Makoto Tamada - Assen 2009

Sheridan Morais is returning to the Kawasaki World Superbike seat this weekend, replacing the injured Makoto Tamada at the Magny Cours round of the championship.

Tamada was side-swiped off of his Kawasaki at the last round of the championship at Imola by wild-card rider Luca Conforti, after only five laps of the opening race at the final chicane.  The Japanese rider banged his head in the crash and although not knocked unconscious he suffered a slight concussion and cannot remember the accident.

For the fourth time this season, Tamada will have to sit in the wings while another rider replaces him on the Kawasaki, although he his hoping to be fit for the following round.

The South African Superbike Champion replaced Tamada at the Monza round, finishing thirteenth and eleventh and had a second chance to race for the team at the Brands Hatch triple-header, where he presented the team with a tenth and an eight place.

Makoto Tamada - TT Assen 2009

Makoto Tamada, the Kawasaki Superbike Racing Team rider, was back on the grid at the Brno round of the World Superbike Championship after recovering from hand and finger injuries received at Monza.

Tamada was involved in the carnage that took place in race one at the first corner of the Monza circuit, bringing out the red flag.  The Kawasaki rider ran into the back of the Guandanlini Ducati of Brendan Roberts, sending him sliding across the track and into the path of Max Neukirchner on the Suzuki Alstare, who suffered a badly broken leg.

The Japanese rider was thought to have suffered a broken wrist in the accident, but on further investigation it was found that he had also fractured two fingers.  The fingers had wire inserted into them to stabilise the fractures, and giving them a chance to heal, putting Tamada out of action for two months.

Brno, saw the return of the Paul Bird Team rider, who put on an impressive performance seeing him finish in tenth place in race one after starting from eleventh on the grid.  During the race he had ridden has high as sixth, battling with Leon Haslam, Noriyuki Haga and Jakub Smrz for position but after suffering  tyre grip problems, he dropped back down to tenth as the chequered flag was waved.

In the second race, Tamada had a coming-together with the Ducati of  DFX Corse rider Lorenzo Lanzi, sustaining a broken middle finger, a repeat of the injury from Monza.

Tamada will now have a race against fitness as he signed-up as a wild-card rider alongside his team-mate Broc Parkes at the next round of the British Superbike Championship in two-weeks time at Brands Hatch.

Ben Spies

Last week saw nine of the World Superbike riders take part in a two-day test at Monza with Ben Spies on the Yamaha World Superbike, again setting a blistering place and leaving Noriyuki Haga on the Ducati Xerox trailing behind.

On day one of the test, Michel Fabrizio on the second Ducati Xerox was the fastest man on track ahead of his team-mate Haga and Spies.

Tom Sykes put in an impressive ride to be the fourth fastest rider on the second Yamaha WSB ahead of Suzuki Alstare rider Max Neukirchner.

Troy Corser on the BMW was followed by the second Alstare ridden by Yukio Kagayama, Karl Muggeridge on the Suzuki Celani and Spain’s Ruben Xaus on the second BMW.

The second day of testing saw an horrific high-side from the BMW rider Troy Corser, seeing him sitting out for the rest of the session nursing a badly bruised hand.  He was advised by doctors at the track to take no further part in the test as it was possible that he had suffered a cracked bone, however, he’s confident that there will be no problem with the next race at Assen.

With Corser out of action much of the testing was put on the head of Xaus, although he feels that himself and the team have managed to collect enough data to make improvements for the next round.

Ben Spies showed an amazing pace on the second day, setting the fastest lap of the two-days with a 1:45.3 seconds ahead of Haga and Fabrizio.  Neukirchner was in fourth ahead of Sykes, Muggeridge, Kagayama, Xaus and Corser.

Two other riders at the test session were the Aprilia RSV4 test rider Alex Hoffman and Steve Martin who tests for the new BMW team, neither riders gained points but gained valuable data.

Ryuichi Kiyonari, Carlos Checa, Yukio Kagayama - Brands Hatch 2008

At the end of every race season, Honda throw a ‘Honda Racing Thanks Day’ where they demonstrate every form of racing they have participated in that year.

It takes place at Honda’s own Twin Ring Motegi racetrack in Tochigi, Japan, and Carlos Checa and Ryuichi Kiyonari are set to attend this weekend.

The Ten Kate Honda team-mates, were both on the Honda Fireblade when they took part in the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race back in July, which they won.

The two riders will be taking part in a two-hour endurance race at the event alongside 250 GP rider Yuki Takahashi.

The idea behind the event is to give the fans a closer look at the two-wheel and four-wheel machines as well as giving them an insight into the latest technical innovations in motorsport.

My last visit to the track ironically was for the 2002 World Superbike, when Colin Edwards started his unlikely challenge for the title against the then clear leader Troy Bayliss. Edwards going on to win all of the last races to take his second championship.

I also have great memories of WSB legend Carl Fogarty at Brands Hatch in previous years and the wild support from the enthusiastic crowd for the rider, even after retiring from racing Fogarty was given an enormous reception when taking his ill fated Petronas bike round the track for a lap whilst in obvious pain from injury. 

The track lost out to Silverstone for the F1 circus some years ago, after excessive demands from Bernie Ecclestone, so it is no real surprise to hear the World Superbike news that it too has been priced out of the market.

Former racing driver Jonathan Palmer of MotorSport Vision, the owners of the track, has accused WSB promoters FG Sport of “making unreasonable fee demands” on the track to stage the event in 2009. Palmer says that FG Sport “wanted over twice what we paid in 2008, which is odd given the economic crisis.”

Once again greed rears it’s ugly head in sport and I support Palmer’s stand fully, particularly when he says “The increase is equivalent to an extra £15 on the price of a race day ticket. We think that’s unacceptable to fans.”

Brands Hatch has supported the World Superbike series since 1993 and has consistently attracted the biggest crowd of any circuit to the sport. The last World Superbike results from Brands Hatch in August 2008 saw Ryuichi Kiyonari take wins in both races.

It is a shame that this years British Superbike champion Shane Byrne will not get the chance to perform on his home track at World Superbike level, but sadly once again money and greed have robbed the fans of a thrilling weekend of entertainment in the Kent countryside.

Tom Sykes

This weekend the World Superbike Championship takes place at Donington Park for the European round with a host of Wild-Card riders.

Tom Sykes, the British Superbike rider for Rizla Suzuki, will again be on track after appearing at the Brands Hatch round of the championship last month.

Sykes is currently running in second place in the BSB after three victories so far in only his second season in the Superbike series.

Both the HM Plant Honda riders, Cal Crutchlow and Leon Haslam will be riding their CBR 100RR Fireblades with WSB specification.

Haslam has already raced in the World Superbike series but it’s a first for Crutchlow who has only ridden in the World Supersport race before.

James Ellison who races for the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda, is looking forward to the race this weekend and it’s his ambition is to ride in the World series.  He wants to be the next British rider to bring the title home.

Chris Walker will again be racing the VentAxia VK Honda after scoring points for the team at the last British round at Brands Hatch.

The World Superbike team Yamaha Motor Italia will be sporting a special livery this weekend after a special readers competition in MCN in collaboration with the Yamaha manufacturer.  The winning design has been chosen by a panel of judges including the two team riders will be revealed after the Saturday Superpole press conference.

Also this weekend there will be a tribute to Craig Jones with a special on track celebration of the young rider who lost his life at Brands Hatch last month.

Craig Jones

Superbike fans the world over have been devastated by the tragic accident that took the life of the young rider Craig Jones, who died from the injuries he received at Brands Hatch on Sunday August 3rd.

Craig’s funeral will take place on Monday, August 18th at 13.00 at St Mary and All Saints Church, Fotheringhay, Northamptonshire and is open to the public who wish to pay their respects.

Flowers are welcome but donations to the the Association of Air Ambulances are another option.  There will also be a memorial service for Craig in his home town at Witton church, Northwich on August 30th at noon, everyone is welcome.

Parkalgar, the brand new race circuit in Portugal, and owners of the team Craig raced for, Parkalgar Honda, are to name the most difficult corner of the track in honour of Craig for the recognition of his talent and skill as a rider.  They will also be erecting a memorial at the circuit to allow fans, friends and family to pay their respect to the 23-year-old rider.

There is also to be a tribute to Craig at Donington Park World Superbikes on the 7th September.

Craig Jones - RIP

World Supersport rider, Craig Jones, 23, was hospitalised on Sunday after an horrific accident in the British leg of the Championship.

The Honda rider from Peterborough, suffered serious head injuries when fighting for the lead at the Brands Hatch track, he lost control of his bike at Clarke curve and was hit by Andrew Pitt on the Ten Kate Honda, who had know where else to go to avoid Jones.

Jones suffered serious head injures in the crash and was treated at track before being airlifted to hospital where despite intensive medical attention, the young rider died during the early hours of this morning.

Such a sad ending for such a talented rider, condolences to his family, friends and team, he will be missed,  RIP Craig Jones.

Round ten of the World Superbike Championship took place today at Brands Hatch with Ryuichi Kiyonari on the Hanspree Ten Kate Honda taking victory in both races.

Race One

Kiyonari was way back in seventh place by the end of lap one, but by lap seven he was on the tail of championship leader Troy Bayliss on the Xerox Ducati.

Noriyuki Haga on the Factory Yamaha, crashed out at Surtees on lap seven, passing his place to Kiyonari.

The British Superbike rider, Tom Sykes, racing as a Wild-Card, kept up with the leaders at the early part of the race and by lap nine had worked his way into ninth place on the Suzuki.

On the next lap, Sykes retired from the race with technical problems, discovered to be caused by a hole through the radiator.

Here are the results;

Pos – Rider – Team – Time

1 – Ryuichi Kiyonari – Hannspree Ten Kate Honda – 36′18.607
2 – Troy Bayliss – Ducati Xerox Team – 36′18.744
3 – Max Biaggi – Sterilgarda Go Eleven – 36′18.787
4 – Yukio Kagayama – Team Suzuki Alstare – 36′24.340
5 – Fonsi Nieto – Team Suzuki Alstare – 36′25.106
6 – Carlos Checa – Hannspree Ten Kate Honda – 36′25.591
7 – Max Neukirchner – Team Alstare Suzuki – 36′26.907
8 – Troy Corser – Yamaha Motor Italia WSB – 36′29.339
9 – Jakub Smrz – Guandalini Racing – 36′35.154
10 – Roberto Rolfo – Hannspree Honda Althea – 36′35.176
11 – Lorenzo Lanzi – R.G. Team – 36′36.973
12 – Michel Fabrizio – Ducati Xerox Team – 36′40.915
13 – Kenan Sofuoglu – Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Jr. – 36′45.395
14 – Gregorio Lavilla – Ventaxia VK Honda – 36′45.463
15 – Chris Walker – Ventaxia VK Honda – 36′51.484
16 – Karl Muggeridge – D.F. Racing – 36′56.936
17 – David Checa – Yamaha France Ipone GMT 94 – 37′05.475
18 – Makoto Tamada – Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse – 37′07.024
19 – Noriyuki Haga – Yamaha Motor Italia WSB – 37′17.593
20 – Vittorio Iannuzzo – Team Pedercini – 37′24.635
21 – Luca Morelli – D.F. Racing – 37′27.983
22 – Jason Pridmore – Alto Evolution Honda Superbike – 37′28.082
23 – Christian Zaiser – Grillini PBR Team – 37′40.821

RT – Régis Laconi – Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse – 32′21.573
RT – Ayrton Badovini – Team Pedercini – 23′49.290
RT – Sébastien Gimbert – Yamaha France Ipone GMT 94 – 17′37.426
RT – Tom Sykes – Rizla Suzuki – 13′02.348
RT – Tristan Palmer – Lloyds British – 10′31.201
RT – Shuhei Aoyama – Alto Evolution Honda Superbike – 4′39.276

Race Two

In race two, Troy Bayliss on the Xerox Ducati took the lead from the off, but was caught and passed by Noriyuki Haga by lap six.

By the next lap, the reigning British Superbike Champion, Ryuichi Kiyonari on the Ten Kate Honda was up to second place as Bayliss went backwards, finishing the race in eleventh place.

Tom Sykes, again putting in an impressive ride, move up to fourth place but couldn’t hold back the pack behind him, although still finishing in an impressive seventh place.

Haga and Kiyonari, left the rest of the riders behind as they battled it out for that number one position.  Both riders took some brave but skilled moves to overtake until lap eleven, when Ryuichi made it stick and leaving Haga unable to regain the lead.

Max Neukirchner on the Suzuki, was on a late charge as he passed Bayliss, Sykes and Fabrizio to take fourth place behind Troy Corser.

Here are the results;

Pos – Rider – Team – Time

RT – Karl Muggeridge – D.F. Racing – 24′53.413
RT – Vittorio Iannuzzo – Team Pedercini – 22′25.034
RT – Tristan Palmer – Lloyds British – 13′36.783
RT – Christian Zaiser – Grillini PBR Team – 6′08.350

Troy Bayliss on the Xerox Ducati, took the pole position today in the Superpole session at Brands Hatch ahead of tomorrows race.

Noriyuki Haga on the Yamah YZF-R1, was in second followed by Ryuichi Kiyonari on the Honda CBR1000R in third.

Jakub Smrz, the Czech rider, took fourth place for his Ducati team ahead of Yamaha Italia Motor WSB rider, Troy Corser.

An impressive sixth place for Wild-Card rider, Tom Sykes, on the Suzuki GSX-R1000 followed by Max Biaggi on his Ducati.

The afternoon session was declared a wet session, limiting the riders to a maximum twelve laps in a fifty-minute period.

Here are the results;

1 Bayliss T. AUS Ducati 1098 F08 1′25.656
2 Haga N. JPN Yamaha YZF-R1 IT 1′25.679
3 Kiyonari R. JPN Honda CBR1000RR 1′25.840
4 Smrz J. CZE Ducati 1098 RS 08 1′25.960
5 Corser T. AUS Yamaha YZF-R1 1′26.021
6 Sykes T. GBR Suzuki GSX-R1000 1′26.166
7 Biaggi M. ITA Ducati 1098 RS 1′26.169
8 Neukirchner M. GER Suzuki GSX-R1000 1′26.226
9 Kagayama Y. JPN Suzuki GSX-R1000 1′26.501
10 Nieto F. ESP Suzuki GSX-R1000 1′26.688
11 Checa C. ESP Honda CBR1000RR 1′26.751
12 Fabrizio M. ITA Ducati 1098 F08 1′26.807
13 Lavilla G. ESP Honda CBR1000RR 1′27.148
14 Lanzi L. ITA Ducati 1098 RS 08 1′27.217
15 Xaus R. ESP Ducati 1098 RS 08 1′27.246
16 Muggeridge K. AUS Honda CBR1000RR 1′27.580