BROOKES VICTORIOUS AS MILWAUKEE YAMAHA WRAP UP 2015 SEASON
Josh Brookes added to his tally of MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship wins to claim his 13th victory of his campaign at Brands Hatch today before celebrating his title victory in front of the huge crowd at the season finale.
In the second race of the weekend Brookes hit the lead on the sixth lap and then he held off the chasing pack to win in impressive style to claim his sixth win of the Showdown. However as he fought to make it a full house in the final race of the season, he crashed out unhurt at Graham Hill Bend, but the Australian was still able to celebrate the victory in style.
Smrz meanwhile claimed 14th place in the penultimate race of the weekend before ending his season a high in ninth place.
Brookes said: “I would have loved to have won all three races today. There’s been times when I’ve made reference to myself and Randy Mamola, the guy that’s famous for coming second. There were so many times that I went home from the racetrack, just thinking about what I could to combat Shakey Byrne and how I can stop coming second, and how I could improve something to make that step. Unfortunately for Shane, we’ve exchanges positions, and I’m able to enjoy the feeling that he’s had for so long.
“It kind of suited me to go out fighting in the last race; I had nothing to gain and was not prepared to run around in sixth place. I was going for the front, going as hard as I could and was just unlucky to clip the kerb and I went down – that was it. I couldn’t see through Michael Laverty; racing with Shakey all year, I can almost subconsciously judge where the apex of a corner is from his riding style. But at the end of the day, it is a case of job complete and I am the British Superbike Champion. This result is for the whole team for all their hard work this season.”
Smrz said: “My start in race two was good but I got hit in the first and second turn and that cost me many positions. I recovered some places but then we had a problem with the rear brake disc and we were then looking forward to race three.
“I can’t be unhappy with the last race; we were just three seconds behind the podium finishers. It was just a lack of dry track time that cost us. We have done a great job in just three race weekends and in the end we were really close to the podium finishes. Thanks to all of my sponsors, family, fans and team for the great support.”
More, from a press release issued by Paul Bird Motorsport:
Triple Podium Sees Byrne Clinch Runner Up Place In MCE BSB
Penrith-based Paul Bird Motorsport wrapped up their 2015 MCE British Superbike Championship season at Brands Hatch this weekend whereby four-times and outgoing champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne did so in fine style with three podiums to secure second place overall in the title race.
In yesterday’s opening race of the triple-header weekend and aboard the Be Wiser Insurance-backed PBM Kawasaki ZX-10R, Byrne gave it his all from start to finish whereby having qualified in fifth, the 38-year-old Londoner led for the first half of the race with title rival Josh Brookes scrapping it out with him.
Knowing nothing short of beating the Australian would do to take the title fight into the final day, Byrne rode one of the races of his life, but Brookes hit the front on lap 13 and proceeded to take the win ahead of Shakey meaning he had to hand over the number one plate.
With two more races today, Byrne was eager to sample victory and the opening 20-lap encounter followed a similar pattern to that of the previous day. Shakey led in the early stages until Brookes again hit the front but this time on the seventh lap. The duo again battled it out, but again, Byrne had to settle for second best behind his rival, although he did clinch second place in the series to make it two titles and two runner-up spots in the past four MCE BSB seasons.
Just one race remained of the 2015 season and it proved to be one of the best. With numerous riders scrapping it out for the lead, Brookes made an uncharacteristic error and crashed out on lap eight, leaving Shakey battling with Michael Laverty and James Ellison for the race win. Although there was less than half a second between the trio at the chequered flag, Shakey had to settle for third on this occasion in front of his adoring home fans.
Team-mate Danny Buchan, again deputising for the injured Stuart Easton, also enjoyed a strong weekend. Having qualified in third and on the front row for the first race, a poor start hindered his progress, but he still crossed the line in a solid eighth place.
The Essex rider showed even better pace in the early stages of today’s first race and ran strongly in third for the early stages. Part of a terrific seven-rider tussle, positions changed hands regularly and despite dropping back in the latter part, the 22-year-old from Basildon took ninth at the flag.
But on his final ride with the team, he saved the best until last and had an excellent ride into seventh place to come home less than three seconds adrift of race winner Laverty. The results from the weekend helped him secure 12th place overall in the championship, one place behind Easton.
Shane Byrne: “I gave it my all in the first race to try and keep the championship alive and there wasn’t much more I could do than that. We knew where the Yamaha would be good and unfortunately there wasn’t anything we could do about it! Today, there was a glimmer of hope as when he came by he wasn’t as ridiculously fast and I was able to hang in for a few more laps than before. However, there were a couple of sectors where Josh was just too strong, but I did my best. The championship was always going to be difficult this year, but the PBM team has been 100% behind me all the way so I gave it 100% and a bit more. Well done to Josh and Yamaha, championships aren’t handed to you and you don’t win as many races as what they’ve done without deserving it. We’ll come back next year and try our best to win it back.”
Danny Buchan: “I struggled a bit in the first two races with a feel for the front end and whilst I could run the pace of the front runners in the early stages, I lost pace as the race wore on. We kept making little changes to the bike and in the final race, I could push on right until the end and to finish with a good seventh was a nice way to end. I’m really grateful to Paul Bird Motorsport for the opportunity and for keeping me racing and also to my personal sponsors who’ve stuck by me so hopefully I’ll be back on the grid somewhere in 2016.”
Paul Bird, Team Owner: “It was always going to be a tall order this weekend with the points deficit to Josh as it was but Shakey gave it his all from start to finish and we couldn’t have asked for any more from him. He rode and performed like the champion we all know he is whilst Danny put in three professional rides for us and was rewarded with some decent finishes. It closes a chapter in MCE BSB for us, but with our new Ducati deal another one’s about to open and we can’t wait. We’re testing next week in Spain and with new sponsors Be Wiser and a new rider with Glenn Irwin alongside Shakey, so we’re all looking forward to 2016 now. We’ve another new sponsor to announce in the forthcoming weeks and exciting times lie ahead for Paul Bird Motorsport.”
MCE British Superbike Championship Race One – 20 laps
1 Josh Brookes (Yamaha)
2 Shane Byrne (PBM Be Wiser Kawasaki)
3 John Hopkins (Ducati)
4 Christian Iddon (Suzuki)
5 Lee Jackson (BMW)
6 James Ellison (Kawasaki)
8 Danny Buchan (PBM Be Wiser Kawasaki)
MCE British Superbike Championship Race Two – 20 laps
1 Josh Brookes (Yamaha)
2 Shane Byrne (PBM Be Wiser Kawasaki)
3 Michael Laverty (BMW)
4 John Hopkins (Ducati)
5 James Ellison (Kawasaki)
6 Lee Jackson (BMW)
9 Danny Buchan (PBM Be Wiser Kawasaki)
MCE British Superbike Championship Race Three – 20 laps
1 Michael Laverty (BMW)
2 James Ellison (Kawasaki)
3 Shane Byrne (PBM Be Wiser Kawasaki)
4 Dan Linfoot (Honda)
5 Christian Iddon (Suzuki)
6 Luke Mossey (Kawasaki)
7 Danny Buchan (PBM Be Wiser Kawasaki)
Championship Points
1 Brookes 703pts
2 Byrne 662
3 Ellison 614
4 Laverty 601
5 Linfoot 556
6 Bridewell 545
11 Easton 139
12 Buchan 125
More, from a press release issued by JG Speedfit Kawasaki:
PODIUM RETURN AS JG SPEEDFIT KAWASAKI AND JAMES ELLISON SECURE THIRD IN SERIES!
Despite an injury wrecked season that saw James Ellison miss four races through broken ribs and a broken wrist, the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider still secured third place in the overall MCE British Superbike Championship with a podium return at Brands Hatch today. In only his second round on a Superbike, 2015 British Supersport Champion Luke Stapleford continued his incredible run of races by ending the year back in the points with 14th.
Following yesterday’s opening MCE British Superbike Championship, which saw JG Speedfit Kawasaki duo James Ellison and Luke Stapleford finish sixth and 17th respectively, it was another positive day for the both today. Despite a damp morning warm up session, conditions warmed up ahead of the final two races of the year.
Starting from seventh, James had a rare slow start dropping back to eleventh by the end of the opening lap. Running in an eight rider battle for much of the race, James lost time caught behind several riders but soon began chipping his way through the pack. Climbing up to fifth with two laps from the end, it looked positive for a podium finish, however a red flag on the last lap thwarted any hopes of a third place finish. For Superbike newcomer Luke, he enjoyed a strong start from his 19th place grid position to finish run 14th, however a crash on lap seven saw his challenge for a second points scoring race over.
For the final race of the 2015 Championship, James enjoyed a front row start in third with Luke 17th. With thousands of fans packing the Brands Hatch circuit, it was an incredible final race of the year as an early mistake from Josh Brookes left James battling with Michael Laverty and Shane Byrne for the race win. Trading places throughout the 20 laps, including two moves into the lead on the final lap, Ellison narrowly missed out on victory to cross the line in second place and securing his third position in the series.
Securing third in the series, James Ellison said “That last race really was a fantastic way to end the season, obviously I’m a little disappointed not to get the win but it wasn’t through lack of trying! The entire race was an awesome battle, both Shakey and Laverty’s bikes had differing strengths so it was really hard to make a move stick. Going into the final lap I thought I had the win when I passed into Paddock Hill but just ran a little wide!
It’s great to be back on the podium and I’m just glad I could thank the boys in the garage with another trophy – they’ve worked so hard all year and I honestly believe that if it wasn’t for the injuries we had then we could have enjoyed more wins. Fair play to Josh, he rode an amazing season and fully deserved the Championship. I’m now looking forward to a few weeks rest before we regroup for the next season, with the brand new ZX-10R I really think we’ll be a force to be reckoned with!”
Finishing 2015 with another points scoring Superbike ride, Luke Stapleford added “What an incredible way to end the year! The Supersport Championship has been fantastic and these last two rounds with the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team has been unbelievable. They’re one of the best teams in the paddock and although there was no pressure on me to get results I’m really pleased we could repay them with another points scoring ride!.”
JG Speedfit Kawasaki Team Principal Mark Smith-Halvorsen added, “2015 has been a fantastic year for the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this season. I’m really pleased we’ve ended the year back on the podium, we demonstrated that we truly are a force to be reckoned with and a second place has put us firmly back where we belonged. Luke rode a fantastic race too, demonstrating the capabilities of the team.
The season might be over but we’re already looking forward to 2016 and are in the process of early development on the new ZX-10R.”
To learn more about the team, visit www.gbmoto.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram
To find out more about the JG Speedfit brand, you can visit www.jgspeedfit.com
More, from a press release issued by Smiths Racing Team:
Double Podium For Dixon At Brands Hatch Finale
Double British champions Smiths Racing wrapped up their 2015 British Championship season in successful style at Brands Hatch this weekend whereby Jake Dixon scored a double podium to secure third place overall in the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship.
With rival Glenn Irwin going out early in yesterday’s Sprint race, Jake was in an ideal place to capitalise and he did exactly that by not only taking second place in the race, which was stopped early due to light rain, but also reclaiming third in the title race aboard the factory-supported Smiths Racing Triumph Daytona 675R. And with another rival Kyle Ryde finishing back in fifth, it also meant the Dover rider closed to within 14 points of second place overall.
A great start to today’s 18-lap ‘Feature’ race saw Jake immediately jump up to second place at the completion of the first lap although 2015 champion Luke Stapleford soon disappeared into the distance. It left Jake as part of a seven rider dice for the runner-up spot for the next few laps, although the podium positions were ultimately fought out between himself and Glenn Irwin.
The duo swapped positions regularly, but in the closing laps, the 19-year-old was able to see off the challenge of Irwin and secure his second successive second place finish. It gave him his 14th podium of a highly successful season and although Ryde just held onto second in the final championship standings, Jake gave the Gloucester-based team an excellent third place overall.
Meanwhile, Smiths BMW team-mate Billy McConnell qualified in an excellent tenth place for yesterday’s opening MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship race, but as the race progressed, the 28-year-old Australian slipped back down the order but was still able to claim another championship point in 15th place. Today’s opening race of the triple-header weekend saw him forced to retire at three-quarter race distance but any hopes of rounding off the season in style were dashed when a gearbox problem forced him out on the sighting lap of the third race to end what in general has been a decent season in MCE BSB for the outgoing British Supersport champion.
Jake Dixon: “I felt really comfortable in yesterday’s race, but I got duffed up a bit in the early stages and that allowed Luke to get away whilst I also had a few slides due to slight set-up issues so we addressed those in time for today’s longer race. Today was just simply a mega race to be part of and I don’t think I’ve ever had to ride as hard to win a race, never mind finish second. Luke rode an amazing race as he has done all season, but we got third overall so a massive thank you to all my sponsors and the Smiths Racing team who’ve done an awesome job all year and given me a fantastic opportunity. It’s a shame I had a bit of a lull during the middle of the season, but we’ve finished really strong.”
Billy McConnell: “It’s been a frustrating weekend for the team and myself and we wanted to end on a high but sadly it didn’t pan out that way. The weather at the beginning of the weekend put us on the back foot and so we tried some new settings for the first race which took us in the wrong direction unfortunately. We then had gearbox issues in the last two races so it wasn’t at all the way I wanted my time with the team to finish but we’ll all have a drink tonight.”
Rebecca Smith, Team Manager: “It’s disappointing for Billy that his four years with us have ended with two DNFs and it’s not at all how any of us wanted it to end. We’ve had a great relationship and have parted on amicable terms and for the right reasons, so we wish him all the best. For Jake, it’s been a strong weekend and a strong end to the season so third place overall is a good way to finish.”
Motorpoint British Supersport Championship Race One (10 laps)
1 Luke Stapleford (Triumph)
2 Jake Dixon (Smiths Racing Triumph)
3 Sam Hornsey (Triumph)
4 James Rispoli (Yamaha)
5 Kyle Ryde (Yamaha)
6 Joe Francis (Yamaha)
Motorpoint British Supersport Championship Race Two (18 laps)
1 Luke Stapleford (Triumph)
2 Jake Dixon (Smiths Racing Triumph)
3 Glenn Irwin (Kawasaki)
4 Kyle Ryde (Yamaha)
5 Ben Wilson (Kawasaki)
6 James Rispoli (Yamaha)
Final Championship Points
1 Stapleford 471pts
2 Ryde 344
3 Dixon 337
4 Irwin 320
5 Rispoli 256
6 Wilson 185
MCE British Superbike Championship Race One – 20 laps
1 Josh Brookes (Yamaha)
2 Shane Byrne (Kawasaki)
3 John Hopkins (Ducati)
4 Christian Iddon (Suzuki)
5 Lee Jackson (BMW)
6 James Ellison (Kawasaki)
15 Billy McConnell (Smiths Racing BMW)
MCE British Superbike Championship Race Two – 20 laps
1 Josh Brookes (Yamaha)
2 Shane Byrne (Kawasaki)
3 Michael Laverty (BMW)
4 John Hopkins (Ducati)
5 James Ellison (Kawasaki)
6 Lee Jackson (BMW)
DNF Billy McConnell (Smiths Racing BMW)
MCE British Superbike Championship Race Three – 20 laps
1 Michael Laverty (BMW)
2 James Ellison (Kawasaki)
3 Shane Byrne (Kawasaki)
4 Dan Linfoot (Honda)
5 Christian Iddon (Suzuki)
6 Luke Mossey (Kawasaki)
DNF Billy McConnell (Smiths Racing BMW)
Final Championship Points
1 Brookes 703pts
2 Byrne 662
3 Ellison 614
4 Laverty 601
5 Linfoot 556
6 Bridewell 545
15 McConnell 98
More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki Press Office:
TOP-5 FINISH FOR BENNETTS SUZUKI AT BRANDS BSB
The Bennetts Suzuki team rounded off its debut British Superbike campaign with two top-five finishes at Brands Hatch, after Christian Iddon backed-up Saturday’s fourth place with a fifth in the final race of the year.
After vying for the podium in the first of the weekend’s three races, the team made a number of changes to Iddon’s GSX-R1000 for Sunday’s opening encounter in the quest for a top-three finish. A wet morning warm-up meant the first time the new set-up was tried was in the race, and despite a strong start which saw Iddon inside the top three, unfortunately it didn’t give the team the break through it was looking for and he was classified in eighth place after the race was red flagged.
For the third and final race the team reverted to settings closer to those of race one, and Iddon was again able to battle for the podium. Holding fourth in the closing stages, Iddon lost out to Dan Linfoot as the race reached its climax, and crossed the line in fifth place.
Christian Iddon:
“It was a strong end to the season all in all. Fourth in race one was good and more importantly we were in the fight for the podium for the whole race. For race two we tried something a bit different; we changed the gearing and made some changes to the suspension, but we weren’t able to try it in warm-up as it was wet, so it just took me a bit too long to get into my rhythm in the race unfortunately. So for the final race we went back to what had worked in race one and we were again fighting for the podium. I was fifth behind Dan [Linfoot] and we were starting to lose the tow to the guys in front, so I passed him and thought I could bridge the gap, but as the race went on we struggled a bit again with our tyre wear, so I couldn’t cover the ground to get up to them and Dan got me back in the end. But it was a good race and an enjoyable battle, and while we missed the podium it’s been a good weekend to end the season on.”
Josh Waters unfortunately rounded off his 2015 season in the gravel trap. On course for a point-scoring finish in the final race, he was knocked off at Druids by another rider. He finished 16th in race two and 19th in Saturday’s race.
Josh Waters:
“It’s a disappointing way to end the season. We were on to score some points in that race. I had the line into the corner and the next thing I know I’m in the gravel. The team has worked hard again this weekend so I’m disappointed for them that that’s how we finished it.”
Martin Halsall – Team Owner:
“We missed out on the podium today but it’s been a good weekend and a strong end to the season. When you look at our performances over the last three rounds we’ve consistently been there or thereabouts. It shows how much progress we’ve made this year but also how bad luck has really played its part. This weekend we’ve been able to run at the front and be in the battle for the podium; and enjoyed some good racing. It’s been a tough year as a team, but we’ve learned a lot and in the final rounds we’ve been able to demonstrate our true potential. We’ll go away over winter, keep working hard, and come back and fight again next year.”
Race One Result: 1. Josh Brookes, 2. Shane Byrne, 3. John Hopkins, 4. Christian Iddon (Bennetts Suzuki), 5. Lee Jackson. 19. Josh Waters (Bennetts Suzuki).
Race Two Result: 1. Josh Brookes, 2. Shane Byrne, 3. Michael Laverty, 4. John Hopkins, 5. James Ellison. 8. Christian Iddon (Bennetts Suzuki). 16. Josh Waters (Bennetts Suzuki).
Race Three Result: 1. Michael Laverty, 2. James Ellison, 3. Shane Byrne, 4. Dan Linfoot, 5. Christian Iddon (Bennetts Suzuki). DNF. Josh Waters (Bennetts Suzuki).
More, from a press release issued by RAF Reserves BMW:
Hickman narrowly misses out on BSB Rider’s Cup
Peter Hickman put in two brave rides on the RAF Reserves BMW at Brands Hatch on Sunday and whilst he scored points in both races, he narrowly missed out on the BSB Rider’s Cup and had to settle for ninth place overall in the final Championship standings.
Starting from the sixth row of the grid for the first 20-lap race around the 2.4-mile GP circuit, a good start was always going to be crucial if Peter was to close the gap to Luke Mossey in the race for the BSB Rider’s Cup. However, whilst he did exactly that, he got pushed wide by Christian Iddon at the second corner and it dropped him all the way outside the top twenty.
It gave him an uphill battle for the rest of the race but the 28-year battled manfully throughout and consistently moved his way through the field. He was running inside the points by lap seven and was ultimately rewarded with another 12th place finish, his second of the weekend.
It gave him the slightly better starting position of 12th place and the fourth row for the final race of the 2015 season although he now found himself 13 points adrift of Mossey. The Kawasaki rider was able to run in the top six for the majority of the race whilst Peter found himself just outside the top ten.
In one of the races of the season, just a handful of seconds covered the leading dozen riders as they ran near identical lap times, but Peter had to settle for 11th place at the chequered flag albeit just seven seconds adrift of the race win. Mossey took sixth and with it the BSB Rider’s Cup as Peter finished an agonising 18 points adrift in ninth.
Peter Hickman: “It’s not how we wanted to finish the season as, obviously, we had high hopes of taking the BSB Rider’s Cup this weekend but we’ve ultimately come up just short. Getting punted wide in today’s first race hurt me hard and I’ve struggled for grip in all three races so it’s been tough going. Overall though, we’ve had a good season and can be pleased with what we’ve achieved despite having some bad luck along the way. Taking three podiums, and in the dry, was the undoubted highlight and I feel like I’ve ridden well all year so a big thanks to the whole team for all their support in 2015.”
Lee Hardy, Team Owner: “It’s been a bit of a disappointing end to our 2015 BSB season as nothing’s really happened for us this weekend. We weren’t able to challenge for that seventh place overall as we would have liked and had grip issues all weekend, something that we weren’t ultimately able to resolve. The races were incredibly tight, none more so than the last one and, overall, we can be pleased with our season. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster but we’re in a good place and very much looking forward to 2016 now. A massive thank you to all our sponsors this season for giving us tremendous support and a great package to go racing with – without them, none of it would have been achieveable.”
The British Superbike Championship season may be over but Peter and the team have one more outing with the Macau Grand Prix taking place on November 17-19.
British Superbike Championship Race Two – 20 laps
1 Josh Brookes (Yamaha)
2 Shane Byrne (Kawasaki)
3 Michael Laverty (BMW)
4 John Hopkins (Ducati)
5 James Ellison (Kawasaki)
6 Lee Jackson (BMW)
12 Peter Hickman (RAF Reserves BMW)
British Superbike Championship Race Three – 20 laps
1 Michael Laverty BMW)
2 James Ellison (Kawasaki)
3 Shane Byrne (Kawasaki)
4 Dan Linfoot (Honda)
5 Christian Iddon (Suzuki)
6 Luke Mossey (Kawasaki)
11 Peter Hickman (RAF Reserves BMW)
Final Championship Standings (after 12 rounds)
1 Brookes 703pts
2 Byrne 662
3 Ellison 614
4 Laverty 601
5 Linfoot 556
6 Bridewell 545
9 Hickman 150