McConnell Crowned British Supersport Champion
After one of the most dramatic weekends of the year, the Gloucester-based Smiths Triumph Racing Team duly wrapped up their second Motorpoint British Supersport Championship win in three years when Australian ace Billy McConnell secured the title at Brands Hatch today.
The Aussie, from Adelaide, brought the factory-backed Triumph Daytona 675R home in eighth place to secure sufficient points ahead of Yamaha rival Alastair Seeley but there was heartbreak for Smiths team-mate Graeme Gowland when the Hexham, Northumberland rider crashed out of today’s race on the very first lap, meaning his title hopes were over and he could only finish third in the title race.
It wasn’t straight forward as the Smiths duo suffered mixed fortunes all weekend, none more so than in Saturday’s qualifying session with Gowland taking eighth and McConnell way back on the eighth row after falling early on. Both riders put in sterling in performances in the afternoon’s Sprint race though with Graeme taking sixth place and Billy riding heroically into ninth which meant he retained his title lead and only lost three points to his team-mate. However, with Alastair Seeley finishing in second, there was now just 21 points splitting the leading trio going into the final race.
Starting from positions seventh and tenth on the grid for the Feature race, both riders made good starts, particularly Graeme, but his challenge ended almost before it began as he cruelly crashed out at Druids on the opening lap. With Seeley leading the race, Billy still had to ensure he finished no lower than 11th and keeping a close eye on his pit board he did all he needed to do and crossed the line in eighth place to finally get his hands on the number one plate.
Billy McConnell: “It’s been a stressful last couple of rounds but to finally win the British Championship is brilliant and I was crying my eyes out on that final lap! I’ve come so close in recent years and it’s probably why my results haven’t been the greatest in the final races as I wanted it so bad. With Graeme going out early, it took the pressure off my shoulders but it was probably one of the longest races of my life and I just brought the bike home. I’ve got a fantastic team behind me and we’ve been consistent over the 12 rounds whilst I’ve had a fantastic team-mate pushing me all year so I feel for Graeme. It’s a shame he went out early and that little bit of extra luck that you need was on my side this weekend. I’ve been in the top three for the last five years so to win at last is amazing and very emotional.”
Graeme Gowland: “After Saturday’s race, I had to go out on Sunday and give it a go and I couldn’t have asked for a better start. I was aggressive off the line and into the first corner but going into Druids, everyone braked a little bit earlier than I expected and I was down before I knew it. I’m absolutely gutted to have my season end in this way, especially as I also lost second overall, but at least the Smiths Triumph team won. They deserve it more than anyone else for all the hard work and effort they’ve put in and well done to Billy for getting the job done. Riding as team-mate to Billy and battling with both him and Alastair all year long has been a pleasure so I’ll be looking to bounce back and give it another go in 2015.”
Rebecca Smith: “We never wanted it to come down to the final round but the way the season’s been, we kind of knew it was always going to and it was certainly nail-biting! We’ve had two riders in the team this year who were both worthy of being crowned champion and I’m gutted for Graeme that his year finished on a bit of a low. The season’s been a long one and it ultimately came down to DNFs. Graeme had a few more than the others whilst Billy was the most consistent all year long and thoroughly deserved his title. We’ve had an indescribable 2014 season with two amazing riders and to be crowned British Champions again is amazing. I’m literally lost for the words so a big, big thank you to everyone in the team for all their hard work this season.”
Motorpoint British Supersport Championship – race 1 (10 laps)
1 Glenn Irwin (Kawasaki)
2 Alastair Seeley (Yamaha)
3 Luke Jones (Triumph)
4 Luke Hedger (Kawasaki)
5 Taylor Mackenzie (Suzuki)
6 Graeme Gowland (Smiths Triumph)
9 Billy McConnell (Smiths Triumph)
Motorpoint British Supersport Championship – race 2 (18 laps)
1 Alastair Seeley (Yamaha)
2 Glenn Irwin (Kawasaki)
3 Luke Jones (Triumph)
4 Jake Dixon (Yamaha)
5 Luke Stapleford (Triumph)
6 Luke Hedger (Kawasaki)
8 Billy McConnell (Smiths Triumph)
DNF Graeme Gowland (Smiths Triumph)
Final Championship points (after 12 rounds)
1 McConnell 364pts
2 Seeley 360
3 Gowland 341
4 Irwin 315
5 Jones 279
6 Stapleford 262
More, from a press release issued by Morello Racing:
Strong end to 2014 British Championship season for Morello Racing
The Norwich-based Morello Racing team ended their 2014 British Championship season strongly at Brands Hatch at the weekend with Jesse Trayler and Daniel Johnson enjoying two excellent rides in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000cc Championship race and Jon Ingram posting two top twenty finishes in the premier MCE British Superbike Championship.
Ingram’s weekend started off slowly in the first BSB race, held on Saturday afternoon, as technical problems resulted in him having a coming together with another rider on just the second lap. It meant his race came to a premature end and left him on the penultimate row of the grid for Sunday’s opening race.
However, the Wigan-based rider had a much more enjoyable day on Sunday and opened his account for the day with a solid 17th place, only just missing out on more Championship points. He again found himself running strongly inside the top twenty in the final race of the year, locked in battle with a number of riders for the final Championship point. With some strong lap times, he eventually crossed the line in 19th place and with more valuable experience under his belt.
There was joy for the other members of the team with Trayler and Johnson both finishing inside the top ten of the highly competitive Pirelli National Superstock 1000cc Championship race for the second meeting in succession.
For Essex rider Trayler, it proved to be his best ride of the year as he backed up a strong qualifying performance with a superb fifth place in the race to continue his strong end to the season whilst Reading’s Johnson crossed the line in ninth for his eighth top ten finish of the year. In what’s been an extremely solid season for the 28-year old, the result meant he placed a good ninth place overall in the Championship table.
Steve Buckenham, Team Owner: “Overall, it’s been a good final round for the team, particularly for the two Superstock riders who again finished strongly inside the top ten. A change in set-up helped Jesse and he really showed what he could do, backing up his strong qualifying performance with an excellent ride. Danny had a small off in qualifying which put him a bit further back on the grid but he worked his way steadily through the field and with his fifth top ten finish in a row, to end the year in ninth overall was superb.”
“The Superbike side of the garage was a little bit disappointing as we all wanted to end the year with a few more points. As it was, a few issues on Saturday put us on the back foot for Sunday’s two races and we tried a few different settings which didn’t quite work out as we would have liked. John gave it 100% throughout though and was rewarded with two more top twenty finishes, which is no mean feat given the standard of competition.”
“For our first year in the Superbike class, it’s not been a bad year at all for our small team and we’ve learnt a lot which will stand us in good stead for 2015. We’ve had plenty of interest so far from riders so we’ll see what happens over the winter months and look to return stronger than ever.’
The British Championship season may be over but the team have one more outing before the winter break with the Mallory Park ‘Race of the Year’ taking place on Sunday November 2nd.
For further information about the team, visit www.morelloracing.co.uk and follow us on Facebook at www.morelloracing.co.uk
MCE British Superbike Championship – race 1 (18 laps)
1 Howie Mainwaring (Kawasaki)
2 Josh Waters (Suzuki)
3 Jon Kirkham (Kawasaki)
4 Dan Linfoot (Kawasaki)
5 Tommy Bridewell (Yamaha)
6 Stuart Easton (Kawasaki)
DNF John Ingram (Morello Racing Kawasaki)
MCE British Superbike Championship – race 2 (20 laps)
1 Shane Byrne (Kawasaki)
2 James Ellison (Kawasaki)
3 Howie Mainwaring (Kawasaki)
4 Josh Brookes (Yamaha)
5 Stuart Easton (Kawasaki)
6 Tommy Bridewell (Yamaha)
17 John Ingram (Morello Racing Kawasaki)
MCE British Superbike Championship – race 3 (17 laps)
1 Shane Byrne (Kawasaki)
2 James Ellison (Kawasaki)
3 Tommy Bridewell (Yamaha)
4 Stuart Easton (Kawasaki)
5 Josh Brookes (Yamaha)
6 Dan Linfoot (Kawasaki)
19 John Ingram (Morello Racing Kawasaki)
Final Championship Points (after 12 rounds)
1 Byrne 682pts
2 Kiyonari 620
3 Bridewell 587
4 Brookes 584
5 Linfoot 577
6 Walker 525
31 Ingram 6
Pirelli National Superstock 1000cc Championship race (14 laps)
1 Jason O’Halloran (Honda)
2 Danny Buchan (Kawasaki)
3 Hudson Kennaugh (BMW)
4 Ashley Beech (Kawasaki)
5 Jesse Trayler (Morello Racing Kawasaki)
6 Josh Elliott (Kawasaki)
9 Daniel Johnson (Morello Racing Kawasaki)
Final Championship points (after 12 rounds)
1 Buchan 260pts
2 O’Halloran 232
3 Jackson 162
4 Kennaugh 116
5 Jenkinson 100
6 Elliott 91
9 Johnson 65
More, from a press release issued by Jake Dixon Racing:
Jake Dixon – Brands Final
www.facebook.com/JakeDixonRacing
After a difficult season this year Jake Dixon on the Doodson Appleyard Macadam Yamaha was looking to end his season on a high note at Brands Hatch this weekend. The 18-year-old from Dover has been troubled with electrical and mechanical problems all season and wanted some strong results at his most local circuit of Brands. In the opening Motorpoint British Supersport sprint race Jake gained seventh place and in the main feature race he was fourth. Jake finished eighth overall in the Championship standings.
Once again the weather took a turn for the worse for qualifying which always makes the playing field a little more equal, Jake was sat in a provisional pole position for some of the session but as the track dried he slipped back to fifth place on the grid. He got a bad start and dropped to ninth after lap one, he pushed hard and dug deep but was only able to manage seventh place.
In the second race Jake started from fifth on the grid for the 18-lap race, he got a good start and was fourth after the opening lap. He was forced wide on lap four and slipped back to sixth but soon re-grouped and showed the form he did mid-season, before any of the bike issues, he was in with a shout of a podium towards the end of the race today but gained a solid fourth place.
Jake Dixon – “It’s nice to have finished the season with a fourth, I was trying so hard for a podium but just didn’t have the drive down the long straights to catch up with the three in front of me. It was great to be back out there fighting again this weekend and it’s certainly been a testing season for me this year. I have missed a lot of track time but really nice to get two solid points scoring results especially at my most local circuit.
I would like to thank all my personal sponsors that have stuck by me this season through thick and thin this year. I hope to be back next season, fitter and stronger and in a position to gain that long sought podium. Thank you to everyone for helping me, a massive thank you must go to my Dad, Darren, he’s been unreal this year and put so much faith and belief in me, I really appreciate everything he has done.”
2014 Personal Sponsors
Shoei – Daytona – Forcefield Body Armour – Ovendens – Mutleys – Feridax – Transtore Logistics – Herbalife (www.jdrnutrition.com) – WIZ Racing – www.freestylextreme.com – anyone wishing to sponsor Jake this season with product or funding please get in touch – [email protected]
Team Sponsors
Appleyard – Macadam – Doodson – Yamaha
Facebook – www.facebook.com/JakeDixonRacing
Twitter – @DixonJake
More, from a press release issued by Gearlink Kawasaki:
Gearlink Kawasaki
Brands Final
www.facebook.com/GearlinkRacing
Motorpoint British Supersport
It was another brilliant weekend for the Gearlink Kawasaki team in the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship the final round at Brands Hatch circuit. Glenn Irwin took a fantastic victory on Saturday with Luke Hedger in a brilliant fourth. In the final race of the year Glenn gained second and Luke in sixth.
The young pair were riding superbly well all weekend and both riders secured a front row grid position in the damp qualifying session. Glenn found his time in a last lap dash taking him to second and pushing his team-mate back to third.
Both got off to a strong start, Glenn and Alastair Seeley made and early gap and the pair were having a good dice for the lead. Glenn was passed by Seeley on lap two and the young Irishman was eager to not let Seeley pull away, he stayed in his eye line throughout the race and made a great pass on lap eight and went on to take his fifth win of the season. Luke Hedger has certainly found his form in the later stages of the season after an early season injury and the 18-year-old gained his best result of the year with fourth.
In the second race Glenn started from third place and Luke from fourth. Luke had to avoid a turn two crash on the opening lap, which dropped him to seventh after lap one. He fought hard and has made a lot of progress this weekend on the Supersport machine, he was fighting with the front runners and made it through to fourth at one point, but he dropped to sixth on the last lap.
Glenn once again showed his stunning form this year and was up front and battling for the win with Alastair Seeley. He fought so hard and led for three laps of the race, he made a slight mistake and dropped back to third but once again showed his grit and determination and came back through to finish a great second place.
Glenn Irwin – “It has been such a good season for me this year, our expectations at the start of the year were podiums and I have managed to win five races and gain seven podiums so it’s been fantastic.
“Both races this weekend were difficult as the conditions yesterday were really tricky, the track becomes so greasy in the wet here and I knew I really had to keep my focus on doing a good job, I made a few mistakes but was able to catch Alastair and pass him it was great to take another win.
“For the second race all three of us battling for the podium were strong in different places and all of us were pushing hard for the win. It was another good weekend for the Gearlink Kawasaki team and I thank them for everything they have done for me this season it has been so good. Everyone in the team have worked so hard to gain the results we have and I hope next year I’ll be back in British Supersport and able to push for the Championship. Thank you to everyone that has supported me this season, the fans, the sponsors my family it’s been great and I can’t wait for next year already.”
Luke Hedger – “I’m really pleased with the way I managed to finish the season and loved every minute of this weekend, it really has given me a confidence boost. It’s been a tough year with the broken arm I suffered at the start of the season and it has been hard to come back to such a competitive Championship and be instantly on the pace. It has taken a little time this season but the last two races have been great and it’s nice to end the season on a high note.
“I would like to thank everyone at Gearlink Kawasaki and all my personal sponsors especially 1st Choice Flooring.”
It was another mixed weekend for Ben Wilson in the MCE British Superbike Championship. With the varied weather conditions on Saturday this played nicely into the hands of Ben, he had a good first race finishing in 12th place starting from 18th on the grid. Sadly a power problem forced him out of race two and he could only manage 17th today in race three.
Team Manager Michael de Bidaph – “It has been a great finish to the season in the Supersport class for the Gearlink Kawasaki team and our riders Glenn and Luke. Both were up at the front end all weekend, during the practice and qualifying sessions. Glenn really worked hard to take the win on Saturday and pushed Alastair all the way, Luke also rode extremely well and took his best position of the season with fourth.
“In the main race on Sunday, Glenn fought hard in another good race and was able to achieve another great podium for the Gearlink Kawasaki team. Luke was in the mix but was suffering with arm-pump in the closing stages of the race.
“We have achieved more in Supersport than we thought this year as we took on two young new riders in the Championship and the results have shown how hard they have worked, especially Glenn he has really upped his game this season.
“The results in the Superbike class have sadly not been where we have wanted to be this year, we had a power issue in the two races today and it just was not meant to be.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in the Gearlink Kawasaki team for all their hard work and dedication this year. I must say a special thank you to TTS Servicing Ltd and KMUK for all their support and commitment to us.”
2014 GEARLINK TEAM SPONSORS
AKRAPOVIC – B & C EXPRESS – CN TRADING (GLENN) – DAYTONA (BEN) – DAMEN LEATHERS – DBR – FORCEFIELD – GALFER – GB RACING – GEARLINK LTD – GOODRIDGE – JAMES JAMIESON CONSTRUCTION (GLENN) – JOHNY WILLS PHOTOGRAPHY – K-TECH – KTtapeuk.co.uk – MARK TALBOT (GLENN) – MEGASTORE247 (GLENN) – MET HEALTHCARE (GLENN) – MWR AIR FILTERS – NGK SPARK PLUGS – OCTANORM – PERFORMANCE PARTS – PERFORMANCE FRICTION BRAKES – PRO CLEAN – PRO-BOLT – R & G RACING – RENTHAL – ROCK OIL – SAMCO SPORT – SHARK HELMETS – SHOEI HELMETS (LUKE) – SIDI (LUKE) – SIGMA PERFORMANCE – SINNIS – SKIDMARX – SOLO SIGNS – TIM TODD SURFACING – TSUBAKI – VALE LIVESTOCK – WWW.1STCHOICE-FLOORING.CO.UK (LUKE)
Facebook – www.facebook.com/GearlinkRacing
Twitter – Gearlink Kawasaki
More, from a press release issued by Be Wiser Kawasaki:
Be Wiser Kawasaki Team
The Be Wiser Kawasaki team had a heart stopping weekend at the final round of the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch. Joe Collier racing in the Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championship took third place in the race and third in the Championship, his team-mate finished in fifth in the race and fourth in the Championship standings. Josh Wainwright finished in 23rd place in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship.
In the Pirelli National Superstock 600 class, the Be Wiser Kawasaki team were once again hit by the autumn weather and second qualifying was too wet and cold for the riders to improve their times from first qualifying on Friday. Joe qualified in third place on the front row and Nick just behind in fourth.
Joe went to Brands with a one point lead in the Championship and the top three in the series were separated by four points, whoever finished in front of the other would become the Champion. Joe plus his rivals Andy Reid and Kyle Ryde provided one of the best races of the weekend and all three rode a hugely impressive and professional race, all swapped positions throughout the race. Joe managed to take the lead and was fighting off the duo behind him but a huge moment out the back of the circuit where Joe took to the grass lost him time and the Championship as he re-joined in third and despite his best efforts was unable to make a move on the closing laps.
His team-mate Nick Anderson was riding well all weekend and got a steady start but ended up riding a lonely race in fifth place. He struggled off the start and dropped to eighth at the end of the first lap, he worked hard and managed to make some clean passes to move him up to fifth, where he rode a lonely race until the chequered flag.
Joe Collier – “I knew this weekend would be tough and I tried to keep my cool all weekend, we were all on the front row so I knew it would be a battle to the end. All three of us, Kyle, Andy and myself did everything we could possibly do to try and win today. It was a great race and battle to the end between the three of us.
I’m so disappointed not to have been able to win the race and at one point when I was leading I could see the Championship and knew I just had to knuckle down and keep pushing to the end. I made a slight mistake and ran onto the wet grass at one of the fastest corners on the circuit, I kept on the throttle and re-joined but in third. I really did try everything I had to try and win but it just wasn’t to be.
Thanks to Kyle and Andy for a fantastic season and probably one of the most exciting races I’ve been involved in. Thank you so much to all the Be Wiser Kawasaki team for everything they have done this season and all my personal sponsors for helping me again this year.”
Nick Anderson – “I knew as I came to Brands I couldn’t go any higher up in the Championship and really wanted to help Joe go for the win but I had a few issues with the bike on Friday, the team worked really hard to get everything sorted for me. I slipped back places off the start and pushed hard to finish fifth. It’s been a great season and I’ve learnt so much as a rider, I thank everyone for their help this season and a huge thank you to the Be Wiser Kawasaki team for all their effort and support this season.”
In the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship Josh Wainwright had another steady weekend with the Be Wiser Kawasaki Team, qualifying in 24th place for the 14-lap race. He pushed hard in the race but ended up 23rd.
Josh Wainwright – “I was struggling this weekend to find a set-up on the bike but thank the Be Wiser Kawasaki team for the opportunity to ride for them at the last few races of the season. I had a big crash on Friday and the mechanics worked so hard to get the bike fixed but I just wasn’t able to get a result to repay them for their hard work.”
Team Owner/Manager Alan Greig – “We knew this weekend was all about the Superstock 600 Championship and that it would go down to the wire. All three Championship contenders qualified on the front row so we were expecting an exciting race.
The race was epic and the three Championship rivals rode such a professional and mature race, they rode with respect and aggression and sadly Joe made a small mistake in the closing stages whilst leading which saw the Championship dreams disappear. Joe looked comfortable and strong for the entire race setting some very consistent lap times but once he ran wide that was race over despite his best efforts.
We have had a fantastic year with the Be Wiser Kawasaki team with Joe finishing the series in third and Nick in fourth, both riders have been a pleasure to work with and the results have been perfect. Thank you to everyone involved especially all our sponsors and we look forward to our new venture next season in the British Superbike Championship.”
2014 Sponsors
Be Wiser Insurance – Kais Ohlins – Kawasaki Motors UK – B&C Express – Renthal – Britool Expert – Dickies – Activ 8 – Anglia Interiors – Cups Direct – Eazi Grip – Foulger Transport – Garnell Nutrition – GR Race Graphics – GB Racing – HM Quickshifter – HM Racing – University of Lincoln – No Limits Track Days – PR Trackbike Hire – Samco – Sani Clad – Tanker & General – The Shires Inn – Venhill – Direct Distribition – SBS – Saville – Jarbtech
Follow us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/BeWiserKawasaki
Twitter – @bewiserkawasaki
More, from a press release issued by Mar-Train Racing:
MAR-TRAIN RACING BOW OUT OF BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP WITH SEELEY VICTORY
Alastair Seeley showed his class with a Supersport feature race victory at Brands Hatch earlier today, to afford Mar-Train Racing the luxury of bowing out of the British championship paddock on the top step after three successful years in the class.
Seeley and Mar-Train Racing arrived at Brands Hatch for the final round some 34 points behind eventual champion Billy McConnell and his Smiths’ Triumph team. But in true Ulster style, Seeley and his crew devised a master plan, taking 45 points away from the Kent venue, to finish second in the championship standings – just four behind McConnell after a season-long battle and a valiant last ditch effort.
Seeley can hold his head high after taking eight wins this season – more than any other rider in the class on the Mar-Train Racing Yamaha R6 – but the Carrickfergus rider was magnanimous in defeat, heaping praise on his rival and new champion Billy McConnell.
Alastair Seeley:
“I came here to try and get two wins but Glenn just beat us to the line yesterday and fair play to him, but we’ve made amends today in the feature race on the Mar-Train Yamaha. It’s particularly pleasing to give Tim and Sonya Martin a win to bow out of British championship with as they take a sabbatical from this paddock.
“I’m runner up again for the second year, but I couldn’t have got this far without the support of the whole Mar-Train Yamaha team and my personal sponsors. But well done to Billy [McConnell] he’s been really consistent all year and that’s what counts so well done to both him and the Smiths’ Triumph team.”
Tim Martin – Team Principal:
“That was pure class from Alastair in today’s race. He showed just why, when on form, he is still the best rider in this championship and I must also give praise to my team, as the Mar-Train Yamaha R6 was more than a match for anything out there today.
“It’s a nice way to bow out of the championship with a pretty impressive record. We all know where this year’s championship was lost, but that’s all part of racing and Billy’s a top lad and after years of coming so close – it’s nice to too him finally land the title. Thanks to everyone involved, from our sponsors to the fans and those who have support and assisted us this past three seasons.
“The British championship campaign may be over for now, but we will be back on the roads next year and we should have an announcement or two in the coming weeks.”
2014 British Supersport Championship – Final Standings
Billy McConnell 364
Alastair Seeley 360
Graeme Gowland 341
Glenn Irwin 315
Luke Jones 279
Luke Stapleford 262
Mar-Train Racing Statistics [2012 – 2014]
44 Podiums
24 race wins
Runners-up in 2012 & 2014
British Supersport Champions 2013