MCE British Superbike Championship

Brands Hatch, England

October 19, 2014

Race Two Results (all on Pirelli tires):

1. Shane Byrne, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 20 laps, 29:17.545

2. James Ellison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -1.904 seconds

3. Howie Mainwaring, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -2.095

4. Josh Brookes, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), -2.253

5. Stuart Easton, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -3.922

6. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -4.152

7. Jon Kirkham, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -4.875

8. Dan Linfoot, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -7.527

9. James Westmoreland, UK (BMW S1000RR), -9.188

10. John Hopkins, USA (Suz GSX-R1000), -9.278

11. Peter Hickman, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -11.354

12. Jakub Smrz, Czech Republic (Duc 1199 Panigale R), -13.528

13. Patric Muff, Switzerland (BMW S1000RR), -17.671

14. Julien Da Costa, France (Hon CBR1000RR), -18.194

15. Filip Backlund, Sweden (Yam YZF-R1), -18.308

16. Josh Waters, Australia (Suz GSX-R1000), -24.147

17. John Ingram, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -47.168

18. Jed Metcher, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), -58.762

19. Jenny Tinmouth, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -64.216

20. Shaun Winfield, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -76.772

21. Rhalf Lo Turco, Brazil (Kaw ZX-10R), -80.994

22. Christophe Ponsson, France (Bim BB3), -83.707

23. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -83.828

24. Robbin Harms, Denmark (BMW S1000RR), -10 laps, DNF

25. Chris Walker, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -12 laps, DNF

26. Ben Wilson, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -13 laps, DNF

27. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), -14 laps, DNF

28. Bryan Staring, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), -20 laps, DNF

29. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Japan (BMW S1000RR), DNS

Race Three Results (all on Pirelli tires):

1. Shane Byrne, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 17 laps, 25:28.986

2. James Ellison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -0.102 second

3. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -0.477

4. Stuart Easton, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -0.545

5. Josh Brookes, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), -0.751

6. Dan Linfoot, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -0.996

7. Jon Kirkham, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -2.036 seconds

8. John Hopkins, USA (Suz GSX-R1000), -2.713

9. Peter Hickman, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -3.225

10. Chris Walker, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -3.920

11. Jakub Smrz, Czech Republic (Duc 1199 Panigale R), -4.011

12. Filip Backlund, Sweden (Yam YZF-R1), -4.559

13. Patric Muff, Switzerland (BMW S1000RR), -4.620

14. James Westmoreland, UK (BMW S1000RR), -5.229

15. Josh Waters, Australia (Suz GSX-R1000), -5.799

16. Bryan Staring, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), -9.099

17. Ben Wilson, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -9.528

18. Jed Metcher, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), -10.216

19. John Ingram, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -10.367

20. Shaun Winfield, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -19.101

21. Rhalf Lo Turco, Brazil (Kaw ZX-10R), -28.280

22. Jenny Tinmouth, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -1 lap

23. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), DNF

24. Christophe Ponsson, France (Bim BB3), DNF

25. Howie Mainwaring, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -7 laps, DNF

26. Julien Da Costa, France (Hon CBR1000RR), -14 laps, DNF

27. Robbin Harms, Denmark (BMW S1000RR), -15 laps, DNF

28. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Japan (BMW S1000RR), DNS

Championship Point Standings (after 26 of 26 races):

1. Byrne, 682 points

2. Kiyonari, 620

3. Bridewell, 587

4. Brookes, 584

5. Linfoot, 577

6. Walker, 525

7. Easton, 231

8. Ellison, 223

9. Waters, 192

10. Hopkins, 125

American James Rispoli DNF Sunday’s British Supersport 18-lap “Feature” race. Rispoli, who rides a Team Traction Control Yamaha YZF-R6, finished ninth in the British Supersport Championship final point standings. The Championship was won by Billy McConnell, who rode a Triumph Daytona 675R.

Tomas Puerta, a Colombian who competes regularly in AMA Pro Road Racing, finished 18th in the British Supersport “Feature” race while riding his RoadRace Factory/Red Bull Yamaha YZF-R6 as a wild card entry.

American Jayson Uribe placed third overall and second in the Moto3 class in the 12-lap British MotoStar class on his FPW Racing/R5R Honda. Uribe got third in the British MotoStar Moto3 Championship final point standings.

More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision:

Final round 19 October Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit

BYRNE TAKES RECORD-BREAKING FOURTH TITLE IN STYLE WITH HOME ROUND DOUBLE WIN

Results

Saturday race:

1: Howie Mainwaring (Quattro Plant Kawasaki)

2: Josh Waters (Tyco Suzuki) +0.047s

3: Jon Kirkham (Halsall Biker Gear Kawasaki) +2.390s

4: Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +4.297s

5: Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) +14.219s

6: Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +20.018s

Race two:

1: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)

2: James Ellison (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +1.904s

3: Howie Mainwaring (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +2.095s

4: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +2.253s

5: Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +3.922s

6: Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) +4.152s

Final race:

1: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)

2: James Ellison (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +0.102s

3: Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.477s

4: Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.545s

5: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.791s

6: Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +0.996s

Final standings:

1: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 682

2: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) 620

3: Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) 587

4: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 584

5: Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) 577

6: Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) 525

Report

Shane “Shakey” Byrne became the most successful rider in the history of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship celebrating the title for a record fourth time at Brands Hatch.

The Rapid Solictors Kawasaki rider bounced back from a crash in Saturday’s opening race, which was won by Howie Mainwaring, with a double win in the final two races at the Kent circuit, taking his career victory tally to 61 in the series.

Byrne sealed the title in the first of the Sunday races, when his rival Ryuichi Kiyonari was forced to withdraw after fracturing his collarbone in a crash from his Buildbase BMW in the damp free practice session on Saturday.

Kiyonari had extensive treatment in an last ditch attempt to race, but was forced to withdraw. However Byrne had a far from easy time as he started from the third row of the grid, running tenth on the opening lap, before fighting to lead at half distance to take the win by two seconds from Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki’s James Ellison.

After his first race win, Byrne said: “I would have dearly loved for Kiyo to be out there with me and to try and fight with him over these three races. That said, I never made him fall down, you know I fell down yesterday and it could have gone either way. Guys were treating the first and second corners like they were the last lap of the race and sort of shoving and barging and I thought blimey, ‘let’s just try and get round the first lap’. I managed to bring the bike home and we won so I think it’s a fitting way to take the title with a double win and I’m absolutely over the moon.”

Byrne believed that he owed it to Kiyonari to complete the double and again he had a fight on his hands, especially in the early stages. “It was getting a bit crazy but I tried to lead with a strong pace. I really wanted to win as to me the only way of justifying the title was to complete the double. That gave me the extra drive to make the title so real.”

Ellison was again second with Tommy Bridewell taking third place, enough to give him third place in the overall standings ahead of his Milwaukee Yamaha team-mate Josh Brookes who finished fifth, adrift of Stuart Easton.

For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com

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

Kiyonari takes second place in the 2014 BSB Championship as injury ends his title bid.

Ryuichi Kiyonari has finished second in the 2014 MCE British Superbike Championship after a fractured collarbone prevented him from contesting this weekend’s three races. Kiyo was hoping to be able to ride today after physiotherapy and pain relief, but it was too much to ask and he was just not fit enough in time.

Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne took his fourth title after a season-long battle with Kiyonari, with fans treated to thrilling race action at circuits the length of the country.

The disappointing final round comes at the end of Hawk Racing and BMW Motorrad UK’s most successful season ever in the series, with a total of seven wins and six further podium finishes in Kiyo’s maiden season on the BMW S 1000 RR.

In addition to Kiyonari’s second place in the championship, the team is also celebrating Lee Jackson taking third place in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship – a position he secured two rounds ago. Danny Buchan takes the 2014 title with Jason O’Halloran second.

Ryuichi Kiyonari said: “I’m obviously disappointed not to get to battle with Shakey at Brands Hatch, but looking back at this incredible season I am very, very happy. Around one year ago I first spoke to Stuart Hicken and signed to ride the BMW S 1000 RR and we hoped, maybe, to win a race in 2014. We have done that seven times and we are second in the championship. I wanted to prove that I was still fast and now that is certain.

“Shakey was great fun to race against and we had some very good battles on track. Now I am looking forward to riding in 2015 and we start to think about that on Monday. There is a new BMW S 1000 RR which I am very excited to try and to start testing as soon as possible. I have come to realise this year just how much support I have had from the British public and the fans and it is amazing. I am very thankful for everyone who has been involved in my year- thank you all so much.”

Stuart Hicken, Team Owner, said: “It would be easy to focus on this weekend, but it comes at the end of an unbelievable year. If someone had offered us seven wins and second place in the championship at the start of the season, we’d have bitten their hand off. Kiyo has given 100% every race and between us, the team and support from BMW Motorrad, we’ve turned the S 1000 RR into an absolutely formidable race-winning package. The team and my three riders have given their all this year and I couldn’t be prouder.”

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

Historic Fourth British Superbike Title For Byrne

Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne became the first man in history to take the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship on four occasions when he clinched the 2014 crown with a double victory on the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki at Brands Hatch today.

The Sittingbourne rider’s task was made slightly easier when season long rival Ryuichi Kiyonari crashed out in free practice on Saturday morning, sustaining a broken collarbone in the process, but yesterday afternoon’s opening race saw further drama when Shakey crashed out of second place meaning his lead over his arch rival remained at 12 points.

That meant the title wouldn’t be decided until the final race day of the season and although the Japanese rider was unable to start today’s races, Shakey still had to finish fourth to make certain of the title. Starting from the third row of the grid meant there was further work to do but Byrne gradually worked his way through the field and hit the front for the first time at half race distance. From there on, he was never challenged and duly took the chequered flag for the 60th MCE BSB win of his illustrious career, duly securing the prestigious crown in the process.

With the pressure off, Shakey, who also won the title in 2003, 2008 and 2012, then went on to take his 61st race win in the final race of the year after a terrific six-rider battle whilst there was further joy for the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team with Stuart Easton wrapping up the MCE BSB Rider’s Cup after three superb rides, which saw him finish all three races inside the top six.

The Hawick rider was on the pace throughout the weekend and enjoyed one of his strongest meetings of the year, taking fourth, fifth and sixth from his three outings. The results secured his seventh place overall in the Championship which saw him awarded the BSB Rider’s Cup, the trophy awarded to the best rider outside of the top six Showdown places.

Also in action for the Penrith-based team was eight-time TT winner Ian Hutchinson who was again on board the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Kawasaki in preparation for the forthcoming Macau Grand Prix whereby he battled to 22nd position.

Shane Byrne: “After what happened on Saturday, I was paranoid about something going wrong on the first lap today and my only plan was to get through the first couple of laps unscathed. I could see the guys leading but there was no rush and I picked them off one by one to eventually get the lead. I just concentrated on running a steady rhythm and got my head down to eventually open up a gap. To take the title with a win is massive although, of course, it’s a real shame Kiyo wasn’t out there. Massive commiserations to him and his team as I would have loved him to have been battling with us in all three races. I was really tense in the final few laps but I brought the bike home and to wrap everything up with a double later on in the day was the perfect way to end the year. I’m delighted to win my fourth title so a massive thanks to everyone in the team.”

Stuart Easton: “It’s been a strong end to the season for me and the last three or four rounds have been really pleasing and the results have been more in line with what I want. Saturday’s race was really tricky as conditions were difficult so to come away with a top six finish set things up for Sunday. We made a few changes to the bike for the dry conditions and they made a big difference, making the grip loads better and I could run the pace of the top boys throughout. To end the season with fourth, fifth and sixth was really good and had it not been for a few poor rounds mid-season, things could have been different. As it is, I’ve ended the year in seventh place overall and with the MCE BSB Rider’s Cup on the cabinet so I’ll take it. There are a lot of positives to take out of the year and enable me to move forward again so I’ll be taking that all on board and look for bigger and better things in 2015.”

Ian Hutchinson: “Track time’s always a bit scarce in the Superstock 1000 class and with the weather being a bit iffy this weekend, I was up against it a bit. The result was not quite what I was looking for but I didn’t want to get caught up in anything as the whole purpose of riding at these last two rounds has been to get some time on the Kawasaki prior to Macau next month. I’ve done just that and have a test planned on Shakey’s bike in the next couple of days so can’t wait to get out on the Superbike.”

Paul Bird: “What can I say; it’s been a good day for us and to be here again as British Champions is pretty emotional. Obviously with Kiyo being out injured, it changed things a bit and wasn’t how any of us wanted the year to end but with Shakey crashing out on Saturday, the pressure was still very much on. He came out in true Champion’s style though and to take the title with two wins was brilliant. I was delighted for Stuart as well winning the BSB Rider’s Cup. He’s been really strong these last few rounds and it’s nice to have seen both riders do their jobs this weekend. It’s been a great year for the team so a massive thanks to all the sponsors and for everyone that’s been involved.”

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 (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)

DNF Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)

MCE British Superbike Championship – race 2 (20 laps)

1 Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)

2 James Ellison (Kawasaki)

3 Howie Mainwaring (Kawasaki)

4 Josh Brookes (Yamaha)

5 Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)

6 Tommy Bridewell (Yamaha)

MCE British Superbike Championship – race 3 (17 laps)

1 Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)

2 James Ellison (Kawasaki)

3 Tommy Bridewell (Yamaha)

4 Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)

5 Josh Brookes (Yamaha)

6 Dan Linfoot (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

7 Easton 231

The Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki MCE British Superbike Championship Team has been running alongside the PBM MotoGP Team with riders Michael Laverty and Broc Parkes. Additionally, Paul Bird has run 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.

For more information, please visit www.britishsuperbike.com and www.britishsuperbike.com

More, from a press release issued by Milwaukee Yamaha:

MILWAUKEE YAMAHA END SEASON ON A HIGH AT BRANDS HATCH

The Milwaukee Yamaha team ended their MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship season on a high with Tommy Bridewell celebrating a podium finish in the final race to climb to third place in the overall standings ahead of team-mate Josh Brookes.

In the second race of the weekend Brookes and Bridewell had a tough start but the pair were determined to fight their way through the order. Brookes had made some decisive moves to progress to fourth and was closing in on the podium places but he missed out on the final lap, whilst Bridewell held sixth place.

In the final race of the season both Bridewell and Brookes were fighting at the front of the field and the pair ended in a hard-fought third and fifth respectively as the Milwaukee Yamaha paring ended third and fourth in the final standings.

Brookes said: “I was really pleased with my riding really I felt like that I’ve rode as good as I could, even in the second race. It probably didn’t show that well but I was riding hard, but the bike was everywhere. I feel like this weekend for some reason I’ve been underpowered, performance wise, even the slipstream with Tommy I didn’t make any ground and that was a real hindrance on my progress.

“My results suffered but I feel like I was riding well and so I’m happy with that. I’m a bit disappointed that the year’s over and not over for good reasons, but that’s why I’m coming back next year to make it right and do it another time and try and put things right for myself. In my head I know I’m a champion and capable of it, just I need to come back next year and prove it.”

Bridewell said: “When I look back on the whole season it’s been a massively emotional year. We went to Cartagena testing and we were really strong, and I thought this is going to be a good season. Then at Brands Indy we were running round in like eighth and ninth or something so it wasn’t easy, but I just tried to keep quiet and keep focussed and do my training as I always have. But my mental preparation sort of finally started coming back around.

“I started feeling I was the stronger rider in the team; it definitely encouraged me even more and pushed me a lot harder. I just enjoyed the season, it’s been emotional, and it’s been very, very difficult at times. But coming into this last round, fighting for third in the championship was massive for me, from what I’ve gone through. I can always remember Mallory after my brother was killed and all these years down the line I’m sat here, third in the British Championship next to Shakey, who’s won four, and Kiyo who’s won three, what amazing company!

“That is credit to everyone who’s supported me and kept my head up as I have never given up. In that race it was all or nothing. I was losing the front, I was losing the rear, I was sideways, here, there and everywhere! I was just thinking ‘God, I don’t know what more I can do, but that was enough, and that was all I needed to do. It has been a fantastic season and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Team co-ordinator Mick Shanley concluded: “It hasn’t been a bad result, we have had a good race with Tommy being able to secure third in the championship and Josh fourth. To have two riders in the top six is fantastic as we have been the only team to do that. They have had to ride so hard all year and it has shown with the fact that they have had to push above and beyond the limit at times. I think they have both done a really good job all year for Yamaha and Milwaukee and having already secured Josh in 2015 is positive for the team.”

For more information visit www.milwaukeeyamaha.com