Byrne & Brookes top Donington BSB Test

Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne marginally edged out Josh Brookes in the final MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship test session of the day at Donington Park, with the pair eclipsing the series lap record of the Leicestershire circuit on the first UK test on the 17” Pirelli tyres.

Byrne and Brookes’ best time were both faster than last year’s MCE BSB pole position lap of the circuit with the pair swapping place at the top of the times until the chequered flag of the final session, as the title rivals bid to have the edge ahead of the Brands Hatch opener.

Byrne said: “It was a long session this afternoon and we did pretty much a full race distance and then had time to try one or two other things. I am really happy with the pace we have, running faster than we did in last year’s race here. To be back up at that level already is good and I was not out there to finish second! I am fully motivated for the season and can’t wait to get started now as we want that title back.”

Jakub Smrz and the Millsport Ducati team held third position after a strong start to their campaign with Chris ‘Stalker’ Walker locking out fourth place on the leading Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki, his team-mate James Ellison was tenth fastest.

James Westmoreland was the fastest of the BMW contenders ending the opening official test fifth fastest, with four different manufacturers featured in the top five.

Josh Waters and Mitchell Carr were 18th and 19th respectively  in Superbike.

David Johnson was third quickest in Superstock 1000 while Levi Day’s 2014 season is also getting off to a promising start with the second fastest time in Superstock 600.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Donington Park official tests – Combined Classification

1. SBK 1 Shane BYRNE GBR 0 1:31.388 15 1:29.550 34
2. SBK 2 Josh BROOKES AUS 0 1:31.226 23 1:29.736 33 0.186 0.186
3. SBK 3 Jakub SMRZ CZE 0 1:32.317 11 1:30.330 18 0.780 0.594
4. SBK 4 Chris WALKER GBR 0 1:32.170 10 1:30.369 33 0.819 0.039
5. SBK 5 James WESTMORELAND GBR 0 1:32.544 21 1:30.701 37 1.151 0.332
6. SBK 6 Tommy BRIDEWELL GBR 0 1:32.492 15 1:30.928 30 1.378 0.227
7. SBK 7 Stuart EASTON GBR 0 1:32.799 16 1:30.976 30 1.426 0.048
8. SBK 8 John HOPKINS USA 0 0 1:31.150 25 1.600 0.174
9. SBK 9 Ryuichi KIYONARI JPN 0 1:32.317 24 1:31.240 37 1.690 0.090
10. SBK 10 James ELLISON GBR 0 1:32.612 19 1:31.314 28 1.764 0.074
11. SBK 11 Dan LINFOOT GBR 0 1:33.707 17 1:31.315 30 1.765 0.001
12. SBK 12 Richard COOPER GBR 0 1:32.878 17 1:31.611 27 2.061 0.296
13. SBK 13 Simon ANDREWS GBR 0 1:33.231 19 1:31.739 26 2.189 0.128
14. SBK 14 Michael RUTTER GBR 0 1:33.940 16 1:31.966 30 2.416 0.227
15. SBK 15 Martin JESSOPP GBR 0 1:33.095 14 1:31.996 31 2.446 0.030
16. SBK 16 Aaron ZANOTTI GBR 0 1:34.318 10 1:32.223 24 2.673 0.227
17. SBK 17 Patric MUFF SUI 0 1:34.366 14 1:32.246 27 2.696 0.023
18. SBK 18 Josh WATERS AUS 0 0 1:32.287 38 2.737 0.041
19. SBK 19 Mitchell CARR AUS 0 1:35.443 16 1:32.328 24 2.778 0.041
20. SBK 20 Ben WILSON GBR 0 1:34.049 15 1:32.410 17 2.860 0.082
21. SBK 21 Ian HUTCHINSON GBR 0 1:35.380 13 1:32.441 32 2.891 0.031
22. SBK 22 Harry HARTLEY GBR 0 0 1:32.584 27 3.034 0.143
23. STK 1 Lee JACKSON 0 1:33.335 20 1:32.758 34 3.208 0.174
24. STK 2 Danny BUCHAN 0 0 1:32.828 33 3.278 0.070
25. SBK 23 Michael DUNLOP GBR 0 1:35.087 21 1:33.097 9 3.547 0.269
26. STK 3 David JOHNSON 1:51.534 7 1:34.826 22 1:33.348 30 3.798 0.251
27. STK 4 Robbin HARMS 1:57.417 11 1:35.872 19 1:33.439 32 3.889 0.091
28. SBK 24 Lee COSTELLO GBR 0 1:36.322 5 1:33.710 12 4.160 0.271
29. STK 5 Josh DAY 1:48.541 11 1:36.147 19 1:33.812 22 4.262 0.102
30. STK 6 Dominic USHER 0 1:36.442 20 1:34.083 32 4.533 0.271
31. STK 7 Conor CUMMINS 0 1:35.504 18 1:34.212 22 4.662 0.129
32. STK 8 Sam WEST 1:47.998 18 1:35.390 19 1:34.300 30 4.750 0.088
33. STK 9 Tom TUNSTALL 1:48.920 5 1:36.228 15 1:34.345 32 4.795 0.045
34. STK 10 Leon JEACOCK 0 1:36.729 9 1:34.399 19 4.849 0.054
35. STK 11 Luke QUIGLEY 0 1:37.768 13 1:34.433 36 4.883 0.034
36. STK 12 Michael ROBERTSON 0 1:35.990 18 1:34.485 21 4.935 0.052
37. SBK 25 Howie MAINWARING GBR 0 1:34.530 10 0 4.980 0.045
38. STK 13 Lee JOHNSTON 0 1:36.227 11 1:34.585 27 5.035 0.055
39. STK 14 Jesse TRAYLER 0 1:36.187 12 1:34.607 13 5.057 0.022
40. STK 15 Tom FISHER 0 1:36.840 17 1:34.827 16 5.277 0.220
41. SBK 26 Jenny TINMOUTH GBR 0 0 1:34.849 33 5.299 0.022
42. STK 16 Kyle WILKS 0 1:36.540 18 1:35.440 3 5.890 0.591
43. SBK 27 Jon KIRKHAM GBR 0 1:36.257 12 1:35.509 17 5.959 0.069
44. SBK 28 Rhalf LO TURCO BRA 0 1:37.240 9 1:35.568 26 6.018 0.059
45. STK 17 John INGRAM 0 1:36.957 17 1:35.841 8 6.291 0.273
46. SBK 29 Peter BAKER GBR 0 1:37.964 13 1:36.040 25 6.490 0.199
47. STK 18 Gary WINFIELD 0 1:43.893 12 1:36.415 29 6.865 0.375
48. STK 19 Alex HEATON 1:53.271 5 1:36.555 18 1:36.531 3 6.981 0.116
49. STK 20 Blake WOULDS 0 1:40.719 19 1:37.986 31 8.436 1.455

31 riders confirmed for MCE British Superbike opener at Brands Hatch

The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship has announced a superb entry of 31 riders representing eight nationalities for the opening round of the season at Brands Hatch this Easter weekend (18/19/20/21 April).

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The definitive line-up, which includes 30 season-long entries and 21 individual teams representing six different manufacturers, was confirmed ahead of today’s (Tuesday) official test at Donington Park. The final place on the grid at Brands Hatch will be taken by wildcard and Isle of Man TT winner Michael Dunlop.

Bathams BMW became the final team to announce their rider pairing yesterday (Monday), as they confirmed former title runner-up Michael Rutter and Swiss rider Patric Muff. They’ll be taking part in today’s group test at Donington, before all the teams head to Snetterton’s 300 circuit for a further two day official test next week (8/9 April), which is free of charge for spectators.

The 2014 season has seen the biggest shake-up of teams and rider combinations in years, yet the strength in depth is as impressive as ever – the Brands Hatch grid will feature nine MCE BSB race winners and two triple champions: Shane Byrne and Ryuichi Kiyonari. Byrne remains with Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki and the most successful rider in the championship history is desperate to claim an unprecedented fourth crown after narrowly missing out to Alex Lowes at the final round last year. The team have strengthened their line up with reigning Motorpoint British Supersport champion Stuart Easton, who has made a remarkable comeback from devastating injuries sustained at the North West 200 in 2011.

Ready to challenge Byrne is returning Californian mega star John Hopkins. The former MotoGP frontrunner was part of the closest MCE BSB title race in history in 2011 and lost out to Tommy Hill by just 0.006 seconds in the final race. He has unfinished business in the championship and is targetting the title with Tyco Suzuki. Former champions Milwaukee Yamaha meanwhile have secured the services of two-time MCE BSB runner-up Josh Brookes and upcoming Brit Tommy Bridewell, and both riders looked supremely quick during their pre-season test programme in Spain.

New and fresh line ups for 2014 include Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki, who have signed 2009 runner-up James Ellison and fans’ favourite Chris ‘Stalker’ Walker for their campaign, whilst triple champion Ryuichi Kiyonari made a surprise move to the Buildbase BMW team during the winter, alongside Showdown contender James Westmoreland. Record-breaking TT race winner Ian Hutchinson is ready to prove his mettle on the short circuits with the new FFX Yamaha team, whilst Harry Hartley becomes the youngest ever MCE BSB contender at the age of just 17.

The championship’s television coverage will also be enhanced this season with the Eurosport Group extending their deal to the end of the 2020 season. The new agreement increases live coverage of the premier and support classes in the UK, which extends to Saturday’s qualifying sessions, which will see the MCE BSB Datatag Extreme qualifying and the Motorpoint British Supersport sprint race broadcast live and in HD. The championship will also continue to feature prominently free to air on ITV4, with an hour long highlights show every Wednesday evening post event.

Series Director Stuart Higgs said: “This season has the hallmarks of being one of the biggest and best in the championship’s history, featuring a permanent entry of 30 riders bolstered with wild card entries at certain events with TT race winner Michael Dunlop and also with World Endurance champion Julien Da Costa. The rider and team movement over the winter has really given a new vibe to the series with eleven new riders moving into the Superbike class and a further eleven riders changing teams ahead of the new season. The 2014 grid also features seven new teams which without doubt shows the continued growth of the championship which provides such compelling entertainment for trackside fans and a global television audience.”

This year’s MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship will again comprise of 26 races across 12 rounds, with the season commencing at Brands Hatch on Easter weekend (18-21 April) and concluding on the majestic Grand Prix circuit at the same venue on 17-19 October.

2014 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship entry list:

• 3 – Josh Brookes – Australia – Milwaukee Yamaha
• 4 – Dan Linfoot – United Kingdom – Quattro Plant Kawasaki
• 5 – Stuart Easton – United Kingdom – Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki
• 6 – Simon Andrews – United Kingdom – RAF Reserves Honda
• 7 – Barry Burrell – United Kingdom – Team WD-40 Kawasaki
• 8 – Ian Hutchinson – United Kingdom – FFX Yamaha
• 9 – Chris Walker – United Kingdom – Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki
• 10 – Jon Kirkham -United Kingdom – Tsingtao WK Kawasaki
• 11 – Michael Rutter – United Kingdom – Bathams BMW
• 12 – Josh Waters – Australia – Tyco Suzuki
• 15 – Ben Wilson – United Kingdom – Gearlink Kawasaki
• 20 – Jenny Tinmouth – United Kingdom – TWR Honda
• 21 – John Hopkins – USA – Tyco Suzuki
• 23 – Ryuichi Kiyonari – Japan – Buildbase BMW
• 24 – Patric Muff – Switzerland – Bathams BMW
• 27 – James Westmoreland – United Kingdom – Buildbase BMW
• 33 – Michael Dunlop* – United Kingdom – Buildbase BMW
• 35 – Mitchell Carr – Australia – Anvil Hire TAG Racing Kawasaki
• 39 -Lee Costello – United Kingdom – Halsall Racing Kawasaki
• 40 – Martin Jessopp – United Kingdom – RidersMotorcycles BMW
• 43 – Howie Mainwaring – United Kingdom – Quattro Plant Kawasaki
• 45 – Rhalf Lo Turco -Brazil -SBK City Racing Kawasaki
• 46 – Tommy Bridewell – United Kingdom – Milwaukee Yamaha
• 47 – Richard Cooper – United Kingdom – Anvil Hire TAG Racing Kawasaki
• 50 – Harry Hartley – United Kingdom – Halsall Racing Kawasaki
• 55 – Peter Baker – United Kingdom – Morello Services PBR Kawasaki
• 64 – Aaron Zanotti – United Kingdom – GGH/STEL Suzuki
• 67 – Shane Byrne – United Kingdom – Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki
• 77 – James Ellison – United Kingdom – Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki
• 86 – Julien Da Costa* – France – Honda Racing
• 96 – Jakub Smrz – Czech Republic – Millsport Ducati
• 303 – Keith Farmer – United Kingdom – PR Racing Kawasaki

* Denotes wildcard – will appear at selected events only

2014 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship calendar: Main season:

• Round 1   – 18/19/20/21 April  – Brands Hatch Indy*
• Round 2 – 3/4/5 May   – Oulton Park *
• Round 3  – 13/14/15 June  – Snetterton 300
• Round 4  – 27/28/29 June  – Knockhill
• Round 5  – 18/19/20 July  – Brands Hatch GP
• Round 6  – 1/2/3 August  – Thruxton
• Round 7  – 8/9/10 August  – Oulton Park (triple header)
• Round 8  – 23/24/25 August  – Cadwell Park *
• Round 9  – 5/6/7 September  – Donington Park GP
• Showdown: Round 10  – 19/20/21 September – Assen
• Round 11  – 3/4/5 October  – Silverstone GP
• Round 12  – 17/18/19 October  – Brands Hatch GP (triple header)

* denotes Public Holiday weekend