. Motorpoint British Supersport Championship standings: 1. Alastair Seeley (Gearlink Kawasaki) 122 2. Stuart Easton (Martrain Yamaha) 120 3. Billy McConnell (Smiths Racing Triumph) 98 4. Ben Wilson (Gearlink Kawasaki) 74 5. Graeme Gowland (Seton Tuning Yamaha) 62 Easton aboard the Monstermob Ducati replica Easton will also be taking part in the Steve Hislop tribute during the event. He will take to the track riding a replica Monstermob Ducati alongside Jamie Whitham and Hislop’s team-mate Niall Mackenzie; both aboard the iconic Cadbury’s Boost Yamahas. Motorpoint Glasgow preview Knockhill Ahead of this weekend, Motorpoint, the UK’s leading car supermarket, will be giving fans the chance to join racing stars and their racing machines at a preview evening on Thursday 13 June. Motorpoint Glasgow will host an exclusive preview where fans can meet the riders for autographs and photos including Easton, the Lloyds British GBmoto Honda team of Dan Linfoot and Peter Hickman plus the Niall Mackenzie and racing sons Taylor and Tarran. The free event is open to all, getting underway from 17:30 – 19:00. For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com More, from a press release issued by Milwaukee Yamaha: SCOTTISH SILVERWARE THE TARGET FOR MILWAUKEE YAMAHA AT KNOCKHILL The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship resumes this weekend as the Milwaukee Yamaha team head north to Knockhill in Scotland for the fourth round of the season with both James Ellison and Josh Waters aiming high after the recent break. Ellison arrives at the event fourth in the standings and eager to add to his podium finishes so far this season. The Kendal rider has celebrated a top three finish at each of the opening three rounds and is determined to close in on his title rivals in the two races this weekend. Waters heads to Knockhill aiming to improve on his top ten finishes so far this season at a track he was fortunate enough to ride during the break between rounds. The reigning Australian Superbike champion is feeling positive after completing some laps at the circuit on a road bike and is keen to score highly in his quest to move up the order in the overall standings. Ellison said: “I have spent some time back in Texas during the break and I am ready to come back focused for Knockhill. I have had a mixed start to the season with three podiums at the first three rounds, but also some bad luck which hopefully is over now. I know we have the package and when it all comes together we will really be able to show our true potential. I can’t wait to get back out on track now and try to get good, solid results in both races for the Milwaukee Yamaha team this weekend.” Waters said: “I feel good about the next round as I have missed riding. I was lucky enough to be able to ride Knockhill during the break on a Yamaha R6 with Niall Mackenzie so at least I know where I am going! The Superbike will obviously be different, but I am really looking forward to getting back out on the Milwaukee Yamaha. I think Knockhill has some similar characteristics to the tracks back home so hopefully we can improve on what we have done so far this season.” For more information visit www.milwaukeeyamaha.com More, from a press release issued by Team WD-40: TEAM WD40 welcome Stauff UK in new agreement Team WD40 run by GR Motosport is delighted to announce a sponsorship agreement with STAUFF UK for the remainder of 2013 MCE British Superbike Championship Series with an eye to the future. As a result of this agreement STAUFF branding will be visible on the TEAM WD40 Kawasaki ZX10’s of Tommy Aquino and Jon Railton and the Moto3 of Joe Francis as well as on all team Transport, Web sites and Social Media. Although previously being involved in Rallying and supporting Sheffield University students in the Annual Formula Student competition, this is STAUFF UK’s first venture into 2 wheeled Motosport competition! Brent Gladwin – Managing Director, GR Motosport Limited “We are excited to be able to announce the start of a new sponsorship agreement with STAUFF UK. STAUFF UK’s Headquarters are here in our home town of Sheffield, so it’s great for both companies to get together to continue the great motorsport tradition of our treasured City. STAUFF will bring some fantastic engineering assets to the team and we feel they will bond well with all of Team WD40. We are all looking forward to continuing to bring success to all our Team on and off the race track and hope that these partnerships are fruitful and expand into the future “ David Whittome – Head of Marketing WD40 Company This is an exciting development for the team and we are delighted to have STAUFF alongside as a partner in this exciting area. They share similar outlook to the way they approach their respective market, demonstrating a high degree of professionalism in a very competitive industry. We are confident that having STAUFF on board will represent a positive opportunity for the Team WD-40. John Morris – Managing Director of Stauff UK Our decision to sponsor Team WD-40 was based on a number of benefits, however a major factor is the teams relentless passion for what it does and the desire to succeed … a quality we hold strongly in STAUFF UK and throughout the Global organisation. We look forward to being beside the team in their victories and supporting them through the setbacks associated to motorsport to achieve the best possible results. About STAUFF UK Stauff UK have had a presence in Sheffield spanning more than 35 years and a tangible bond with the city’s industrial credentials. Over this period STAUFF UK have been a consistent supplier of quality hydraulic components and services offering innovative solutions to many major establishments: Blue Chip corporations, major OEM suppliers, MoD contracts and of course the support of the individual traders. Based in the industrial heartland of Sheffield and employing 200 people Stauff have one of the most modern tube bending and hydraulic hose assembly plants in Europe with annual turnover circa £28 million. Stauff are very proud of their UK roots in Sheffield and are always keen to fly the City’s flag and play a major role in revitalising the strength of the Made in Sheffield brand. WD-40 is the new title sponsor of GR Motosport. The WD40 company has just launched seven new products specifically for use on motorbikes, under its recently launched WD-40 Specialist Motorbike brand. www.wd40specialistmotorbike.co.uk/ www.teamwd40.com Team Partners Stauff UK, Cargolink Express, L&A Reinforcements, Carrino access flooring, The Air Con Experts, F&G Commercials, Bennetts Motorcycle Insurance, Kent Holiday Cottages, RS Components, 3 Squared, Signsxtra Technical Partners Kawasaki, Scorpion Red Power, Dynojet UK, Swinton Motorcycles, R&G racing, PPG Paint, Goodridge, Pipercross, Solo Motorcycle products, Super B, MG Competition, Dellorto