Motorcycle Blog

Round nine of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship heads to the picturesque setting of Cadwell Park this August Bank Holiday weekend with Hydrex Bike Animal Honda riders James Ellison and Guy Martin looking forward to the event for various reasons.

Following on from successive podium finishes in the past two rounds, 27 year old Ellison from Kendal in Cumbria currently lies in sixth place in the title chase being the only rider to score in each of the sixteen races to date although he has yet to win a race.

However, with improvements to the Shaun Muir Racing Fireblade ongoing, Ellison is confident that a victory is just around the corner and he’ll be hoping to box that off in front of what traditionally is the championship’s biggest crowd of the season with over 35,000 fans packing the Lincolnshire track.
  
James Ellison:  “I like Cadwell Park, we went to test there a couple of months back but we had a problem with the bike so didn’t really get to grips with the place.  It looks like it’s a bit safer than when I was last there four years ago and the Mountain is just awesome so I’m looking forward to that one and just looking for that win which is just so close.”

Meanwhile team mate Guy Martin is in desperate need of some luck in which to turn his fortunes around this season.

After the Ulster Grand Prix washout last weekend, the genial 26 year old from nearby Kirmington is hoping that his local track will be the place he finally gets a result after a season of frustration, epitomised last time out at Knockhill when running inside the top ten only for the race to be stopped and for him to miss out in the restart.

The twisty and undulating nature of the historic track will suit Martin and he’s very much looking forward to the challenge as well as entering into the spirit by taking part in Sunday evening’s CJ Fund Charity Cycle Race.

Guy Martin: “I’m looking forward to Cadwell with it being my local track, but it’s got a chicane in it, and I don’t like chicanes.  I’ll just take it as it comes and I’ll just enjoy riding my bike and hopefully we can get a good result.”

Also in action will be Heanor’s Kieran Clarke who will be looking to add to his points tally that he scored at Oulton Park and Knockhill in the Metzeler 1000cc Superstock Championship since joining the team in mid season.

Kieran Clarke: “I’ve had some good finishes at Cadwell Park and was top seven on the Superbike there so hopefully we can go well.  It’s a real riders course and one of my favourite circuits so hopefully we can get knuckled down, get some nice weather and get a bit of success there.  I ought to be knocking on the podium door with the experience I have got and once I get a couple more races under my belt I should be up there.”

After Cadwell, the team will start making preparations for James’ wild card entry at round eleven of the World Superbike Championship at the Donington Park round over the weekend of September 5/6/7th.

Following on torrential rainfall, organisers were left with a difficult decision to cancel today’s Ulster Grand Prix at the Dundrod circuit in Northern Ireland.

Despite early hopes of the weather improving and the organisers delaying proceedings until just after lunch, Clerk of the Course Noel Johnstone confirmed that despite his best efforts to try and postpone racing until tomorrow, it wasn’t possible and announced the cancellation of this year’s races.

It meant disappointment for Hydrex Bike Animal Honda rider Guy Martin who has had a less than successful season this year and the Ulster GP was his last hope of the big win on the roads.

“I’ve never seen so much water in my life.  There’s nobody to blame apart from the good old British summer.  The organisers did as much as they could to get the races on but it was never going to happen.  I’m bitterly disappointed for myself as this would have been a good chance to have boxed off a big win this year, but I’m equally disappointed for the fans who turned out in their thousands and got absolutely drenched hoping to see some action.  It wasn’t very good weather for bikes, but it was most certainly good weather for ducks” said Guy, a point echoed by team owner Shaun Muir.

“It’s disappointing all round after all the hard work that has gone in by both the team and the organisers but there was absolutely nothing we could do because it was impossible to race in those conditions.  You have got to feel sorry for Guy who was really up for this race after winning here for the past couple of years and I feel he could have had a big result here.  It’s been a bad weekend but hopefully we can all bounce back from this and we now need to concentrate on the job in hand at Cadwell next weekend.”

Martin, along with team mate James Ellison will be in action at the ninth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park over the August bank holiday weekend with Guy threatening to put in a late entry in the CJ Fund cycle race on Sunday evening!

Following on from his successful Ulster Grand Prix meeting last year, Hydrex Bike Animal Honda rider Guy Martin was hoping to get back in the swing of things after a less than successful season but once again, the great British summer had other ideas.

After a bright start to the day, gradually the clouds rolled in and by the time practice was due to get underway at 1.30pm this afternoon, the heavy rain which blighted last year’s event on the Dundrod circuit returned with a vengeance causing organisers to delay proceedings.

After nearly two hours, still the heavy rain fall continued leaving them with no option but to postpone the practice sessions in the hope that better weather arrives tomorrow whereby practice is due to get underway at 11am with racing at the Dundrod 150 meeting scheduled for 2pm.

“It’s been a nightmare for everyone concerned today” said Guy. “It’s been frustrating just sitting around but what else can you do when the weather is so bad? We have a bit of a problem in as much as I understand the MCUI rules state that you can’t practice and race on the same day but I think they may have to waive that tomorrow otherwise we won’t get a race. The weather’s not great for the rest of the week so we need to get racing when we can and not mess around.”

2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship
Rounds 15 & 16 - Knockhill, Fife
9th/10th August 2008

Following on from his second place finish at the last round at Oulton Park, Hydrex Bike Animal Honda rider James Ellison was once again on great form as he secured another podium finish in changeable conditions in round eight of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Knockhill in Scotland today.

With bright blue skies coupled with the odd heavy downpour, it was always a problem for the riders but in the opening race, held in dry conditions, the 27 year old from Kendal diced with the leading bunch through the race eventually passing Michael Rutter in the latter stages to claim third position and with it his third podium of the season.

James couldn’t quite repeat the feat in race two which was stopped on a couple of occasions due to inclement weather and latterly due to a crash involving championship leader Shane Byrne whereby he had to settle for fifth at the flag.

For team mate Guy Martin, again it was a weekend of mixed emotions whereby the 26 year old from Kirmington suffered a mechanical problem in the opening race but in the first part of the afternoon’s second race he stormed through the field to hold a top ten position before the race was halted and in the re-start he couldn’t quite manage a similar result but had to settle for 14th at the flag.

The net result is that Ellison lies in sixth position in the championship and Guy Martin in eighteenth going into the next round at Cadwell Park on August bank holiday weekend.  Meanwhile Martin will be in action at the Ulster GP this week whereby he hopes to score another victory on the Dundrod circuit.

Kieran Clarke rode well to claim a top ten position in the Metzeler Superstock 1000cc race to add to his points scoring ride on his debut in the Shaun Muir team at Oulton Park and he will be looking to improve at Cadwell Park in the next round aboard the team’s 1000cc Fireblade.

James Ellison:  “I’m well happy with the first race but again we maybe could have done better, but we had the pace and we showed that.  I did the third fastest lap so we finished where we finished but I feel we could have done a bit more but I tried my hardest and that was all I could do.  We ran with an intermediate front and a slick rear which was the right decision but it was a bit difficult off the line with it being wet but once we got into the race we were chipping away.  I could see the riders in front getting closer every lap so if we had more laps I could have maybe got higher up.  The team has done a mega job this weekend especially with me crashing on Friday, they turned the bike around and I enjoyed riding it and I’m happy to come away in one piece with more points and a trophy.”

Guy Martin:  “I was disappointed to break down in the first race again, but I am over the moon with a good finish in the second race where I had to start from the back of the grid because my hose clip went and it was a good job the race got red flagged so I could fix it and get out in the restart.  I’m looking forward to the Ulster GP in a few days time.”

Kieran Clarke:  “It went really well, although it was wet and we’ve not spent any time on the wet Superstock tyres and it’s nowhere near the level of grip as I’m used to.  I feel that had it been dry I should have had a mid top-ten and I think we just need to keep chipping away and now I’m looking forward to Cadwell Park.  The whole team was been fantastic again this weekend.”

Shaun Muir (Team Owner):  “Overall I’m obviously well happy with another podium for James and he now has a chance to get into the top three in the championship.  It was a pity he didn’t get on the podium in the second race when the race was cut short.  Guy rode well to score a good couple of points, and Kieran also had a good solid ride for some points.  Hopefully we can move forwards again at Cadwell Park.”

Superbike Race One Result
1, Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 25m09.296s, 2, Shane Byrne (Ducati) +3.093s, 3, James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +3.479s, 4, Michael Rutter (Ducati) +5.752s, 5, Leon Camier (Ducati) +9.345s, 6, Michael Laverty (Suzuki) +9.461s, 7, Karl Harris (Yamaha) +19.051s, 8, Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +36.055s, 9, Tristan Palmer (Honda) +39.097s, 10, Gary Mason (Honda) +40.021s.

Superbike Race Two Result
1, Leon Haslam (Honda) 11m58.300s, 2, Michael Rutter (Ducati) +3.214s, 3, Karl Harris (Yamaha) +3.541s, 4, Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 3.680s, 5, James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +6.591s, 6, Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +15.876s, 7, Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +16.539s, 8, Leon Camier (Ducati) +18.608s, 9, Billy McConnell (Kawasaki) +23.428s, 10, Chris Burns (MV Agusta) +26.439s. 14, Guy Martin (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +1lap.

2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship Standings after Round 8
1. Shane Byrne (Ducati) 332pts
2. Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 222pts
3. Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 214pts
4. Leon Haslam (Honda) 199pts
5. Leon Camier (Ducati) 179pts
6. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 177pts
7. Michael Rutter (Ducati) 174pts
8. Michael Laverty (Suzuki) 110pts
9. Simon Andrews (Yamaha) 108pts
10. Tristan Palmer (Honda) 75pts
18. Guy Martin (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 21pts

Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Result
1, Steve Brogan (Honda) 22m29.483s, 2, John Kirkham (Yamaha) +4.486s, 3, Daniel Hegarty (Yamaha) +6.322s, 4, Kenny Gilbertson (Kawasaki) +8.351s, 5, Jimmy Storrar (Suzuki) +8.737s, 6, Sam Warren (Yamaha) +9.751s, 7, Marshall Neill (Suzuki) +13.308s, 8, Cameron Donald (Suzuki) +13.831s, 9, Alastair Seeley (Yamaha) +36.080s, 10, Kieran Clarke (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +38.133s.

Photograph attached courtesy of Turn One Photography.

Round 2 - 18th/20th April - Thruxton, Hants
Round 3 - 3rd/5th May - Oulton Park, Cheshire
Round 1 - 10th/11th May - Brands Hatch GP, Kent
Round 4 - 24th/26th May - Donington Park, Leics
Round 5 - 13th/15th June - Snetterton, Norfolk
Round 6 - 27th/29th June - Mallory Park
Round 7 - 18th/20th July - Oulton Park, Cheshire
Round 8 - 8th/10th August - Knockhill, Fife
Round 9 - 23rd/25th August - Cadwell Park, Lincs
Round 10 - 12th/14th September - Croft, North Yorkshire
Round 11 - 26th/28th September, Silverstone, Northants
Round 12 - 10th/12th October - Brands Hatch Indy, Kent

2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship
Rounds 15 & 16 - Knockhill, Fife
9th/10th August

Hydrex Bike Animal Honda rider James Ellison will start round eight of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship from row two of the grid having posted eighth fastest time in today’s Swan Combi 50 Roll for Pole qualifying session at a decidedly damp Knockhill race circuit in Scotland.

After a big crash yesterday in practice, Ellison bounced back in the wet conditions with a time of 53.587 seconds on his first visit to Knockhill in four years and will be hoping to add to his points tally following on his podium finish at Oulton Park last time out.

Team mate Guy Martin will start tomorrow’s two 30-lap races from row four of the grid having qualified in 15th on the second of the Shaun Muir Racing Honda 1000cc Fireblades.

Also making a fourth row start will be the team’s Metzeler 1000cc Superstock rider Kieran Clarke who, on his second race for the team, qualified in 13th place.

James Ellison:  “I’m a bit frustrated with the weather conditions, I had a problem with my visor misting up.  Just towards the end of the session we were getting into the 53’s (seconds) and I just couldn’t see so I came in and changed the visor but it was just the same.  We’ve made so many changes on the bike and it’s much better and I’m really comfortable but I just couldn’t see!  I think I could have been on the front row if it wasn’t for that problem.  Also, I spent so little time on the track yesterday with me crashing.  Although we’re going well in the wet I’m hoping for it to be dry tomorrow so we can work on the number one bike with the traction control.”

Guy Martin:  “We’re getting there. I’m happy with the boys and they’ve done us proud.  I’ve got the Ulster GP on my mind but its given me confidence that the boys have done what I’ve asked and we’ve no problems at all and it puts us in a good frame of mind for tomorrow.  I’m hoping for a good couple of points scoring rides and I’ll be over the moon.”

Kieran Clarke:  “We’re just chipping away and we just want to do everything in stages and not take massive jumps forwards.  We have to build up and as long as we’re higher every weekend and improving then it’s a good build up for next year.  I need to get better every session and it’s never easy when everyone else is on the pace, but it’s not an excuse as I should be on the podium so we just have to keep chipping away.  The team has been working fantastically and I’m hoping for a mid to top ten place tomorrow at least.”

Shaun Muir (Team Owner):  “Guy has worked really hard and I’m happy he’s on the fourth row and there’s no reason why he can’t get a top twelve tomorrow.  He’s had no problems, the bike is running like a dream and he’s completely focused on the job this weekend.  James rode really well, obviously struggling after the big crash on Friday so I’m really happy with a second row start, although it could have been the front row if his visor hadn’t misted.  James should be up there in contention for podiums tomorrow.  Also, Kieran has a fourth row start so I’m happy with that and he’s certainly moved up quite a number of places and he could have a chance to score good points whether its wet or dry.  So, all in all I’m pretty happy with all three riders.”

The first of the two 30-lap Bennetts British Superbike races gets underway at 1.00pm on Sunday with the second at 3.30pm.  The Metzeler Superstock 1000 race is scheduled for 12.10pm.  The British Eurosport 2 live broadcast window is 12.30pm to 4.30pm.

Qualifying
1, Leon Haslam (Honda) 52.692s, 2, Michael Rutter (Ducati) 52.966s, 3, Shane Byrne (Ducati) 52.974s, 4, Michael Laverty (Suzuki) 53.003s, 5, Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 53.177s, 6, Leon Camier (Ducati) 53.268s, 7, Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 53.295s, 8, James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 53.587s, 9, Karl Harris (Yamaha) 53.768s, 10, Tristan Palmer (Honda) 53.876s. 15, Guy Martin (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 54.734s.

Round 2 - 18th/20th April - Thruxton, Hants
Round 3 - 3rd/5th May - Oulton Park, Cheshire
Round 1 - 10th/11th May - Brands Hatch GP, Kent
Round 4 - 24th/26th May - Donington Park, Leics
Round 5 - 13th/15th June - Snetterton, Norfolk
Round 6 - 27th/29th June - Mallory Park
Round 7 - 18th/20th July - Oulton Park, Cheshire
Round 8 - 8th/10th August - Knockhill, Fife
Round 9 - 23rd/25th August - Cadwell Park, Lincs
Round 10 - 12th/14th September - Croft, North Yorkshire
Round 11 - 26th/28th September, Silverstone, Northants
Round 12 - 10th/12th October - Brands Hatch Indy, Kent