WAR FOR FOUR UNDER FIRE WITH BROOKES BIDDING FOR VICTORY AT OULTON PARK
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and Ryuichi Kiyonari are currently locked in a fierce battle for a record-breaking fourth MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship victory, but as the title race reaches Oulton Park this weekend (8/9/10 August) Josh Brookes is on a mission to continue his winning form.
Byrne arrives at the triple-header event in Cheshire leading the standings, but after twice missing out on victory at Thruxton last weekend the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider is fully focused on leaving Oulton Park with a haul of victories. He scored a victory at the challenging Oulton Park circuit back in May.
Byrne said: “Oulton Park hopefully will be another good round for us; we have won there this year already earlier in the season. We had two second places at Thruxton, but because I want to be winning and we have been recently, finishing second last weekend seemed so difficult. I believe that is testament to what we have done so far.
“I want to get to Oulton Park and try and get back winning again and we have three races to do it; that is a big point’s haul for the championship and we need to nick them. For sure I think there will be some other riders up there this weekend but it would be great to get a win or three for Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki,” added Byrne.
Byrne knows he won’t have it all his own way, as at Oulton Park back in May Brookes scored his first win of the season, stealing the march on the triple champion by just 0.118s in the closest finish of the season so far. Australian Brookes heads into this weekend on a high, knowing that he scored a double win at the previous round last weekend for Milwaukee Yamaha.
Kiyonari though remains the most successful rider in the championship at the Cheshire circuit and the Buildbase BMW rider has proven with two wins and a further three podiums that this year he is ready to challenge Byrne to become the first four-time title-winner.
In close contention last weekend was Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s Dan Linfoot, who claimed his best result of his career with a brace of fourth places, whilst Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki’s Chris Walker and Tommy Bridewell on the second Milwaukee Yamaha will be keen to return to the podium in their quest for a Showdown position.
For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com
More, from a press release issued by Milwaukee Yamaha:
MILWAUKEE YAMAHA BID TO CONTINUE WINNING WAYS AT OULTON PARK
The Milwaukee Yamaha team head to Oulton Park this weekend (8/9/10 August) bidding to carry their winning momentum into the first triple-header event of the season with Josh Brookes and Tommy Bridewell.
Brookes took his winning tally to three with his double triumph at Thruxton last weekend and now the Australian is ready to come out fighting again this weekend. For team-mate Bridewell he is fired up ready to battle for podium finishes and launch himself back inside the top six in the overall standings.
Brookes said: “I think we can head to Oulton Park this weekend feeling really positive. Last time we were there we had a great win and a close second so I feel we will be ready to go for it again. Thruxton taught me a few things and with positive vibes in the team after the double win last weekend we are really looking forward to the three races.”
Bridewell said: “We had a disappointing end to the weekend at Thruxton but I want to get back up there at Oulton Park as we have shown that we have the pace to fight for the podium. We have been moving on every weekend and I am happy with how we have been getting on, we just need to get back on the podium so that we can get in that top six as that is where we need to be.”
For more information visit www.milwaukeeyamaha.com
More, from a press release issued by Buildbase BMW Motorrad:
Kiyonari ups the pressure in the ‘War for Four’. Jackson targets more BSB points and Superstock championship.
Buildbase BMW Motorrad will be operating a two-rider team once again at Oulton Park as James Westmoreland rules himself out of the weekend’s action while he fights to get race-fit by Cadwell Park. Ryuichi Kiyonari is intent on keeping up his podium streak while Lee Jackson will be taking part in four races over the weekend and hoping to knock on the door of the BSB top-ten.
This weekend’s race action sees the MCE British Superbike Championship return to Oulton Park for the second time this season for a triple-header feature with one BSB race on Saturday following qualifying and two on Sunday.
Kiyonari’s recent return to form has seen him take five podiums – including two race victories – in the last six races, a streak which the three-time BSB Champion intends to maintain and improve on at Oulton Park. A double-podium finish at Thruxton saw Kiyo move up to third place in the BSB standings, consolidating his position in the six vital Showdown positions.
Lee Jackson is once again stepping up to ride James Westmoreland’s BSB bike while James rests and builds up strength in his hand following a successful procedure to pin his thumb. At Thruxton, Jackson took his first BSB points-scoring finish and missed out on a potential top-ten finish in race two. Jackson is also third in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 championship and last weekend celebrated his first ever win in the class after a thrilling race.
Riyuichi Kiyonari said: “My plan is to be even more aggressive at Oulton Park. I like the circuit and the BMW S 1000 RR is very fast there, so the challenge is to fight more against Shakey and Josh Brookes. At Thruxton I was very happy to be back fighting against them for podiums, but I want more than that, I want to be fighting and winning races.”
Lee Jackson said: “I’ve got another chance to ride in BSB which should be fun. It’ll be a tight schedule, but it will be a great experience. This weekend will be harder than Brands and Thruxton, Oulton is a much more technical and challenging track. The two bikes’ different characteristics will show up more here, so it’ll be a great learning opportunity. My main focus is on Superstock 1000 – especially after such a good win at the weekend. The plan is to consolidate our position in the championship and close in on the first and second riders.”
Stuart Hicken said: “With Thruxton over, we’re straight back into the action at Oulton Park where Kiyo is going to be fighting for even more wins and podiums and Lee Jackson will be having another crack at BSB alongside Superstock 1000. Unfortunately James’ hand isn’t yet fully recovered from his procedure, so he won’t be riding this weekend. He’s now fighting to get fit in time for Cadwell Park at the end of the month. It’s a real shame for him, as we are all eager to have him back as soon as possible. Until then, Lee has been doing a fantastic job filling in for him – and he’s proven that he has a lot of potential in his future.”
James Westmoreland said: “It’s very disappointing to have to miss this weekend too – but I’m not quite right yet. Even though it’s just my thumb, it’s my right hand and that affects so much of what you do on the bike. I don’t want to put myself or anyone else in risk unnecessary risk by coming back too early. I think if the race was next weekend I’d be 100% okay. Unfortunately, it happened ahead of the only back-to-back of the year so it’s kept me off for a few rounds. My surgeon and physio have been absolutely fantastic, they’ve really been driving my recovery to get me back on the bike just as hard as I have. It’s so frustrating, but I’m almost there – and will be back at Cadwell Park.”
The next round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, a triple-header, takes place at Oulton Park in Cheshire this weekend (8/9/10 August). For more information and to book tickets click here
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings after Thruxton:1. Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 2612. Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 1793. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) 1394. James Ellison (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) 1245. Chris Walker (Lloyds British GBmoto Racing Kawasaki) 1166. Dan Linfoot (Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki) 116