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

 

 

MOTORPOINT BRITISH SUPERSPORT CONTENDERS SET FOR SEASON OPENER

The Motorpoint British Supersport Championship gets underway at Brands Hatch this Easter weekend (18-21 April) with former champion Alastair Seeley heading a field of 31 riders representing five nations lining up for the season opener.

 

Seeley is targeting another title after switching to the 2013 championship-winning Mar-Train Yamaha team and is eager to launch his campaign with victories at the Kent circuit after a positive pre-season testing programme.

 

Seeley said: “I think we proved at the recent test that we have the pace at Mar-Train Racing for the season ahead. I’m up for it and so are the team; it’s just a matter of getting in amongst the rest of boys now and get stuck in at Brands Hatch. Our goal is obviously to win the championship, but I don’t let the pressure affect me as I’ve been in this position before. As long as we all give our best during the season there’s nothing more anyone can ask. It’s time now to do the talking on the track. I can’t wait to get started this weekend and I know the rest of the team are up for it.”

 

Gearlink Kawasaki are ready to take on their Mar-Train Yamaha rivals with a new line-up for 2014 of Glen Irwin and reigning Superstock 600 champion Luke Hedger, with the team determined to go one better after narrowly missing out on the title last season.

 

Former title-winners Smiths Racing Triumph though had to relinquish their title crown last season and with consistent race victors Billy McConnell and Graeme Gowland the team are confident they can wrestle the title back.

 

The 2014 season sees the Prodigy’s Keith Flint make their British Championship debut and Team Traction Control line up for the opening round with American James Rispoli keen to make an impression whilst Steve Mercer lines up in the new Evo class.

 

Luke Mossey and Luke Stapleford in the Profile/Techcare Racing team have proved they intend on being in contention from the start of the season with the pair setting an impressive pace in pre-season testing and Daniel Cooper will also be ready to put on a show for the Tsingtao WK Kawasaki team.

 

Tyco Suzuki are another former title-winning team and having retained Taylor Mackenzie will be targeting his first podium in the Championship this weekend at Brands Hatch.

 

Appleyard Macadam Racing Yamaha’s Jake Dixon and Bjorn Estment plus 777RR Motorsports Finnish contender Juha Kallio and Luke Jones are also aiming for a strong start to their seasons.

 

The Evo class is set to be equally closely fought with riders including David Allingham, Tim Hastings, Sam Coventry and Josh Corner all set to be in contention.

 

The Motorpoint British Supersport Championship races will both be broadcast live and in HD this season on British Eurosport.

 

For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com

 

LET THE MCE BRITISH SUPERBIKE BATTLE COMMENCE AT BRANDS HATCH THIS EASTER

                     

                                                 32 Riders will line up for the Brands Hatch round.                                  

 

The 2014 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship kicks off in Kent this Easter weekend (18-21 April) as the talking stops and the racing starts. A capacity 32 riders representing seven nationalities and six manufacturers will line up for the season opener at Brands Hatch. 

Amongst the leading contenders are two triple champions – Shane 'Shakey' Byrne and Ryuichi Kiyonari, nine MCE BSB race winners, plus record-breaking TT race winner Ian Hutchinson, who makes his debut this weekend with FFX Yamaha. Seven other riders are former MCE BSB race winners.

It’s local man Byrne who arrives at his home circuit as the pre-season favourite though, having set a searing pace in testing. The all-time MCE BSB race win record holder (51) is determined to land an unprecedented fourth title this year after missing out to Alex Lowes by the narrowest of margins in 2013.

Byrne said: “I can’t wait to get started. It feels like it has been a long winter but the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team haven’t stood still and testing went really well for us. Brands Hatch is my home round and I want to get the season off to the best possible start. I don’t think you can count on what happened in testing as it is never a true reflection of what will happen at Clearways on the final lap of the race, but I know we have done everything possible to be in the best position for this weekend. If you thought I was determined to win that fourth title last year, all I can say is you‘ve seen nothing yet!”

Australian Josh Brookes heads the international field of protagonists ready to rival Byrne’s title ambitions and after switching to the Milwaukee Yamaha team over the winter. The former championship runner-up is bullish about his chances in 2014.

Brookes said: “I would say I am more confident than I have been in previous years going into a season. I don’t think you can make predictions or single people out as everyone is competition and the first round always sees big improvements compared to testing for some riders. I am satisfied with how testing has gone and now we are ready to race. I feel really comfortable on the Yamaha, so we are in a good range for Brands Hatch and the focus always has to be on winning.” 

American John Hopkins last raced at Brands Hatch in 2011, missing out on the title to Tommy Hill by 0.006 seconds in the season finale billed the ‘race of the decade’. He’s returned to the category with Tyco Suzuki haven’t taken a complete break from the sport to recover from hip surgery.

Hopkins said: “I am really looking forward to getting back into a race at Brands Hatch and getting that adrenaline pumping again. Testing has gone well and we have chipped away and made improvements ready for the season. I feel pretty much right on target and right where we wanted to be before the first round. I can’t wait to get started now as I still feel that I have a point to prove in BSB!” 

The Indy circuit is renowned for providing great racing and unpredictable results. Byrne, Brookes and Hopkins may be the favourites heading into Brands Hatch but Tommy Bridewell, Chris Walker, Jakub Smrz and Stuart Easton have all shone in testing and will be eager to make the best possible starts to their 2014 campaigns.

The opening round of the MCE British Superbike Championship takes place this Easter weekend (18-21 April). Tickets are available to purchase on the gate. For further information visit brandshatch.co.uk or call the ticket office on 0843 453 9000.

For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com