Paul Young and Triumph Daytona 675 on British Supersport podium Hinckley based privateer motorcycle racer Paul Young made history on the 1st of July by recording the first British Championship podium for the Triumph Daytona 675, a motorcycle designed and produced in a factory just down the road from Paul’s home. Scotland’s Knockhill race circuit produced all it’s usual drama, with weather conditions changing dramatically by the minute. The much delayed British Supersport Championship race was eventually started in the most difficult of conditions. A mostly dry track was dissected just after the tricky Glenvargill chicane by a torrent of water, which remained in full flow for the entire race. The weekend started unceremoniously in qualifying, with Paul’s first crash of the season. Left without the security of a spare bike, Paul played it safe for the remainder of qualifying and ended up with 12th position on the grid. Action on the grid just before the race was frantic, with tyre combinations of all types being fitted for the tricky conditions. Paul’s tyre combination of a wet front and full dry rear wasn’t his ideal choice, but proved effective enough to carve through the field, passing all but one of the factory supported riders, and hunt down championship leader Michael Laverty. Despite taking half a second per lap out of Laverty’s lead in the closing stages, Young ran out of laps and finished 2nd, just 1.8 seconds behind pole sitter Laverty. Paul Young “I just can’t describe how much this means to me. I’ve spent the last 2 years working towards this and it’s been a real hard slog. Running the team, developing the bike, racing it, and trying to hold down a full time job to help pay for it all. And now I’ve achieved my aim for this year, to put the little Triumph on the podium, it’s a real dream come true. I enjoyed every moment of that race. It might have looked a bit sketchy to the spectators when I had it sideways every lap over the river crossing, but it was all pretty cool and controlled. I suppose it’s a pity that I didn’t have a wheel ready with a dry front tyre on. It would have been a lot better for these conditions and I’d probably be celebrating a victory instead. I just hope this performance proves to people that I’ve got the commitment and drive to win at this level, and that the bike has the potential to win at this level. If I can do this with virtually no budget, think what could be possible with a major sponsor behind the team.” The British Supersport Championship returns to Oulton Park in Cheshire on July 15th, then it’s on to Paul Young Racing’s and Triumph’s local round at Mallory Park in Leicestershire on July 22nd. In addition to his British Championship campaign, Paul Young will be flying out to Japan the day after the Mallory Park BSS race to compete in the Suzuka 8 Hour Race, round 3 of the World Endurance Championship. This will be Young’s 4th appearance at this famous event were he has collected two podium finishes. Super Production class in 2003 with Corona Suzuki USA, and Superbike class in 2006 with the same Suzuki Sweden Team he will ride for in 2007. Young: “Suzuka is such a special race, it’s great to be going back. The team are great and I love working with them. And it makes a nice change from all the work and responsibility of running my own team in British Championship.” More, form a press release issued by Bridewell Brother Racing: Round 7 – 2007 Bennetts British Superbike Championship Knockhill, Fife Saturday 30th June & Sunday 1st July 2007 DOUBLE TOP TEN FOR OLLIE 21 year old Wiltshire rider Ollie Bridewell overcame difficult conditions to record a pair of top ten finishes when round seven of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visited Knockhill in Scotland at the weekend. Riding the Team NB 1000cc Suzuki, the racer from Etchilhampton near Devizes equalled his career-best eighth place in the opening race with another battling top ten placing in the day’s second race at heavy rain threw the meeting into turmoil. After a disappointing qualifying session, Bridewell lined up on row five of the grid and on a rapidly drying track, Ollie circulated in the leading bunch in race one before eventually finishing the 24 lap race in eighth place aboard the Pirelli-shod bike. Race two was again delayed as the organisers battled against the elements but it was eventually run over 26 laps and another battling performance saw Ollie bring the bike home in tenth place after a race long battle with the experienced Sean Emmett. It wasn’t such a successful weekend for 18 year old brother Tommy who failed to add to his points tally following on from his big accident two weeks ago at Mondello Park. Battered and bruised and struggling with suspension problems, Tommy posted a pair of brave top twenty finishes but had to concede defeat after a demanding weekend. Ollie Bridewell: “I’m reasonably happy with my performance and I don’t think anyone else could have ridden my bike any harder whoever they were. It was great to battling up towards the front with the likes of Lavilla, Emmett and Harris and I felt comfortable throughout the two races. We need to replicate this form into the dry conditions now and although we don’t have any testing planned between now and then, I hope to step it up a gear at Oulton Park in two weeks time.” Tommy Bridewell: “I’m still feeling the effects of that crash at Mondello and I think it knocked a bit of confidence out of me if I’m being honest. That said, we’d struggled all weekend with the rear suspension and we didn’t get a setting that I was happy with but at least it’s a couple of finishes and we move on to Oulton Park where I scored some good points last time there so the others had better watch out!” Team NB are not attending the official MCRCB test at Croft this week but will be in action at the next round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship which takes place at Oulton Park in Cheshire over the weekend of July 13th to 15th. More, from a press release issued by Centurion Racing: Trials and Tribulations for Centurion It was a problem struck weekend for the Centurion Racing Team this weekend at Knockhill Circuit, Scotland. James Westmoreland finished the Maxxis British Supersport race in 14th position and his team mate Dan Cooper had to pull in from the race due to a technical problem. In the appalling weather conditions the race was postponed to allow time for the marshals and MCRCB Staff to assess the situation. Finally getting under way the two youngsters were eager to get a good result after the long haul to the highlands for the team from Newquay. It was another qualifying drama for Westy as he was hindered with an electrical problem after a crash on Friday. Missing a lot of the sessions he managed to secure 14th place on the grid and the top qualifier in the Cup Championship. Cooper gained 20th position on the grid and despite running strong during the 20-lap race he was forced to pull in to retire on lap 14. Disappointed he said “It’s a long way to come from Stroud to have to pull in and I am totally gutted but there was nothing that could be done. I was tenth fastest in morning warm up and I was looking forward to gaining a decent result in the race. The weather certainly caused huge problems, I’ve not seen rain like that for a long time. We are testing at Croft on Tuesday (3rd July) and I get an opportunity to try out the new 07 Honda that we have, which I’m really looking forward too. Hopefully we’ll be able to get a decent result at Oulton Park in a couple of weeks time.” Westy was also a little disappointed saying “We had some more issues with the bike this weekend, similar to what we suffered at Mondello but found it difficult to put our finger on the exact problem. I got quite a good start during the race and was having some good battles throughout the race and managed to get in the points and also finish third in the Cup which I was fairly happy about. I’m looking forward to testing the 07 bike at Croft tomorrow and seeing what that’s like and what kind of results we can get on it.” Maxxis British Supersport Result: Laverty Suzuki Young Triumph Grant Yamaha McConnell Yamaha Lowry Suzuki Jessopp Ducati Hobbs Honda Hutchinson Honda Amor Honda Owens Honda Fitzpatrick Yamaha Hillier Kawasaki Elkin Honda Robinson Honda Dickinson Honda Westmoreland Centurion Racing Honda Cooper DNF Lap 14 More, from a press release issued by Samsung Superbike Team: Emmett secures two top tens for the Samsung Superbike team. Sean Emmett who usually races the Samsung Ducati in the Metzeler National Superstock Championship was promoted to run in the Superbike class aboard the Samsung Suzuki due to his team-mate Dean Thomas crashing during free practice and cracking two ribs. He took home two ninth place finishes for the team at the seventh round of the Bennetts British Superbike championship at Knockhill in Scotland. Thomas had been testing some new tyres and was running in about eighth to ninth place when his crash happened, “We tried some different spec tyres in the second session and went forward, I was comfortable in eighth which is great, plus they were consistent laps which would do full race distance. I just got caught out, I came out of the chicane and I didn’t go over it any quicker I just changed direction marginally faster than I had previously,” he explained. That was enough for the crash to occur, “I just flicked off and landed on top of the bike and did the old Randy Mamola style, you know legs off one side. I thought I had saved it and then we got onto the gravel and it started to tank slap and just as it pitched me off I caught the handle bars in the ribs again. It got me just in the same place as I got hit last year. So the top and bottom of it is I’ve cracked a couple of ribs again so that is me done for this weekend.” With Thomas out of action Emmett stepped in and qualified in twentieth place having got caught out when the rain started just twelve minutes into the session. However his lowly qualifying didn’t stop him getting through the pack in both the wet races. “It is fantastic!” grinned Emmett, “I got the chance to ride the Samsung Suzuki courtesy of Dean Thomas breaking two ribs on Friday. So Enzo Diclemente (team manager) asked if I wanted to ride it and I jumped at the chance. I’ve never ridden a Suzuki Superbike so I was intrigued; it is a really good bike. It is John Reynolds Championship winning bike from 05 and it is a well sorted bike. It has good speed both in the wet and in the dry it was going really well, so I adapted to it quickly, and that shows it is a decent bike. I got two ninths and they weren’t gifted to me so I’m really pleased. The problem is I really want to be back on a Superbike now!” Thomas is hoping to be recovered in time for Oulton Park and if not then Emmett will continue to race the Samsung Superbike, “I’m hoping Dean doesn’t get better!” quipped Emmett, “I think he will he has broken a couple of ribs which can take two to six weeks to heal. If he doesn’t get better then I’m on it for Oulton Park, if he does then I’m back on the 1098 Ducati Superstock machine. It was good and I’ve had a great weekend. I’ve really enjoyed my racing.” The eighth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship takes place at Oulton Park on the 13th 15th July. More, from a press release issued by AIM Yamaha: AIM YAMAHA MAKE FURTHER PROGRESS AT KNOCKHILL Despite the monsoon conditions on the track, further progress was made at Knockhill with the development of the AIM Yamaha R1 Superbike allowing Steve Plater to complete both races in round seven of the 2007 Bennetts British Superbike championship on Sunday, race one in 18th position and the second leg in 12th, equalling his best finish of the season from Mondello Park in the previous round. The weather threw everything it had at the short and technical Scottish circuit with conditions fine and sunny for free practise on Friday, to heavy rain on Saturday afternoon and then saved the worst conditions for race day when they had rain, hail, thunder and even a few sunny spells. Qualifying saw Steve secure 13th place on the grid for the start of Sunday’s double-header having posted his quick lap in the dry conditions before the rain came to spoil the show. STEVE PLATER Free practise was run in the dry and we had quite a lot of things to test as we try to move forward with the bike again. But in qualifying we only got five or six laps in the dry and then it started to get wetter and wetter and that was that. I was P8 for a while but then dropped to 15th before banging a fast lap in to get up to 13th before the rain started. But by the time the delayed first race got underway on Sunday the heavens had opened and flooded Knockhill to the point of near cancellation. Most riders went out on full wet weather tyres but a few brave souls opted for intermediates on a track that although sodden from the rain was beginning to dry. Steve began well, moving through to hold 12th position for a while but then as the bike developed a technical problem he faded to eventually complete the 24-lap race in 18th place. Adjustments were made to the Yamaha R1 prior to the second leg, which again was affected by the weather. The race was declared wet and this time Steve brought the AIM Yamaha home in 12th place to pick up a further four championship points. STEVE PLATER We had the same weather conditions as the first race. The guys made quite a good improvement to the bike so I could lap probably two seconds a lap quicker but we are still not fast enough and we are still struggling for rear grip as much on corner entry as exit but we have made a step forward and tried a different tyre from Dunlop and did find a bit more grip but we really do need some more testing time. “Considering how much rain has fallen today the track was actually not too bad. There was a drying line as the race went on and it was a case of rolling with it and just going with the flow. I did my fastest laps towards the end but that was because I was trying to stay in front of Kennaugh, which I did and was pleased to find I was the first Yamaha rider home. ALISTAIR FLANAGAN The bike development is going nicely now. We have a test at Croft on Tuesday and Wednesday so more improvements will be made prior to the next race at Oulton Park. Steve has brought some more points back from Knockhill and I am delighted that the AIM Yamaha was the first Yamaha across the finish line in the second race. That is a good sign that we are making progress with the bike. The next round is at Oulton Park on July 15 where it is hoped the weather will be kinder to the riders and spectators who got a soaking at Knockhill on Sunday. More, from a press release issued by Steve Plater’s publicist: STEVE PLATER SPLASHES TO POINTS FINISH AT KNOCKHILL Woodhall Spa Superbike racer Steve Plater rode through the torrential downpours to secure a points finish in the second race at Knockhill in the seventh round of the 2007 Bennetts British Superbike championship. The weather threw everything it had at the short and technical Scottish circuit with conditions fine and sunny for free practise on Friday, to heavy rain on Saturday afternoon and then saved the worst conditions for race day when they had rain, hail, thunder and even a few sunny spells. Qualifying saw Steve secure 13th place on the grid for the start of Sunday’s double-header having posted his quick lap in the dry conditions before the rain came to spoil the show. “Free practise was run in the dry and we had quite a lot of things to test as we try to move forward with the bike again,” said Steve. “But in qualifying we only got five or six laps in the dry and then it started to get wetter and wetter and that was that. I was P8 for a while but then dropped to 15th before banging a fast lap in to get up to 13th before the rain started. That was as far forward as I could get, it was frustrating but the same for everyone so we will race tomorrow and see if we can gain some more information and move forward with the development of the R1 again.” But by the time the delayed first race got underway on Sunday the heavens had opened and flooded Knockhill to the point of near cancellation. Most riders went out on full wet weather tyres but a few brave souls opted for intermediates on a track that although sodden from the rain was beginning to dry. Steve began well, moving through to hold 12th position for a while but then as the bike developed a technical problem he faded to eventually complete the 24-lap race in 18th place. Adjustments were made to the Yamaha R1 prior to the second leg, which again was affected by the weather. The race was declared wet and this time Steve brought the AIM Yamaha home in 12th place to pick up a further four championship points. “We had the same weather conditions as the first race. The guys made quite a good improvement to the bike so I could lap probably two seconds a lap quicker but we are still not fast enough and we are still struggling for rear grip as much on corner entry as exit but we have made a step forward and tried a different tyre from Dunlop and did find a bit more grip but we really do need some more testing time. “Considering how much rain has fallen today the track was actually not too bad. There was a drying line as the race went on and it was a case of rolling with it and just going with the flow. I did my fastest laps towards the end but that was because I was trying to stay in front of Kennaugh, which I did and was pleased to find I was the first Yamaha rider home. The next round is at Oulton Park on July 15 where it is hoped the weather will be kinder to the riders and spectators who got a soaking at Knockhill on Sunday. More, from a press release issued by Littlewood Racing: Top ten for Gavin Littlewood at Knockhill Leeds based Superstock Cup racer Gavin Littlewood stormed to a blistering tenth place at Knockhill in Scotland for round six of the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Cup. Gavin started from thirteenth place on the grid but quickly worked his way up to ninth place and was as high as eighth on lap three on his RNR Coatings Suzuki GSXR 1000. The safety car was deployed on lap five and this bunched up the whole field negating the gap Gavin had built up on the chasing pack. On lap seven the safety car came in and the race got back under way but Gavin’s front tyre had overheated in the drying conditions and Gavin lost two places to move back to tenth position after an off track excursion. A further incident on lap ten saw another rider crash out in the wet conditions and his stationary motorcycle lay in a dangerous position at the Weir chicane prompting the race director to red flag the race after twelve of the scheduled eighteen laps. As the race had completed ¾ race distance it was declared a full result preventing Gavin the opportunity to make up further positions. Gavin now sits joint eighteenth in the championship standings and is confident of moving into the top fifteen at the next round at Oulton Park in two weeks time. Gavin Littlewood: The race went really well. I didn’t expect to finish were I did at a track I have never even seen before. I was running in eighth position and gaining on the riders in front. Then my front wet tyre went off in the drying conditions and I went over the grass losing me two places. Luckily I stayed on and finished tenth and lapped only half a second off the fastest lap of the race”. The next round of the Metzeler Racetec Superstock Cup Championships will take place at Oulton Park on the 13th 15th July.