MCE BSB returns: Brookes has his eyes on the prize at Snetterton
The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship is back this weekend (19/20/21 June) and as the contenders head to Snetterton, Australian Josh Brookes is targeting his first win of the season after setting the fastest ever lap of the Norfolk circuit during the recent test.
Tens of thousands of fans are set to descend on the circuit and Brookes is full focused on turning his podium-finishing form into a victory with the next generation Milwaukee Yamaha. The Australian demolished the circuit record and has high hopes of holding off his rivals in Norfolk. There have already been four different race winners from the opening six races and the Milwaukee Yamaha team are determined to add Brookes to that list.
However championship leader James Ellison arrives full of confidence and with a marginal eight-point advantage over closest rival and defending Champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne. Ellison and the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team have scored three of the six wins so far and are determined to carry that momentum into the fourth round.
Byrne meanwhile is ready to come out fighting to return to the top step of the podium; the record-breaking champion hasn’t scored a victory since the opening round in April and after a collision with Ryuichi Kiyonari last time out at Oulton Park, has his sights solely on victory to close the deficit to Ellison.
Kiyonari has endured a torrid start to his season and has failed to score a podium finish, but the Buildbase BMW rider has scored more victories at Snetterton than any of his rivals in previous years and knows he needs to return to the podium this weekend.
Stuart Easton and Tommy Bridewell both scored their first wins of 2015 at Oulton Park to move themselves into the top six in the standings ahead of this weekend and the pair will be pushing for more in their quest for all-important podium points ahead of the title-deciding Showdown later in the season.
Honda Racing return with their full line-up as Dan Linfoot is back on the grid alongside Jason O’Halloran and Jenny Tinmouth after recovering from a broken wrist he sustained at the second round of the season at Brands Hatch.
The local contenders will also have high hopes of a strong performance this weekend and MCE BSB rookies Luke Mossey, who hails from Cambridge and Essex’s Danny Buchan will be pushing hard for the Quattro Plant Teccare Kawasaki and Be Wiser Kawasaki teams respectively. The home teams also want to make an impression too as Norwich’s Morello Racing line up with former podium finisher Lee Costello and Danny Johnson and the RAF Reserves BMW team from nearby RAF Marham will be pushing for results with Peter Hickman.
The event will also feature a special appearance from Grand Prix legend Giacomo Agostini. The illustrious 15-times World Champion will be supporting Italian manufacturer MV Agusta’s campaign and attending an official ceremony to formally inaugurate the corner of the track named in his honour.
Raceday (Sunday) visitors will also be treated to a display from the 6 Regiment Army Air Corps and the Apache, the world’s most advanced multi-role combat helicopter. Spectators will have the opportunity to get up close to the magnificent aircraft before it later takes to the skies.
Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha)
“We have been making really good progress with the bike and I wouldn’t have expected to go so far under the lap record as we have [at Snetterton official test] but it has come together right. Should the other guys be concerned? I know that if I was in that position myself I would have some thoughts and consideration towards it but really we can’t get too complacent either. We have to keep our head down and we know Snetterton is going to be a good circuit for us as we proved at the test. Snetterton is considered to be a horse-power important track with the long back straight and the climb up the front straight and I know there are a lot of corners on the infield section so it has to come as a package.
“Kiyo, apart from a few of his crashes, has been there quite well so I would expect him to be strong, Easton was on the podium at the last round but for some reason he doesn’t particularly like Snetterton so that might put him on the cuff to be a threat. The other obvious person is Shakey – even if he had a bad test he will never be on the outer edge as he is a fighter and he will come back strong, so it is very hard to narrow it down. James Ellison is the championship leader at the moment and I don’t think I can pinpoint one person [ahead of the races] as there is such a broad number of riders who I wouldn’t be surprised to be in a battle with this weekend.”
More, from a press release issued by Milwaukee Yamaha:
Milwaukee Yamaha gunning for Snetterton success
The Milwaukee Yamaha team return to the track this weekend for the fourth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Snetterton in Norfolk and Josh Brookes and Broc Parkes are in a determined mood ahead of the two races.
Brookes arrives full focused on securing his first win of the season at the circuit where he set the fastest ever lap of the 300 circuit at the recent official test. The Australian has scored five podiums from the opening six races and is confident of more this weekend as he bids to close the deficit at the top of the standings.
Parkes meanwhile is feeling confident that he can battle for the top five this weekend following the positive two day test at the circuit, where he closed in on his rivals and improved his pace as he aims for a sold points haul.
Josh Brookes
“We have been making really good progress with the bike and I wouldn’t have expected to go so far under the lap record as we have [at Snetterton official test] but it has come together right but really we can’t get too complacent. We have to keep our head down and we know Snetterton is going to be a good circuit for us as we proved at the test.
“Snetterton is considered to be a horse-power important track with the long back straight and the climb up the front straight and I know there are a lot of corners on the infield section so it has to come as a package. I don’t think I can pinpoint one rider [ahead of the races] as there is such a broad number of riders who I wouldn’t be surprised to be in a battle with this weekend.”
Broc Parkes
“I feel ready for this weekend. The test we had at the circuit was really positive and I started to feel quite comfortable and be able to use the front much better as I haven’t had the confidence in the front all year as I have had a couple of crashes. In general I feel I understand the bike a lot more now after the test.
“We tested the new tank and made some changes to my positioning on the bike and I feel we can move forward again this weekend at Snetterton, the top five is where I need to be and where I intend to be in the two races.”
More, from a press release issued by Team Traction Control:
Team Traction Control bid for podium return at Snetterton
Team Traction Control head to Norfolk this weekend for the next round of the Motorpoint British Supersport and Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championships with all three riders bidding for podium success at Snetterton.
The team arrive feeling confident following a recent test at the Norfolk circuit and determined to take on their rivals in both classes.
Reid scored a debut podium finish in the Supersport class last time out at Oulton Park and has high hopes of a repeat performance this weekend as he bids to climb the order in the overall standings. His American team-mate James Rispoli is refreshed after time back home during the break and aiming for his first top three finish of the season.
In the Superstock class Joe Francis crashed out of contention last time out which has made the Chester contender even more determined to return to winning ways after scoring two podium finishes from the opening four rounds.
Reid said: “I am looking forward to getting back on the case this weekend after the break since Oulton Park. We had a positive test at the circuit and we can take what we have learnt into this weekend that’s for sure. Podiums are podiums but I want to be fighting for wins at Snetterton. We have a good base setting for the circuit so we are ready for it!”
Rispoli said: “I feel really good about this weekend. We came away from the test on the pace and up to speed and I feel mentally and physically stronger than I have all season. Now is the time for us to shine and I what to show what we are capable of in the races.”
Francis said: “I definitely feel that we should be fighting for podiums again this weekend, particularly as we had a good test at the circuit ready for this round. I have forgotten about Donington now and I know we can be fast this weekend to be back at the front. We know we have got everything ready to do the job, I am looking forward to getting started!”
More, from a press release issued by Team WD40:
Preview the 4th round of British Superbikes at Snetterton
It has been quite a break since the 3rd round of the normal British Superbike Championship series to accommodate two of the major British road race events, The Northwest 200 and The Isle of Man TT. We have been kept quite busy with other things including racing, testing, development and promotional duties.
Jack Kennedy used the break to have surgery to help sort out the arm pump issues he was having and then rest to fully recover. Tarran and Taylor tested with the other BSB teams at Snetterton where we were really pleased with the results. Tarran ended the test under the current lap record and Taylor in testing both his and Jack’s bikes made some significant improvement both in himself and the Superbikes.
Tarran and Joe both raced their Stauff Connect Academy ZX6’s in BSB as part of the World Superbike Championship event support package at Donington Park. Both riders doing a great job with Taz leading the way after a fantastic race to take 4th place and move up to 4th in the overall Championship Standing.
Sam Atkinson has continued to bring in some great results in MotoX on the Stauff Connect Academy KX 85 winning numerous races and currently laying 3rd in the Northeast MotoX club Championship Josh Bannister has been looking forward to his 6th birthday last week so he could enter the FAB racing British National MiniMoto Championship.
At 6 years and 3 days Josh stunned everyone by becoming the youngest ever race winner in the Championship. His weekend did not start well with hideous weather and bike problems and a few crashes in practice but he pulled through to qualify 2nd on the grid for Saturday’s Televised first race where he made a fantastic start bursting into the lead but as with all 6 year old experience is gained and not given where he crashed out on the 2nd lap – not to be deterred he jumped up remounted and got back in the race fighting his way back up the field only to fall again, not the way he really wanted to start. Saturday evening was spent fixing the bike and chatting to Josh about taking the first few laps a little more steadily.
The weather was fantastic for Sunday’s 2 races, Josh followed advise making a good start and settling in for a lap then pulling the pin to take the lead and dominate the race taking his first national victory quickly followed by his second a few hours later. Josh is now eagerly looking forward to his next race !
Both the Team WD-40 Superbike crew chiefs Danny and Andy have spend most of the break on a development program following the findings at the Snetterton test with great results and we feel that all their hard work should hopefully pay dividends this coming weekend.
Both the Team WD-40 Superbike and the Stauff Connect Academy teams and riders have been very busy with promotional duties for our partners.
Each of our partners comes from a quite varied and different background industry and interests. We have found ourselves at Motorcycle shops, food and drink shows, Tools and equipment shows, Country fairs, VW owners club events all fantastic fun – please take a moment to see some of the fun on our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcZ5ImM38gAlOj78O4TQwJQ
Brent Gladwin: “We had quite a tough start to the year but we have taken this break to recharge our batteries and get ready for what is actually the 2nd half of the BSB season. We have had some fun where the Team has come together for a couple of great nights out and the sponsor promotional duties.
We have had the hard work developing the bikes which to be fair has gone very well indeed. The youngster have continued to race through this break doing a brilliant job for everyone, the fact that they keep winning races has not gone un noticed by the older boys who we hope will start to follow Sam and Josh’s lead ?. We had a great race weekend at Snetterton in 2014 scoring our first superbike points and hope to repeat it this weekend ”