Buckingham earns his chance to shine with Rizla Suzuki BRITISH SUPERBIKE Privateer Championship leader James Buckingham will race for Rizla Suzuki at the Grand National at Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire this weekend alongside James Haydon. Buckingham, 21, has campaigned a Suzuki GSX-R1000 successfully in the British Superbike Privateers Cup this year and his excellent results have earned him this opportunity to show what he can achieve on a Factory Superbike. He replaces William Dunlop who was scheduled to ride for Rizla Suzuki but broke his collarbone two weeks ago. From Ilfracombe in Devon and standing at 6’4in, Buckingham is a full time motorcycle mechanic. He said: “This is a great opportunity for me to be part of a top team like Rizla Suzuki. I am absolutely focussed on getting good results. My aim is to go out there, enjoy myself and really make the most of the opportunity. “I have never ridden at Castle Combe or on the Rizla Suzuki before, so it is not going to be easy to get results. I learn quickly though and really want to show what I am capable of as a rider.” Rizla Suzuki regular racer James Haydon is hoping to use the time on his GSX-R1000 productively and is aiming for silverware. The 31-year-old Andorra resident said: “I want the practice time on my Rizla Suzuki as I am still learning about it and I also want to get on the podium and taste champagne. “I never race to finish anywhere but on the top step of the podium and this weekend I am targeting two victories. The competition will be tough but the team has experience from the circuit last year and I’ll be aiming to give the Rizla Suzuki supporters in the crowd something to cheer about!” British Superbike Champion John Reynolds will also be at Castle Combe on Sunday, July 31st. He is not competing at the event as he prepares himself for the remainder of the British Superbike Championship season. He will be signing autographs and meeting the public as well as cheering on the two James’s. The UK headquarters for Rizla is based close to Castle Combe Circuit in the nearby city of Bristol and there is expected to be a huge amount of support for the team at the event. Superbike Racing starts at 13:15 on Sunday July 31st. For more details visit www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk.