Fantastic fifth for Toseland

Le Mans MotoGP, Practice, 30 May 2008

James Toseland has finished fifth fastest in today’s two practice sessions at Mugello in Italy for round six of the MotoGP Championship. The Brit has shown great progress over the course of the day after moving from 13th at the end of the day’s first session to fifth overall.

The Tech 3 Yamaha rider topped the timesheets for the majority of the afternoon session and with just five minutes to go still held the advantage in the wet session. However, in the closing minutes, the track started to dry and the 27-year-old was forced down into fifth place.

Toseland attributes his fast progress at the circuit to the post-event testing that he took part in after the last round at Tech 3 Yamaha’s home track of Le Mans in France. The Isle of Man resident’s results at the opening rounds in Qatar and Jerez were proof of the importance of pre-race testing to his progress.

“I’m really pleased with the progress we’ve made today at Mugello and I’m hoping that we can repeat the same performance in the dry conditions that have been forecast for the rest of the weekend. I’m determined to get my results back on track this weekend and secure a strong race result to improve my championship position.

“I’ve got some tracks coming up that I know really well, which I’m looking forward to and I’m focussing on the future rather than looking back. The bike and team is working really well, so the rest is down to me.”

Keep up to date with Toseland’s progress at Mugello at www.jamestoseland.com.

Practice results
1. C. Vermeulen 2’01.500; 2. N. Hayden +0.510; 3. C. Stoner 0.805; 4. V. Rossi +0.827; 5. J. Toseland +0.912; 6. J. Lorenzo +1.062; 7. A. Dovizioso +1.069; 8. R. de Puniet +0.2.068; 9. C. Edwards +2.086; 10. D. Pedrosa +2.199

Barking about biking?

Do you have a dog who’s barking about biking?

Bennetts is looking for the UK’s ultimate pillion pooch to be used in a future marketing campaign. We want to hear from anyone whose dog demands pride of place on your bike, loves leathers and hates to miss out on the thrill of a ride!

So, if you reckon you and your dog have what it takes to be the UK’s number one biking duo then e-mail your contact details, information and a picture to bennetts@frankpr.it.

Byrne completes daily double to increase points lead

BENNETTS BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP Round four – Donington Park – Spring Bank Holiday Monday 26 May

Shane Byrne tightened his grip on the chase for the Bennetts British Superbike title with a second winning double of the season in the fourth round at Donington Park in which the local favourite Leon Haslam had to settle for a second best in each of the races.


Riding the Airwaves Ducati, Byrne started from pole for the third time, but it was James Ellison who made the early running aboard the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda, though by the third lap, he had been taken by the determined Byrne.

He was beginning to pull clear of the pack when the Audi Safety Car was introduced to neutralise the race while marshals dealt with the ensuing fire, following the engine failure, of the Suzuki ridden by Luke Quigley.


“It was difficult, because after making a sensible start, I had just pulled out a bit of a gap when the Safety Car came out, and I had to think about tactics, but then I decided to just go for it,” explained Byrne.

“The wind was a real problem and at Redgate it actually blew the front wheel away and I had to pick the bike up a bit and balance it. It was a fine line between being safe and pushing on but fortunately my gamble paid off.”


Byrne held the upper-hand, crossing the line some 2.47secs up on HM Plant Honda rider Haslam with Tom Sykes third for Rizla Suzuki. Ellison had to settle for fourth place ahead of Leon Camier and Cal Crutchlow.

Karl Harris, suffering from arm-pump, had been running fourth, but dropped back to seventh ahead of Michael Rutter; Michael Laverty who had started from the pit-lane and Simon Andrews.

Haslam, who had blamed himself for a poor-start in the opener, made the perfect get-away next time out to lead, and soon his team-mate Crutchlow was running line adrift while Byrne, who had been sixth on the opening lap, was beginning to make up ground, though not without a scrap with his teamster Camier.



Byrne was running third with four laps remaining, and setting the fastest lap of the race, he closed in on Crutchlow, nosing inside him at the Melbourne Hairpin to go second. Next time round, with an indentical move he had taken Haslam, en route to completing his sixth victory.

“I didn’t make life easy for myself, but then I drifted through, kept it consistent and didn’t make any mistakes,” reflected Byrne, adding, “though that said I nearly fell off at the last corner on one lap.

“But, I got the double, and that is great for me and the team who have given me such a great package to work with – all I have to do is wobble around and win for them.”

Haslam came in second, ahead of Crutchlow, Camier, Ellison and Sykes.

Byrne leads the title chase 190-122 ahead of Crutchlow with Camier third on 107 points, while in the Daily Star Cup Buildbase NW200 Ducati rider John Laverty with a victory, and then a second place adrift of the Quay Garage Honda of Gary Mason extended his advantage to 171-87 ahead of Martin Jessopp.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship – round four
Race one result:
1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) 32:01.058
2. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +2.473
3. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +3.442
4. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +5.856
5. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +6.188
6. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +6.636
7. Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing) +7.464
8. Michael Rutter (NW 200 Ducati) +9.809
9. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +12.627
10. Simon Andrews (Jentin Racing/Lloyds British Yamaha) +16.244

Race two result:
1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) 31:06.337
2. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +0.355s
3. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +1.447s
4. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +1.596s
5. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +4.186s
6. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +7.446s
7. Karl Harris (Team Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) +15.707s
8. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +26.794s
9. Simon Andrews (Lloyds Bitish Jentin Racing) +31.816s
10. Gary Mason (Quay Garage Honda) +32.870s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) 190
2. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) 122
3. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) 107
4. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) 96
5. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 88

Next round – Snetterton, 13-15 June

Toseland and Bennetts champion Riders for Health

Britain’s only MotoGP contender and the nation’s favourite bike insurance provider have joined forces to raise vital funds for motorcycling charity Riders for Health at this year’s Day of Champions. Bennetts is organising a sponsored charity cycle ride with James Toseland at Donington Park on Thursday 19 June. Fifty-two members of the public will also be invited to register to take part in the cycle ride at www.bennetts.co.uk

The 27-year-old double World Superbike Champion will cycle two laps of the track at the home of the British GP with 52 fellow fundraisers and media representatives. James will talk the group around the circuit while riding the Pinarello Prince cycle given to him by Bennetts as a 2007 World Superbike Championship-winning gift. Each participant must be over 16 and will be asked to register interest at www.bennetts.co.uk and then submit payment of £52 for the registration fee.

The fee covers the cost of entry to the Day of Champions, an exclusive T-shirt and picture of the day. As soon as Riders for Health receives payment, the cyclist will be approved to take part and be sent a sponsorship form to raise further funds. Those who do not secure a place within the 52 riders can still sponsor James using the link provided at www.bennetts.co.uk. The registration form will go live at 9am on Tuesday 27 May.

Riders for Health trains African health workers in motorcycle riding and maintenance, enabling them to reach remote villages with the kind of regular, reliable health care the developed world takes for granted. Across Africa, Riders is working with ministries of health and smaller, community based organisations, making sure they have vehicles that never break down, no matter how harsh the conditions. Riders has programmes in the Gambia, Nigeria, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Kenya, and is reaching over 10 million people.

“I’m delighted to be able to combine my training for the British GP with fundraising for such a worthwhile cause,” says James. “I’d like to thank Bennetts for this opportunity and to encourage as many people as possible to support the event. Riders for Health is MotoGP’s official charity and the work that they do is invaluable, so my aim is to raise as much money as I can for them.”

Bennetts Marketing Director Mark Fells will be paying his £52 to take part in the ride. “The British GP has more significance this year than it has had for a long time, with a British rider that could actually challenge for a podium finish,” he says. “It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to say I’ve ridden Donington Park with James Toseland in his debut MotoGP season and I hope that people will grasp this opportunity and help us to support Riders for Health. “

Lara beats Indiana for top biker

As Indiana Jones fever sweeps the country, British bikers have shunned the intrepid adventurer in a survey of the all-time best motorcycle movie moments. The survey by Bennetts, the nation’s favourite motorbike insurance provider, revealed that leather-clad biking vixen Lara Croft aboard her Yamaha TRX 850 in Tomb Raider has beaten several iconic biking scenes to become number one.

The research, compiled from bikers up and down the country at early rounds of this year’s Bennetts British Superbike Championship, saw ‘Indy’ and his famous sidecar chase in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade fail to make an impression, despite the action-packed scene being considered one of the most memorable from the early Indiana Jones trilogy.

Perhaps most shocking is that Tomb Raider beat long standing favourites such as Steve McQueen’s race to the Swiss border in The Great Escape & Tom Cruise’s high-fuelled biking performance in Top Gun, whilst special effects blockbusters The Matrix Reloaded and Terminator 2 placed fourth and fifth respectively. Surprising omissions from the top five scenes also include Dennis Hopper speeding through the American desert in Easy Rider and a young Che Guevara, played by Gael García Bernal, making his way through South America in TheMotorcycle Diaries.

Bennetts’ Marketing Director, Mark Fells, said of the findings, “With everyone talking about Indiana Jones being the big blockbuster of the summer, it’s really surprising to see its predecessor didn’t make the top five motorcycling movie moments. There’s some much-loved biking greats in the mix and it seems that bikers have always have a soft spot for Lara Croft!”

Top 5 Biking Movie Moments

No	Film	Scene
1	Tomb Raider	Angelina Jolie’s sexy heroine racing to the rescue
2	The Great Escape	Steve McQueen’s chase sequence to the Swiss border
3	Top Gun	Tom Cruise rides to see his new love interest
4	The Matrix Reloaded	Neo races away from the agents into oncoming traffic on a motorway
5	Terminator 2	Arnold Schwarzenegger’s chased by the evil Terminator through the streets

Multibike policies from Bennetts

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Bennetts, the UK's number one for motorcycle insurance, has come to the rescue of those with the headache of insuring two or more bikes, with its new Multibike insurance policy.

Bennetts will cover up to six bikes on one Multibike policy - ideal for those who like to vary their biking by keeping a selection of machines in their garage - and could save you hundreds of pounds on your premium.

The new policy works on the understanding that you can only ride one bike at a time regardless of how many machines you have hidden away. From there it is a simple commonsense equation, that you are insured for the bike you are riding whilst your other bikes sit at home covered against fire, accidental damage and theft*. With all your bikes covered on one policy the savings can then be passed on to you.

Thanks to Bennetts' new Multibike policy you can have your own motorbike collection and still save money on your insurance.

Drew rides all year round by adopting a two-bike philosophy and saved almost £300 by choosing to insure with Bennetts' Multibike policy.

"I would recommend Bennetts Multibike for anyone with more than one bike," said the 31-year-old Software Engineer from Bristol. "I've got a KTM Duke II and a Suzuki GSX-R600, which enables me to ride through all the seasons and saves me almost an hour on my daily commute. Insuring both bikes on one policy with Bennetts Multibike saves me time and money."

If you've got two or more bikes, see how much Bennetts could save you by getting a quote online or calling 0800 107 7989.

Prize draw to win a Yamaha R1 replica

MotoGP star James Toseland launches a month long promotion from Bennetts, the nation's favourite for bike insurance. Anyone who gets a quote from Bennetts during May 2008 will be entered into a prize draw to win a Yamaha R1 replica of James Toseland’s Moto GP bike.

For a competitive quote and to be in a chance of winning, log on to bennetts.co.uk/promo. Research has revealed 72% of bikers could save money by getting insurance through Bennetts (Based on online
independent research by Consumer Intelligence during March 2008.)

Full terms and conditions apply, for more information visit bennetts.co.uk/promo

Toseland suffers setback at Le Mans

Britain’s James Toseland suffered his first major setback in MotoGP today as he failed to finish the Tech 3 Yamaha’s home race at the Le Mans circuit in France. The 27-year-old Isle of Man resident had a strong start to the 28-lap race, pushing himself into fifth position from seventh place on the grid.

However, just two laps later, James was taken out by Andrea Dovizioso on turn four while running in ninth position. Dovizioso ran wide on the entrance to the turn and didn’t see the Brit taking the inside line, leading to the two bikes coming together and James losing the front end of the bike. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider was uninjured but unable to re-mount the bike and complete the race.

Team-mate Colin Edwards took the bottom step of the all-Yamaha podium to make Le Mans a successful home event for Tech 3 Yamaha. Valentino Rossi secured the victory ahead of team-mate Jorge Lorenzo to move to first in the series standings. A lack of points today relegates James to ninth place overall.

“I’m obviously disappointed to not have finished the race today, especially when the podium illustrates how strong the Yamaha is at Le Mans. Unfortunately it was a racing incident and there was nothing I could do about it. I’m lucky to have walked away without any injuries – except dented pride – and I’m looking ahead now to the races at circuits that I’m more familiar with. I’m confident that with more time I can continue to improve.”

Keep up to date with Toseland’s MotoGP progress with his new website www.jamestoseland.com.

Race result
1. V. Rossi 44:30.799; 2. J. Lorenzo +4.997; 3. C. Edwards +6.805; 4. D. Pedrosa +10.157; 5. C. Vermeulen +21.762; 6. A. Dovizioso +22.395; 7. L. Capirossi +27.806; 8. N. Hayden +27.995; 9. R. De Puniet +29.344; 10. S. Nakano +30.822; DNF J. Toseland

Championship standings (after round five)
1. V. Rossi 97; 2=. J. Lorenzo 94; 2=. D. Pedrosa 94; 4. C. Stoner 56; 5. C. Edwards 47; 6. L. Capirossi 42; 7. N. Hayden 37; 8. A. Dovizioso 36; 9. J. Toseland 33; 10. S. Nakano 28

Byrne to continue early season domination

BENNETTS BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Round four – Donington Park – Spring Bank Holiday Monday 26 May

Shane Byrne is the rider in form in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship and he intends to continue his dominant run in the country’s premier series in the fourth round at the Donington Park grand prix circuit on Spring Bank Holiday Monday 26 May.

The Airwaves Ducati rider has won four of the six races so far, finishing second in the other two, as he bids to regain the crown he won some five years ago, but he feels that his record should be better, having missed out on completing a second winning double of the season at Brands Hatch.

“I really wanted to bring the team another another double there, we had the pace, but it wasn’t to be. We secured some good championship points though and I will come back even stronger at Donington,” promised Byrne, a message that will have the alarm bells ringing in the ears of his rivals.

Cal Crutchlow goes into the action at the Leicestershire parkland circuit in second place in the rankings, though 44 points adrift. The Coventry rider powered through the pain barrier of a dislocated right ankle and ruptured ligaments to take his second victory of the season at the Kent circuit.

“I am here to race and to win races,” said Crutchlow who was the British Supersport title holder in 2006 and who is determined to add to his collection of silverware this time around aboard the HM Plant Honda.

His team-mate, the local race-ace Leon Haslam, is hoping to use his home circuit to good effect as he plays catch-up in the title stakes. He knows that nothing less than an action replay of his winning double of last season will suffice is he is put his challenge firmly back on track.

The Derbyshire rider is currently sixth in the standings, adrift of Leon Camier riding the second Airwaves bike and former Superbike Cup winner and MotoGP rider James Ellison who is impressing aboard the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda.

Michael Rutter cannot be ruled out of a surprise result – he won the first of the modern era Superbike races at the circuit back in 1995 on a Ducati, and now back with that marque in North West 200 colours is riding strongly alongside Relentless Suzuki’s Michael Laverty, Tom Sykes on the Rizla Suzuki and Stuart Easton riding MSS Discovery Kawasaki.

John Laverty, riding the Buildbase NW200 Ducati looks all set to continue his domination of the Daily Star Cup.

Around the two Superbike races, there is action in the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship, which has produced three winners in as many rounds: Steve Brogan riding HM Plant Honda; Hudson Kennaugh on the Raceways Yamaha and Glen Richards on a MAP Embassy Triumph. Adding spice to that will be World championship contenders Andrew Pitt and Jonathan Rea aboard the Hannspree Hondas and Craig Jones on the Parkalgar Honda.

Steve Brogan and Derby’s Jon Kirkham will continue their duel for the Metzeler Superstock 1000 title, with Kirkham also expected to star in the Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup. Add to that action from the Relentless British 125GP Championship, the KTM SuperDuke Battle and the Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championship and there is full sporting programme.

And, on Bank Holiday Sunday, immediately following the grid deciding session for the Superbikes there is the British round of the World Sidecar Championship in which Tim Reeves and Patrick Farrance need victory to speed their way towards retention of the title.

Superbikes on track
Saturday 24 May
10.20-11.10 and 15.25-16.15 free practice
Sunday 25 May
10.25-11.15 free practice
14.10-15.00 Swan Combi 50 Roll for Pole grid deciding session
Monday 26 May
09.15-09.30 Warm-up practice
13.00 Race one – 20 laps
15.30 Race two – 20 laps

Lap Records
Lap records – 2.5 mile Grand Prix circuit
Superbike Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 1m 30.899s, 99.01mph, 23/09/07
Supersport Katsuaki Fujiwara, Honda, 1m 33.848s, 95.89mph, 01/04/07
Superstock Michele Pirro, Yamaha, 1m 34.653s, 95.08mph, 01/04/07
125GP Alvaro Bautista Aprilia 1:37.312s, 92.48mph, 02/07/06
600 Superstock Domenico Colucci, Ducati, 1m 36.677s, 93.08mph, 01/04/07
Yamaha R1 to be established
KTM 990 Pauli Pekkanen, KTM, 1m 41.450s, 88.71mph, 24/06/07

Flashback
Round 12 23 September 2007
Bennetts British Superbike Championship
Pole: T Sykes Honda 1:30.901
Race One – 20 laps
1 L Haslam Ducati 30:37.871
2 T Sykes Honda 30:39.287
3 S Byrne Honda 30:39.497
4 G Lavilla Ducati 30:47.085
5 J Rea Honda 30:49.905
6 C Walker Suzuki 30:53.386
Fastest lap: R Kiyonari, Honda, 1:30.899
Race Two – 20 laps
1 L Haslam Ducati 30:35.829
2 T Sykes Honda 30:35.885
3 R Kiyonari Honda 30:39.245
4 C Walker Suzuki 30:42.961
5 G Lavilla Ducati 30:48.128
6 S Byrne Honda 30:52.396
Fastest lap: R Kiyonari, Honda, 1:30.943
British Superbike Cup
Race One
1 T Palmer, Honda, 1:3.932
Race Two
1 T Palmer, Honda, 31:43.147

Riders View
“My local circuit, 20 minutes from home, and the Grand Prix circuit, so there is always a mega atmosphere there and for me it is all the more special after my winning double there last year,” Leon Haslam, HM Plant Honda

Superbikes on television
British Eurosport 2
Mon 26 May
1230-1630 LIVE raceday
2045-2145 Highlights
Tue 27 May
1945-2045 Highlights
Wed 28 May
1915-2030 Highlights
Thu 29 May
2000-2100 Bennetts British Superbikes Extra
Sat 31 May
1915-2045 Highlights
Tue 03 June
1730-1900 Highlights
Wed 4 June
1915-2030 Highlights
Fri 06 June
1700-1830 Highlights
Sat 07 June
1830-1930 Highlights
Mon 09 June
2100-2230 Highlights
Tue 10 June
2030-2200 Highlights
Sat 14 June
1000-1100 Highlights
Channel 4
Wed 28 May
01.00-02.05 Highlights

Donington Ticket Incentive

Exclusive Ticket Deal

Save up to 55% when you buy tickets to the next Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Donington Park!

Get 3 days for the price of 1 only with Bennetts! Watch the practice on Saturday and qualifying on Sunday for free, saving up to 55%. Then join us for all the race action on Bank Holiday Monday.

Can Donington’s local hero, Leon Haslam, ‘shake’ off Shane Byrne from the top spot and win a place on the podium? Or will it be down to the young stars Cal Crutchlow or Leon Camier to take the lead at the 4^th round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

You can purchase your weekend Donington Park tickets for just £23 by

Calling 0871 230 7134, quoting ref ‘Bennetts’

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(available up until midnight Friday 23^rd May 2008)

We hope to see you there!

The Bennetts team

Toseland suffers setback at Le Mans

Britain’s James Toseland suffered his first major setback in MotoGP today as he failed to finish the Tech 3 Yamaha’s home race at the Le Mans circuit in France. The 27-year-old Isle of Man resident had a strong start to the 28-lap race, pushing himself into fifth position from seventh place on the grid.

However, just two laps later, James was taken out by Andrea Dovizioso on turn four while running in ninth position. Dovizioso ran wide on the entrance to the turn and didn’t see the Brit taking the inside line, leading to the two bikes coming together and James losing the front end of the bike. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider was uninjured but unable to re-mount the bike and complete the race.

Team-mate Colin Edwards took the bottom step of the all-Yamaha podium to make Le Mans a successful home event for Tech 3 Yamaha. Valentino Rossi secured the victory ahead of team-mate Jorge Lorenzo to move to first in the series standings. A lack of points today relegates James to ninth place overall.

“I’m obviously disappointed to not have finished the race today, especially when the podium illustrates how strong the Yamaha is at Le Mans. Unfortunately it was a racing incident and there was nothing I could do about it. I’m lucky to have walked away without any injuries – except dented pride – and I’m looking ahead now to the races at circuits that I’m more familiar with. I’m confident that with more time I can continue to improve.”

Keep up to date with Toseland’s MotoGP progress with his new website www.jamestoseland.com.

Race result
1. V. Rossi 44:30.799; 2. J. Lorenzo +4.997; 3. C. Edwards +6.805; 4. D. Pedrosa +10.157; 5. C. Vermeulen +21.762; 6. A. Dovizioso +22.395; 7. L. Capirossi +27.806; 8. N. Hayden +27.995; 9. R. De Puniet +29.344; 10. S. Nakano +30.822; DNF J. Toseland

Championship standings (after round five)
1. V. Rossi 97; 2=. J. Lorenzo 94; 2=. D. Pedrosa 94; 4. C. Stoner 56; 5. C. Edwards 47; 6. L. Capirossi 42; 7. N. Hayden 37; 8. A. Dovizioso 36; 9. J. Toseland 33; 10. S. Nakano 28

Positive practice for Toseland

Tech 3 Yamaha’s James Toseland has made a positive start to the fifth round of the 2008 MotoGP series with promising lap times in today’s free practice at Le Mans. The British rider has never raced at the French circuit before, so he took advantage of the two sessions to get to grips with the track’s 2.597-mile layout.

Toseland made a strong start in the morning practice. He quickly adapted to the characteristics of the track and was even posting the fifth fastest time during the session. At the end of the hour, the Isle of Man resident’s best time of 1’35.874 (tenth) was just 1.228 seconds adrift of timesheet topper Dani Pedrosa and ahead of more experienced campaigners including Nicky Hayden and Marco Melandri.

For the afternoon, the team made some alterations to the bike’s suspension set-up. However, the changes weren't as successful as expected and although Toseland improved his best lap time from the morning practice to 1’35.848, he was the 15th fastest rider overall.

“I’m pleased with how everything has gone today,” says Toseland. “Le Mans is a track I don’t know so well, but it is the team’s home circuit, so our priority was for me to learn the layout ahead of the qualifying session. We’ve had two promising dry practice sessions, despite the forecast being wet, and I feel confident for tomorrow. I guess that’s the main thing.”

Keep up to date with Toseland’s progress at the French Grand Prix on his new website www.jamestoseland.com.

Practice results
1. D. Pedrosa 1’34.227; 2. C. Stoner +0.049; 3. C. Edwards 0.060; 4. J. Lorenzo +0.260; 5. C. Vermeulen +0.403; 6. V. Rossi +0.732; 7. S. Nakano +0.820; 8. R. de Puniet +0.846; 9. J. Hopkins +0.906; 10. A. de Angelis +1.012; 15. J. Toseland +1.621

Life in the fast lane at Bennetts BSB

Original Apprentice winner Tim Campbell continued his life in the fast lane yesterday with a high-speed pillion aboard the Bennetts Buell with former triple Superbike Champion Niall Mackenzie. The businessman who managed to stay cool under pressure from Sir Alan Sugar was unable to contain his excitement at the experience with Mackenzie – who he described as “a God”.

The Bennetts policyholder – who rides a Suzuki GSXR 750 – enjoyed a flying lap at the Brands Hatch circuit in Kent in glorious sunshine, which left him speechless for a few seconds before exclaiming that the experience was “unbelievable”. He said: “I started out by trying to be really cool at first by putting my hands on the tank of the Bennetts Buell, but before we’d even made it half way round the track I was clinging on to Niall and had my arms wrapped around him.”

Tim was previously quoted as saying that he had learnt from Sir Alan how to take risks and his nerves of steel were confirmed when he stepped off the Bennetts Buell with his helmet hiding a huge grin.

The action at the re-run of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship season opener was also witnessed by celebrity motorcyclist Jodie Marsh, who rode to the event aboard a Harley-Davidson. She was unable to experience the Bennetts Buell pillion due to her recent surgery but declared that a previous pillion experience with Ron Haslam was “better than sex.” She met Haslam’s son and championship contender Leon on the grid yesterday as well as other British contenders Leon Camier and Tom Sykes.


The nation’s favourite bike insurance provider invited Tim and Jodie to the event as personal guests after a new date was set for the event. The bright sunshine was in stark contrast to the thick snow that cancelled the first event just five weeks ago at the same circuit.

-Ends-

For further information please contact Rebecca Brocklesby on 01652 680060 or email rebecca@rbplimited.co.uk Bennetts is a trading name of BISL Limited, Pegasus House, Bakewell Road, Orton Southgate, Peterborough, PE2 6YS. Registered in England No. 3231094. BISL Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. THE BACKGROUND TO BENNETTS Bennetts was established in Coventry by the Bennetts family in 1930 to provide insurance services to people throughout the West Midlands. In the early 1980’s Bennetts decided to devise a number of specialist insurance schemes that would meet the needs of different types of biker. These schemes are constantly reviewed to give bikers the exact cover they need. In 2000 Bennetts was the first motorcycle insurance specialist to offer the ability to buy insurance online, through its website, www.bennetts.co.uk. In October 2001, the Bennetts brand was acquired by the BGL Group (formerly the Budget Group of Companies), through its purchase of the Dial Direct Group, a major UK car insurance intermediary. The BGL Group was established in 1992, and has grown to be the UK’s third largest personal lines insurance intermediary, through a combination of organic growth and a series of major strategic acquisitions. The BGL Group now arranges and administers insurance for around 1,200,000 customers and has contact centre operations in Peterborough, Coventry, Sunderland and Cape Town, South Africa. It currently employs 2255 people and its head office is in Peterborough. In May 2003, Bennetts unveiled its new brand identity to the industry. Bennetts became personal sponsor of former World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson in May 2003. In June 2004 and again in June 2006, independent brand tracking research identified Bennetts as the UK’s number one brand for motorcycle insurance. In January 2005, Bennetts signed the biggest sponsorship deal in the history of the brand by becoming title sponsor of the 2005 Bennetts British Superbike Championship. Bennetts continued its sponsorship of the British Superbike Championship in 2006 and 2007. In June 2007, Bennetts became official series sponsor of the World Superbike Championship for the remainder of the 2007 championship and for the whole of the 2008 championship. Bennetts became personal sponsor of current World Superbike Championship leader James Toseland in July 2007.