Crescent Suzuki
Hill and Ellison share spoils at Brands
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » BSB - Monday, 5th April 2010, 21:40 GMTTommy Hill took charge of the opening round of the British Superbike Championship today at Brands Hatch, grasping honours by inches. Pole sitter Ryuichi Kiyonari launched into the lead straight away, where he remained until Hill snatched the position on lap twenty two. From there, Hill went on to take the chequered flag, holding off a difficult charge from Kiyonari until the very end. Swan Honda’s Stuart Easton made up for a difficult qualifying session as the lights went out, firing into third straight away from ninth on the grid. Behind, Tommy Bridewell slipped into fourth, while Josh Brookes occupied fifth place. Determined to take advantage of a strong start, Bridewell decided to make a move on Easton with a view to stealing third. Despite Easton’s best efforts the Quay Garage Honda rider found a way through into third. The achievement was short lived, however, when Bridewell crashed out on lap 14. With the top two positions taken care of, attentions turned to just behind. With third place switching a number of times it was James Ellison who finally claimed the final podium spot, while Alastair Seeley took fourth and Brookes fifth. The remainder of the top ten was filled with Easton, after being forced backwards, Michael Rutter, Dan Linfoot, Chris Walker and John Laverty. Commenting on his victory, Hill said: “That was a hard race, especially towards the end as there were a lot of backmarkers and I nearly lost my head as I didn’t want to lose the lead. I have to admit I started to panic as I thought it could go wrong, but on the last lap I knew that was it. I came across the line and the team were celebrating so I am really peaking now. I knew we needed to get some good points in the bag as it is a long season but everything has been fantastic and I can’t wait for race two now to see if we can do the double.” Race two was as action packed as the crowd could have hoped for, with James Ellison overcoming the carnage to take home the spoils. At the start, Ellison jumped into the lead straight away, while pole sitter Josh Brookes slipped into second and Tommy Hill third. Not wanting to let Ellison get too far away, Hill made a move on Brookes, enabling the Worx Cresent Suzuki rider to weave into second on the opening lap. Despite his best intentions throughout the thirty lap race, Ellison triumphed ahead of Hill, presenting two different winners from the first two races. From here things went from bad to worse for the rest of the field. First of all it was race one pole sitter Kiyonari who fell foul of an electrical problem on lap four; the next to suffer was Gary Mason, who also succumbed to electrical problems followed by a race retirement. The bad luck struck again on lap ten when Tommy Bridewell was forced wide by Michael Laverty as he tried to make a move on him, meaning he too was out of the race after crashing. It didn’t stop here. Chris Walker and Dan Linfoot were the next riders to retire, when the pair came together and crashed out at Graham Hill Bend. After staying on the tail of the leading duo for much of the opening laps, Brookes fell out of contention when he crashed one lap later than Bridewell. Yukio Kagayama fell from his Worx Cresent Suzuki machine one lap later. Alastair Seeley eventually finished off the podium, with Michael Laverty and Easton following in fourth and fifth, respectively. Michael Rutter finished sixth, just ahead of John Laverty and Simon Andrews. Martin Jessopp and Steve Brogan completed the top ten, giving Brogan a strong finish for the Mirror.co.uk BSB - Evo Championship. With the first two races of 2010 now completed the BSB championship didn’t disappoint, as ever. Hill leaves Brands Hatch as championship leader, and now all attentions turn to round two at Thruxton in two weeks time. � Read article
Countdown to opening of British Superbike Championship after final test at Guadix
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » BSB - Friday, 12th March 2010, 11:49 GMTThe final day of testing took place at Guadix in Spain yesterday, and the countdown is now definitely on to the first round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch, which takes place over the upcoming Easter weekend. The pre-season testing ended with some fantastic lap times, with the remaining teams upping the pace to beat the record time set by HM Plant Honda’s Josh Brookes, with the fastest lap time of 1m 13:6s on the second day. After initial problems with snow on the track, the conditions were much improved by the afternoon and the Swan Honda team saw James Ellison and Stuart Easton targeting longer runs and were consistently hitting the min to low 1m 13s lap times. Easton said: “It has been a successful test for us and I am really pleased with the work we have done both here at Guadix and from last week at Cartagena. We have refined the settings and we are now in a really good position before we start testing again later in the month. We have improved the bike so much from when we were here last year and my lap times were consistently coming. I did a good run of laps in the low 1m: 13s so we have seen a big improvement. We have another test coming up at Cadwell Park and after doing some longer stints today I think we should be ready for a strong start at the first round at Brands Hatch.” “We have really made some good progress out here in Spain and today we have managed to test so many different settings; we definitely are leaving here feeling happy. The Swan Honda seems to really fit me and I am feeling comfortable on track. We have been able to get some consistent laps together and the times have just been coming. It has been great working with the team again and they have done a fantastic job, we are now looking forward to getting back out on track again in the next few weeks.”Ellison added. After some initial problems on the final day, the Worx Cresent Suzuki team worked through some electronical changes and saw Tommy Hill and Yukio Kagayama formation flying and pushing through for some of their best laps on the day towards the end of the test. Simon Andrews upped his pace to dramatically improve his lap time after his second full day on the circuit and Gary Mason spent the day getting to grips with the Kawasaki. The MSS Colchester Kawasaki team are now busy preparing for the next testing round at Brands Hatch next Wednesday. Read article
Worx Suzuki complete Portimao test
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash - Tuesday, 16th February 2010, 10:25 GMTWorx Suzuki completed their three-day test at Portimao yesterday as they prepare for the 2010 British Superbike championship. With a bigger operation this season, running both Tommy Hill and Yukio Kagayama in the championship this season, the rain-drenched test in Portugal provided the team with an ideal opportunity to test their new operations ahead of the upcoming season. There was little interest in lap times, with the soaked track making conditions difficult but the test did provide plenty of opportunity to try out the new suspension and electronics systems on the GSX-R. “We’ve completed a lot of preparatory work that we had to get out of the way, putting together some good base settings with the suspension and electronics,” said Hill. “We’ve also been trying some different clutches and different engine braking systems. It’s been busy. Now I’m looking forward to Cartagena and meeting up with the rest of the BSB riders.” “I’m very happy to be back with the team and this has been helpful as a lead-up to the test at Cartegena,” added Kagayama.”There are many parts which are specific to the Crescent Suzuki - different to my bike from last year - so it’s been helpful coming here to get a feel for the bike. Now I go back to Japan for a short time before coming back with my family - we’re really looking forward to a year living in England” Team manager Jack Valentine was also happy with the progress made over the three days despite the less than idea conditions. “It’s been a successful shakedown,” he claimed. “We’re a much bigger team this year with some new personnel, so this test has been a great opportunity to get everyone together and to gel as a team. “For Yukio, it’s been an introduction to the Crescent bike and the Pirelli control tyres as used in BSB. Tommy and Yukio have also been working on getting base settings for the new Öhlins suspension and the updated Motec electronics package we’re using this year. The rain has compressed our schedule but we were still able to run through many settings and we’re very pleased with the progress we’ve made.” Read article
Hill completes 2010 test at Mallory Park
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash - Thursday, 19th November 2009, 15:52 GMTTommy Hill commenced his preparations for the 2010 British Superbike season by taking part in his first test with the Worx Suzuki team at Mallory Park. Hill, who will join the expanded Worx Crescent Suzuki team for the 2010 season, took the opportunity to try out the Suzuki GSX-R1000 once again after two opportunities to ride last year. Hill stood in as a replacement rider for the injured Sylvain Guintoli at Mallory Park and Brands Hatch but will ride permanently with the Suzuki next season and the former World Superbike rider was keen to get started after a couple of difficult seasons. “It was fantastic to get back working with the Worx Crescent Suzuki team again and really continue where we left off last time I was riding for them,” he told the BSB website. “I approached the test knowing the weather wasn’t going to be the best, as it never really is this time of the year but considering the high wind and rain, we still managed to get a good few laps clocked in and got into a good pace. “We also worked through some parts we are testing for 2010. Basically I’m just happy that I got myself back on the Suzuki, got a few laps in and leaving the test I’m feeling very optimistic. “I can’t wait to get back on the bike and start working together with the team again over the winter.” Read article
Suzuki cut ties with Neukirchner – Guintoli moves to WSB
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash - Wednesday, 18th November 2009, 14:41 GMTAlstare Suzuki have confirmed that they will not be offering Max Neukirchner a new contract for 2010 after the German failed to provide medical evidence over his ability to race next year, with Sylvain Guintoli stepping up to WSB as a replacement. In a bizarre turn of events, the 26-year-old has effectively been dismissed by the Suzuki factory team after failing to prove his fitness following an injury that has kept him out for much of the season. The decision comes after mixed messages from both parties, with Suzuki claiming that their rider will be out of action for the rest of the season but Neukirchner claiming that he would be riding at Portimao next week. Today however, Suzuki have confirmed their position by declaring that Neukirchner would be leaving the team at the end of the season, with a move to Ten Kate Honda now looking almost certain. Guintoli, who had originally signed a new deal with the Worx Crescent Suzuki team, will move up to the Alstare Suzuki team for the 2010 Superbike World Championship, with Yuki Kagayama stepping down to BSB. “Max’s situation was causing concern within Alstare, so we asked him to produce his medical records (during the Imola race weekend) so that the specialists of the Clinica Mobile could confirm his fitness to race again,” read a team statement. “Max arrived at the track on Saturday but, as his clinical records were incomplete, new X-rays were required. These X-rays, taken by Dr. Costa’s medical staff, showed that excellent work had been carried out by the German surgeons, but also that Max’s recovery might take longer than predicted and that there was still a significant risk to his long-term health. “Alstare then had a telephone conversation, in Max’s presence, with the neurologist of the Chemnitz clinic, who confirmed the diagnosis made by the Clinica Mobile. The neurologist stated that he would not take responsibility for allowing Max to start racing again. “According to these two different medical sources, Max’s recovery could be expected to take between four and six months.” With Neukirchner’s contract scheduled to be extended in September, the team reveals it was unable to honour the agreement while his physical condition remained in doubt. “We asked Max to come to Alleur, with one of his surgeons, the week after Magny-Cours, in order to carry out some tests which would have clarified the true state of his health. Unfortunately Max did not show up at our headquarters as had been agreed.” “As such, Suzuki Alstare has confirmed it will part ways with Neukirchner after three seasons of collaboration that produced two wins and a fifth position in the 2008 World Superbike standings. “Alstare Suzuki have had a close collaboration with Max for three years and, during this time, we have encouraged and developed his promise whilst supporting him in the best possible way to enhance his career. “Max’s failure to come and talk to us means that, regretfully, this collaboration has now come to an end. However, we would like to wish him a full and speedy recovery and good luck in the future.” Read article
Kagayama aims for 2010 BSB title
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash - Wednesday, 18th November 2009, 14:41 GMTYukio Kagayama is set to make a return to the British Superbike Championship in 2010, with big plans of becoming BSB Champion in 2010. Having announced his plans, and after five years in the World Superbike Championship, Kagayama hopes to follow in the footsteps of his countryman Ryuichi Kiyonari. Competing in the British series with the Cresent Suzuki team, the Japanese rider has unfinished business in BSB and aims to make amends for this. Commenting on the announcement, Kagayama said: “I still have unfinished business in BSB after my previous two seasons in 2003 and 2004. I feel like the UK is a second home to me after my time there before and I have always had the support of the British fans which I need to thank them for. 2003 was my first season in BSB and I will be back with the team again next year and that is good for me to get back to winning races in BSB again. “I had a big injury in 2003 from the crash at Cadwell Park which was really bad and I was broken then, but I got so many letters of support from fans of all ages when I was in hospital and recovering; it was unbelievable. I think I had around 200 or so and that gave me the energy to come back and try again. It gave me some kind of power to get back racing and the support had such a positive affect on me. I hope that they support me again when I am back next year and I will be pleased to see them all. “I want to win not just for me, but also for the fans for their support during the hard times. I am not finished and I won’t be until I win like Kiyo did. I have finished third before but that is still not what I want. I am excited to come back and want to be back on the podium in BSB. I will not be happy until I am champion.” Read article
Hodgson Bids to Regain Title a Decade on While Hill Signs for Suzuki
Source: LondonBikers.com - Wednesday, 18th November 2009, 12:38 GMTNeil Hodgson will challenge for the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli next year and among his rivals will be Tommy Hill who has signed to ride for the Worx Crescent Suzuki team. Riding for the Motorpoint Yamaha team, Hodgson is bidding to regain the domestic title that he won in a dramatic final round back in the 2000 season, a success that prompted his move into the World series, winning that title three years later. Read article
Hill signs with Worx Suzuki for 2010
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash - Wednesday, 11th November 2009, 10:29 GMTTommy Hill has signed up to the Worx Crescent Suzuki team as they return to a two-rider line-up for the 2010 British Superbike championship. Hill, who stood in for the injured Sylvain Guintoli in rounds seven and eight of the 2009 season, has signed a permanent contract as Suzuki double their efforts for 2010. Following the loss of Tom Sykes to World Superbikes and the release of Atsushi Watanabe at the end of the 2008 season, along with the loss of title sponsor Rizla, Crescent Suzuki opted to run a single-rider effort in 2009 with former MotoGP man Sylvain Guintoli. That decision backfired however as a crash at Donington in round three kept the Frenchman out of action for 13 races, ending Suzuki’s hopes of a title challenge. Having lost Guintoli to WSB, Yukio Kagayama will be partnered by Hill to lead the Suzuki challenge next season. “It is all signed and sealed with Worx Crescent Suzuki and it is fantastic news,” Hill told the BSB website. “I had several options for 2010 and I know that next season will be a big year for me. The Worx Crescent Suzuki team will give me a package I can win with and that is what I want - to come back and really have a good go for the title. I think that with the team behind me we have a good chance as we have already worked together this year. “I am looking forward to working with the boys in the team again; Lez (Pearson) and Mark (Hanna) are both great guys and two of the best in the business so I know we can move forward. The team has official support from Suzuki and with Worx backing the team for a second season and my personal sponsor in Vent-Axia we have everything there to put us at the front. “We have a full testing programme and we have some new parts so the team are already looking at progressing from what they had this year already. We want to win the championship and I can’t wait for the first race at Brands Hatch now.” Team Manager Jack Valentine added: “It was always my aim to have a younger rider in the team so we’re very pleased that we’ve managed to sign Tommy. He did a very good job for us when he stood in for Sylvain earlier this year and I’m in no doubt Tommy fits the bill perfectly. He certainly showed what he was capable of in the few outings he got this year and so we’re looking forward to working with him in 2010 - I’m sure he’s going to be running at the sharp end every week.” Read article
Tommy with Worx Suzuki
Source: MCN Sport - Wednesday, 11th November 2009, 10:09 GMTTommy Hill lines up with Yukio Kagayama in the Worx Suzuki BSB team next year.Hill was at Crescent Suzuki in Verwood last Thursday to sign his 2010 contract with the team and told MCN: “I had a lot of interest... Read article
Crescent Suzuki to be sponsored by Worx
Source: MCN Sport - Tuesday, 31st March 2009, 15:58 GMTCrescent Suzuki are no longer blue. The last-minute announcement by Crescent Suzuki today that they’ve secured a two-year title sponsorship deal with professional power tool brand Worx means Sylvain Guintoli’s Suzuki GSX-R1000 will run predominantly white livery. Get all the... Read article
