Confident Start for Centurion Brands Hatch GP 7th 9th April www.centurionracing.net Centurion Racing got their 2007 season off to a fantastic start this weekend at the first round of the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch, 7th 9th April. Rookies James ‘Westy’ Westmoreland and Dan Cooper secured a strong 10th and 11th place respectively in the overall Supersport Championship with Westy taking the Supersport Cup victory in the process. The dramatic race which included two red flag incidents and the safety car having to be dispatched onto the circuit gave the youngsters and sharp taste of what could lie ahead for the season. Both handled the situations well and remained focused throughout the cut short 10-lap race. Westy qualified in a strong 12th position for the scheduled 18-lap race and was looking strong and confident throughout the weekend, setting consistently fast times. Commenting he said “It’s great to finally get the season underway and I’m happy that I managed to secure the Cup win and also a top ten finish in my first appearance. The race was full of incidents, I didn’t get a great start in the first part of the race and I got boxed in going into the first corner. I was working my way back through the field when the first red flag came out. Things went better in the re-start and I got off the line well, I could see Ian Hutchinson and Steven Neate in front of me and was working hard to try and catch them when the second red flag came out and cut the race short. I can’t wait for Thruxton now and hope I can get another strong result there.” After qualifying in his debut Supersport race in 20th position Cooper was eager to get a good start and work his way through the pack saying “This was only my second time out on the bike this weekend and my second time on a Supersport bike, it was a huge learning curve and I’m really pleased with the result that I gained. There were a number of different elements to learn and a lot of information to take in but I feel that I made huge progress this weekend and hope I can carry on that form for the rest of the season. I was improving each time I went out on the bike and I just wanted to get myself and the team a decent finish. It took me a while to settle into the race, being my first Supersport race it was a little daunting but I really enjoyed it. The team have worked really hard all weekend, they did a fantastic job and I’m looking forward to Thruxton as it’s Centurions and my own local circuit, so I’m eager to get another positive result there next week. Team Manager Gary Stubbington was delighted with the progress of the two youngsters saying “It’s been a great weekend for us, everyone has worked incredible well and Westy and Dan have had a great start to the season. They have both been on an intense training schedule and that showed today, the full team are very happy with them. Each had their own minor problems but dealt with all obstacles confidently and they both showed a great deal of character in all the situations which occurred. The main thing was that we got two finishes and to have both of them in the top 15 is fantastic. I’m hoping Thruxton will be just as good.” Centurion Racing’s next appearance is at Thruxton Circuit, Hampshire next weekend 13th 15th April. The super fast 2.36-mile circuit will be a strong test for the pair and will hopefully prove to be as successful for them as Brands was. With the teams headquarters being situated in Southampton, this will provide a good opportunity for the team to showcase themselves to their local sponsors and media. More, from a press release issued by Steve Plater Racing: STEVE PLATER IN THE POINTS AT BRANDS HATCH North West 200 hero Steve Plater got his season off to a good start at Brands Hatch when despite lack of testing time he brought the AIM Yamaha home safely in each of the two British Superbike races at Brands Hatch on Monday to claim 18th place in the opening round and bag two championship points for 14th place in the second encounter. “My lap times improved by one and a half seconds from first free practise to final qualifying but I still was only able to finish in 26th place for a seventh row start,” said Steve. 26th is definitely not where I wanted to be but we are struggling a bit at the moment and although we have been able to move forward in various areas it hasn’t shown on the stop watch. It has been a bit frustrating really as we really needed some serious testing time but the bikes were late arriving from Yamaha and we just ran out of time. We are just having to plug away here at Brands this weekend making further adjustments each time we go out on track.” As the opening race of the new season got underway Steve made steady headway to eventually take the chequered flag in 18th position. “I shaved a further half a second from my qualifying times in that race so we are making progress,” said Steve. Race two saw the Woodhall Spa rider get away to a better start and he quickly moved into the top twenty. His progress was stalled when the safety car took to the track but it worked in his favour as he was able to make ground on the riders ahead and when the car left the track Steve was poised to make a further move forward. He passed Aaron Zanotti on lap 18 and continued to make progress to 14th place when the red flag brought the race to an early end with two laps remaining. “Although I finished further up the field that time my lap times didn’t improve. We move on to Thruxton now and will again be using the track time as a test to further develop the bike.” With less than a week between Brands and the next round at Thruxton there is little time for Steve to catch his breath. The weekend begins with two free practise sessions on Friday followed by a further free session on Saturday morning. Qualifying is set for 2.40pm prior to racing on Sunday with the first Superbike race on track at 1pm and race two at 3.25pm. More, from a press release issued by the Samsung Superbike Team: Solid start for Samsung Superbike Team. The Samsung Superbike and Superstock Team got off to a steady start at Brands Hatch for the opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship and the Metzeler National Superstock Championship. Dean Thomas who is riding the Samsung Suzuki in the Superbike class qualified well in tenth place and proceeded to bring home a sixteenth and tenth in the two races. His team-mate Jon Kirkham who is contesting the Superstock Championship on the all new Ducati 1098 qualified twentieth, unfortunately he failed to finish the race due to a technical fault. “Race one was a bit of a hard one, we were on the pace at the beginning running with the guys in the middle of the pack, where we feel we should be at this stage,” said Thomas, “After about six or seven laps we just started to chew the tyre up and we had taken a gamble on the soft compound. We just drifted back, mid race the tyre had gone off and that mixed with a slight fuelling issue the power comes on quite strong and solid making the problem worse.” Race two saw a big improvement as Thomas went on to explain, “Second race at least was a lot better, we smoothed a few things out, had a harder compound tyre and went forward. Our lap times were much better but we need to do a little bit of homework now and set the rear shock up or up grade it.” Although Kirkham didn’t complete the Superstock race he wasn’t down hearted as he learned a lot during the time he had on track. “I got a good start but on the run into Graham Hill bend I hooked the wrong gear as I’m still getting used to the Ducati. I picked third instead of second and just got mugged by about ten guys! I also suffered some brake fade, so when the Safety Car came out I thought ‘Great I can adjust my brake and catch a few people.’ But once the Safety Car went in my bike started making a strange engine noise, so I had to come in game over.” As it transpired the exhaust manifold had split along a weld, “These things do happen, I’ve experienced it before,” said Kirkham, “I’m really pleased with the new bike; I went into a few corners a bit hot due to the brake fade and I was waiting for the front to tuck but it didn’t. I just need miles on this bike I need to get used to the v-twin engine and the Superstock tyres.” The Championships now move to the high speed circuit of Thruxton and both Samsung riders are looking forward to the challenge it presents. “I’m pleased with this weekend, the Samsung Superbike team have been great and it is good to be back with the team and back on a bike that I’m comfortable with and a bunch of guys I’m enjoying working with. I’m really looking forward to Thruxton next weekend,” commented Thomas. Kirkham echoed his sentiments saying, “My Ducati is quite fast, it is smooth out of turns and doesn’t spin up. I’m looking forward to taking it to Thruxton, I enjoy it there,” he concluded. The next round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship and the Metzeler National Superstock Championship take place on 13th 15th April at Thruxton in Hampshire. More, from a press release issued by Hydrex Honda: Healthy start for Hydrex Honda at Brands Hatch. The three man strong Hydrex Honda team got off to a good start at Brands Hatch for the opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship and the Metzeler National Superstock Championship. Karl Harris and pure road specialist Guy Martin are riding in the Superbike class, while young South African, Allan Jon Venter, is racing in Superstock. Harris scored a thirteenth in race one but followed that up with a superb and closely fought sixth place finish in race two. “In race one, we had a clutch problem which we have had all weekend but we managed to figure it out for the second race. We changed the clutch and it improved. I want to be finishing further up the field but it is a start and we can work on it,” said Harris. Looking on the positive side Harris scalped some of the factory riders to take sixth place as he went on to say, “We passed the Rizla boys so to beat some factory boys out there is fantastic, and hopefully by Thruxton we will be up there. I like Thruxton so bring it on!” Road racer, Martin is getting up to speed for his assault on the roads, mainly the Isle of Man TT centenary. He was unlucky in race one suffering a technical problem as he explained, “My head gasket went in race one which was a shame. I was catching James Haydon and Marty Nutt, just following them and watching their lines. I managed to catch them and then I noticed some water on my visor, I watched my engine temperature and it was going up so I came into pits that was that.” However he made up for that in race two with a seventeenth place finish, “I got an average start then a couple of people dropped out and I moved up passing James Haydon. I was lucky the race was red flagged as I almost ran out of fuel as the race was extended due to Safety Car coming out for a few laps. I’ve a lot to learn but I have learned a lot this weekend,” said Martin. AJ, as Allan Jon is known, made good progress at a race track he didn’t know. He qualified in twenty ninth but finished eighteenth, making up eleven places during the frantic Superstock race. “My start wasn’t too bad but I got boxed in at turn one and turn two! There was no where to go, it was just mayhem out there. The Safety Car came out and it took a while for everyone to bunch up, then a few laps from the end I got by the guy who was holding me up and then I started to really make up some ground,” he said. “I’m chuffed with the result; the team are really moving me forward. Thanks to everyone at Hydrex Honda for all the hard work and late nights, I hope I can reward them with a podium. The next round is Thruxton and I’ve never been there so all I can do is rely on advice from Karl Harris and Mick Shanley. I’m looking forward to it, I hear it is very fast,” he grinned. Both Championships now head for Thruxton on the 13th 15th April where the Hydrex Honda team hope to secure more points for all three riders. More, from a press release issued by Hawk Kawasaki: Points for Hickman at Brands Brands Hatch GP Round 1 It was a mixed weekend for the Hawk Racing Team at the opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch Circuit, Kent. Superbike riders Peter Hickman and Scott Smart gained varied results in the two races. Hickman secured two encouraging finishes with a 15th and 12th but Smart struggled throughout the weekend and after a huge crash in morning warm up he found it difficult to gain the results he would have like and finished the races in 21st and 20th place respectively. In front of a huge 41’000 spectators who were baking in the Kent sunshine, Hickman was eager to gain some positive results after qualifying in a strong 12th place. A poor start saw the youngster drop down to 15th after the first lap and soon he was locked in a battle with Tommy Bridewell for the final Championship point. In the second race he was battling with the reigning British Champion Kiyonari for 11th place. Commenting he said “I’m reasonably happy with the way the weekend has gone, I have left Brands in 14th position in the Championship which is a fair start to the year. I had a few problems during the race and seemed to be struggling with tyres like most people. I’m pretty happy with the second race result and hope we can improve things at Thruxton.” Scott Smart suffered a number of problems through the weekend and could only salvage 25th position in qualifying. A 167 mph crash in morning warm up saw the Maidstone based rider heading into the two races a little sore and worse for wear. A disappointed Smart said “It’s been a long weekend and I’ve been struggling with a few issues, which I know can be rectified and I have confidence that we can sort it out. I’m not happy with my results but I also haven’t had much time on the Hawk bike and hopefully things will improve as the season progresses and I get used to riding the ZX10 again. We have a few things to sort on the bike and I know the team are working hard to get some problems sorted before Thruxton at the weekend.” The Hawk Junior Teams got a harsh introduction to the fiercely competitive British Championships at Brands and young 18-year-old Jak Wright just missed out in qualifying for the Supersport Cup race by 0.1. 20-year-old David Hallett qualified in 26th position in the tough Superstock Cup Championship but struggled with arm pump during the race and he gained a 31st place overall. More, from a press release issued by Stobart Racing: Solid Points Start for Team Stobart 2007 Bennetts British Superbike Championship Rounds 1 & 2 Brands Hatch, Kent. Monday 9th April 2007 Stobart Vent Axia Motorsport riders Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and Tom Sykes recorded a top five finish apiece at a drama packed opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship in the Brands Hatch sunshine today. Riding the VK backed Honda Fireblades, Byrne fought his way through the pack in race one to end up in a fine fourth place with Sykes doing likewise in race two to end up in fifth as the most hotly contested championship in recent years was played out in front of over 40,000 fans at the Kent circuit. In an incident strewn second race, Byrne was looking good for a podium finish when he was edged out at the 150mph Hawthorn Bend but luckily stayed aboard and rejoined the track to finish the race in thirteenth position. Meanwhile, twenty one year old Yorkshireman Sykes also scored good points in race one when he brought the Paul Bird Motorsport machine home in seventh place and now lies in fifth in the Championship with Byrne unfortunate to leave Brands in seventh place. Shane Byrne: “In the first race I did exactly what I needed to do but the second race was really frustrating because I did exactly the same and I thought I had it in the bag and then the pace car came out and put a stop to it. I had a coming together with another rider and ran straight on and lost a lot of places but I’m looking forward to Thruxton now as we should go well there.” Tom Sykes: “After the first race we went for the safe option with our set up but unfortunately from the word go I struggled with grip. The pace car came out and I just thought it was my chance to do something so I got my head down and managed to get up to fifth. To get a seventh and fifth place in that company is quite pleasing but obviously I’m looking to improve as the season goes on. I’m looking forward to next weekend and I’d like to thank all the team for everything they’ve done for me this weekend.” Paul Bird: “It’s nice to see that both riders are competitive and are racing for rostrum places. We’re chuffed to bits with Tom, he did exactly what we knew he was capable of. Shakey was a bit unlucky in the second race but it shows that both the bikes and riders are more than capable of running at the front. It’s a good start to the year.” The Stobart Team has only three days to prepare for the next round which takes place next weekend (13-15th April) at Thruxton whereby the two riders will be looking to continue their great start to the season and clinch the team’s first podium of the year also. More, from a press release issued by Tom Tunstall Racing: Tunstall’s season starts on the podium Superbike rookie Tom Tunstall kicked off his 2007 season with a solid performance at the weekend. Coming away with two Superbike Cup [championship within main championship for privateers and independents] podiums, and also gaining much valuable experience on the highly powered 1000cc machine. The opening rounds of the 2007 Bennetts British Superbike Championship were staged on the legendary 2.3 mile Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit over the Easter weekend. And for the Huddersfield rider in his first ever Superbike race aboard the Hardinge Ice Valley Honda CBR1000RR it was to be a steep learning curve throughout the weekend. The consistent near perfect weather conditions that bathed the Kent track in sunshine throughout the event helped Tom and Hardinge Ice Valley team [who were also new to the superbike class] to continue learning, and building upon the progress gained from pre-season testing. However a mechanical problem in the final free practice session saw Tunstall miss virtually all of the 50 minute session, missing out on vital track time. “It’s always frustrating when you miss out on track time, but it’s even more important at the moment. I’m still struggling with the bike especially stability and we had also planned to sort out our race tyres in the session” commented the Yorkshireman. With only one qualifying session for the British Superbike class, it was another new experience for the former World Supersport rider with the availability of the super-sticky one lap qualifying slicks. Using the early part of the session to catch up on race set up, a singular “qualifier” was utilised leading to Tom’s best lap with an average speed of 92.76mph and the third fastest of the Cup riders. “I’m happy with how the session went. We got some good data on potential race tyres. Plus I managed to work with the qualifier. I tested one in Spain testing but couldn’t get anything from it. It’s yet another area where I’m learning.” The grid for the race saw Tunstall lined up alongside former superbike winners Scott Smart and Steve Plater. In the first of the days two races Tom got away well but was soon embroiled in a battle with Superbike cup stalwart Malcolm Ashley. The pair regularly swapping positions allowing other riders to get away. By lap 10 Tunstall got clear and immediately gapped Ashley by up to a second a lap whilst chasing down the rider ahead Aaron Zanotti. In six laps the determined Tunstall had closed down a gap of 4.5seconds to last years Superstock runner-up, but was unable to pass before the flag. However with the demise of Irishman Marty Nutt on the last lap Tunstall was promoted to 2nd place in the Cup, behind former cup champion James Buckingham. The second race of the day another new experience for Tom – followed a similar pattern with Tunstall losing time early in the race before getting into his faster rhythm. However the intervention of the pace car adding an extra three laps to the race meant Tunstall – now in a safe second place – decided to ease his pace to ensure he had the fuel to complete the distance. The race was again won by James Buckingham. “It’s been an incredible weekend there’s just been so much to learn. I still haven’t “clicked” with the bike. The superbike is very powerful and I still don’t know which issues I have can be ironed out with set-up changes and which are just superbike characteristics” “We made some changes overnight which helped the stability of the bike, but brought issues to corner entry and mid-corner grip. My confidence on the bike still has room for improvement and that showed at the start of the races. That said I think it’s been a great start to our championship, to come away with two 2nd places and a lot more experience I can’t wait for the next race now!” Tom and the rest of the British Superbike Championship riders won’t have long to wait with the next race this weekend [13th – 15th April] at Thruxton in Hampshire the fastest track in the UK.