BROOKES BIDS TO EXTEND CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD AT SILVERSTONE

Josh Brookes and the Milwaukee Yamaha team arrive at Silverstone this weekend for the penultimate round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship leading the standings by 28 points and determined to extend their advantage.

Brookes had the best possible start to the Showdown at Assen last time out, winning both of the races in commanding style and the Australian is ready to come out fighting again this weekend at the high-speed Northamptonshire circuit.

Jakub Smrz gets his second round underway feeling positive of further improvement after his first appearance at Assen, claiming a top ten finish.

Josh Brookes

“I think from around Thruxton and Cadwell Park we were in the same kind of way as we were at Assen; I have a lot of confidence in the bike and the team and I hope that we can take the momentum we had at Assen into this weekend at Silverstone and keep it going. I am not being cocky about it because for instance at Oulton Park we thought we would be in a better place on the second time around and look what happened there.

“I think everyone is going to be trying hard this weekend for sure, but you can only have willingness and then the rest is down to what happens during the weekend on the track. I just need to be on my guard; I think on a championship level I need to be mindful of where my competition is, but on a personal level I only have desire to win.”

Jakub Smrz

“In Assen everything went pretty well and even though the weather was not ideal to have lot of track time in the same conditions, we did good job. That was thanks to the great work and help from all of the Milwaukee Yamaha crew I found a better way to ride the R1 but there is still a lot to change in my riding style to get faster. Now we are heading to Silverstone which is one of my favourite tracks too and I want to continue our good work. My goal is to continue with steady progress and try to get into the top five.”

More, from a press release issued by JB Speedfit Kawasaki:

ELLISON AND JG SPEEDFIT KAWASAKI AIM FOR WINNING RETURN AT SILVERSTONE

As the MCE British Superbike Championship reaches the penultimate round at Silverstone, JG Speedfit Kawasaki and Showdown contender James Ellison are eager to make a return to the top step of the podium. This weekend will also see Luke Stapleford make his Superbike debut as he joins the team for the final two rounds.

It was a strong start to the Showdown for Title Fighter James Ellison, who enjoyed a brace of podium finishes at Assen. Lying third in the series, he now sits just 41 points behind the lead and a return to the top step of the podium this weekend will see that gap reduced before the season finale at Brands Hatch. Making his debut in the blue-ribandclass this weekend will be current British Supersport leader Luke Stapleford, who joins JG Speedfit Kawasaki for the final two rounds. Whilst his primary goal will be to secure the Supersport title for Profile Racing, the entire team are looking forward to welcoming Luke and helping him achieve his best on the ZX-10R Superbike.

As one of the fastest circuits on the calendar, the 3.667 mile long Silverstone track is also the longest. Last year saw Ellison enjoy an emotional podium return, just weeks after breaking his femur and with a host of upgrades arriving ahead of this weekend, the high speed, flowing nature should suit the Kawasaki machine.

The Silverstone weekend will also see leading security specialists Datatag join forces with the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team. Along with their logo featuring across the pit boarding and both Superbikes, Datatag are offering one lucky winner a pair of paddock passes and a tour of the team’s garage. Head over to Twitter (@GBmoto) to find out more.

Despite still suffering from his injured wrist, James Ellison is looking forward to a strong showing this weekend, “I was really pleased with Assen, I’m still not 100% fit yet and am still getting some grief from the wrist but to be able to walk away with two podiums was mega. Silverstone proved a good weekend last year, again I was struggling with the injury from Brands but the bike was working really well and we made our return to the podium. I’m confident that with the improved package we have this year, then the podium is definitely possible.

I’m not thinking of the Championship just yet, we have to take each race as it comes. If we can get two good results this weekend then I’ll be really pleased, Josh is riding superbly at the moment so obviously he’s our first goal to beat. The Showdown isn’t over yet and I know the team will be doing everything to ensure we’re in the best possible shape come Sunday!”

Excited to make his BSB debut, Luke Stapleford said, “I really can’t wait for this weekend! My main priority is of course to win the Supersport Championship but I really am looking forward to getting out and trying the BSB bike. I’ve ridden a 1,000cc bike before, so although it will be a big jump to try the Superbike hopefully it won’t be too bad.

The BSB grid is full of incredibly talented riders so I’m under no illusions as to how big a challenge it will be. The team have been great though and there’s no pressure on me to perform so we’ll be taking each race as it comes and just using the time to learn!”

JG Speedfit Kawasaki Team Principal Mark Smith-Halvorsen added, “We’re getting to the crunch time of the season now and we kicked off our Showdown fantastically at Assen. We know we’re still the outsiders when it comes to the title but, as we’ve seen in previous seasons, anything can happen. We’ve proven already this season that we’re capable of winning races and I’m confident we’ll return to the top step before the final flag this year. I’m also looking forward to seeing how Luke will get on. He’s had a fantastic season in Supersport, is a real star of the future and we’ll be giving him our full support this weekend.

I’m also pleased to be welcoming Datatag to the team for this weekend. They’ve been strong supporters of us in the past and we’re looking forward to repaying that with a pair of podium finishes!”

More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki Press Office:

BENNETTS SUZUKI READY FOR SILVERSTONE BSB

The Bennetts Suzuki team is aiming to cause an upset at Silverstone this weekend, and get in amongst the Showdown challengers at round 11 of the British Superbike championship.

After enjoying a positive showing last time out at Assen, which saw further developments to the team’s GSX-R1000s and Christian Iddon challenging for a podium finish in both races, the Bennetts Suzuki team is looking to continue that progress at Silverstone.

Despite missing the cut for the Showdown, the team has worked hard in its debut year with the Suzuki GSX-R1000 to find a solid set-up for both Iddon and Josh Waters. Aiming for a successful end to the season to highlight the potential of both the team and the GSX-R package, the focus is squarely on interfering with the Showdown challengers as much as possible and getting in amongst the battle for the podium positions.

Christian Iddon:

“We’re all set for the weekend. We were in the mix at Assen and were looking good. The bike was working well but there’s more to come still. We’ve suffered a bit with rear tyre wear which ultimately ended our podium challenges at Assen, so we’ve got another avenue settings-wise to explore this weekend. But the circuit’s fast and flowing and should suit the bike well, so we’ll step it up again and hopefully be up there come race day.”

Josh Waters:

“I’m really looking forward to this weekend. We’ve struggled a bit this year with finding the right set-up but at Oulton we made a big step, and Assen was really good. We made lots of little changes over the weekend and our pace was a lot better. Sadly it was frustrating in the end and I need to work on my starts because if I’d got away better we could have had some better results. But once you’re in a fight in this championship it’s so hard to get away because everyone around is such a good rider. But this weekend the weather looks good, we’ve got a good place to start from on Friday and the circuit should suit the bike, so hopefully we can have three good practice sessions and have an enjoyable weekend.”

Martin Halsall – Team Owner:

“Assen was good for us. Christian was in amongst the fight for the podium in both races, highlighting the progress we’ve made this season. Unfortunately we didn’t finish in the right positions that weekend and there were still areas for us to improve, but the team has been hard at work again since then to give us the best chance possible of getting closer to the very front and spoiling the Showdown for some people.

“The Silverstone circuit should again play to the strengths of the GSX-R, so we’re confident of more progress, more improvements and strong results from both Christian and Josh as we look to have a good final two rounds this season.” 

More, from a press release issued by Team Traction Control:

RISPOLI SETS SIGHTS ON DEBUT VICTORY AHEAD OF SILVERSTONE

Team Traction Control are gearing up for the penultimate round of the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship at Silverstone this weekend, and after returning to the podium at Assen, American James Rispoli is determined to secure his first victory of the season.

A second place at Assen means Rispoli arrives at the Northamptonshire circuit in a confident mood ahead of Sunday’s two races and he is keen to end Luke Stapleford’s run of victories in the championship.

Francis meanwhile returns for his second weekend in the Supersport class after making his debut at Assen, where he instantly impressed by claiming an eighth place finish and is keen to make further steps forward this weekend.

Rispoli said: “I am so pumped for this weekend; Silverstone was an awesome event last year and we really feel that we can have two good races and be back on the podium here. We know we need to bridge the gap to Luke Stapleford, but it is getting easier to close in so it is only a matter of time before we get that first win. We are ready to come out and stick it to them this weekend.”

Francis said: “I really enjoyed Assen and so we want to take that momentum into this weekend. I think the similarities between the circuits mean we should be able to relate some of the things we learnt at the last round and build on that ready for the races. My aim at Assen was two top ten finishes but as a rider you always want more so I am hoping that we can push for the top six.”