Round 1    Brands Hatch Indy Circuit  21 April 

BYRNE BOUNCES BACK TO FIRE IN DOUBLE BRANDS HATCH RACE VICTORY

Results

Race one:
1: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)
2: Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +1.615s
3: James Ellison (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +1.672s
4: Ben Wilson (Gearlink Kawasaki) +5.639s
5: John Hopkins (Tyco Suzuki) +6.007s
6: Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +6.235s
7: Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) +6.365s
8: Richard Cooper (Anvil Hire TAG Kawasaki) +7.328s
9: Jakub Smrz (Millsport Ducati) +7.735s
10: James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +7.735s

Race two:
1: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)
2: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.138s
3: James Ellison (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +1.785s
4: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) +3.694s
5: Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +5.376s
6: Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +5.724s
7: James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +10.826s
8: Dan Linfoot (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +11.488s
9: Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) +11.678s
10: Ben Wilson (Gearlink Kawasaki) +11.908s

Championship standings:
1: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 50
2: James Ellison (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) 32
3: Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) 31
4: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 20
5: Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 20
6: Ben Wilson (Gearlink Kawasaki) 19
7: Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) 16
8: John Hopkins (Tyco Suzuki) 16
9: James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) 15
10: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) 13

Report

Shane “Shakey” Byrne kicked off his bid to take the MCE Insurance British Superbike crown for a record fourth time in stunning style as he held off the opposition to win both races in the opening round at his home circuit of Brands Hatch.

The Rapid Solicitors rider had bounced back after starting from the fifth row of the grid for the opening race after crashing in qualifying yesterday, but he was up for the challenge and remarkably was running seventh on the opening lap as Chris Walker aboard the Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki forged ahead at the front.

Byrne was carving through the pack though and soon had moved to second, closing down Walker at half distance when the race was halted after James Hillier’s Quattro Plant Kawasaki suffered a technical problem dropping oil on the track. On the re-start Walker led briefly before Byrne forced his way ahead to win by 1.615s whilst James Ellison aboard the second Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki ran solidly in third to give the team their first podium finishes in MCE BSB ahead of Gearlink Kawasaki’s Ben Wilson.

Byrne took charge from the start in race two, running ahead of his team-mate Stuart Easton with Walker in third and Ellison in fourth, whilst behind them Josh Brookes was powering his Milwaukee Yamaha into contention.  The Aussie who had crashed three times in qualifying had also slid out in the opening race and he was keen to set the record straight.

Brookes was riding hard to be in third place at two thirds distance and attacking Ellison whilst Byrne continued to lead. However the Milwaukee Yamaha rider hadn’t given up on his chance of victory and Brookes passed Ellison to go second and then closed in on Byrne. On the final lap Byrne had the narrow edge to complete the double, taking his victory tally to 53 in the series and taking the lead in the overall standings.

Byrne said: “This is the perfect start to the championship for me and it really has been a great team effort and I am proud of the boys for the work they’ve done to turn the bike around after the crashes. I’m feeling a bit second hand after two crashes but winning is a wonderful drug, although I’m ready for a day or two off now before Oulton Park!”

Ellison scored his second podium finish of the day in third, this time ahead of former three times title winner Ryuichi Kiyonari who was making his race debut with the Buildbase BMW team. Walker held on to fifth from reigning Motorpoint British Supersport champion Easton in the closing stages.

Byrne leads the championship standings from Ellison and Walker as the action now moves to Oulton Park over the Bank Holiday weekend (3/4/5 May).

For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Round 1    Brands Hatch Indy Circuit  20-21 April 
THREE CRASHES AND POLE POSITION FOR BROOKES AT BRANDS HATCH

Results

Datatag Extreme qualifying:
1: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 55.093s
2: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) +0.703s
3: John Hopkins (Tyco Suzuki) +1.055s
4: Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +1.160s
5: James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +1.204s
6: Richard Cooper (Anvil Hire TAG Kawasaki) +1.322s
7: Ben Wilson (Gearlink Kawasaki) +1.843s
8: Michael Rutter (Bathams BMW) +1.897s
9: Keith Farmer (PR Racing Kawasaki) +2.841s
10: Patric Muff (Bathams BMW)

Report

Josh Brookes claimed his first MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship pole position with Milwaukee Yamaha at Brands Hatch today with a bullish performance as he bounced back from three crashes to snatch the top spot from triple champion Ryuichi Kiyonari ahead of tomorrow’s two races.

The Aussie escaped unscathed after crashing three times during a wet and frantic Datatag Extreme qualifying session which caught out a number of riders, including local favourite and three times former champion Shane Byrne who will start from the fifth row of the grid for the opening race.

Brookes crashed out in the first part of qualifying, but he made it back to his pit garage for the team to repair his Milwaukee Yamaha. However within minutes of returning to the action, he was dramatically down again, but the team repaired the bike and he was soon back on circuit.

Their efforts were rewarded by Brookes who bounced back superbly, putting in a lap to take the 20th pole start of his MCE BSB career, only to high-side off moments later and he reflected: “Three crashes, but I still have pole position. It was so slippery out there and I guess I’ve had the highs and the lows. It was heart in the mouth stuff but we will be ready for the races tomorrow.”

Starting alongside Brookes is Japanese rider Ryuichi Kiyonari who makes his debut with Buildbase BMW. He was denied his first pole start in four years by a split second while on a fully International front row American John Hopkins set the third best time on his debut with Tyco Suzuki.

Chris Walker on the Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki, James Westmoreland on the second Buildbase BMW and Richard Cooper on the Anvil Hire TAG Racing Kawasaki start from the second row ahead of Gearlink Kawasaki’s Ben Wilson, Bathams BMW’s Michael Rutter and Keith Farmer on the PR Racing Kawasaki.

For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Round 1    Brands Hatch Indy Circuit  19-21 April 

BROOKES CLOSES ON LAP RECORD AS 19 RIDERS COVERED BY LESS THAN A SECOND
 

Results
Free practice one:
1: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 45.576s
2: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.125s
3: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) +0.497s
4: Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +0.498s
5: Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +0.500s
6: Jakub Smrz (Millsport Ducati) +0.586s
7: Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)
8: James Ellison (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +0.667s
9: James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +0.673s
10: Martin Jessopp (RidersRacing BMW) +0.678s

Free practice two:
1: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 45.506s
2: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.171s
3: Jakub Smrz (Millsport Ducati) +0.262s
4: Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.296s
5: Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +0.345s
6: James Ellison (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +0.520s
7: James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +0.593s
8: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) +0.599s
9: Simon Andrews (RAF Reserves Honda) +0.611s
10: Martin Jessopp (RidersRacing BMW) +0.614s

Report

Australian Josh Brookes closed in on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit lap record as he headed off the challenges of local hero Shane “Shakey” Byrne in free practice for the Easter Monday opening round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship.

The Aussie had made significant changes across the two sessions to his Milwaukee Yamaha and in the frantic afternoon session he was able to fire in a series of consistent laps, the best of which a 45.506s was just 0.0046s adrift of the lap record set in 2007 by Gregorio Lavilla.

Brookes said: “I’m really pleased with how the afternoon has gone and we have had some good benefits across the day. The changes we have made have been good value for money in terms of paying off. I’ve been able to do good lap times on longer runs on an old tyre and I feel good about that.  They say that Shakey is the Master of Brands Hatch but I am ready to give him a run for his money now. We are ready for anything and today’s final laps nicely put a bow on the end of the sessions.”

Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Byrne is firmly in the frame to add to his record haul of 51 race victories having been duelling for the top spot on the time sheets throughout the session with Brookes as just 0.171s separated them. However the pack are all in close contention with just 0.977s covering the top 19 riders at the end of the second session.

Czech Republic rider Jakub Smrz aboard the Millsport Ducati set the third best lap with a time, a split second up on Flying Scot Stuart Easton, who is back in the top flight on the back of winning last year’s Motorpoint British Supersport title.

Chris Walker, four times the series runner-up, set fifth best time on the Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki, just ahead of his team-mate James Ellison whilst James Westmoreland narrowly edged out Ryuichi Kiyonari as the Buildbase BMW pair held seventh and eighth respectively.

RAF Reserves Honda’s Simon Andrews set the ninth fastest time as five different manufacturers featured in the top ten ahead of Martin Jessopp on the RidersRacing BMW.

For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Round 1    Brands Hatch Indy Circuit  18-21 April 
BYRNE EDGES OUT BROOKES AS 2014 MCE BRITISH SUPERBIKES KICK OFF AT BRANDS HATCH

Results

Friday test session:
1: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 45.785s
2: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.125s
3: Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.231s
4: Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +0.312s
5: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) +0.545s
6: John Hopkins (Tyco Suzuki) +0.560s
7: Simon Andrews (RAF Reserves Honda) +0.639s
8: James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +0.646s
9: Jakub Smrz (Millsport Ducati) +0.693s
10: Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +0.754s

Report

A determined Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne got his assault for a record-breaking fourth MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship title off to the best possible start at his home round of Brands Hatch, edging out Australian Josh Brookes in the closing stages of the opening test session.

Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Byrne, still smarting on missing out on the title in the final round of last season, was instantly on the pace throughout a closely fought session as he prepares for Easter Monday’s races in which he intends to extend his record of 51 race wins.

Byrne closed towards the record with a best lap of 45.785s, but the local hero was not totally satisfied and expects more as the weekend continues. He explained: “Generally speaking when I get on the bike I go out and enjoy it and go faster, but for some reason today it just didn’t click. We had things to try and we achieved that, but that said I am happy enough but there is still plenty of room for improvement.”

He had outpaced Brookes who switched to the Milwaukee Yamaha team during the winter by 0.125s. The Australian had been the early pace-setter in the session but was forced to relinquish the position in the final stages.

Brookes is also expecting improvements ahead of the opening two races, he said: “We made changes to improve the bike, but, that also meant we made sacrifices in some areas and now we have to compromise. As a whole to come in P2 to Shakey is less than satisfactory, but having done 34 laps on the same tyre, in hindsight, I should be happy.”

Flying Scot Stuart Easton, back in the top class as Byrne’s team-mate, fresh from winning last year’s Motorpoint British Supersport crown, set the third fastest time ahead of Chris Walker on the Lloyds British GB Moto Kawasaki.

Ryuichi Kiyonari, also bidding to take the MCE BSB title for a fourth time, settled quickly into a rhythm with the Buildbase BMW, to set the fifth fastest time, a split second up on the returning American John Hopkins. The Tyco Suzuki rider is aiming to avenge missing out on the crown by just 0.006s to Tommy Hill back in 2011.

For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com

MCE BRITISH SUPERBIKES AND ITV EXTEND BROADCAST AGREEMENT INTO 2018 SEASON
 
MotorSport Vision (MSV), the commercial and media rights holder of the MCE British Superbike Championship, and UK broadcasting network ITV have extended their long term partnership to broadcast free to air highlights coverage of the UK’s premier motorsport series to the end of the 2018 season.

The new five year agreement maintains MCE BSB coverage on ITV4 on a Wednesday evening following all twelve rounds of the season with an hour-long programme showcasing the UK’s most spectacular racing Championship. Each programme will be further repeated on ITV4 and ITV and will also be available on the ITV Player on itv.com.  In addition an end of season two hour review show featuring race action together with exclusive behind the scenes footage and on-board action will be broadcast each year. 

The MCE BSB highlights shows, produced by ITV Sport, will feature all the dramatic highlights action from the previous weekend's Superbike races and will bring viewers closer to the thrilling action with pre-race grid walks, post race interviews and behind the scenes features. The presentation team takes a new look this year with long term MotoGP broadcaster Toby Moody in commentary and three times British Superbike Champion and former 500cc Grand Prix rider Niall Mackenzie providing expert analysis, both joining presenter James Haydon, himself a former BSB race winner.   

In recent weeks ITV Sport has added the MotoGP World Championship to its strong motorsport portfolio which also includes the Isle of Man TT races, the BTCC, BRDC Formula 4 and FIA Formula E Championships. 

ITV's Director of Sport Niall Sloane said: “The MCE British Superbike Championship delivers great action on every occasion and together with the unique personalities of the riders provides for compelling viewing. We are looking forward to a great season ahead and welcome the new commentary team of Toby Moody and Niall Mackenzie.”  

MCE British Superbike Championship Series Director Stuart Higgs said: “I am delighted that we have extended our partnership with ITV to 2018, which in doing so will confirm ten consecutive years of MCE British Superbikes being broadcast free to air on ITV4. As we continue to develop the championship, ensuring that it remains accessible to as many people as possible is extremely important. This long term broadcast commitment with ITV is great news as we start what looks set to be an epic 2014 MCE BSB Championship season starting this weekend at Brands Hatch.”

For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com