Mark Heckles ran away with the Brands Hatch round of the European Superstock Championship today. For the second round running the dominance of the Suzuki GSX-R1000 was broken, this time by the superfast Rumi Honda Fireblade and rider Heckles’ sheer determination. 

Championship leader James Ellison couldn’t hold off a late challenge from rival Walter Tortoroglio. Ellison slipped
back to third when Tortoroglio passed him at Hawthorn Bend. The Italian reduced reigning Champion Ellison’s points lead from 10 to 6 points.

Race Result:

1. Mark Heckles, GBR, Honda, 22:59.554
2. Walter Tortoroglio, ITA, Suzuki, 23:01.881
3. James Ellison, GBR, Suzuki, 23:03.014
4. Kieran Murphy, GBR, Suzuki, 23:03.808
5. Chris Burns, GBR, Suzuki, 23:04.601

John Hopkins was fastest in Saturday morning Formula Xtreme practice at Brainerd, and points leader Damon Buckmaster’s Yamaha YZF-R1/R7 blew its engine and oiled about 400 yards of the track in the turn two and three area, just after Buckmaster took the checkered flag. Cornerworkers on the scene were heard on the AMA radio frequency expressing concern about hauling Buckmaster’s bike back into the pits because its bellypan was full of oil.

The track was shut down about 30 minutes for oil cleanup, before the Superbikes were sent out for practice.

Formula Xtreme Saturday Morning Times
1. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:38.160
2. Josh Hayes, Honda, 1:38.395
3. Grant Lopez, Suzuki, 1:38.542
4. Jake Zemke, Honda 1:38.576
5. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:38.768
6. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:38.983
7. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda, 1:39.080
8. Tom Kipp, Suzuki, 1:40.002
9. Mark Miller, Honda, 1:40.108
10. Frank Trombino, Yamaha, 1:42.054

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:35.320
2. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:36.073
3. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:36.270
4. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:36.694
5. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:36.820
6. Steve Rapp, Ducati, 1:37.187
7. Doug Chandler, Kawasaki, 1:37.233
8. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:37.386
9. Andy Meklau, Ducati, 1:37.469
10. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha, 1:37.745
11. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:37.857
12. Larry Pegram, Ducati, 1:37.879
13. Pascal Picotte, Harley-Davidson, 1:38.688
14. Jordan Szoke, Harley-Davidson, 1:40.317
15. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:41.044*
16. Greg Fryer, Yamaha, 1:41.148
17. Robert Jensen, Suzuki, 1:41.178*
18. Mike Smith, Harley-Davidson, 1:41.262
19. Andy Deatherage, Suzuki, 1:41.959
20. Rich Alexander, Suzuki, 1:42.494*

* = rider on 750cc Supersport bike

1. Mat Mladin, Suzuki, 1:36.324
2. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 1:36.883
3. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:37.427
4. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:37.455
5. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:37.554
6. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:37.745
7. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:37.942
8. Doug Chandler, Kawasaki, 1:37.999
9. Steve Rapp, Ducati, 1:38.009
10. Larry Pegram, Ducati, 1:38.209
11. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha, 1:38.674
12. Pascal Picotte, Harley-Davidson, 1:38.861
13. Andrea Meklau, Ducati, 1:39.670
14. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:40.549*
15. Jordan Szoke, Harley-Davidson, 1:41.286
16. Mike Smith, Harley-Davidson, 1:41.315
17. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:41.577*
18. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, 1:41.713*
19. Vince Haskovec, Suzuki, 1:41.753*
20. Rich Alexander, Suzuki, 1:41.757*

* = rider on 750cc Supersport bike

1. Daigoro Suzuki, 1:41.073
2. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-6R, 1:41.089
3. Chris Ulrich, 1:41.317
4. John Hopkins, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:41.349
5. Ben Spies, 1:41.579
6. Kurtis Roberts, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:41.753
7. Roger Lee Hayden, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:42.312
8. Robert Jensen, 1:42.393
9. Jake Zemke, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:42.409
10. Tony Meiring, 1:42.489
11. Rich Alexander, 1:42.500
12. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:42.579
13. Josh Hayes, Honda CBR600F4i, 1:42.836
14. Tony Lupo, 1:42.846
15. Jimmy Moore, 1:43.784

All on GSX-R750 unless noted.

1. Jimmy Moore, 1:40.241
2. Rich Alexander, 1:40.529
3. Robert Jensen, 1:40.560
4. Daigoro Suzuki, 1:40.564
5. Ben Spies, 1:40.915
6. Vince Haskovec, 1:41.205
7. Chris Ulrich, 1:41.380
8. Tony Lupo, 1:41.574
9. Tony Meiring, 1:41.925
10. Rich Conicelli, 1:42.808
11. Wes Pogue, 1:43.602
12. David Ortega, 1:43.951
13. Randall Mennenga, 1:43.975
14. Justin Blake, 1:45.274
15. Eric Dooyema, 1:45.603
16. Ken Krebs, 1:45.711
17. Eric Haugo, 1:45.965
18. Darren Lenzen, 1:46.071
19. Roger Hendricks, 1:46.479
20. David Ebben, 1:46.501

Jimmy Moore won the 750cc Supersport race at Brainerd from Rich Alexander, Tony “The Tiger” Meiring and local star Robert Jensen.

Roadracingworld.com’s Chris Ulrich had a solid second place (3 seconds ahead of third) heading to the white flag when he got a little wide in the Bus Stop, jumped a curb, landed in a pothole and bent both wheels, flattening the rear tire. Ulrich toured home in 17th.

Results
(All on Suzuki GSX-R750)
1. Jimmy Moore, fastest lap 1:40.87
2. Rich Alexander, -9.475, fastest lap, 1:41.24
3. Tony Meiring, -9.592, fastest lap, 1:41.83
4. Robert Jensen, -10.031, fastest lap, 1:41.69
5. Ben Spies, -18.533, fastest lap, 1:41.33
6. Vincent Haskovec, -22.872
7. Tony Lupo, -25.253
8. David Ortega, -29.159
9. Randall Mennenga, -41.859
10. Alan Schmidt, -42.423
17. Chris Ulrich, -69.035, fastest lap 1:40.87

Points
1. Moore, 245
2. Alexander, 196
3. Spies, 188
4. Meiring, 180
5. Haskovec, 178
6. Ulrich, 164

Note: There is no teardown for 750cc Supersport at Brainerd. Instead, tech officials are conducting a gas test only.

Gary Mathers, AMA
Ron Barrick, AMA
Rob King, AMA

Keith McCarty, Team Yamaha
Tom Halverson, Team Yamaha
Mike Preston, Team Kawasaki
Rich Doan, Yoshimura Suzuki
Jeff Wilson, Suzuki Sports
Kevin Erion, Erion Racing
David Roy, Ducati Racing

Doug Chandler, rider, Superbike, Kawasaki
Ed Sorbo, rider, 250cc Grand Prix

By Glenn LeSanto

Neil Hodgson made it three pole position starts from the last four races in the World Superbike Superpole qualifying here at Brands Hatch Saturday afternoon. He put in another copybook lap to push his rival, and Isle of Man neighbor, Steve Hislop back into second spot. Ben Bostrom, another rider enjoying a great run of form lately made it three Ducatis, all with Dunlop tires, on the front row. Colin Edwards, fastest in qualifying before Superpole, completed the front row in fourth with his Honda on Michelins.

“Everything is going so well at the moment,” said an elated Hodgson. “My riding is better, the bike is working better, the tires are great and the team is working really well together – it’s all making my job easier. I also think we Dunlop riders have the edge with tires at the moment.”

Ben Bostrom echoed Hodgson’s comments on the tires, saying “The Dunlops seem to be the favored tire at the moment.” Bostrom also admitted that he hadn’t enjoyed his visit to Brands last year, “I didn’t like Brands but I’m enjoying it much more this year. The crowd are awesome, I’m sure tomorrow’s race will be an incredible show for all the spectators.”

Steve Hislop showed that Brands Hatch is like Sugo in Japan when it comes to successful Wild Card riders by qualifying third. He’ll be a favorite for the race as long as he doesn’t repeat his first-corner crash from last year. “I really wanted pole but Neil got me back for beating him in Superpole at Donington earlier in the season. I just hope that I can make it further than the first corner!” Hislop joked. He explained that the heat had removed any advantage that the British Superbike regulars might have had, “It’s 20 degrees hotter than when we raced here a month ago. All our data from the British series is of no use to us now, we’ve had to change everything–tires, suspension and gearing.”

Championship leader Troy Bayliss had a difficult Superpole. Shortly after he started his flying lap, smoke could be seen pouring from the rear of his machine. He had a big slide halfway around the circuit and was obviously just hanging on for a finish, and qualified right down in 14th.

1. Neil Hodgson, GBR, Ducati, 1:26.769
2. Steve Hislop, GBR, Ducati, 1:26.867
3. Ben Bostrom, USA, Ducati, 1:27.091
4. Colin Edwards, USA, Honda, 1:27.266
5. Pierfrancesco Chili, ITA, Suzuki, 1:27.091
6. James Toseland, GBR, Ducati, 1:27.313
7. John Reynolds, GBR, Ducati, 1:27.455
8. Troy Corser, AUS, Aprilia, 1:27.475
9. Regis Laconi, FRA, Aprilia, 1:27.540
10. Akira Yanagawa, JPN, Kawasaki, 1:27.731
11. Sean Emmett, GBR, Ducati, 1:27.896
12. Tady Okada, JPN, Honda, 1:27.999
13. Stephane Chambon, FRA, Suzuki, 1:28.006
14. Troy Bayliss, AUS, Ducati, 1:28.082
15. James Haydon, GBR, Yamaha, 1:28.345
16. Ruben Xaus, ESP, Ducati, 1:28.361

1. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:40.321
2. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki, 1:40.454
3. Kurtis Roberts, Honda, 1:40.521
4. Anthony Gobert, Yamaha, 1:40.975
5. Jamie Hacking, Suzuki, 1:41.288
6. Tommy Hayden, Yamaha, 1:41.310
7. Josh Hayes, Honda, 1:41.320
8. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 1:41.397
9. Roger Lee Hayden, 1:41.511
10. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:41.560
11. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:42.186
12. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:42.417
13. Robert Jensen, Suzuki, 1:42.624
14. Grant Lopez, Suzuki, 1:42.725
15. Tyler Wadsworth, 1:44.653