Last day of FREE Insurance

Throughout April Bennetts have been offering you the chance to WIN FREE Insurance. Don't miss out! Today is the last day and Bennetts are offering five lucky bikers the chance to WIN!**

In addition, 71% of Bikers make a saving with Bennetts*

To enter visit www.bennetts.co.uk

Good luck!

BSB - Round 3 Oulton Park

BATTLING HARRIS BOUNCES BACK AND PROMISES AN UPSET
Bennetts British Superbike Championship
Round Three – 3-4-5 May – Oulton Park

Shane Byrne and Cal Crutchlow power into the Holiday Monday round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship on level terms but as they plan their tactics for riding the picturesque Oulton Park circuit they need to take check the form of both Michael Rutter and Karl Harris.

Rutter excelled in the recent Thruxton round, bagging a pair of thirds on the North West 200 Ducati while Harris, still sporting the bruises from his heavy crash last time out, has a good record at the Cheshire circuit, recording his best ever Superbike result, second, there last July.

Harris, who suffered facial and foot injuries when he was the innocent victim of another rider’s tumble, is determined to race on aboard the Rob Mac Yamaha and is promising to show the leading duo in the title stakes what might have been but for his untimely demised at the Hampshire circuit.

"I've seen the footage of the Thruxton crash a couple of times and it's just one of those things really,” said Harris. “The last thing I remember is seeing Sykesy crash and thinking ‘I better go left as his bike looks like it's going right' - but obviously it didn't!

“That's just racing. I feel spot on, though, and can't wait to get to Oulton Park as it's one of my favourite circuits. I've had some great results there over
the past few seasons with podium finishes. The team has worked so hard this season and it's time for our luck to change for the better."

The gritty Yorkshireman however faces a buoyant Crutchlow who is keen to add to his maiden race winning glory aboard the HM Plant Honda: “That was a massive career milestone for me – my best achievement in racing after winning the British Supersport crown. I couldn’t have written the script better, my first races for the team bring a second place and then that victory.”

Like Harris, the 22 year old Coventry rider has a good pedigree at Oulton Park: “This is a circuit that I love. It has everything. It is technical, a real riders circuit and to get the best out of it, you have to compromise on machines settings. There are some real tight and twisty corners, then fast turns. It is a circuit that I enjoy racing, though there is no time to relax on any of the laps.”

It promises to be a classic showdown with Rutter rejuvenated with his new team and Byrne comfortable and fast aboard the Airwaves Ducati: “The season has started so well for me. I am really enjoying riding this bike and looking forward to getting back to racing again. I achieved a podium here last year so I am looking forward to continuing my run of good form, securing more championship points and hopefully extending my championship lead.”

Adding to the action at the sharp end will be Tom Sykes and his Rizla Suzuki team-mate Atsushi Watanabe while Stuart Easton and Billy McConnell have their MSS Discovery Kawasakis well on the pace and SMT Honda have Tom Grant replacing the injured Adam Jenkinson.

Adding further depth and quality to the 34 strong grid is the duel for the Daily Star Cup, a race within a race for independent teams, in which John Laverty, riding the BuildbaseNW200 Ducati is setting a hot pace but he can expect determined challenges coming in from Tom Tunstall aboard the Hardinge Ice Valley Honda, Malcolm Ashley riding the MAR-ARP Kawasaki and former title winner James Buckingham on the Quay Garage Honda.

Around the two Superbike races there is a full supporting programme featuring the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship, the Relentless British 125GP Championship, the Metzeler National Superstock 600 and 1000 Championships and the Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup.

Practice and qualifying is through Saturday and Sunday with racing from 11.55 on Monday.

Superbikes on track

Saturday 3 May
10.20 – 11.10 and 14.05-14.55 free practice
Sunday 4 May
12.10 - 13.00 free practice,
15.05 – 15.55 Swan Combi 50 Roll for Pole grid deciding qualifying
Monday 5 May
09.05 – 09.20 warm-up practice
13.00 Bennetts British Superbike Race One – 18 laps
15.30 Bennetts British Superbike Race Two – 18 laps

Television schedule

Monday 5 May
12:30-16:30 - Live raceday - British Eurosport 2
Monday 5 May
19:30-21:00 – Highlights - British Eurosport 2
Tuesday 6 May
20:30-22:00 – Highlights - British Eurosport 2
Wednesday 7 May
01:10-02:05 – Highlights - Channel 4
Thursday 8 May
19:15-20:15 - Bennetts British Superbikes Extra - British Eurosport 2
Saturday 10 May
19:30-20:15 – Highlights - British Eurosport 2

Lap records - 2.692 miles International Circuit

Superbikes: Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 1m 35.436s, 101.54mph
Supersport: Cal Crutchlow, Honda, 1m 39.357s, 97.53mph,
125GP: James Westmoreland, Honda, 1m 45.819s, 91.58mph
Superstock: Lee Jackson, Yamaha, 1m 40.051s, 96.85mph
600 Superstock to be established
Yamaha R1 to be established

Flashback - Rd 4 - 7 May 2007

Bennetts British Superbike Championship
Pole: G Lavilla, Ducati, 1m 35.430s
Race One - 17 laps
1 G Lavilla, Ducati, 27:29.245
2 L Haslam, Ducati, 27:29.464
3 R Kiyonari, Honda, 27:29.749

Fastest lap: S Byrne, Honda, 1m 36.206s, 100.73mph/162.10kph
Race Two - 17 laps

1 R Kiyonari, Honda, 27:33.097
2 L Haslam, Ducati, 27:35.274
3 S Byrne, Honda, 7:36.660
Fastest lap: J Rea, Honda, 1m 35.479s, 101.49mph/163.34kph
British Superbike Cup
Race One
1 J Buckingham, Honda, 28:42.212
Race Two
1 J Buckingham, Honda, 28:49.193

Rider’s view

“A circuit with its own special character, a bit up and down, challenging but fun to ride and somewhere that always makes for good racing,” Leon Haslam, HM Plant Honda

No snow at Thruxton as Byrne and Crutchlow take the spoils

After the opening round of the 2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch was postponed due to snow a fortnight ago, race action finally got under way at Thruxton today (Sunday 20 April).

Following a dramatic afternoon of racing, Shane 'Shakey' Byrne and Cal Crutchlow will be leaving the Hampshire circuit happiest, after taking victories in race one and race two respectively. It was Cal Crutchlow who led the pack in race one, shadowed by team-mate Leon Haslam for the first few laps. Pole-sitter Byrne passed Haslam on lap four, diving through on the Airwaves Ducati, before moving on to pass Crutchlow at the front of the field. He did so on lap thirteen and held on for his fourth victory at Thruxton.

'Shakey' said: "We have come along way, and it is great to be back racing and get this result. I settled into the race and Cal was really going for it. I gout up to second and the gap was opening up. As I came across the line a few laps later my pitboard was showing plus zero so I thought I should pull me finger out, which I did! It is a great result for us."

Despite race two of the Bennetts British Superbike event resulting in a maiden class victory for HM Plant Honda man Cal Crutchlow, all the headlines are likely to focus on Rob Mac Yamaha rider Karl Harris, who suffered a catastrophic accident which resulted in a red flag and a restart. The Sheffield-born rider was lucky enough to walk away from being clattered in the face by an airborne Rizla Suzuki, and a broken nose seems good value considering the force of the collision.

After the restart Tom Sykes, on a spare bike after the Harris incident, took the initiative, however Crutchlow could sense a win and went for it with venom. Crutchlow - two laps after the lights went out for the second time - took to the front. After a superb race one, Michael Rutter got in the points again, on lap seven putting a move on Sykes, who by this time was going backwards.

Winner of race one, Shane Byrne, looked dangerous again. He had to wait until lap thirteen before having the opportunity to pass Rutter for second place, and even when he had made up the place it was a battle until the end to hold on.

After the disappointment of the snow-ravaged Brands Hatch, the Bennetts British Superbike Championship has returned with a vengeance, the action at Thruxton proving that it remains the most exhilarating domestic series in the world.

The Bennetts British Superbike Championship next visits Oulton Park on the 3-5 May.

Race one result:

1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati); 2. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +2.306s; 3. Michael Rutter (NW 200 Ducati) +3.573; 4. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +10.949; 5. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +18.745

Race two result:

1. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda); 2. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) +1.807s; 3. Michael Rutter (NW 200 Ducati) +2.136s; 4. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +7.942s; 5. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +11.863s

Championship standings:

1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) 45pts; 2. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) 45pts; 3. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) 32pts; 4. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) 24pts; 5. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) 18pts.

Byrne & Crutchlow take the victories

Bennetts British Superbike Championship
Round Two – Thruxton

Shane Byrne and Cal Crutchlow were the race winners as the Bennetts British Superbike Championship began for real at Thruxton, and with them each taking a second place, they left the Hampshire circuit as the joint leaders of the series, ahead of the rejuvenated Michael Rutter who took a brace of third placings.

Byrne, riding the Airwaves Ducati, had repeated the pole starting ride of the snow aborted Brands Hatch opening round, but he was out-started by Leon Haslam and Michael Rutter, before Cal Crutchlow swooped ahead to lead at the end of the opening lap.

The Coventry rider, who had joined the HM Plant Honda team this season, held off the early challenges of his team-mate Haslam, before Byrne moved into second and began to challenge. Crutchlow held him at bay until the thirteenth lap when Byrne found a way through at Seagrave.

Once through, Byrne dictated terms from the front, winning comfortably by over two seconds, and he reflected: “We’ve come a long way to get running, and Cal was really going for it but I got through and it all worked out. The team has done a great job, but we had to look at what everyone else was doing and then do it for ourselves.”

Crutchlow was equally delighted: “Shane was keeping me on it – I just kept plugging away but when he came past, I couldn’t match him but it was a good race.” Rutter, who had started from the front row for the first time in two years, the podium finish aboard the NorthWest 200 Ducati, enthused: “Brilliant, I couldn’t dream of this. It is like Christmas again.”

Haslam, who slowed with tyre concerns, finishing that race in fourth place, took the initiative from the start next time out, running ahead of Byrne and Karl Harris whose first race had ended in machine problems on the second lap.

Byrne took the lead on the fourth lap with Crutchlow moving through into second from Rutter with Tom Sykes and Leon Haslam duelling for fourth ahead of Harris.

On the seventh lap, Sykes and Haslam touched at around 140mph, with Sykes high-sided off his Rizla Suzuki which bounced across the track, smashing into Harris. The race was stopped immediately to care for Harris who remarkably escaped serious injury as he later explained: “I don’t feel too bad apart from very sore knees and ankles.

“I look like I’ve been boxing in Las Vegas rather than racing a motorbike,” said Harris, who also suffered facial injuries, adding: “I’ll be back in the next round intent on the results I should have had here.”

On the re-start, Sykes, riding his spare machine, led the opening lap, but Crutchlow soon took him and began his charge to maiden race winning glory.

“When I led in the first race, it was the first time that I had led a Superbike race so to win next time was unexpected, though it is something that I have worked hard for through the close season.

“The team have done a fantastic job for me and I was able to control the second race from the front – winning is great, fantastic, but when I signed for HM Plant Honda, I knew that I was joining a championship winning team, and there is no reason why we cannot push for that.”

Byrne took second place, to jointly lead the championship with Crutchlow on 45 points, while Rutter, again third, and taking his first double podium finish since Knockhill in 2005, has scored 32 points to be in third place in the standings.

John Laverty, riding the BuildbaseNW Ducati, powered in a winning double in the Daily Star Cup, finishing clear of Chris Burns, aboard the STP MV Agusta in the first race and then the Riders Honda of Martin Jessopp next time out.
Steve Mercer and Malcolm Ashley took the third placings.

Results – Round Two – Bennetts British Superbike Championship – Thruxton

Race one – 20 laps
1 Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) 25m 33.903secs, 110.58mph
2. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +2.306s
3. Michael Rutter (NW 200 Ducati) +3.573
4. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +10.949
5. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +18.745
6. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +19.048s
7. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +19.406s
8. Simon Andrews (Jentin Racing/Lloyds British) +22.403s
9. Stuart Easton (MSS Discovery Kawasaki) +22.709
10. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +23.902s

Race two – 15 laps
1. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) 19m 05.302secs, 111.08mph
2. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) +1.807s
3. Michael Rutter (NW 200 Ducati) +2.136s
4. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +7.942s
5. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +11.863s
6. Stuart Easton (MSS Discovery Kawasaki) +12.461s
7. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +13.632s
8. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +18.759s
9. Guy Martin (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +23.395s
10. Billy McConnell (MSS Discovery Kawasaki) +23.899s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Thruxton:
1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) 45
= Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) 45
3. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) 32
4. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) 24
5. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) 18
= James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 18
7. Stuart Easton (MSS Discovery Kawasaki) 17
= Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 17
9. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) 13
10. John Laverty (Buildbase NW200 Ducati) 9

Bennetts BSB is go, go, go!

Tension is mounting in the 2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship paddock ahead of the opening round of the series, which takes place at Thruxton this weekend. Teams and riders had initially been prepared for the season opener at Brands Hatch on 4-6 April, but were disappointed when heavy snowfall on race day resulted in the abandonment of all track activity.

The Brands Hatch event – which traditionally kick-starts the BSB season – has been rescheduled for 10-11 May, meaning that the first round officially takes place at the Thruxton airfield venue in Hampshire on Sunday. Although weather forecasts already look unpredictable for the weekend ahead, riders are preparing for the event with renewed optimism.

The 2008 Bennetts British Superbike series welcomes some newcomers as well some familiar faces to the paddock this weekend. British favourites Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda Racing), Leon Camier and Shane Byrne (both Airwaves Ducati) return to the grid looking for victory this season. However, they can expect a tough time from the likes of Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki), who impressed in 2007, and his team-mate and Japanese Superbike Champion Atsushi Watanabe.

Other familiar faces to return to the premier domestic Superbike championship this weekend include Sheffield’s Karl Harris, who rides for Rob McElnea’s new-look Yamaha outfit, and Michael Rutter who will be racing under the guise of North West 200 Ducati.

In addition, all eyes will be on Pirelli, who take over as the control tyre supplier to the Bennetts British Superbike and Supersport classes for the next three years. It’s hoped that the appointment of a single tyre supplier to the series will increase competitiveness between factory and privateer riders across the grid.

PRESSURE BUILDS FOR FIRST BSB RACE OF THE SEASON

BENNETTS BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP, ROUND TWO, THRUXTON - 18/19/20 APRIL

The tension is mounting as the 2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship is, at last, just days away from the opening races of the season at Thruxton - the fastest circuit on the calendar.

Shane Byrne on the Airwaves Ducati arrives at the second round knowing that he was the fastest rider at the Brands Hatch season opener, where he claimed pole position before the event was postponed and rescheduled due to extensive snowfalls.

Byrne said: “I’m feeling comfortable in the team, which is one of the best in the paddock and the bike was good straight out of the box. It was a bit of an unknown in terms of outright speed until we arrived at Brands Hatch with everyone else. I am excited about Thruxton now we know what we are capable of on the Ducati 1098R’s.”

HM Plant Honda’s Leon Haslam is another early title favourite, having finished runner-up last season, but the Derbyshire ace is determined that he will not be beaten to the crown this season.

Haslam said: “I am going to be up there. Having just missed out on the title twice, having taken the battle to the final round, I see this as a must win year. I know that Shakey Byrne will be hard to beat, but if I am to win the title, then I want to have earned it by beating the best.”

The Rizla Suzuki team count Thruxton as their home round, and with 2007 ‘Rookie of the Year’ Tom Sykes joined by double Japanese Superbike Champion Atsushi Watanabe, the Dorset-based squad will be wanting to give their fans something to cheer about.

Sykes said: “Thruxton is a circuit I really enjoy as it is fast and flowing. It is very abrasive so it has good grip but is hard on tyres. To string together a good lap you need to make sure once you are through the first turn that you make the following corners flow together. I try to be pin point accurate and very smooth. I’m really looking forward to it as it produces good racing. It is my team’s home round so I will be trying my hardest - I’ll give it 110 per cent.”

For further information throughout the weekend visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Bennetts British Superbike Championship on track:

Friday 18 April - Free Practice
Saturday 19 April - Qualifying
Sunday 20 April - Race

Bennetts British Superbike Championship on TV:

Sun 20 April - British Eurosport 2 (Sky 411, Virgin Media 525)
1230-1630 LIVE raceday
1930-2100 Highlights

Mon 21 April - British Eurosport 2
1300-1400 Highlights

Tue 22 April - British Eurosport 2
2030-2200 Highlights

Thu 24 April - British Eurosport 2
1900-2000 Bennetts British Superbikes Extra

Sat 26 April - British Eurosport 2
1615-1715 Highlights

Thu 01 May - British Eurosport 2
2030-2200 Highlights

Fri 02 May - British Eurosport 2
1300-1430 Highlights

Sat 03 May - British Eurosport 2
2130-2300 Highlights

Sun 04 May - British Eurosport 2
1845-2145 Highlights

Wed 23 April - Channel 4
0110- 0200 Highlights

Learning curve for Toseland

James Toseland’s debut MotoGP season continued at Estoril with two promising free practice sessions ahead of the third round this weekend. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider has never raced at the Portuguese circuit before and used the sessions to familiarise himself with the characteristics of the track in preparation for Sunday’s race.

In addition to learning circuit layout, 27-year-old Toseland focussed on getting to grips with the new pneumatic valve Yamaha engine for the first time. The Brit has already impressed with two promising sixth place finishes at the first two rounds of the championship, but had been struggling with acceleration on the straight sections of the tracks.

Although today’s practice sessions were held in mixed conditions, Toseland – who is still recovering from a bout of bronchitis – was pleased with the 18^th and 13^th fastest times he posted. The Isle of Man resident’s best time of 1’40.055 in the afternoon session was just 1.5 seconds off the fastest time set by Dani Pedrosa.

“I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made at Estoril today, as we had a lot to contend with,” says Toseland. “The weather has been unpredictable, cold, windy and raining. This morning’s practice session was held on a damp track and we didn’t get a dry surface until this afternoon. However, I’m really happy with the new engine – it feels really strong. The team now has lots of data to look at and we’ll be able to make any adjustments ahead of tomorrow’s final qualifying session.”

Estoril – combined free practice times

1. D. Pedrosa 1’38.507

2. V. Rossi 1’38.547

3. C. Edwards 1’38.632

4. N. Hayden 1’38.688

5. J. Lorenzo 1’38.868

6. A. Dovizioso 1’39.171

7. C. Stoner 1’39.202

8. S. Nakano 1’39.309

9. R. de Puniet 1’39.332

10. J. Hopkins 1’39.474

13. J. Toseland 1’40.055

The Babes Are Back!

The wait is over - the 2008 Bennetts Babes squad is announced

After months of scouring the country and much anticipation within the biking world, the Bennetts Babes squad for the 2008 season has been unveiled. The gorgeous grid girls will live life in the fast lane over the next 12 months, representing Bennetts at British and World Superbike Championship events, as well as taking part in a string of glamorous photoshoots.

The nation’s favourite bike insurance provider launched the 2008 Bennetts Babes search, now in its fifth year, with model and former High Street Honey Kayleigh Pearson and this year saw record numbers of hopefuls enter the competition. For the first time, the search also went live on www.bennetts.co.uk/babes, which was a massive hit among Bennetts Babes fans. The site profiles each entrant, allows visitors to find out more information about the babes and gives the option to rate the girls.

After scaling down the entrants, 60 babes were selected to attend castings in London and Birmingham, from which the final 12 were chosen. The dazzling dozen were then whisked off to an exclusive studio on their first glamorous photoshoot assignment. They will now grace the grid and pose on the podium at all 12 Bennetts British Superbike rounds and will also represent the brand at the Bennetts-sponsored UK rounds of the World Superbike Championship.

Mark Fells, Marketing Director of Bennetts said, “2008 is the fifth year of the Bennetts Babes search and the competition gets tougher every year. The girls are raring to get on the grid at Brands Hatch and can’t wait to meet as many fans as possible over the coming months.”

The Bennetts Babes will make their first public appearance at Brands Hatch on Sunday 6^th April to launch the start of the BSB season. With a packed line up in the coming months including personal appearances, photoshoots and media exposure, the girls are set to have the time of their lives as the 2008 Bennetts Babes.

For more details, log on to www.bennetts.co.uk/babes

2008 Bennetts Babes:

1. Sarah Lampitt
2. Sophie Reade
3. Holly Darcy
4. Natalie Jones
5. Tess Holden
6. Donna Rampton
7. Steph Inglis
8. Amy Grayston
9. Amy Dargan
10. Stacey Braithwaite
11. Megan Moore
12. Emma Jones

For further information, contact details or photography please contact:

Sophie Smallwood or Toby Steele at Frank PR on 020 7693 6999 or email bennetts@frankpr.it

-Ends-