Bridewell, Hickman Take Career-First MCE British Superbike Wins, At Cadwell Park

Bridewell, Hickman Take Career-First MCE British Superbike Wins, At Cadwell Park

© 2014, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

MCE British Superbike Championship

Cadwell Park, England

August 25, 2014

Race One Results (all on Pirelli tires):

1. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Yam YZF-R1), 10 laps, 15:02.868

2. Shane Byrne, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -0.005 second

3. Chris Walker, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -1.231 seconds

4. Josh Brookes, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), -1.339

5. Josh Waters, Australia (Suz GSX-R1000), -1.782

6. Peter Hickman, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -2.397

7. Dan Linfoot, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -2.470

8. Jon Kirkham, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -2.769

9. Stuart Easton, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -6.810

10. Glen Richards, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), -11.853

11. James Westmoreland, UK (BMW S1000RR), -18.834

12. Ben Wilson, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -20.535

13. John Hopkins, USA (Suz GSX-R1000), -24.143

14. Patric Muff, Switzerland (BMW S1000RR), -24.373

15. Howie Mainwaring, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -26.659

16. Gary Mason, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -26.765

17. John Ingram, UK (Kaw ZX-10R),-29.905

18. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), -30.596

19. Michael Rutter, UK (BMW S1000RR), -31.056

20. Rhalf To Turco, Brazil (Kaw ZX-10R), -1 lap

21. Barry Burrell, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -1 lap, DNF

22. Christophe Ponsson, France (Bim BB3), -1 lap, DNF

23. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -3 laps, DNF

24. Ryuichi Kionari, Japan (BMW S1000RR), -5 laps, DNF, mechanical

25. Scott Smart, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -5 laps, DNF

Race Two Results (wet conditions, all on Pirelli tires):

1. Peter Hickman, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), 15 laps, 25:16.852

2. Shane Byrne, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -3.398 seconds

3. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -12.886

4. Gary Mason, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -18.282 

5. Josh Waters, Australia (Suz GSX-R1000), -24.701

6. Jon Kirkham, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -28.781

7. Glen Richards, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), -29.031

8. Chris Walker, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -32.093

9. Ben Wilson, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -32.357

10. Michael Rutter, UK (BMW S1000RR), -33.034

11. Dan Linfoot, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -34.711

12. Howie Mainwaring, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -35.722

13. Patric Muff, Switzerland (BMW S1000RR), -35.867

14. John Ingram, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -54.563

15. Scott Smart, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -63.516

16. James Westmoreland, UK (BMW S1000RR), -2 laps, DNF

17. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), -3 laps, DNF

18. Rhalf Lo Turco, Brazil (Kaw ZX-10R), -4 laps, DNF

19. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -7 laps, DNF

20. Stuart Easton, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -8 laps, DNF, retired

21. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Japan (BMW S1000RR), -11 laps, DNF, crash

22. Josh Brookes, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), -13 laps, DNF, crash

23. Christophe Ponsson, France Bim BB3), -15 laps, DNF

24. John Hopkins, USA (Suz GSX-R1000), DNS

Championship Point Standings (after 17 of 26 races):

1. Byrne, 353 points

2. Brookes, 257

3. Kiyonari, 202

4. Bridewell, 183

5. Linfoot, 170

6. Walker, 160

7. Easton, 126

8. Ellison, 124

9. Waters, 97

10. Hopkins, 93

Other Americans competing at Cadwell Park:

James Rispoli crashed his Team Traction Control Yamaha YZF-R6 while running in second place, 0.1 second behind the race leader in the wet British Supersport “Feature” race. Glenn Irwin won the race on his Kawasaki. Only 12 of the 23 starters finished the 14-lap race.

The British Motostar race was canceled due to rain, and Jayson Uribe did not get a chance to ride his FPW Racing/R5R Honda Moto3 machine.

Former AMA Pro regular Ben Young, a resident of Canada, finished 20th on his Team WD-40 Kawasaki in the dry British 1000cc Superstock race, which was won by Kawasaki rider Danny Buchan.

More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision:

Round 8 25 August Cadwell Park

TWO NEW MCE BSB RACE VICTORS AS BRIDEWELL AND HICKMAN CLAIM EMOTIONAL RACE WINS

Results

Race one:

1: Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha)

2: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.005s

3: Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) +1.231s

4: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +1.339s

5: Josh Waters (Tyco Suzuki) +1.782s

6: Peter Hickman (RAF Reserves Honda) +2.397s

Race two:

1: Peter Hickman (RAF Reserves Honda)

2: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +3.398s

3: Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) +12.886s

4: Gary Mason (Tsingtao Kawasaki) +18.282s

5: Josh Waters (Tyco Suzuki) +24.701s

6: Jon Kirkham (Halsall Biker Gear Kawasaki) +28.781s

Championship standings:

1: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 353

2: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 257

3: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) 202

4: Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) 183

5: Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) 170

6: Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) 160

Report

Tommy Bridewell and Peter Hickman both celebrated an emotional debut race victory in the eighth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park as Shane Byrne claimed a pair of second place finishes to add to his Podium Points tally ahead of the Showdown.

Byrne had initially led the opening race but Bridewell was closing in on him after Ryuichi Kiyonari had been forced to retire from second place with a technical problem to his Buildbase BMW.

Bridewell was determined aboard his Milwaukee Yamaha and moved ahead of Byrne’s Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki as they crossed the line after ten laps. Byrne was ahead moments later as the red flags came out as rain began to fall. The result was declared at ten laps, with Bridewell the winner by just 0.005s, in his 138th race in the series.

The rider from Devizes dedicated the victory to his brother Ollie who had died in a racing accident seven years earlier. Bridewell said: “I am feeling so emotional about this victory and this one is for my brother Ollie. It is fantastic for me to get this first win because I have been trying so hard to push throughout my career with so much effort going into it.”

Byrne was second ahead of Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki’s Chris Walker who is pushing to score a position in the Showdown with Josh Brookes, who had earlier crashed his Milwaukee Yamaha in the wet practice session, in fourth.

Hickman who finished sixth in the opener on the RAF Reserves Honda, relished the wet conditions of the second race. He grabbed the lead on the opening lap from Byrne and then began to edge out the triple title-winner. The local contender from nearby Louth, had been drafted into the team in mid-season to replace Simon Andrews who lost his life at the North West 200 event earlier in the year.

Hickman said: “It feels unbelievable to win and what a place to do it than at home! We are only a small team so to think of a podium finish is great, but to actually do it is unreal. I had nothing at the start of the season and it was such an unfortunate way to come into the races, so this win is certainly for Simon.”

Two title contenders had troubles. Kiyonari crashed out of third place unhurt, while Brookes crashed out on the warm up lap and was unable to complete the race.

For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com

More, from a press release issued by Buildbase BMW Motorrad:

Ryuichi Kiyonari guaranteed Showdown spot despite disappointing weekend.

Buildbase BMW Motorrad rider Ryuichi Kiyonari has a guaranteed spot in the 2014 MCE British Superbikes Showdown, despite suffering a hugely disappointing double-DNF after a technical issue and wet-weather crash ended his hopes of another win at Cadwell Park.

A hugely promising start to the weekend saw Kiyo top the first and third practice sessions, qualify second and set pole position for race two. However, his hopes of a victory were dashed in race one when a technical issue forced him to slow and drop out of a growing lead. Upon inspection it turned out that a faulty ignition unit and spark plug had ended his race. Tommy Bridewell went on to win his first ever BSB race.

In race two, the three-time champion had qualified in Pole Position thanks to a rapid lap in the first race and he made a good start in the cold and wet conditions. Mid-way through the race, though, a highside coming out of the hairpin threw the Japanese rider off his BMW S 1000 RR. However despite not finishing either race, today’s results guaranteed Kiyo his place in the Showdown. Shane Byrne, Josh Brookes and now Tommy Bridewell have also secured their spots in the thrilling three-round shootout that ends the season.

James Westmoreland made his return to racing after a four-round gap caused by a hand injury. Coming back at Cadwell Park, Westmoreland finished 11th race one but crashed out of a potential top ten finish in the treacherously slippery race two.

Lee Jackson had a promising weekend, qualifying third and taking a third-place finish in the shortened and red-flagged Pirelli National Superstock 1000 race, and it looked likely he would have closed on, perhaps even stolen, second place had a crash not ended the race at just over two-thirds distance.

Stuart Hicken, Team Owner, said: “That was a frustrating weekend all round. Kiyo was fast every time he got on that bike and he just had rotten luck. The amount of miles we’ve done, you’d have hoped that if something like an ignition unit was going to go, it would have been in practice. Sadly not and it forced him to drop out of a race he was leading and was, likely, going to win. In the second race, he was steaming ahead and was on for a podium at the very least, but the track was so wet and slippery, and it wasn’t to be.

“The only good news to come from his weekend is that he’s guaranteed his place in the Showdown. We now need to concentrate on more podium credits to take the fight to Shakey and Brookes. James came back after his injury and was as fast and determined as ever, which is all you can ask for. Lee Jackson is making a habit of finishing on the podium in Superstock and is improving as a rider with every round. Our attention now falls to Donington Park which is our home race.”

Ryuichi Kiyonari said: “It was so wet and slippery out on track, I hit a puddle at the hairpin and next thing I am flying over the front of the bike, and I catch my foot which hurt – thankfully I was okay and walked away. I was frustrated to have to stop in the first race too. But I am in the Showdown for sure and I will be fine to ride at Donington Park.”

Round Nine of the MCE British Superbike Championship will take place at Donington Park on 05-07 September 2014.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings after Cadwell Park:

1) Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 353

2) Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 257

3) Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW Motorrad) 202

4) Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) 183

5) Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) 170

6) Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) 160

More, from a press release issued by Paul Bird Motorsport:

Byrne Racks Up The Points With Double Podium At Cadwell Park

Despite the changeable weather conditions which greeted the Penrith-based Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki Team at Cadwell Park this bank holiday weekend, triple British Superbike Champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne put in two faultless rides to take a pair of second place finishes and in doing so, extended his lead at the top of the MCE British Superbike Championship.

With glorious sunny conditions for practice and qualifying at round eight of the series, Londoner Byrne slid off in the final free practice session before scorching to his fifth pole position of the season aboard the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R with the fastest ever lap on two wheels around the Lincolnshire circuit.

With another massive crowd in attendance, race day dawned with the threat of rain and just as the riders assembled for the opening race, drizzle started to fall causing a short delay. Eventually, the race got underway in damp conditions and 37-year-old Byrne, who now lives on the Isle of Sheppey, hit the front from the start.

As the race progressed, Byrne came under pressure from Tommy Bridewell, who nipped ahead at the start of the tenth lap, which proved vital as out came the red flags soon after. What it meant was with Bridewell being ahead by 0.005 seconds at the start of the lap, he was awarded victory with Byrne having to settle for second place to claim his 16th podium of the season.

The drizzle had turned into heavy rain for the second race later in the day and it was subsequently cut to 15 laps. Byrne was again at the forefront of the action and with main title rivals Josh Brookes and Ryuichi Kiyonari both crashing out, Shakey knew that staying upright was crucial. With Peter Hickman going on to win the race, Shakey put in a faultless performance to take his second runner-up spot of the day and extend his championship lead further.

Team-mate Stuart Easton qualified in 14th for the opening race and the Hawick rider was able to make good strides forward throughout the opening race whereby the reigning British Supersport Champion was rewarded with a top ten finish in ninth. The result kept his hopes of a top six Showdown placing alive but his title aspirations took a severe dent when the 30-year-old Scot was forced out of race two at half distance on the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R due to visibility problems.

Shane Byrne: “I was a bit annoyed with the result in the first race and it was a tough one to take on the chin. I led every lap of the race and whenever anyone overtook me, I was able to get back past them straightaway. I hit a false neutral coming out of Barn which allowed Tommy to get by me and with the race being stopped a lap later, him getting across the line before me saw him get the win. Conditions were even more difficult for the second race and it was probably the longest 15 laps I’ve ever had. Peter and I had similar pace but when he started to edge away a bit, I started to look at the bigger picture and with both Josh and Kiyo out, second was a really good finish so I’m happy.”

Stuart Easton: “It was difficult in race one as it was drizzling with rain and we were all out on slick tyres so it was pretty tricky. However, starting from 14th and moving up to ninth was pretty pleasing and not too bad a result whilst my lap times were fairly competitive. I was hopeful of scoring another top ten finish in the second race, which was soaking wet, and I was running on the edge of the top ten again when I ran into problems with my vision. It was difficult enough as it was, so with poor vision I had little option other than to retire.”

Paul Bird, Team Owner: “It was a great day for Shakey who claimed a load more Podium Points and increased the lead over his rivals who had a poor weekend. His consistency this year has been amazing and he rode two brilliant races in difficult conditions by using his head. Stuart’s performances were disappointing so we need to look and see how we can improve at Donington Park.”

After eight rounds, the Championship table sees Byrne leading Josh Brookes by 96 points, increasing his important Podium Credits tally to 56, a lead of 21 going into the next round in two weeks’ time at Donington Park.

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