— BSB 2012 – Round 11 – Silverstone
— Lowes doubles Silverstone
Race one:
1: Alex Lowes (WFR Honda)
2: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +5.021s
3: Michael Laverty (Samsung Honda) +5.451s
4: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +8.437s
5: James Westmoreland (WFR Honda) +8.716s
6: Tommy Bridewell (Supersonic BMW) +9.493s
Race two:
1: Alex Lowes (WFR Honda)
2: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.042s
3: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +0.516s
4: Tommy Bridewell (Supersonic BMW) +4.125s
5: Michael Laverty (Samsung Honda) +5.332s
6:Luca Scassa (Padgetts Honda) +9.726s
Championship standings:
1: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 608
2: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 599
3: Alex Lowes (WFR Honda) 584
4: Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) 566
5: Michael Laverty (Samsung Honda) 559
6: Tommy Bridewell (Supersonic BMW) 544
Metzeler National Superstock 1000cc Championship (11 laps)
1 Lee Costello (Kawasaki)
2 PJ Jacobsen (Suzuki)
3 Keith Farmer (Kawasaki)
4 Joe Burns (Kawasaki)
5 Jonathan Railton (Kawasaki)
6 Victor Cox (Kawasaki)
15 Patrick Medcalf (AP Kawasaki)
Championship standings (after 12 rounds)
1 Farmer 182pts
2 O’Halloran 157
3 Cox 131
4 Storrar 117
5 Costello 114
6 Brogan 98
15 Medcalf 41
Metzeler National Superstock 600cc Championship (10 laps)
1 Jake Dixon
2 Lee Jackson
3 Alex Olsen
4 James Rose
5 Joe Collier
6 Josh Wainwright
Championship standings (after 12 rounds)
1 Burke 174pts
= Jackson 174
3 Rose 169
4 Dixon 135
5 Olsen 105
6 Lodge 90
Motorpoint British Supersport Championship Race 1 – 9 laps
1 Christian Iddon (Triumph)
2 Glen Richards (Triumph)
3 Richard Cooper (Triumph)
4 Billy McConnell (Triumph)
5 Ben Wilson (Kawasaki)
6 Graeme Gowland (Yamaha)
DNS Luke Mossey (Triumph)
Motorpoint British Supersport Championship Race 2 – 12 laps
1 Ben Wilson (Kawasaki)
2 Richard Cooper (Triumph)
3 Christian Iddon (Triumph)
4 Jack Kennedy (Yamaha)
5 Graeme Gowland (Yamaha)
6 Glen Richards (Triumph)
10 Billy McConnell (Triumph)
Championship standings (after 11 rounds)
1 Richards 356pts
2 Kennedy 343.5
3 McConnell 290
4 Iddon 272.5
5 Wilson 239
6 Cooper 190
7 Mossey 172
Alex Lowes underlined his late bid to take the MCE Insurance British Superbike crown with a superb winning double in the penultimate round at Silverstone that powered the WFR Honda rider into third place in the title standings.
The 22 year old Lincolnshire rider has continued the rich vein of form that saw him clinch a place among the elite six Title Fighters in the Showdown and he scorched to his third pole start in four rounds, carrying that pace into the two races that produced some of the most exhilarating racing of the season.
In the opening race Lowes had to ride hard to overcome the early threat of Samsung Honda’s Michael Laverty, taking the lead on the third lap, and then claiming his maiden victory from former two times title winner Shane Byrne who had overcome problems to his Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki that had prevented him from taking part in the morning warm-up.
Byrne and Laverty again made the early running in the second race with Lowes having to carve through from from fifth place on the opening lap to take the lead on the ninth lap only for a scary moment in which he was almost launched from the WFR Honda to leave him having to re-group.
Lowes battled back but Byrne looked to be heading to his sixth victory of the season but going through Woodcote for the final time Lowes pulled off an audacious move to snatch the lead and then win the dash to the line by 0.042secs.
Lowes was delighted: “I’ve loved every minute of it. The bike is working well and I have worked hard. Last year was a confidence killer for me but this team has stood by me. I didn’t expect to win this season, maybe I’ve had a bit of luck but I have enjoyed these races. I felt pretty good in the opener and was really happy with the ride.
“In the second race I was nearly off with two or three laps to go but fought back at Shakey and managed to sneak up the inside of him at the last corner and then turn more tightly. Ten years ago he was my hero in World Superbikes and I was able to pull that cheeky move on him – I enjoyed that. I just crept into the Showdown and I will enjoy the final three races and what will be will be,” added Lowes.
Byrne twice second leads Tyco Suzuki’s Josh Brookes, who finished fourth and third, by nine points in the standings with Lowes moving into third 18 points up on reigning champion Tommy Hill who struggled to a pair of sevenths. Laverty with a third and fifth place remains fifth overall on 559 points with Supersonic BMWs Tommy Bridewell the outsider on 544 points as they head for the Brands Hatch title decider over the weekend of 12/13/14 October.
— Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki
There was a double cause for celebration for the Rapid Solicitors Racing Team at Silverstone today as not only did Shane Byrne hit the front in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship but team mate Keith Farmer clinched the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship with a round to spare.
Shakey, looking to add to his BSB titles of 2003 and 2008, got off to the worst possible start when he crashed on Friday after just two laps of the second free practice session after rain halted his progress in the first one.
Despite a badly bruised wrist and extensive damage to the machine, Byrne bounced back to qualify in fifth position for today’s opening race and despite an overshoot mid race, the Isle of Sheppey rider came home in second place to take the series lead in the second of the title-deciding Showdown rounds.
Race two saw Byrne in command for most of the race and all was looking good to take his second victory in the Showdown but a last corner move by rival Alex Lowes saw him snatch victory leaving Byrne to claim second place but in doing so, increased his advantage over Josh Brookes, who finished third, to nine points going into the finale at Brands Hatch in two weeks time.
In between the two BSB races, Ulsterman Keith Farmer was in action in the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 race and led in the early stages. However, when main rival Jason O’Halloran retired, the ‘Clogher Bullet’ knew a third place would be good enough to lift the title which is exactly what he did meaning he added the 1000cc crown to the 600cc championship from last year.
Stuart Easton had a torrid time and the Scotsman from Hawick retired from both races meaning he didn’t add to his points tally in the BSB Riders Cup.
Paul Bird, Team Owner: “After the problems that we had this weekend what with Shakey crashing on Friday and then missing this morning’s warm up due to a misfire, to come away leading the championship is brilliant. That’s a win and three second places in the Showdown for Shakey and going into the next round at his home track at Brands Hatch he is feeling very confident. Fair play to Alex Lowes, he rode absolutely fantastically and it’s certainly going to be a three way battle for the title. I’m absolutely delighted for Keith Farmer as he’s done a fantastic job for us this season although we didn’t want to win the title through someone else’s misfortune, so commiseratons to Jason O’Halloran. Unfortunately Stuart Easton had a couple of issues with the bike but we aim to put that right at Brands Hatch.”
— Smiths Racing – Richards on top in Supersport
The Smiths Racing Triumph team were back in Motorpoint British Supersport Championship action this weekend but despite finding the going tough at Silverstone with just one podium to show for his efforts, Glen Richards managed to grab the advantage in the title race going into the final round at Brands Hatch next month.
Having set pole position by over half a second, Richards was in confident mood going into Saturday’s ‘Sprint’ race and the Australian grabbed the holeshot from fellow Triumph rider Christian Iddon, the duo going on to dispute the win for the entire race distance. Iddon ultimately prevailed with a final lap overtaking manoeuvre meaning Glen had to settle for second but with main championship rival Jack Kennedy again crashing out, the 20 points saw him retake the title lead. Team-mate Billy McConnell spent most of the race as part of a five man group battling for third and he eventually crossed the line in a close fourth place.
The longer Feature race on Sunday proved to be a lot tougher despite both Glen and Billy opting for the harder compound tyre but Glen was never higher than sixth and when he was pushed wide by a crashing Glenn Irwin, all he could do was bring the bike home in that position, although the damage was limited with Kennedy only two places higher. Billy, meanwhile, dropped back to 13th at one point before fighting his way up to tenth at the chequered flag.
The third member of the Supersport team, Cambridge’s Luke Mossey, crashed out during Friday afternoon’s free practice session, unfortunately sustaining a broken ankle in three places which will keep him out for the remainder of the season.
Meanwhile, Johnny Blackshaw also found the going tough in the Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championship race and, having qualified down in 19th place, the Stretton rider’s race ended on just the third lap when he crashed out at Vale.
Glen Richards: “For the second meeting in succession we struggled but due to Jack having more problems than us, I managed to take advantage although I’m disappointed I couldn’t capitalise further. It’s still very much all to play for going into Brands Hatch in two weeks time as 12.5 points is nothing and we will have to be on top of our game to make sure we win the championship.”
Billy McConnell: “The last two rounds have left us baffled as we just haven’t been able to get the grip we need. We’ve tried both the soft and hard compound tyres but neither of them have worked and we have tailed off in the second half of the race every time. We just need to get our heads down and come back fighting at the final round.”
Johnny Blackshaw: “It’s been a tough weekend for sure and I just never found a set-up I was happy with. I couldn’t quite get the feel from the front that I needed and ended up tucking the front during the race. I’ll just have to put this race behind me and look at ending the season on a high at the final round.”
Rebecca Smith: “It’s been a tough weekend at the office and all of the riders struggled throughout the three days. It got off to the worst possible start when Luke crashed after hitting a damp patch and I’m absolutely gutted for him as this was his track and, with the form he’s been showing recently he would have been well to the fore. He’s fought hard all year so to have his season end like this is a real shame but he’s had his ankle pinned and will soon be on the mend.
“The other two Supersport boys struggled all weekend and as grip has not really been an issue previously, it’s left us all scratching our heads somewhat. On the plus side though, Glen’s leading the championship but we all know there’s a lot of hard work to be done between now and the final round at Brands Hatch. To compound a difficult weekend, Johnny also struggled so we’ll double our efforts and aim to give him the best end to the season as possible.”
— Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing
The Silverstone Grand Prix circuit in Northamptonshire was the latest circuit visited by the Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing team in this year’s British Superbike Championship and it proved to be a happy hunting ground for the team with Chris Walker enjoying one of his best weekend’s of the season.
The Nottingham ace was in imperious form during qualifying and a brilliant sixth place was indication of the things to come and he was duly rewarded during the course of the two races. A great start to the first 14-lap encounter saw Chris make a great start and hold onto sixth in the early stages. Running the softer compound tyre, Chris was dicing with reigning Champion Tommy Hill and although he got shuffled back to tenth at the chequered flag by riders running the harder compound tyre, it was a solid start to the day.
Continuing with the same tyre, Chris was on the fourth row for race 2 but another great start meant he ended the first lap in ninth place. Enjoying a superb 4-man battle for sixth with Hill and James Westmoreland, the trio were caught in the final laps by a flying Luca Scassa but Chris held on for an excellent eighth place, just over a second adrift of the Italian. The haul of 14 points sees Chris now line in joint 9th in the Championship table and just eight points behind 8th placed Noriyuki Haga.
New team member John Laverty also enjoyed a profitable weekend and, despite having been out of action for over a month, he got quicker and quicker throughout the weekend as he reacquainted himself with the Kawasaki. The Northern Irishman set his fastest lap of the weekend in Sunday’s race 2 and ended with more than solid 20th and 22nd place finishes.
There was further joy for the team as third rider Kyle Wilks put in a brilliant ride in the Metzeler National Superstock 600cc Championship race. Having qualified in 16th place, a superb start saw the Southampton rider jump up inside the top ten and he was able to more than consolidate his position, ultimately finishing the race in a career best seventh.
Speaking later, team owner Pete Extance commented; “It was a steady start to the weekend for the team but once FP3 came, Chris began to show his true potential and an excellent qualifying performance, one of his best of the year, was the least he deserved. He used the SC1 tyre for race one and he was able to utilise it in the early stages but Scassa and Lowry had opted for the harder compound and it came to them towards the end, allowing them to move forward. Tenth was a great effort though and it got better still in race 2 when Chris, sticking with the same tyre, came through from 14th on the grid to 8th. He was battling for sixth for the entire race and moving up to joint 9th overall is a tremendous effort and gives us plenty to aim for at the final round.”
“It was good to have John on the bike and with us this weekend and he made a lot of changes to the bike over the course of the three days, continually improving and moving forward. He got quicker and quicker in each and every session and fully deserved his two solid finishes so I’m sure we’ll see him higher still at the final round. There was also a brilliant result for young Kyle and, after his best qualifying result of the season so far, his race was truly tremendous and we’re all delighted with how he’s ridden during 2012. There’s just the final round to go now and we’ll be looking to end the season on as big a high as possible.”
— AP Kawasaki
The AP Kawasaki team enjoyed mixed fortunes at Silverstone today with Josh Wainwright giving them their best result of the day with sixth in the Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championship race.
Having qualified in a solid eighth place, Thamesmead rider Wainwright was looking to continue his fine form of recent rounds but a technical problem meant all his good work had been undone and, unable to take his place on the second row, he had to start from pit lane. However, by the end of the first lap, he had remarkably gone from 35th and last to 14th and he continued to move through the field during the course of the ten laps. A brilliant ride was ultimately rewarded with an excellent sixth place.
For the Metzeler Superstock 1000 pairing of Patrick Medcalf and Colin Lewis it was a more troublesome weekend with both of the Australians seeing the 3.6-mile circuit for the first time. Medcalf fared best and after qualifying in 22nd place, he moved through the field to claim 15th and a hard earned championship point.
Lewis, having just his second ride with the team, was out of luck once again and after making a great start, he was punted off the track by another rider at just the third corner of the opening lap.
Josh Wainwright: “To come through from 35th to sixth is some going and it’s one of the most enjoyable races I’ve ever had. I don’t know what caused the problems but starting from pit lane was most definitely not in the script! There was a bit of red mist down so that, along with the changes we’d made to the bike after morning warm-up, enabled me to charge through the field. The bike was the best it’s handled all weekend and although it was hard work, I’m pleased with the end result. It would have been nice to have started from my qualifying position as I think I could’ve been on the podium enjoying the champagne but I can’t complain too much with sixth it was a great race to be part of.”
Patrick Medcalf: “It’s been a difficult weekend for me and having never ridden here before, I’ve struggled to find a good balance with the bike. The fast nature of the circuit caught me off guard a bit and we needed a full race weekend to find the set-up we needed, if we were to return here next weekend, we’d be a lot better off. I made up a fair few places so have to be reasonably happy with my race effort and it was another championship point so it could have been a lot worse. It’s onto the final round at Brands Hatch now, a circuit I know and enjoy, so I’ll look to end the season on a high.”
Alan Greig: “None of the riders qualified as well as we would have liked but a few changes in morning warm-up put all of them in a better frame of mind so it was extremely disappointing for Josh to have a last minute technical hitch and deprive him of his second row start. Starting from pit lane in the 600 class is a massive handicap so to come through to finish sixth, from an almost impossible position, is truly heroic and for me, the ride of the year.
“Both Patrick and Colin struggled on their first time here but, in typical fashion, Pat fought his way through into the points. The lack of track knowledge hurt him but he can look forward to Brands Hatch now, a circuit where he’s performed well in the past. It was a similar situation for Colin but he made a great start and leapt up about seven places only to be taken out by another rider. Fortunately, he’s OK so we’ll all look forward to Brands now and aim to get the best finishes we possibly can.”
— Gearlink Kawasaki
Ben Wilson and the Gearlink Kawasaki team had a fantastic weekend at the penultimate round of the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship at Silverstone Circuit taking his first win of the season for the hard working team. Wilson had looked like a different rider all weekend and showed his form in the first sprint race on the Saturday where he finished a strong fifth place. His new team-mate for the weekend James East also had a good debut weekend for the team gaining a 10th and 11th place respectively.
Ben struggled initially with set up during the practice sessions and was only able to qualify the Gearlink Kawasaki in tenth place for the opening race on Saturday. Leaving him with a lot of work to do Ben got a great start and was seventh after the opening lap and was soon setting some fast and consistent lap times and was hunting down the leading pack. He was soon in the mix and was battling with the leaders; he lost out to fourth placed man Billy McConnell by 0.04 and gained fifth.
His strong times in the first race promoted him to fifth on the grid for race two and he was eager to better his result for the second race. Ben got a fantastic start and was involved in what is most likely the most thrilling Supersport race of the season so far. Every lap five riders were battling for the lead and dicing for position; Ben took the lead on several occasions and was locked in a tight battle with Richard Cooper, Jack Kennedy, Christian Iddon and Glenn Irwin until Glenn crashed out.
Ben and Richard Cooper finally made a break in the closing stages of the race but Cooper was making sure that Ben fought hard for the overall win and pushed him to the finish line, 0.3 seconds separated the pair as they crossed the line.
Ben – “All I can say is finally! That has been such a long time coming but a fantastic feeling and so nice to be pack on the podium and actually winning races. It’s been a very long hard season and it does take a knock on effect on your mind and you do start doubting things. It was an amazing race to be involved in and I certainly didn’t get it given to me easily they made me work really hard for it. I’m so pleased for all the Gearlink Kawasaki team they have worked so hard all year from me and to get a win again is just brilliant. I’m so relieved and hope I can go to Brands now and carry on this form it’s mega.”
New team-mate for the weekend was James East and despite a crash in Friday practice, he soon regained his form and got his head down for the rest of the weekend. He was locked in his own tight and close battles further down the field, riding extremely well and very consistently he achieved two very solid results for the Gearlink Kawasaki team.
James – “I’m really pleased to have been given the opportunity by the Gearlink Kawasaki team to join them this weekend at Silverstone. I was pretty angry with myself for crashing in the practice session and really wanted to repay the team for all their hard work. I had two really good races and was having a really good battle in the second race with experienced Supersport rider Billy McConnell. I really enjoyed it and look forward to riding with the team again at Brands Hatch. I’d like to thank Michael and Norma for this experience it’s been great.”
Metzeler Superstock 600s
Jack Groves had a steady weekend at Silverstone Circuit he managed to qualify the Gearlink Kawasaki in 28th place after struggling with an initial set up problem. He rode a good race but was only able to work his way through to 21st, he got up to 18th but made a small mistake and lost a couple of places.
Jack – “It was a pretty tough weekend for me, we struggled to find a set up all weekend and that reflected in my qualifying session and the race result. I just never really found something that worked for me and I just struggled, I’m really gutted with the result and just hope I can finish the season better at Brands Hatch. I made up some places during the race then I got pushed out wide and went from 18th to 21st, I’m pretty gutted.”
Team Manager Michael de Bidaph – “I’m absolutely over the moon with the result today for Ben it feels like my first race win it’s just awesome. It’s so good for Ben to be back up at the front again and secure the win he’s deserved all year.
We had a couple of issues over the weekend during practice and qualifying where we picked some wrong tyres and also wrong forks but Ben was able to make amends in both races and he was rewarded with the fifth and the win, it’s just great.
This is just what we all needed and it’s a massive boost for us all going into the final round, Ben needed this for his confidence and we all needed it as a team as everyone has worked so hard this season, we hope it can be carried on to Brands and end the season on a high.
James East was a welcome member of the team this weekend, he rode really well and despite an off on Friday we sat down and had a chat and decided which was the best way forward. We’re really pleased with his results and hopefully this will also give him confidence as he will be riding for us again at the final round of the series at Brands Hatch in a few weeks time.”
— Vancraft Triumph
It was a lonely weekend for the Vancraft Triumph team, only one rider for the team and that was Joe Collier racing in the National Superstock 600 Championship at Silverstone Circuit, he secured a solid fifth place. Josh Caygill was side lined from Silverstone after his nasty crash at Donington Park where he sustained a broken shoulder blade and broken rib underneath the collarbone.
Joe has steadily improved all season on the Vancraft Triumph and Silverstone was no different, the youngster showed maturity throughout the weekend, continuously improving and riding better in every session.
He was ninth in the first qualifying session and moved up to fifth in the second session, he gained a good start but the front four broke away from the pack and Joe was left to ride a very lonely ten laps. Setting consistent times he brought the Vancraft Triumph home in fifth place and secured some more solid Championship points.
Joe Collier – “I’m pretty pleased with my results this weekend and I’ve had some good solid finishes at the last few races and it’s nice to finish the closing races battling up at the front. Things are going really well with the Vancraft Triumph team and I feel a lot more confident now and it’s showing in my races. I got a good start but the front four just took off and I couldn’t catch them to make any passes. I’m happy with fifth but hope to end the season at Brands Hatch on a high. I’d like to thank Simon and Steven Preistnal at Autoworld Group for
— Moto Breakers Yamaha
The Moto-Breakers Yamaha team were back on form at Silverstone Circuit at the penultimate round of the Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championship. Youngster Jake Dixon, who missed Donington Park with a broken wrist, which he sustained at Cadwell, made a fantastic return with a stunning win on a circuit he has never ridden at before.
It was a chaotic race and the open laps were heart racing and also included fellow Moto-Breakers rider Jimmy Rose, Jimmy had a great qualifying session and put the Moto-Breakers Yamaha in third place on the grid for the ten lap race. He gained the hole-shot in the race and was leading for a number of the ten laps and fighting off tough assaults from Lee Jackson, Alex Olsen and Jake. Despite battling hard he was unable to make an attack on Olsen on the final lap and had to settle for fourth place. Jimmy now lies in third place in the Championship standing only five points off the leaders, the final round at Brands Hatch will certainly be interesting.
Jake Dixon, having recovered from his injuries had to quickly learn the track on Friday morning having never ridden at the super-fast circuit before. Each session he was taking time off his times and was able to qualify on the second row in six place. An awesome start saw him sitting in third place after the opening lap, after a four way battle in the opening laps Jake and Lee Jackson began to make a break. Jake made a strong pass on the penultimate lap and was able to fend off Jackson for the win as they crossed the line, only 0.004 splitting the pair.
James Lodge the third Moto-Breakers Yamaha rider, he rode through the pain of a badly broken collarbone, had a great race and managed to bring the bike home in a solid eighth place. James who also crashed at Cadwell sustaining the injury struggled through the weekend at Silverstone and was only able to qualify in 17th place so to finish in eighth was a great achievement.
Jake – “I’m so pleased to have taken the win, it was all new for me I’ve never ridden at Silverstone before so I had to learn the track and find a good bike set up. Everyone at Moto-Breakers worked really hard and I want to thank them for their efforts and hope the win reflects that. Obviously I like the track and despite it all being very new I managed to pick it up fairly quickly, we had a few problems in practice but by morning warm-up I was feeling pretty confident and ready to race. The first few laps we were all tangling each other up, Lee managed to break away around half way through but I didn’t want to let him go. I caught him back up made a good pass and then knew I couldn’t afford to make any mistakes, mega race and great feeling to take another win especially after missing the last round through injury.”
Jimmy – “That was an unbelievable race and it was all a bit mental out there, I got a really good start and just wanted to get my head down and try and make a gap and I pushed hard over the first few laps. Maybe a little too hard and I used a lot of grip on my tyres trying to push too hard. I wanted to try and stay with them but it just wasn’t happening, I really did enjoy the race but I would have loved to have taken the win and the Championship lead sadly it wasn’t too be. I think the race at Brands might be a tad mad for the last round, I like it there and hope I can do well.”
James – “That was a really tough race and my collarbone is hurting a lot now. All weekend I was a little weary and I didn’t want to push too hard and risk crashing again. I was cautious through the practice and qualifying sessions and wanted to save a lot of my energy for the race. I managed to get a really good start and avoided some of the early race crash and just work my way through the pack. I was in a really close battle the whole race and they certainly didn’t let me get the result easily. Hopefully I’ll be a lot better at Brands and can push a little harder.”
