Fighters
Two fifth places for Michael Rutter at Cadwell Park
Source: British Superbike News - Wednesday, 1st September 2010, 12:13 GMTMichael Rutter While Honda’s HM Plant rider Josh Brookes treated the spectators to a spectacular riding display at the Cadwell track over the weekend other riders were struggling to find a good set up, among them RidersMotorcycles.com Ducati rider Michael Rutter who has been in incredible form up to this point in the season. The Ducati team had their work cut out getting Rutter’s bike to work around the Cadwell circuit, but the rider did manage two impressive, under the circumstances, fifth place finishes. Having already secured a place in the final showdown Rutter will be relishing the final three rounds at Croft, Oulton Park and Silverstone. He starts the showdown on 510 points, just fifteen behind leaders Ryuichi Kiyonari and Tommy Hill and will fancy his chances as much as the next man for the Championship title. With much talk about the inclement late season weather that may play its part in the final showdown, Rutter may even have the upper hand on his rivals, with the Ducati perfectly suited to the three remaining tracks and the rider himself loving to race at each of them. RidersMotorcycles.com Team Owner Phil Jessopp said after the races on Monday; “Michael and the team did a great job this weekend under difficult circumstances. We’ve achieved exactly what we wanted from the nine-round regular season – to qualify for the Showdown. Michael is riding really well and the bike is flying. We know that Michael goes well at all the final three circuits and the Ducati works well at each of them so we have to be confident of our chances in the fight for the 2010 BSB title.” Looking forward to the final showdown, Rutter said; “This isn’t my favourite place and it’s been a tough weekend for everyone in the team to get the bike working well around here but the ridersmotorcycle.com ducati crew has worked well and I’m pretty pleased with the results. To be honest, with the new points system there was no point in risking everything just to pass the person in front of me. I’m qualified for the final as one of the six ‘Title Fighters’ and we’ve got as good a chance of winning the title as any of the other riders. The final three rounds at Croft, Silverstone and Oulton Park are all perfectly suited to the Ducati and are tracks I love to race on so I’m really looking forward to the challenge.” Read article
Haydon’s inside line: Cadwell Park
Source: British Superbikes - BSB Blog - Mirror.co.uk - Thursday, 26th August 2010, 10:22 GMTCadwell Park is just fantastic and a real challenging circuit, no matter how good you are as a rider. This is a big round as it is the final one before the Showdown and there is that question over who will make the final place to become the sixth Title Fighter. I think it is really between Alastair Seeley and John Laverty as Stuart Easton will need some luck if he is to be the final one. It will be exciting to watch and to see whether there will be any strategies, but it is Alastair's to lose really I think. The top five in the standings might take a deep breath before this weekend as they have their places secured as Title Fighters and I think that maybe we could see an unusual or surprising result here this weekend. Having said that, the HM Plant Honda team were awesome there back in May and Kiyo and Josh Brookes surely are the ones to beat, however you know Tommy Hill will be pushing them all the way. Stuart Easton though needs to recapture his form of old, whether he makes the top six or not, and James Ellison on the second Swan Honda is definitely moving forward now since his injury. Tommy Bridewell has impressed me this year so we could see more of him this weekend, as this is the circuit he has scored his best result at so far this season. But it would be good of we could see the MSS Colchester Kawasaki team up their game this weekend; we saw that the bike has the potential, albeit a different spec at Brands Hatch with Tom Sykes, so it would be nice to see Simon Andrews or Gary Mason get up there. In the Mirror.co.uk BSB - Evo class the fight is really raging between Hudson Kennaugh and Steve Brogan, but my money would still be on Brogie so lets see what happens! See you there. James Read article
Michael Rutter books his place in British Superbike title showdown
Source: British Superbike News - Tuesday, 10th August 2010, 11:47 GMTMichael Rutter ensures a place in final showdown of BSB 2010 Michael Rutter continued his sensational form at Brands Hatch over last weekend, ensuring his place in the final six Title Fighters who will go into the final three round showdown to decide the British Superbike title. Much against my initial judgement Michael Rutter has grown in stature as the season has gone on, he appears to be riding better than ever this season and it has been a joy to watch his fantastic riding style and commitment in recent races. He has produced some of the most outrageous overtaking maneuvers always looking at one with his machine and his results speak for themselves, competing with a two year old Ducati against the latest machinery of the opposing teams. Rutter claimed pole position for the RidersMotorcycles.com Ducati team on Saturday and was leading the race when it was red flagged due to the rain. In the re-start he finished in second place. The first race on Sunday was also stopped due to an accident involving Andrew Pitt and Alastair Seeley, at this point Rutter was in second place. After the re-start he managed to finish the race in third place, a feat that was repeated in the final race of the day, giving Rutter three podium places over the weekend. Rutter said: “It’s been a brilliant weekend for the team. I think I could have gone with Sykes and Kiyo in Sunday’s first race but I just didn’t have the grip after five laps. The temperature had gone up and made the track greasy. I know it’s the same for everyone – I could see Kiyo struggling too – but you were never quite sure of the grip levels and it seemed a better idea to score points rather than risking everything. I also had a battle with Michael Laverty in that one but it’s all about getting podium credits now so there was no way I was going to let him through.” Team boss Phil Jessopp was delighted and said: “Everything is going to plan. Michael has now qualified for the final Showdown and we’re confident of a good run in those final three rounds. It’s a pity the organisers changed the point-scoring system for this year from the previous system of points counting from the entire season. The championship has never been more finely balanced with only 28 points covering the top five. But either way, the RidersMotorcycles.com Ducati is going to be up there battling for the title.” Read article
MSS raiding party go over the border for Knockhill
Source: British Superbikes - BSB Blog - Mirror.co.uk - Friday, 2nd July 2010, 16:14 GMTAs the British Superbike circus travels over the border to the Scottish Knockhill round, MSS Colchester Kawasaki riders Simon Andrews and Gary Mason look for a good points haul whilst Superstock star Howie Mainwaring has the series lead in his sights. Knockhill marks the mid-way point of the season but with the new series format, riders know that to be in with a chance of being in the top six Title Fighters group, they need big points before the final 'Showdown' phase kicks in at round nine at Croft. The picturesque, forest lined circuit has been good to the official Kawasaki squad over the years, with the team picking up good results in past events. At the corresponding round last year Simon scored a fine 4th and 6th placings so he knows that he and the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R work well together at this mountainside circuit. Simon has returned to the team with strong results at Mallory after a lengthy period of injury whilst Gary looks for a better set-up this time around. Howie returns refreshed after the Superstock teams took a sabbatical at Mallory following a double header race the week before at the Silverstone MotoGP. The 23-year-old heavy plant engineer lies second in a talent packed Championship field and is super keen to reel in series leader Jon Kirkham. MSS Junior Superstock rider Danny Buchan will ride a series double header at Knockhill but has never seen the track before. He must emulate his more senior team-mate Howie who was one of only a few riders not to have ridden the new Silverstone circuit. Simon commented, "I'm looking forward to Knockhill, I went well there last year and I'm happy with how Mallory panned out especially as it's the first time I have been on a Superbike since the Valencia crash. It's great to be back with Nick, Gary and everyone, it's really enjoyable. There is a small hope I can get into the Showdown if other people take some of my bad luck, but we will have to see." Gary said "I feel like I've got to turn it around at Knockhill, Mallory was really disappointing to be honest. It's a relatively simple track so you've just got to get stuck in and that's what I intend to do." Howie said "I feel really strong and up for the challenge at Knockhill after a mixed weekend at Silverstone for the GP. The plan this weekend is to keep maintaining good points as we're right there in the Championship chase, saying that I do feel right up for a win now!." MSS Colchester Kawasaki team boss Nick Morgan added "As a team we like Knockhill circuit and it's been good to us in the past. Simon has really bounced back with a vengeance and is looking for more. I think Gary will be motivated by that also and we need to help him get the right set-up to have the confidence to push. Howie knows he needs to beat Kirkham to reel in the points as he has big cushion behind him to the injured Steve Plater. It will be interesting to see how Danny gets on at his first trip to Knockhill, the last Junior Superstock race at Cadwell was pretty outrageous!" Read article
British Superbike Championship 2010 – First round at Brands Hatch on British Eurosport
Source: British Superbike News - Thursday, 1st April 2010, 8:41 GMTThe MCE Insurance backed British Superbike Championship returns this weekend with an Easter holiday programme full of entertainment and the two British Superbike races taking place on Bank Holiday Monday April 5th. With two returning champions and an exciting new rule change, this season looks set to one of the most competitive ever, if that is possible given the fantastic excitement and racing of previous championships. British Eurosport will be on hand to offer exclusive coverage of the series, starting with extensive live coverage, interviews and expert reaction as the races unfold at Brands Hatch on Monday April 5th. Among the studio guests will be Brands local boy and last years dominant British Superbike champion Leon Camier. Camier ran away with the 2009 championship, setting a new record of 14 race wins in a season and wrapping up the title with one round to go. The Kent rider has since moved up to the World Superbike Championship with the Aprilia Alitalia Racing team and is currently eighth in the standings after a promising start to the season. Returning to his home circuit this Easter weekend, Camier will join presenter Tony Carter, fellow former BSB champion James Whitham, former BSB and WSB rider James Haydon and commentator Jack Burnicle as part of the Eurosport team throughout the day. A major new rule change for the 2010 series will ensure no one runs away with the championship this season. Following the first nine events, the top six riders in the standings will qualify for “The Showdown” and become the “Title Fighters” for the remaining three events, battling it out to become champion. They will each be awarded 500 points, plus additional points for each podium they have achieved up to this point. Meanwhile the remaining riders will continue to contest the “British Superbike Riders’ Cup”. Eurosport pundit and former BSB and WSB rider James Haydon thinks these changes will add to the excitement of the championship and believes fans are in for a real treat; “I think this season is going to be a cracker! The dominant champion Leon Camier has left, we have new entertaining rules and some big guns returning from overseas – think Hodgson, Kiyonari and Kagayama – awesome. Yet on the flip side we have some raw, young talent bursting through and eager to prove themselves. It will be tight with at least eight people capable of winning races. I can’t wait for it to start!” James Whitham agrees and thinks there are a number of riders in the running for the title; “I think this season will be quite open, unlike last year which turned into a one-horse race, I can’t see any one rider dominating this time. My tip would be Josh Brookes, the HM Plant Honda rider is tough and aggressive and with the experience he built up last season, he will be keen to stamp his authority on the series. Worx Suzuki’s Tommy Hill is also unbelievably tough, he’s like a terrier. He’s such a tenacious rider, I think he’d get round even if you took one of his wheels off! You can never discount him. Neil Hodgson is returning from this States this year and riding for Motorpoint Yamaha. He’s won before, albeit ten years ago, but he’s not back to play around and he should have the credentials to do the job. An outside bet is the other Motorpoint Yamaha rider, Dan Linfoot. He’s blindingly fast and although I wouldn’t back him for the championship, he’ll be a thorn in the established rider’s sides this season. Brands Hatch is the amphitheatre of motor racing, it’s the traditional opening round and it’s popular with both fans and riders. It’s a beautiful circuit, it’s got a bit of everything – ups, downs, fast corners – a really interesting ride and most of the guys on the grid will know it well.” Round One – Brands Hatch: Monday 5 April 1230-1730 LIVE on British Eurosport 2 2100-2230 Highlights on British Eurosport 2 2330-0100 Highlights on British Eurosport Tuesday 6 April 1500-1630 Highlights on British Eurosport 2 1900-2030 Highlights on British Eurosport 2 Wednesday 7 April 0900-0930 Race One on British Eurosport 2 0930-1000 Race Two on British Eurosport 2 1200-1300 Highlights on British Eurosport 1730-1830 Highlights on British Eurosport 2 Read article
BSB set to intensify in 2010 with new rule changes
Source: British Superbikes - BSB Blog - Mirror.co.uk - Sunday, 28th March 2010, 7:03 GMTThe British Superbike Championship, promoted by MotorSport Vision, is the most successful motor sport championship in the UK, attracting bigger crowds and TV audiences than any other national series. During 2009, 368,000 people attended BSB events across the country and 8,000,000 fans watched 310 hours of television on the live Eurosport and delayed ITV coverage. For 2010 MSV is now going to increase the appeal of BSB even more with some exciting rule changes designed to keep fans captivated right to the very end of the championship with a dramatic title battle finale. The new regulations have been arrived at after careful consultation by MSV with both the BSB manufacturers and teams to gather all key opinions and were then submitted to the governing body, MCRCB, for approval. Crescendo of Competition The central concept of the new rule is that there should be a crescendo of competition towards the end of the championship to minimise the chances of anyone securing the title before the final event of the year. It was also critical that the method of achieving this should be absolutely fair to all competitors and simple to understand. A new format and points scoring system will virtually guarantee that the title will go down to the wire and create a new, thrilling spectacle for television and trackside audiences. First the Main Season, then The Showdown! The championship will be divided into two parts. The first nine events form the Main Season, with the standard points scoring format of 25 for a win, then 20, 16, 13, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 awarded for each of the nineteen races from the nine events. From their total points at the end of the Main Season, all riders then drop their two worst scores, which must be from events they have at least qualified for. From this points order, the first six riders in the championship standings will be elevated to a new base level and become the Title Fighters for the final three events and seven races of the championship. Each Title Fighter will start The Showdown with 500 points, plus additional points for each podium position they have obtained in the Main Season; 3 for a win, 2 for a second, and 1 for a third. These are termed Podium Credits. For example, a rider placed in the top six of the standings at the end of the Main Season who scored three wins, two seconds and a third would start The Showdown phase with 514 points. The standard points scoring format from the Main Season then continues for The Showdown, with all points scores from the final seven races counting. All riders outside of the Title Fighters continue to race for the BSB Riders' Cup, continuing to add to their points total from the end of the Main Season. This also applies to the new BSB EVO class. Qualifying shake up BSB qualifying takes on a new look too. The popular, Formula 1 "knockout" style Swan Combi Roll for Pole remains, but this now just sets the grid for BSB Race 1. All riders first take to the track for Q1 over 20 minutes. The field is then whittled down to 20 riders in Q2 over 12 minutes, and then the final 8 minutes shoot-out for pole position by the top 10 riders in Q3. Best lap times in Race 1 set the grid for Race 2 The Race 2 grid will now be established by the order of the riders best lap times set during Race 1. This will give a greater reward to riders making a charge through the field, perhaps as a result of a bad qualifying performance or a bad start. Significantly all the riders will be on race rubber, rather than softer tyres that favour certain qualifying specialists. Second chance The new qualifying regulations are sensitive to riders who unfortunately suffer a crash or mechanical failure before the end of the first lap in Race 1. Their bad fortune is not compounded further as the rider can line up for Race 2 in their Race 1 starting grid position plus 8 "penalty places", emphasising the necessity for a good initial qualifying position. As an example if the rider in pole position for Race 1 crashed on the first lap and was unable to continue, he would start Race 2 from position 9 on the third row of the grid. BSB Triple Headers At a three race BSB meeting the procedure follows on to the best lap times set in Race 2 establishing the grid for Race 3. Similarly those riders who don't complete a single lap in Race 2 get to start Race 3 in their Race 2 starting position plus 8 "penalty places." BSB 2010...it's never over BSB race weekends now take on exciting, additional elements that will create new talking points and test the tactical skills of the riders and the teams. Drama is assured from the first qualifying session at the first event until the chequered flag falls on the final lap of the final round. Read article
BSB overhaul rule book for 2010
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash - Wednesday, 3rd February 2010, 9:55 GMTBritish Superbike Championship promoter Motorsport Vision has proposed a raft of rule changes for the 2010 series, with the points scoring system and race qualifying undergoing a major overhaul. Promoters claim that the changes, still need to be ratified by MCRCB, will offer increased excitement to the championship in 2010, with the emphasis on ensuring that the championship is not already settled before the final round of the season, as has been the case for the past two seasons. As part of the scoring overhaul, the 2010 championship will be divided into two parts. The first nine events form the Main Season, with the standard points scoring format of 25 for a win, then 20, 16, 13, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 awarded for each of the nineteen races from the nine events. At the end of the Main Season, all riders will drop their two worst scores from events that they have qualified for. From this points order, the first six riders in the championship standings will be elevated to a new base level and become the Title Fighters for the final three events and seven races of the championship. Each Title Fighter will start The Showdown with 500 points, plus additional points for each podium position they have obtained in the Main Season; 3 for a win, 2 for a second, and 1 for a third. These points will be known as “Podium Credits”. The standard points scoring format from the Main Season then continues for The Showdown, with all points scores from the final seven races counting. All riders outside of the Title Fighters continue to race for the BSB Riders’ Cup, continuing to add to their points total from the end of the Main Season. This will also to the new BSB EVO class. Qualifying will also be changed, with the current Formula 1 “knockout” style retained although this will now only determine the grid positions for race one. All riders first take to the track for Q1 over 20 minutes. The field is then whittled down to 20 riders in Q2 over 12 minutes, and then the final 8 minutes shoot-out for pole position by the top 10 riders in Q3. Race two grid times will be determined by the best race lap times from race one whilst, in the case of three-race events, the race three grid positions will be determined by the best lap times from race 2. Riders who crash or fail to finish in races will still be able to qualify, with race director’s taking their qualifying lap time and adding an eight-place penalty for the following race. The change has been proposed to encourage riders further down the field to push through the field in order to achieve a better lap time in race two whilst also minimising the benefits that softer qualifying tyres provide certain riders. Read article
