Brookes and O’Halloran make BSB Showdown Six

Josh Brookes scores a win at Silverstone – Third in championship chase

Jason O’Halloran makes the Showdown cut despite race three tumble

Showdown Six confirmed as Linfoot becomes ninth different winner at dramatic Silverstone

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2017 British Superbike – Round Nine – Silverstone

Dan Linfoot became the ninth different race winner at Silverstone on Sunday as he mastered the wet conditions to claim his first victory in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, but at the top six decider it was Jason O’Halloran and Jake Dixon who completed the final line up after the third race.

Defending champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne had confirmed his place after the opening race on Saturday but tensions were high with the final five places up for the taking in the final two races of the Main Season.

In the second race of the weekend Byrne led the pack from Christian Iddon, but Guintoli was pushing and soon was attempting to make a move on the Be Wiser Ducati rider for the lead after passing his Tyco BMW rival.

There was more drama for Leon Haslam as the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider crashed out at Stowe; he had been fighting his way through the pack from the back of the grid, but despite his second non point score of the weekend after also crashing out of race one yesterday, he was able to confirm his Showdown position.

On the fifth lap Guintoli hit the front of the pack onboard the Bennetts Suzuki, but it was frantically changing as Brookes then stole the position to lead Guintoli and Byrne with a freight train of riders including Iddon and James Ellison, who had carved his way through from the back of the grid.

The positions were chopping and changing at the front, with every point crucial for a place in the Showdown, but for race one winner Glenn Irwin his race was over when he crashed out unhurt.

Andy Reid and Martin Jessopp then also crashed out, bringing out the BMW Safety Car, and just before the race was due to resume Shaun Winfield suffered a blow up, leaving oil on the circuit which then bought out the red flag.

Brookes was declared the race winner for the second time this season to move second in the standings and secure his position in the Showdown ahead of Ellison, who delivered a gritty performance from starting last on the grid. Byrne completed the podium to add to his Podium Point tally.

Guintoli scored his best result of the season in fourth ahead of Showdown Six contender Jason O’Halloran and rookie Bradley Ray. Iddon held on to seventh ahead of Peter Hickman, who confirmed his place in the Showdown with eighth place. Jake Dixon and John Hopkins completed the top ten.

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The final two Showdown positions were then up for the taking in the final race of the day at Silverstone with O’Halloran, Luke Mossey, Dixon and Iddon all still in contention.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, race two result

1. Josh Brookes (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha)
2. James Ellison (McAMS Yamaha) +0.274s
3. Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) +0.732s
4. Sylvain Guintoli (Bennetts Suzuki) +1.268s
5. Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +1.329s
6. Bradley Ray (Bennetts Suzuki) +2.338s
7. Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +2.765s
8. Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +3.967s
9. Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) +4.977s
10. John Hopkins (Moto Rapido Ducati) +7.617s

Race Three

It all changed in race three with completely wet conditions, but for Haslam his woes continued as he was unable to make the start due to a technical problem. Then the tension heightened again as Honda Racing’s O’Halloran crashed out on the opening lap, leaving himself vulnerable in the Showdown with Dixon, Iddon and Mossey all capable of claiming the positions.

At the front Brookes had hit the front of the field ahead of Byrne and Ellison who were instantly dicing for positions. On the second lap Brookes had a moment which pushed him wide and allowed Byrne and Ellison to carve through. However a lap later there was disaster for Ellison as he crashed out unhurt.

Brookes was then the next rider to crash out of contention as he fought for the lead, leaving Byrne in the lead for the Be Wiser Ducati team with Dan Linfoot in third and Hickman holding fourth after confirming his Showdown position in the earlier race.

On the sixth lap though there was a crash from Byrne and he slid out of contention at Farm leaving Linfoot to master the conditions and edge out an advantage over the chasing pack to claim his first win in the series.

Meanwhile the positions were changing throughout the field as Michael Laverty had moved into third place as Iddon moved into second and potentially securing his position in the Showdown Six for Tyco BMW. However on the eighth lap Iddon had a moment and crashed out at Club, ending his hopes of a position in the top six for the Showdown.

Dixon then had the advantage and he held third place to the finish to secure his place and become the youngest ever rider to line up in the Showdown with O’Halloran still holding enough points despite his non finish to complete the Title Fighter line up as Mossey crashed out.

Dan Linfoot – Race Three Winner

“I am so happy to finally take my first BSB race win, I was starting to think it was never going to happen with all the times I have been trying and either crashed out of the lead, or gave it to Jason on the last corner at Snetterton last year! But today it was meant to be I guess, I haven’t had the easiest of weekends with three crashes and have made some work for the team, but to be rewarded with my first win and the new Fireblades first win feels good. It’s a funny one, the race where everyone else crashes out I stay on, I think there was only about seven finishers! We have a good wet setting with the Fireblade and had a test a few months ago at Knockhill, where we managed to find something good there, so going into the race I knew we could be strong. I started 21st, which wasn’t easy and with the riders crashing in front of me I had to be careful, but once I was settled I was able to push and made it to the front. Just a massive thanks to the team really, three years of trying and we get that first win today! I am not in the Showdown, but I am happy for Jason as he’s in there, so at least we have a Honda there fighting in the Showdown. But I can still play a part and maybe be a Showdown spoiler over the next few rounds; I want to stand on that podium a few times more this season that’s for sure.”

Jason O’Halloran

“Well we have made the Showdown for the second consecutive year and I am so pleased to be there, not just for me but also for my team, Honda Racing and all the sponsors. It has been a bit of a mixed weekend for us, I felt it was probably our strongest weekend so far pace-wise, I had my first qualifying pole in the dry and was hoping for dry races as felt we could have pushed for the win, or further podiums. But the first race we were unlucky with tyre choice and the opening race today we were unlucky with the safety car and the race being stopped early where I finished fifth. But I am just glad after the crash in the final race that we had done enough and with the crashes throughout the race we could continue into the top-six. The championship almost starts again now with the Showdown and we have seven races over four rounds, and it’s all to play for really! I’m looking forward to Oulton Park this weekend and to see if we can challenge these boys for podiums and a race win would be nice! Huge well done to Dan on his win too, it has been a long time coming and I’m pleased for him today.”

Havier Beltran – Honda Racing team manager

“Well we have Jason confirmed in the Showdown and what a dramatic end to the final round going into the Showdown that was! I don’t think anyone could have forecast what has happened this weekend, with the weather and the results, and not just for us but also the other riders throughout. My heart was in my mouth when he crashed and I just thought he was going to drop out with his rivals looking strong, but I am so pleased he made it, and also for his crew. They have all worked so hard and it’s great to sit back and see it all come together and celebrate all that hard work! Dan, well what a weekend he’s had. Starting off with the three crashes, I said to him going into the final race just it bring home and finish and I never would have thought that starting at the back in those conditions he’d win, so hats off to him for an incredible maiden race win! I am so pleased for him, it has been a long time coming and the potential’s always been there, but it hasn’t happened for one reason or another, but today it all came together. I’m just over the moon for the boys and also that we’re celebrating the first win for the all-new 2017 Fireblade, what we have achieved this year in the championship I am over the moon for the team and very, very happy!”

Shane Byrne

“Saturday was a very difficult day so it was nice to get today underway with a good, solid ride onto the podium in race one. I rarely use the harder SC1 tyre as it’s hard to make it work on the Be Wiser Ducati but with the cooler temperatures I felt I had little option and was ready to have a big push in the closing stages only for the red flag to end the race early. I felt comfortable at the front in race two but the weather made it really difficult and I was down before I knew it. We came here with the aim of getting three wins and 15 Podium Points but racing doesn’t always work out like that and whilst you could look at this weekend in a negative way after two crashes, the positive is how well the bike has performed on the harder SC1 tyre. With autumn and the cooler temperatures now upon us, I’ve gained a lot of confidence which should stand us in good stead. The Showdown’s now upon us and we’ve got five days before we come out fighting.”

The 2017 Showdown Six line-up features two riders appearing for the first time with Dixon and Hickman plus three teams will make their Showdown debut next weekend at Oulton Park – Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha, RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki and Smiths Racing BMW.

Josh Brookes

“Without sounding cocky, I hope it’s just confidence that I expected to be here at this point. You never can guarantee it but throughout the year I expected to be able to sit in this position. Today was certainly challenging, but like I said after race two today being confirmed in the showdown made it a lot easier, or certainly less stressful, but the real fight starts at the next round.  I don’t know how to gauge confidence but you have to look at the facts, when I’m riding well and the bike is doing what I need it to do we are in a position to win. Hopefully we can manage the situation so we can stay in that range. The tracks coming up are good circuits for me, I’ve held lap records there or won races at them before, so there no reason not to be confident with the tracks we have coming up. This Championship is always full of interesting circumstances, but we just have to stay focussed and not make mistakes. I’ve got to say a big thank you to the team, they’re a family run outfit, a privateer outfit aswell and this is a huge achievement for them, but like I’ve said the real fight starts next week.”

Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha Team Owner Rob Winfield

“It’s not bad for a small team from Swadlincote is it?! It’s the first time we’ve made the showdown and I can’t put it into words how proud of everyone I am, it’s a dream come true for us all.  Josh has worked hard all weekend, he’s quietly gone about his business and when it mattered, he and his side of the garage made the right choices for the conditions. To walk away with a second and a win is fantastic, but now the real work begins.”

Jake Dixon

“Coming into the weekend we were expecting rain but in Friday’s wet practice sessions, I wasn’t very strong and even in the races I wasn’t that strong. Christian (Iddon) came by me and although I tried to pick up the pace, I couldn’t go with him. Just after half race distance, the tyres suddenly kicked in and I started moving forward. When Christian went down though it really threw me and I was riding like a novice. It’s so easy to go down in the wet but I managed to stay upright and not only get on the podium but clinch my spot in the Showdown. It’s my first full year in BSB so to make it into the Showdown is an amazing feeling and for the team as it’s their first time also. The whole team has worked incredibly hard all year long so now we’ve made it through, I’m ready to take the fight to the other five riders and have a real good go for the title.”

Peter Hickman

“It’s certainly been a challenging weekend but I’m naturally over the moon to have made it through to the Showdown for the first time. I’ve come close before so to finally do it is great, not just for myself but also the team. It’s a small, family run team but Alan and Rebecca put their heart and soul into their racing with the whole team working tirelessly so they deserve it as much as anyone. It was hard work and I crashed out of the third race but it’s my first crash anywhere this year so to get to September without falling off is no mean feat so now we’ll get ready for the Showdown and give it our best shot.”

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, race three result

1. Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing)
2. Michael Laverty (McAMS Yamaha) +4.115s
3. Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) +20.423s
4. James Westmoreland (Gearlink Kawasaki) 1 lap
5. Jakub Smrz (Lloyd & Jones PR Racing BMW) 1 lap
6. Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) 1 lap
7. Lee Jackson (Smiths Racing BMW) 1 lap

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship Standings

1. Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) 532
2. Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 526
3. Josh Brookes (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) 522
4. Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 518
5. Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) 509
6. Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) 503

Ben Currie podiums in British Supersport Sprint Race

Keith Farmer claimed victory in an action-packed opening Dickies British Supersport Championship race at Silverstone, beating Andrew Irwin by just 0.045s. It was Benjamin Currie who grabbed the holeshot, leading Farmer and team mate Irwin at the end of the opening lap. With the track quickly drying the trio were able to pull away from the pursuing pack, trading places throughout the ten lap sprint meaning it came down to the final lap where, despite a brief pass from Irwin, Farmer was able to fend off the Gearlink Kawasaki to claim his eighth win of the season.

Currie eventually secured third, just 0.176s behind Farmer with Eemeli Lahti taking fourth.

Matt Truelove claimed fifth, with pole man Jack Kennedy sixth and McAMS Yamaha rider Arthur Sissis in seventh. David Allingham, Kurt Wigley and Ryan Dixon completed the top ten.

Dickies British Supersport Championship, Silverstone, Sprint Race

1. Keith Farmer (Appleyard Macadam with Integro Yamaha)
2. Andrew Irwin (Gearlink Kawasaki) +0.045s
3. Ben Currie (Gearlink Kawasaki) +0.176s
4. Eemeli Lahti (777RR HRP Suzuki) +7.292s
5. Matt Truelove (Astro-TT Racing) +25.146s
6. Jack Kennedy (GAC Logistics MV Agusta) +25.503s
7. Arthur Sissis (McAMS Yamaha)

Arthur Sissis on the podium in British Supersport Feature Race as Currie crashes out of lead

Keith Farmer continued his domination in the Dickies British Supersport Championship, doubling up on Silverstone wins to extend his lead to over 100 points. With tricky conditions around the circuit at the start, it was Currie who grabbed the holeshot to lead at the end of the opening lap ahead of Andrew Irwin and Farmer. Pulling away from the rest of the field, Currie enjoyed a 4.4s lead after two laps and it was a battle for second as Irwin, Farmer and Jack Kennedy traded places throughout the opening half of the race.

Moving into second, Farmer began closing down the lead of Currie with Kennedy in close attention, bringing the lead down from over six seconds to 2.8s at the start of the penultimate lap. As the duo closed a further two seconds, Currie crashed out of the lead making it a Farmer and Kennedy battle for the race win. A move on the final lap saw Kennedy briefly take the lead before he too crashed out leaving Farmer to take the win and extend his series lead by over 100 points.

Irwin claimed second place whilst McAMS Yamaha made a return to the podium with Arthus Sissis in third place ahead of David Allingham in fourth with Bjorn Estment fifth. Superstock 600 rider Mark Clayton made an impressive race, claiming a top ten finish in ninth.

Dickies British Supersport Championship, Silverstone, Feature race

1. Keith Farmer (Appleyard Macadam with Integro Yamaha)
2. Andrew Irwin (Gearlink Kawasaki) +19.419s
3. Arthur Sissis (McAMS Yamaha) +43.999
4. David Allingham (EHA Racing Yamaha) +53.179s
5. Bjorn Estment (Everquip Racing Yamaha) +1:14.559s
6. Ryan Dixon (Team Ixon Racing Yamaha) +1:16.580s

Dickies British Supersport Championship, Silverstone, Standings after Silverstone

1. Keith Farmer (Appleyard Macadam with Integro Yamaha) 335
2. Jack Kennedy (GAC Logistics MV Agusta) 232
3. Andrew Irwin (Gearlink Kawasaki) 228
4. David Allingham (EHA Racing Yamaha) 222
5. Ben Currie (Gearlink Kawasaki) 199
6. Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 150

British Superstock 1000

Richard Cooper closed in on the lead of the National Superstock 1000 Championship after taking victory in Sunday’s race at Silverstone in the UK onboard his Bennetts Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Cooper qualified on pole, but given the competitive nature of the class and the close racing the Silverstone circuit creates, he knew it would be difficult to break away from the chasing pack.

Instead, the Nottinghamshire rider used his experience to manage his position and the front and secure another win for him, the Bennetts Suzuki team, and the new GSX-R1000.

Richard Cooper

“It went to plan really. With such little dry track time – maybe only seven or eight laps all weekend – our setup probably wasn’t perfect, but I felt I had an answer every time I was passed. Obviously I would have liked to have pulled away, but I always knew it was going to be a fight. In terms of the championship, we’re now 15 points behind, three races to, so it’s all to play for.”

Danny Buchan took fifth place and saw his championship lead trimmed to 15 points.

Danny Buchan

“It’s been a challenging weekend and the lack of dry track time meant we didn’t get to do many dry laps and so subsequently struggled with our set-up. We changed a lot on the Kawasaki ZX-10R prior to morning warm-up which helped but knew it was going to be a close race at the front. I pressed on as much as I could but I was getting passed along the straights and then being held up through the corners so couldn’t progress as much as I would have liked. I’ve still got a 15-point lead and Oulton’s one of my favourite circuits so I’ll be firmly aiming to put things right there and get back to winning ways.”

Western Australia’s Sam Clarke piloted the PaceDazy Yamaha to 20th while teammate Brayden Elliott came home 29th.

Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship race (11 laps)

1. Richard Cooper (Suzuki)
2. Josh Elliott (BMW)
3. Michael Rutter (BMW)
4. Fraser Rogers (Kawasaki)
5. Danny Buchan (Kawasaki)
6. Alex Olsen (Suzuki)

Championship standings (after ten rounds)

1. Buchan 297pts
2. Cooper 282
3. Rutter 204
4. Rouse 173.5
5. Law 130
6. Jenkinson 120.5

British Superstock 600

Mission Racing’s Jordan Gilbert has taken his third National Superstock 600 victory of the season in a race long battle with Tom Oliver, with the youngster holding on during the last lap with Ryan Vickers in third.

It was Brad Jones who held the advantage after the opening lap, but Gilbert soon worked his way forward and grabbed the advantage on the second lap. The battle then heated up between Oliver and Gilbert, who swapped places all race, with Gilbert grabbing the lead mid race.

The Yamaha man continued with his consistent lap times, keeping Oliver at bay to the flag, closing the gap on the Championship leader.

Ducati TriOptions Cup

Joe Collier made it 11 wins in the Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup, doubling up on Silverstone race wins. Fresh from winning the 2017 title in Saturday’s opening race, Collier again dominated the race to win by 4.718s.

Early race leader Sean Neary eventually finished second whilst South Australian Levi Day narrowly missed a podium result.

Levi Day

“12th in race one in the wet and from 13th to 4th in race two in the dry at Silverstone this weekend. In the fight for 3rd which I lost in the final two corners with some difficulty with back markers. Tried hard to put it on the box with my Dad here for this round but it wasn’t to be! Was great to have him here supporting me as I know he would be at every round if he could! Big thanks to the crew as always, my wife Katie, Mike and Maddie Green from Boast Plumbing Supplies, AJN Steelstock, Gunia plant hire, Brenmar and all my personal sponsors. Graham Miles, Paul Dyason, Paul Chandler, George Chandler, Ashley Kitchener and everyone from BPS racing for the huge effort they put in at every race and behind the scenes. Even Darren Jones for his help in bike setup and mentoring me as a rider (I find this difficult to admit ?) well done to my team mate Joe Collier and the team for wrapping up the championship this weekend also. Class act all year.”