Team Previews Of The British Superbike Round At Mallory Park

Team Previews Of The British Superbike Round At Mallory Park

© 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Categories:

From a press release issued by Hawk Kawasaki:

HOME TRACK FOR HAWK AT BSB ROUND NINE

The THINK! British Superbike Championship comes home for Hawk Kawasaki this weekend when the action focuses on Mallory Park in the ninth round of the series. The famous Leicestershire circuit is not only Hawk’s favoured test track but also a sponsor of the team, so riders Scott Smart and John McGuinness will be looking to take a ‘home’ win.

Smarty, who was victorious in the first race at Knockhill a fortnight ago, is in confident mood. “The team know Mallory well which helps, as does the win at Knockhill,” he said. “But more than anything I want to make up for the second race in Scotland where my visor steamed up and blew any chance of a return to the podium. The bike’s really good at the moment, I’m feeling good with the way I’m riding and I want to be up front again to hopefully snatch third place back in the championship.”

His team-mate John McGuinness has more than proved his mettle at the last two meeting, running with the leaders in both, and is undaunted by the prospect of the team’s home round.

“I like Mallory,” said McGuinness. “It’s a good little track. You can’t afford to have a bogie track in this championship because the competition’s so tough, so Mallory’s just another circuit to me. The last two rounds have been wet and I’ve gone well, but I’d like it to be dry this weekend so I can prove I can run with the front men in those conditions too.”

Hawk Kawasaki National Superstock Cup rider Peter Hickman is also keen for the rain to stay away after a tough meeting two weeks ago. “I’d rather forget Knockhill to be honest,” explained Hickman. “It was a wet race, which wasn’t a problem, but the settings on the bike where too hard for the conditions and I had no feel. I’m really fired-up to make up for that this weekend. Come rain or shine we know what to do, but I’d prefer it to be dry.”

Free practice starts Friday 16.

BSB CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER 8 ROUNDS

1) John Reynolds, Suzuki, 290. 2) Michael Rutter, Honda, 252. 3) Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, 208. 4) Sean Emmett, Ducati, 206. 5) Scott Smart, Hawk Kawasaki, 199. 6) Dean Thomas, Ducati, 108. 7) Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 95. 8) Tommy Hill, Yamaha, 88. 9) James Haydon, Yamaha, 87. 10) Glen Richards, Hawk Kawasaki, 78. 11) Gary Mason, Yamaha, 74. 12) James Ellison, Yamaha, 71. 13) Craig Coxhell, Honda, 68. 14) Jon Kirkham, Suzuki (P). 15) Kieran Clarke, Yamaha, 50. 16) Leon Haslam, Ducati, 43. 17) Dennis Hobbs, Suzuki, 38. 18) John McGuinness, Hawk Kawasaki, 35. 19) Sam Corke, Suzuki, 34. 20) James Buckingham, Suzuki, 31


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

REYNOLDS AIMS FOR HOME VICTORY
Team Rizla Suzuki’s Championship leader John Reynolds is eager to win at his local British Superbike Championship round at Mallory Park, Leicestershire this weekend in front of his home fans.

The last time BSB visited the circuit was September 2002 and JR, then carrying the number one plate on his Rizla Suzuki, came away with a DNF and seventh place finish.

He is in a very different position now nearly two-years later and is gunning for the third title of his career on his Suzuki GSX-R1000 that is the class of the field. He plans on extending his 38-point lead in the Championship and is expecting strong support from his nearby hometown of Nottingham and knows nothing shy of victory will keep him or his fans happy at this, the ninth of the 13-round Championship.

Team mate Yukio Kagayama visits the short 1.39mile long Mallory Park for the first time and is hoping his recent run of good form will see him on the podium and challenging for the wins. While he is learning the entire circuit from scratch, all the riders will be getting to grips with the new Edwina’s chicane complex at the end of the Stebbe Straight – it is designed to keep the speeds of the ever-advancing Superbikes down and offer more overtaking opportunities.

John Reynolds:

“It is brilliant that Mallory Park is back on the BSB calendar as it is one of the most exciting race venues in the UK and is a real treat for fans that come and watch. Whether you are viewing at the impossibly-fast Gerards corner or the slow hairpin, there is always action to get the heart beating and the lap is so short that there is never a break from the racing. This circuit offers unbridled entertainment for race fans and is a proper gem.

“The fact it is a second home round for me, being just an hour from my home in Nottingham, is a bonus. Last time out at Mallory Park in 2002, I was the reigning Champion on a fledgling Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 and it didn’t go to plan. This year I am leading the title race on a Rizla Suzuki that is the best Superbike in the world and have a hunger to win races that I can assure you is unmatched. My broken collarbone is no longer broken either.”

Yukio Kagayama:

“I have spoken with Paul Denning, my Rizla Suzuki team manager, about Mallory Park. I ask him if it is like other circuits I know. Is it like Paul Ricard, with big fast straights, set in hills? Or is it more like Silverstone, with fast flowing bends and grandstand arenas for visitors to watch? Maybe it is more like the unique Suzuka figure of eight track?

“Paul-san laughs and tells me it is not like any of these but is maximum fun to race. He says very fast corner Gerards is good for rider with big Kahunas. I have very big Kahunas and will use them to help me win races. Only winning is good enough for me now as this is my only hope to keep up with John Reynolds in the Championship race.”

Superbike racing starts at 1:15pm on Sunday July 18th. This is the last opportunity for fans to catch the racing before it enters a mid-summer mini-break before convening again at Croft on August 15th.


Latest Posts

How To Identify Real Vanson Leathers

Vanson has been producing jackets, riding/racing suits, and other...

Kato Named New President Of Yoshimura Japan

Editorial Note: Yohei Kato is the grandson of Yoshimura...

Suzuki Hayabusa Anniversary Celebration Scheduled April 27 In Concord, NC

SUZUKI HAYABUSA ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION COMING TO CONCORD, NC “Hayabusa Homecoming”...

Oxley Bom Podcast: Hanging With Jorge

Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner...

California Roadrace Association: Prince Wins At Buttonwillow

Prince Takes Dominant Win In California Roadrace Association Gold...