MCE British Superbike Championship

Donington Park, England

September 7, 2014

Results (all on Pirelli tires):

Race One:

1. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Japan (BMW S1000RR), 20 laps, 31:00.650

2. Shane Byrne, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -0.184 second

3. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -1.188 seconds

4. Josh Brookes, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), -1.614

5. Stuart Easton, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -4.519

6. Josh Waters, Australia (Suz GSX-R1000), -5.298

7. Peter Hickman, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -5.598

8. Dan Linfoot, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -10.852

9. Patric Muff, Switzerland (BMW S1000RR), -15.000

10. James Westmoreland, UK (BMW S1000RR), -15.104

11. Chris Walker, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -16.651

12. Jon Kirkham, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -17.002

13. Howie Mainwaring, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -17.053

14. James Ellison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -17.064

15. Julien Da Costa, France (Hon CBR1000RR), -18.670

16. Michael Rutter, UK (BMW S1000RR), -28.601

17. Filip Backlund, Sweden (Yam YZF-R1), -34.022

18. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -58.053

19. Rhalf Lo Turco, Brazil (Kaw ZX-10R), -71.083

20. Ben Wilson, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -4 laps, DNF

21. Gary Mason, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -4 laps, DNF

22. John Ingram, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -7 laps, DNF

23. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), -11 laps, DNF

24. Barry Burrell, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -12 laps, DNF

25. John Hopkins, USA (Suz GSX-R1000), -15 laps, DNF

26. Christophe Ponsson, France (Bim BB3), -20 laps, DNF

27. Mitchell Carr, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), -20 laps, DNF

Race Two Results:

1. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Japan (BMW S1000RR), 20 laps, 30:08.256

2. Shane Byrne, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -0.489 second

3. Josh Brookes, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), -1.183 seconds

4. Stuart Easton, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -7.438

5. Josh Waters, Australia (Suz GSX-R1000), -10.874

6. Julien Da Costa, France (Hon CBR1000RR), -11.764

7. Peter Hickman, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -15.039

8. James Westmoreland, UK (BMW S1000RR), -16.102

9. John Hopkins, USA (Suz GSX-R1000), -16.965

10. Chris Walker, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -17.190

11. James Ellison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -17.306

12. Howie Mainwaring, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -19.571

13. Jon Kirkham, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -20.490

14. Dan Linfoot, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -27.139

15. Filip Backlund, Sweden (Yam YZF-R1), -27.492

16. Patric Muff, Switzerland (BMW S1000RR), -31.846

17. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), -40.278

18. John Ingram, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -40.783

19. Ben Wilson, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -48.335

20. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -65.959

21. Michael Rutter, UK (BMW S1000RR), -9 laps, DNF

22. Gary Mason, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -12 laps, DNF

23. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -14 laps, DNF

24. Rhalf Lo Turco, Brazil (Kaw ZX-10R), -14 laps, DNF

25. Christophe Ponsson, France (Bim BB3), -20 laps, DNF

26. Barry Burrell, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), DNS

27. Mitchell Carr, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), DNS

Championship Point Standings (after 19 of 26 races):

1. Byrne, 393 points

2. Brookes, 286

3. Kiyonari, 252

4. Bridewell, 199

5. Linfoot, 180

6. Walker, 171

7. Easton, 150

8. Ellison, 131

9. Waters, 118

10. Hopkins, 100

Other Americans competing at Donington Park:

James Rispoli finished eighth in 18-lap British Supersport “feature” race on his Team Traction Control Yamaha YZF-R6.

Jayson Uribe, riding his FPW Racing/R5R Honda, placed seventh overall and fourth in the Moto3 class in the British Motostar race.

Cory West, riding a Splitlath Motorsports EBR 1190 RS, was 21st at the finish of the British 1000cc Superstock race.

Former AMA Pro regular Ben Young, a resident of Canada, got 14th in the British 1000cc Superstock race on his Team WD-40 Kawasaki ZX-10R.

More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision:

Round nine 7 September Donington Park
KIYONARI CATAPULTSTO DOUBLE WIN AS ‘WAR FOR FOUR’ WITH BYRNE RAGES

Race one:
1: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW)
2: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.184s
3: Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) +1.188s
4: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +1.614s
5: Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +4.519s
6: Josh Waters (Tyco Suzuki) +5.298s

Race two:
1: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW)
2: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.489s
3: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +1.183s
4: Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +7.438s
5: Josh Waters (Tyco Suzuki) +10.874s
6: Julien Da Costa (Honda Racing) +11.764s

Championship standings ahead of the Showdown:1: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 562
2: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 536
3: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) 535
4: Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) 508
5: Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) 505
6: Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) 501

Report
Ryuichi Kiyonari celebrated a double victory ahead of title rival Shane “Shakey” Byrne in the ninth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Donington Park as the “War for Four” raged with the two riders continuing their battle for a record-breaking fourth title.

Kiyonari, who announced he will return with Buildbase BMW in the 2015 season, re-paid the team’s faith in him with two stunning rides at the Leicestershire circuit to move him to within 27 points of Byrne going into the Showdown.

Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Byrne had initially led the opening race with Kiyonari in close contention before moving ahead with a calculated move at the Esses, which kicked off a frantic scrap between the pair.

The lead changed at the Old Hairpin but Byrne was unable to hold it for long before Kiyonari was back in front. The race went down to the wire as twice in the closing stages they traded places before the Japanese rider took the victory by 0.184s.

Next time out Kiyonari led with Byrne trying everything he knew to find a way ahead in a vain effort to end a run extending to 11 races without a victory. Byrne said: “I had a plan to take him at the Old Hairpin on the last lap, and had to line it up through Redgate, but I was almost launched out of my seat but managed to stay on. I gave 150% but was not close enough to challenge. The consolation is that I gained points on my nearest rival Josh Brookes ready for the Showdown.”

Kiyonari held on to the victory, he said: “In the first race I was under a lot of pressure and it was very difficult. In the second race I led all the laps but I was pushing so hard to stay ahead of Shakey. I gave everything because I knew that Shakey was always there. I am very happy, but very tired after today! Now I want the title.”

Tommy Bridewell, already assured of a place in the Showdown, took third ahead of his Milwaukee Yamaha team-mate Josh Brookes in the opener, then crashed next time out while Brookes took third to be second in the standings, 26 points down on Byrne.

Dan Linfoot, aboard the Quattro Plant Kawasaki and Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki’s Chris Walker complete the list of the six riders who become Title Fighters in the Showdown for the title which gets underway at the legendary Assen circuit on 19/20/21 September.

For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com

More, from a press release issued by Paul Bird Motorsport:

Byrne And Easton Impress At Donington

The Penrith-based Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki Team enjoyed a strong weekend at round nine of the 2014 MCE British Superbike Championship at Donington Park this weekend with Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne adding two more second place finishes to his haul of podiums and team-mate Stuart Easton having his best weekend since his home round at Knockhill back in June.

Triple MCE BSB Champion Byrne was again in excellent form on his Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R and, having already sealed his place in the Showdown, this weekend was all about picking up as many vital Podium Points as possible to ensure he went into the final three rounds with a decent advantage over his Title Fighter rivals. However, the Isle of Sheppey-based Londoner found fellow triple champion Ryuichi Kiyonari a tough nut to crack and eventually had to settle for two second place finishes behind the Japanese star.

In front of a big crowd in the autumn sunshine, there was little to separate the two riders in either of the two 20 lap races with the duo never more than half a second apart. Shakey led for much of the first race but the pair swapped places on numerous occasions towards the end with the Japanese rider eventually taking a narrow win.

In the second race held later in the day, the BMW rider led from start to finish despite Shakey putting him under intense pressure throughout and again there was little in it with less than half a second between the two after yet another hard fought race meaning Byrne settled for his 18th podium out of the 19 races run so far.

37-year-old Byrne now enters the Showdown part of the championship whereby the top six riders are elevated to Title Fighter status meaning their scores are reset to 500 to which are added the Podium Points which have been accrued over the season (five for a win, three for second place and one for third) meaning Shakey heads to Assen on 562, 26 ahead of Josh Brookes on 536 who in turn is one ahead of Kiyonari (535).

Team-mate Easton’s faint hopes of reaching the Showdown ended in the first race at Donington but the Hawick rider went down fighting with two of his best rides of the year. The 30 year old Scot was never out of the top six all weekend and, after qualifying in fourth place, the 2013 British Supersport Champion occupied third for much of the first race and although he slipped back to fifth by the time of the chequered flag, he was only four seconds adrift of the race win and it set him up for more of the same in race two.

Another excellent start to the race saw him hold onto third for almost two thirds race distance but with the grip from his soft tyre tailing off as the race wore on, he was nudged off the podium by Josh Brookes. Nevertheless, he crossed the line in a fine fourth for his best result since Knockhill and although he can no longer contest the main championship, he remains in seventh overall and leads the race for the BSB Riders Cup competition with a 19 point advantage over James Ellison.

Shane Byrne: “Today’s first race was great fun and I really, really enjoyed it. The temperature was hotter than it had been all weekend so I tried to lead and set a good pace but not one that was too quick so it would damage the tyres for the end of the race. When Kiyo came by, I decided to sit on his back wheel and I had a plan to try and beat him which didn’t quite happen. I couldn’t be that close to him and not have a go though so dived up the inside at Goddards on the final lap only to run wide. I tried to cut back but was a bit eager on the throttle so had to take second place. In the second race, Kiyo set an incredible pace and my plan was to overtake him on the last lap at the Old Hairpin but I nearly launched myself into orbit coming out of Redgate and that pretty much ended my chances. I pushed over the limit to try and close back up to him and whilst I got close it wasn’t close enough. It was a bit frustrating not to win this weekend but I’ve extended my lead in the Podium Points and we go into the Showdown in a strong position so thank you to all my team for doing a great job again.”

Stuart Easton: “At the recent test at Assen, we made a change with the chassis setting which helped me immensely and after qualifying, I was less than a quarter of a second off pole and fifth on the grid set me up for race day. I opted for the soft tyre in both races which helped in the first half of the race but wasn’t so good in the second. However, with a strong pace at the beginning of each race, it allowed me to build a gap over the riders behind me and secure two, good top five finishes. To finish fourth and fifth today is more like where I need to be and, hopefully, I can build on it to get a shot at the podium at Assen in two weeks’ time.”

Paul Bird: “Shakey put in another consistent performance and you certainly can’t knock his consistency or the team’s reliability. When you can’t win, second is the next best thing and we are looking strong going into the Showdown. We have a race in hand now and all the other teams would love to be in our position, the pressure is on them and not us. Stuart rode really well and I’m pleased for him. I was going to put Michael Laverty out in The Showdown to help us but on Stuart’s performance we don’t need to as on this form, he’ll be in the mix at Assen.”

MCE British Superbike Championship Race One – 20 laps

1 Ryuichi Kiyonari (BMW)

2 Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)

3 Tommy Bridewell (Yamaha)

4 Josh Brookes (Yamaha)

5 Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)

6 Josh Waters (Suzuki)

MCE British Superbike Championship Race Two – 20 laps

1 Ryuichi Kiyonari (BMW)

2 Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)

3 Josh Brookes (Yamaha)

4 Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)

5 Josh Waters (Suzuki)

6 Julien Da Costa (Honda)

Championship Points (after nine rounds)

1 Byrne 562pts

2 Brookes 536

3 Kiyonari 535

4 Bridewell 508

5 Walker 505

6 Linfoot 501

7 Easton 150

The Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki MCE British Superbike Championship Team is running alongside the PBM MotoGP Team with riders Michael Laverty and Broc Parkes. Additionally, Paul Bird is running a full campaign in the REIS BTRDA Rally Series as well as selected International events in his Ford Focus WRC07. Both bike racing teams are sporting the colours of British Racing Green in deference to the team’s proud British heritage.

More, from a press release issued by Milwaukee Yamaha:

DOUBLE PODIUM CELEBRATION FOR MILWAUKEE YAMAHA AT DONINGTON PARK

The Milwaukee Yamaha team celebrated a double podium finish at the ninth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Donington Park with Tommy Bridewell and Josh Brookes scoring a third place apiece ahead of the Showdown.

With both riders already confirmed in the end of season Showdown, the focus of the weekend was to bag the final Podium Points of the season ahead of Assen. In the opening race Bridewell put in a determined ride to charge through to secure a third place finish to add to his podium tally, however he couldn’t make it a repeat performance after he crashed out at the Old Hairpin in the second race.

Brookes had been pushing throughout the weekend to close the gap and after missing out on the podium in the first race to his team-mate he was focused on making amends in race two, which he did by carving his way through from a second row start. Brookes took third place and then pushed to close in on the race leaders, but it wasn’t enough to challenge the leading pair on the final lap.

Brookes said: “!t has been a hard weekend as it didn’t start well and I had a few problems and the whole weekend I have been trying to find a setting that worked with the gearing and make the corners also work well. We didn’t really find that sweet spot and it seemed to be a compromise but we didn’t give up and we kept working throughout the weekend to make it better.

“I was disappointed in the first race, because at this stage of the season once you are in the Showdown, you only get a reward if you are on the podium with the points. Race two was definitely the hardest I have had to ride for one point! I was able to improve my times but in race two and starting from the second row wasn’t ideal. It took me a long time to get in front of Stuart [Easton], I knew I had the speed but there was a real strong yo-yo affect of where he was quicker and where I was and it meant I couldn’t make a pass for some time. That gave Kiyo and Shakey the chance to get away at the front and then I had my work cut out. I did make up some time which was the most satisfying part of the weekend.”

Bridewell said: “The first race was quite enjoyable as I had been struggling in a few sections of the track all weekend where we just couldn’t get it right. I started eighth and got away and I sat there and knew I had to start pushing on. The bike started working with me as the race went on and I could see Kiyo and Shakey ahead of me and I knew I had to push hard. I bridged the guys and then I couldn’t get the gap back and I had fun and just enjoyed it where I wasn’t thinking about being in the Showdown or in the top six or anything like that. Race two was disappointing to have a crash, but we are focused on the Showdown now and pushing for podiums again at Assen.”

Team Co-ordinator Mick Shanley concluded: “Overall it hasn’t been a bad weekend for us with a third and fourth place in the first race then another podium in race two. We are a little disappointed that it perhaps wasn’t more though as we have high expectations, but we have to be happy as we are the only team to have two riders in the Showdown. Now it’s where the Championship starts and these tracks coming up are those that have historically been good for us. We had a good test at Assen so we are looking forward to the Showdown.”

For more information visit www.milwaukeeyamaha.com

More, from a press release issued by Buildbase BMW Motorrad:

King Kiyonari reigns at Donington Park with another BSB double victory.

Ryuichi Kiyonari celebrated his second double win of the 2014 MCE British Superbike Championship, holding off a hard-charging Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne in both races at Donington Park as the Title Fighters now prepare for the first of three Showdown rounds at Assen in the Netherlands.

Today the team also announced that Kiyonari has re-signed with Hawk Racing for 2015, with the Japanese rider showing a stunning return to winning form onboard the BMW S 1000 RR this season and both parties are eager to continue it going forwards.

Race one saw the ‘War for Four’ reignited as two triple British Superbike Champions sparred on track, with Kiyonari and Byrne trading paint and places in an epic opening race. Byrne had initially taken the lead from Kiyonari on the opening lap but a two-rider crash at Goddards led to the safety car being deployed and the pack slowing down.

Once normal racing had resumed, Kiyonari kept up shadowing Byrne’s every move and on the twelfth lap he made his first attack by passing his rival on the brakes into the Foggy Esses.

Kiyonari was trying to break Byrne’s hold of the front of the pack but the Rapid Kawasaki rider was focused on regaining the advantage, which he did two laps later with a move at the Old Hairpin. Kiyonari once again took the lead, before Byrne stole it back but, undaunted, Kiyo forced his way to the front and a win at Schwantz.

In race two Kiyonari was pushing from the start and he hit the front of the pack after the triple champions clipped into Redgate beginning the first lap. Byrne dropped to third as his Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team-mate moved second with Josh Brookes holding fourth.

The Buildbase BMW Motorrad rider kept his rivals behind him and despite Byrne continuing his attack throughout the race, the Japanese rider held the advantage and crossed the line to secure his double.

James Westmoreland delivered a respectable pair of top ten finishes, coming eighth and tenth, further cementing his comeback from a wrist injury.

Lee Jackson took a fourth place finish in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 race and guaranteed himself third place in the championship, whatever the outcomes of the next two races.

Ryuichi Kiyonari said: “I am really happy because to stay with the team and sign for next year already is very good for me. I wanted to stay with the team and BMW again in 2015 and now for the final rounds I don’t have to be worrying about what I am doing next year as that makes it more difficult. For me at every race meeting I have hunger and want to keep winning and that is why I have stayed with this team.

“We have worked really hard together to win races and have podium finishes this year and we all try hard together. I am also very happy to have done the double here at Donington Park for the team, as it is their home track. I am very tired after the racing though!”

Stuart Hicken, Team Owner, said: “The whole team are over the moon that Kiyo wants to stay with us for next season and that is important for building on what we have already achieved this year. It is fantastic news for all of us as he has been a pleasure to work with since joining the team. And to top that off with a double win, and close down the Podium Credits gap – and to deny Shakey another win yet again – is just a fantastic feeling all round.”

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, race one result:

1. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW Motorrad)

2. Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.184s

3. Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) +1.188s

4. Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +1.614s

5. Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +4.519s

6. Josh Waters (Tyco Suzuki) +5.298s

7. Peter Hickman (RAF Reserves Honda) +5.598s

8. Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +10.852s

9. Patric Muff (Bathams BMW) +15.000s

10. James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW Motorrad) +15.104s

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, race two result:

1. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW Motorrad)

2. Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.489s

3. Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +1.183s

4. Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +7.438s

5. Josh Waters (Tyco Suzuki) +10.874s

6. Julien Da Costa (Honda Racing) +11.764s

7. Peter Hickman (RAF Reserves Honda) +15.039s

8. James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW Motorrad) +16.102s

9. John Hopkins (Tyco Suzuki) +16.965s

10. Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +17.190s

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings ahead of the Showdown:

1. Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 562

2. Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 536

3. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW Motorrad) 535

4. Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) 508

5. Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) 505

6. Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) 501

Pirelli National Superstock 1000 standings after Donington Park:

1. Danny Buchan (Tsingtao Kawasaki) 215

2. Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) 187

3. Lee Jackson (Buildbase BMW Motorrad) 149

4. Adam Jenkinson (Northern Escalator Kawasaki) 95

5. Filip Backlund (FFX Yamaha) 88

6. Hudson Kennaugh (Trix Moto BMW) 84

The next round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship and the first race of the Showdown takes place at TT Circuit Assen on 19/20/21 September. For more information click here or visit www.bsbassen.com