Toseland public signing session at Brands Hatch WSB

JT public signing session at Brands Hatch WSB

Reigning Superbike World Champion James Toseland will conduct an exclusive autograph signing session for the public on Thursday 31 July at 2pm to 2.30pm for the Bennetts British round of the 2008 Superbike World Championship at Brands Hatch. The reigning World Superbike Champion will meet and greet fans and sign autographs in the Paddock Show.

Soldier Wins Toselands Wheels

Soldier Wins Toseland's Wheels
Salisbury Army Soldier takes to the tarmac on James Toseland's motorbike.

Bike fanatic Richard Green rode away on a unique replica of MotoGP star James Toseland’s Yamaha YZF-R1 this week thanks to Bennetts, the UK’s number one for bike insurance*. However, the prize was no ordinary motorbike as Richard’s new set of wheels had been ridden once before…by none other than the Bennetts sponsored MotoGP rider James Toseland himself.

Richard, 36, an Army Sergeant in the Royal Artillery Display Parachute Team, Netheravon, received the bike after it had previously been broken-in by Toseland at Silverstone. The keen rider is now the envy of the barracks after he took out a quote with the bike insurance provider which automatically entered him into an exclusive draw to win the replica bike in full Tech3 race paint - valued at £9,000. As if this wasn’t enough, an extra bonus came his way when the sum of £600 was put towards his insurance, all courtesy of Bennetts.

Thrilled with his new bike, Richard said; “I can’t thank Bennetts enough for my stunning new set of wheels, I have never won anything like this before in my life. I was convinced it was a practical joke when Bennetts originally called and it then took days for the news to sink in. Now being the proud owner of a Yamaha YZF-R1 Tech 3 as ridden by James Toseland, I’m sure I’m the envy of all my mates.”

Bennetts’ Marketing Director, Mark Fells said “We wanted to run one of our biggest ever promotions with something really unique. Giving our customers a chance to win a bike on its own was not enough, so we decided to give away a replica of James’ MotoGP bike, ridden by James himself.”

To keep an eye out for all the latest offers and competitions from Bennetts visit www.bennetts.co.uk.


*Based on brand tracking research in April 2008

Jones gears up for Brands Hatch home round

Jones gears up for Brands Hatch home round

PARKALGAR HONDA’S Craig Jones can’t wait to get on track this weekend for the ninth round of the World Supersport Championship at his home round of Brands Hatch.

The 23-year old Brit is determined to take his first World level win this season and would love to do it in front of his home crowd. Brands Hatch in Kent is the biggest round of the World Supersport Championship and always pulls in a bumper crowd thanks to the superb racing which the rigorous 2.3mile GP circuit produces.

With the British crowd supporting him, Craig will be going all out for the win which has eluded him so far this season – cruelly so at the last round at Brno when he was leading the race and forced to retire with a handful of laps left to go.

His team-mate Miguel Praia will also be out for a result as the Portuguese rider continues to improve as the season progresses. Last time out at Brno he was punted off his Parkalgar Honda on the first lap by another rider, cutting his race short. He is putting that firmly behind him and going out to score as many points possible.

First qualifying takes place on Friday 1st August; second qualifying takes place on Saturday 2nd August. Race day is Sunday 3rd August with the action at 1320. British Eurosport will broadcast live from 1100-1700 or you can watch on line at www.worldsbk.com.

Simon Buckmaster, Team Manager Parkalgar Honda: "This weekend at Brands Hatch will be an important one for the team as it will show case us to one of our home audiences – the other being in Portugal, the home to our team owner Parkalgar, the circuit complex that will host the final round of the Championship this year.

"I know Craig can and will do well, he is really focused on his training and his racing as that will pull in the win that we all want so much. Our Parkalgar Hondas are working just how both our riders want them too and I know they will be competitive at Brands Hatch. Put simply, we will be going all out for the victory every time we take to the track.

"Miguel is out to make amends for last time out. It wasn’t his fault but it stopped him picking up any points and he was very disappointed. He is hugely motivated for the Brands round and I’m sure he will do us proud."

EIGHTH IN ITALY FOR BATTLING BRIDEWELL

Naturally Best Racing

EIGHTH IN ITALY FOR BATTLING BRIDEWELL

Following on from the broken leg sustained in the very first round of the Italian Superbike Championship, British teenager Tommy Bridewell bounced back with a battling eighth place finish at round four held at Misano last Sunday, 27th July.

Having missed the previous two rounds of the ISC also, the 18 year old from Etchilhampton near Devizes in Wiltshire was nearly back to full fitness following recent races in the Suzuki GSX-R 750 European Cup and was determined to put in a good performance on his Naturally Best Racing 1000cc Suzuki.

Brim-full of confidence going into the race, Bridewell's problems started on the warm-up lap when a dragging clutch beset his challenge but despite this, he battled with the leading group during the early stages of the 13-lap race.

However, Tom was dealt a second blow when a problem with the rear tyre started seriously hampering his progress and the resulting time loss in the second half of the race relegated him to eighth at the flag, albeit some 19 seconds ahead of the ninth placed rider.

"What a bummer." declared Tom afterwards. "For the first time this season, I felt really confident that we could get a good result here this weekend and then when I felt the clutch go on the warm-up lap I thought maybe I could ride round the problem but then the tyre gave up the ghost a few laps later and it was all I could do to bring the bike home. I finished the race with no clutch and the rear tyre shredded but despite that, I'm pleased to get my first points on the board in the series. We have a two month break now in this series so my aim is to get fitter and look to score a podium when we come back here to Misano in late September."

In the interim, Bridewell has two races on home ground when he contests his local Castle Combe Superbike Grand National over the weekend of August 16/17 and then it's on to Donington Park three weeks later for round five of the Suzuki GSX-R 750 European Cup.

Italian Superbike Championship
20th April Mugello
4th May Monza
25th May Vallelunga
27th July Misano
28th Sept Misano
19th Oct Mugello

Suzuki GSX-R750 European Cup
6th April Valencia, Spain
11th May Monza, Italy
15th June Nurburgring, Germany
29th June Misano, Italy
7th Sept Donington Park, GB
5th Oct Magny Cours, France

The Summer Festival races are ready for Mallory Park

The Summer Festival races are ready for Mallory Park

Mallory Park has once again got an action packed day of motorcycle racing lined up this coming weekend with the Summer Festival races.

This race meeting will also be the first time that the Norton NRV 588 will be raced in anger. The unique machine will be in the capable hands of 2007 250cc British Champion Lee Dickinson. The bike was designed by Brian Crighton and should have raced in British Superbikes in 1995, however due to lack of funds the bike never made it into production. Seeing this legendary British machine return to action really will be a historic moment and not one to be missed.

The event will be run by the Thundersport GB crew and they have a plethora of races lined up. Warm-up for all the classes commences at 09:30, qualifying starts at 10:50 and the racing begins at 13:20.

The Aprilia Superteen championship is sure to set hearts racing with close battles at the front. All of the GP classes will also be on track plus the Thundersport series, Powerbikes and Street Fighters – plenty of variety for all bike fans.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for £10 or on the gate for £12, to book simply visit www.mallorypark.co.uk

ANOTHER OULTON PODIUM FOR ELLISON

2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship
Rounds 13 & 14 - Oulton Park, Cheshire
19th/20th July 2008

ANOTHER OULTON PODIUM FOR ELLISON

Following on from his superb podium finish at the same track back in May, Hydrex Bike Animal Honda rider James Ellison repeated the feat when he took the 1000cc Shaun Muir Racing Honda Fireblade to another second position at Oulton Park in Cheshire today.

Starting from row two on the grid, the 27 year old from Kendal in Cumbria made some radical changes to his bike overnight and in the early stages of the opening race, led the field as he mixed it up with the Championship front runners. Going into the final laps, he was well placed but eventually had to settle for second place as the handling of his bike deteriorated.

In the second race, once again Ellison made a great start to run in fifth position in the early stages before consolidating his position to end up fifth at the flag and in doing so recorded his best points haul of the seven rounds held so far this season. The net result is that Ellison lies in sixth in the Championship going into the next round at Knockhill in three weeks' time.

For team mate Guy Martin, a disappointing qualifying performance didn't help the 26 year old from Kirmington in Lincolnshire, who also made some radical improvements to his machine before today's two races, and he gave a much better account of himself in the two 18-lap races.

Whilst set for a points finish in the opening race he retired on the final lap with an electrical problem and in race two he was unlucky to miss out on the points after battling for the lower leaderboard places.

Superstock 1000 team rider Kieran Clarke followed up a seventeenth place finish yesterday with a fine points-scoring fifteenth position today on his debut for the team leaving him and team boss Shaun Muir pleased with the weekend's work.

James Ellison: "I'm disappointed with the second race but obviously pleased with the first one, and I wish they'd been the other way round really. We've scored the most points we've scored all year in one weekend and we're getting closer to moving up the Championship and not that far away from the top three now, and for a private team we've got to be happy with that. I'm really happy with the way the team has worked and full credit to them this weekend."

Guy Martin: "In the first race, I had an electrical problem on the last lap and had to pull in which was unfortunate as I was lying in fifteenth place. I'm still having some problems with the bike but hopefully our luck will turn soon. When the going gets tough, the tough get going."

Shaun Muir (Team Owner): "I'm delighted with James in the first race and I'm happy with the weekend overall. We've scored our best points haul for the season which puts us in contention for the top three in the Championship. I feel we've made progress developing the bike to another level. Guy's problems have unfortunately continued this weekend with the electrical problem in the first race but I'm pleased with Kieran with a top twenty yesterday, and a points score in fifteenth today and now its roll on Knockhill."

Kieran Clarke: "I'm just steadily building up and it's just a shame I was starting from so far back on the grid and had to pass so many people. I had to really weigh up the corners with me being a bit rusty on the bike but next time I should be a lot further up the grid and I'm hoping for a top ten at Knockhill."

Superbike Race One Result
1, Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 29:12.165s, 2, James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +4.779s, 3, Shane Byrne (Ducati) +5.089s, 4, Leon Haslam (Honda) +14.336s, 5, Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +25.518s, 6, Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +31.402s, 7, Michael Rutter (Ducati) +36.383s, 8, Billy McConnell (Kawasaki) +38.630s, 9, Michael Laverty (Suzuki) +48.039s, 10, John Laverty (Ducati) 48.596s.

Superbike Race Two Result
1, Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 29:04.554s, 2, Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +0.097s, 3, Shane Byrne (Ducati) +0.619s, 4, Leon Haslam (Honda) +1.265s, 5, James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +11.649s, 6, Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +25.255s, 7, Michael Laverty (Suzuki) +26.498s, 8, Scott Smart (Kawasaki) +26.949s, 9, Karl Harris (Yamaha) +31.189s, 10, Billy McConnell (Kawasaki) +31.221. 18, Guy Martin (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +58.552

2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship Standings after Round 7

1. Shane Byrne (Ducati) 312pts
2. Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 213pts
3. Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 176pts
4. Leon Haslam (Honda) 174pts
5. Leon Camier (Ducati) 160pts
6. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 150pts
7. Michael Rutter (Ducati) 141pts
8. Michael Laverty (Suzuki) 100pts
9. Simon Andrews (Yamaha) 90pts
10. Tristan Palmer (Honda) 64pts
17. Guy Martin (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 19pts

DOUBLE POINTS FOR GREG AT BRNO

2008 HANNspree World Superbike Championship
Rounds 17 & 18 - Brno, Czech Republic
Sunday 20th July 2008

DOUBLE POINTS FOR GREG AT BRNO
Vent Axia VK Energy rider Gregorio Lavilla added to his Hannspree World Superbike Championship points tally with a pair of battling points finishes at Brno in the Czech Republic today

Riding Paul Bird's Honda Fireblade, the team struggled with the bike set-up from the beginning of the weekend and the Spaniard ended up in a disappointing 19th after qualifying meaning he missed out on Superpole.

In race one, Lavilla didn't get a great start and only moved up one place on the opening lap into 18th position. A group of riders crashed out on lap three putting Lavilla into 14th position but despite experiencing some technical problems, he rode consistently and managed to bring the bike home in the points.

In the second race, Lavilla made a poor start to end the first lap in 21st position but after several of the top riders dropped out, Lavilla put in his usually fast and consistent lap times and a strong run in the closing laps which brought him from 16th to a solid 14th and point scoring finish.
Lavilla now occupies 13th in the title chase with Bird's team still in top spot as Honda's number one privateer team in the series.

Gregorio Lavilla:
"It has been an up and down weekend and unfortunately we missed out on Superpole once again which is disappointing. Race one was a real challenge as we had some technical problems and I was a little held up by a crash in front of me which covered me and the bike in oil. We went back to yesterday's settings in Race two and we found a good pace once again and I did the best I could to finish in 14th from 21st on lap one. The whole team is looking forward to Brands Hatch as it's a race track both the team and myself know very well so we will be hoping for a good result there."

Paul Bird:
"The weekend was a bit disappointing and frustrating with a poor qualifying position again. It was also unfortunate that we had some technical problems during the races but as usual Greg put in two consistent performances to finish in the points and we still remain the top finishing Honda privateer team. Everyone is looking forward to Brands Hatch and we expect to do well there as it's a track both Greg and the team have had some great results in the past in both WSB and BSB. We are also looking at running a second rider for the British rounds which will be confirmed later this week so the team are feeling really positive and excited about the next few races."
The next round of the Hannspree World Superbike Championship takes place over the weekend of 1/2/3 August at Brands Hatch with a big British crowd expected.

Superbike Race One
1, T Bayliss (Ducati) 40m22.724s, 2, T Corser (Yamaha) +1.468s, 3, M Fabrizio (Ducati) +3.272s, 4, M Biaggi (Ducati) +3.475s, 5, R Kiyonari (Honda) +3.791s, 6, N Haga (Yamaha) +9.120s, 7, M Neukirchner (Suzuki) +9.358s, 8, C Checa (Honda) +11.787s, 9, Y Kagayama (Suzuki) +17.228s, 10, K Sofuoglu (Honda) +17.705s. 15, G Lavilla (Vent Axia VK Honda) +36.545s.

Superbike Race Two
1, T Bayliss (Ducati) 40m16.436s, 2, M Fabrizio (Ducati) +0.928s, 3, M Biaggi (Ducati) +1.259s, 4, T Corser (Yamaha) +1.785s, 5, M Neukirchner (Suzuki) +3.942s, 6, R Kiyonari (Honda) +7.910s, 7, N Haga (Yamaha) +11.297s, 8, F Nieto (Suzuki) +11.375s, 9, Y Kagayama (Suzuki) +13.103s, 10, K Sofuoglu (Honda) +18.978s. 14, G Lavilla (Vent Axia VK Honda) +26.372s.

Championship Standings after Round 9

1, T Bayliss (Aus) 309pts
2, M Neukirchner (GER) 230pts
3, T Corser (AUS) 219pts
4, C Checa (ESP) 215pts
5, N Haga (JPN) 210pts
6, F Nieto (ESP) 161pts
7, R Xaus (ESP) 148pts
8, M Fabrizio (ITA) 147pts
9, M Biaggi (ITA) 146pts
10, R Kiyonari (JPN) 115pts
13, G Lavilla (ESP) 78pts

How to beat the Credit Crunch

How to beat the Credit Crunch: Ditch the car for a motorbike
Bennetts reveals bikers can save over £300,000 over a lifetime by riding to work

A leading Personal Finance Expert has today revealed that Brits can save a staggering £337,700 over a lifetime by swapping their car for a motorbike. The study, conducted by Chartered Financial Planner Martin Bamford, was commissioned by Bennetts, the UK’s number one for bike insurance , to investigate the cost difference between commuting to work in a car versus a bike.

With the increasing cost burden on motorists in mind, the research shows that car drivers could save over £6,500 a year (£130 per week) by riding a motorbike, when costs including finance, tax, depreciation and parking are taken into consideration . An easily overlooked expense highlighted in the findings is time – with riders able to save four and a half years over a lifetime from beating the traffic jams on a motorbike as opposed to a car.

The overall findings suggest it costs a staggering 47% more to drive a car to work rather than using a motorbike in the current economic climate. The saving is particularly relevant for Londoners, with those riding a bike in the capital saving a massive £1,920 a year getting to work by escaping the £8 a day congestion charge to enter into the central congestion charging zone .

The research was commissioned by Bennetts to support Ride to Work Day which falls today (16th July). Ride to Work Day is a national campaign introduced by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) to encourage all motorcyclists to get out and about on their bikes and ride to work, ideally with a pillion.

Endorsing the cost return in riding a motorbike, Martin Bamford found that bikers can make substantial savings of over £6,500 per year which include savings such as;
• Depreciation – £2,074
• Tax – £97
• Finance - £2,255
• Parking – £2,328

*Based on the average commute of 39 miles , five days a week, over the course of a year.

Martin Bamford says; “Running a car is significantly more expensive than riding a motorbike and with government plans to increase Vehicle Excise Duty, 55% of car drivers will be even worse off when new prices are introduced in 2009/10.”

The Personal Finance expert continued, “People tend to have various misconceptions around biking and often forget about the burden of depreciation - cars plummet in value shortly after you buy them and are an expensive to buy in the first place. The credit crunch is making it much more expensive to borrow money, so financing is likely to be made a lot cheaper if people decide to purchase a motorcycle.”

Mark Fells, Marketing Director at Bennetts says, “It’s incredible to see just how much bikers can save on the roads by travelling around on two wheels. We hope that these findings will encourage people to review their personal transport methods in an effort to lower costs and reduce the hassle of commuting.”

Recent research has revealed that 86% of bikers could save money by insuring with Bennetts . Log onto www.bennetts.co.uk to find out more information.



- Ends –

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

Notes to editors
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.

Martin Bamford
Martin is a Chartered Financial Planner and Certified Financial PlannerCM certificant who runs his own firm of independent financial advisers, Informed Choice. He is one of the youngest and most successful financial planners in the UK.
He is author of three best selling personal finance books - The Money Tree, Brilliant Investing and How to Retire 10 Years Early - all published by Pearson Prentice Hall.
Martin is an Associate of the Personal Finance Society and an Associate of the Institute of Financial Planning. He is a contributor to various financial publications and is regularly quoted in the National Press.
He was recently named as one of the most influential financial advisers in Britain, in a survey by Professional Adviser magazine.
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 2.3 million customers with more than £600million GWP. It has contact centre operations in Peterborough, Coventry, Sunderland and Cape Town, South Africa. It currently employs 2,255 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 Champion James Toseland in July 2007

Brands Hatch World Super Bike

August 1, 2, 3 2008
Repeated success breaking news

Raceway’s Yamaha are delighted to announce both Jon Kirkham and Hudson Kennaugh have secured wild card rides for the forth coming World super sport and European Super Stock series at Brands Hatch. News filtered through last week that based on previous times set during the British series in which both Hudson and Jon are scoring highly. This only emphasizes the colossal effort from all involved with getting the team to this prestigious position including the riders, team members and most importantly the sponsor’s.

Jon said regarding the Brands Hatch European super stock news “ it’s something the teams been working for all season and a chance to bench mark not only the bike but himself against the world at top level, a podium is ideally what we are looking for and it’s exactly what I hope to deliver ”
Steve Rodgers Raceway’s team manager said “with both riders on winning pace this season there’s every chance we can shine on the world stage”. “The time’s set with Hudson’s previous visit to Brands Hatch would have qualified him on the second row and these World Series lads don’t mess about, Raceway’s are hoping the World Series regulars get a taste of Lancashire’s finest”.

Having caught up also with Hudson who is simply over the moon with the announcement he said
“I’m ecstatic at the prospect of returning to the World Series paddock, lot’s of fond memories from the Suzuki GSXR Cup day’s just over two years ago (which he won the championship) on a personnel level it’s great Mum and Dad can watch live back home in South Africa”.

Don’t forget Oulton Park this weekend July 18, 19, 20

BSB - Oulton Park

Honda men determined to head off Byrne and set record straight
BENNETTS BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Round Seven – 18/19/20 July – Oulton Park

Shane Byrne is the dominant force of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship as it enters the second half of the campaign with a return visit to Oulton Park. This seventh round provides the HM Plant Honda riders Cal Crutchlow and Leon Haslam the chance to show what might have been in their earlier visit to the Cheshire circuit.

Back in May, they had a tough time, with Crutchlow taking a tumble and then Haslam being excluded from the results on the second race after a tangle with Tom Sykes – both riders are keen to set the record straight by heading off their Airwaves Ducati rival who took a winning double then.

Byrne, the title winner five years ago, has now taken eight race victories, and four second places in the dozen races so far, and that has left him well clear of the pack: “ To have a 97 point lead at the halfway point of the season is a great feeling but all of us in the team are aware that there’s still a lot of hard work ahead in order to finish the job and win the championship.

“All of the circuits on the BSB calendar that I don’t like are now out of the way and the second half of the season kicks off at Oulton Park where I secured my first double win for the Airwaves Ducati team.

“I’m feeling really confident but I know I need to stay focused and just take each race one at a time,” added Byrne who is not taking the threat posed by his nearest rival in the title stakes, Crutchlow, lightly, knowing that the Coventry rider will be pushing hard.

“I want to take it to him in the second half of the season. I am looking forward to Oulton Park as it is a great circuit and I am going for two wins there," said Crutchlow, adding: "I think it will be hard to close the lead to Shane but I am going to keep plugging away and if I am not beating him and winning then I need to be right behind him.

“It is good to be second in the overall standings and to be the top Honda rider; I am looking forward to the rest of the season. I have been consistent so far this year and the only three times I have not been on the podium it hasn't all been my fault, with the crash at Oulton Park for example.”

Leon Camier, the teamster of Byrne, is third in the title stakes, just ahead of Haslam who believes that he should have won both races in the previous visit to the circuit: “I have a mixture of feelings after the last round we had there. In the first race I had a fantastic battle with Shane Byrne and I feel like I should have won that race.

“Then in the second race I was sitting in second with Tom Sykes then we had a coming together and I ended up fifth then was excluded. That race should have been a win too so I am confident ahead of the next round. Results wise I want a top two in both races."

Adding to the action will be Michael Rutter, fresh from his victory at Mallory Park aboard the North West 200 Ducati; Tom Sykes riding Rizla Suzuki and the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda duo of James Ellison and Guy Martin. Michael Laverty, riding Relentless Suzuki,should be at the sharp end of the action.

Yamaha riders, Karl Harris on the Rob Mac Racing bike and Simon Andrews aboard the Lloyds British Jentin machine should also be well on the pace along with Billy McConnell on the MSS Discovery Kawasaki.

John Laverty, riding the Buildbase NW200 Ducati, expects to extend his advantage in the Daily Star Cup, but under pressure from Honda riders Tom Tunstall, Martin Jessopp and Gary Mason, not forgetting STP MV Agusta rider Chris Burns.



Lap records - 2.692 miles International Circuit
Superbikes Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 1m 35.436s, 101.54mph, 23/07/06
Supersport Cal Crutchlow, Honda, 1m 39.357s, 97.53mph, 11/09/05
125GP James Westmoreland, Honda, 1m 45.819s, 91.58mph, 11/09/05
Superstock Jon Kirkham, Yamaha, 1m 40.046s, 96.86mph, 05/05/08
600 S/stock Allan Jon Ventner, Triumph, 1m 43.703s, 93.45mph, 05/05/08
Yamaha R1 Sam Warren, Yamaha, 1m 49.219s, 88.73mph, 05/05/08


Superbikes on track
Friday 18 July
10.15-11.05 and 14.30-15.20 free practice
Saturday 19 July
10.15-11.05 free practice
14.00-14.50 Swan Combi Roll for Pole grid deciding qualifying session
Sunday 20 July
12.02-12.17 warm-up practice
13.15 Race One – 18 laps
16.30 Race Two – 18 laps


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

Tough times for Toseland

Sachsenring MotoGP
Race report
13 July 08

An excellent start from 11th position on the grid to fifth place into turn one signalled a change in fortunes for Britain’s James Toseland at Sachsenring today. However, the Isle of Man resident was unable to hold off his rivals in a mid-pack battle due to incorrect tyre choice.

The 27-year-old had taken a gamble with a slightly harder rear tyre in the hope the heavy rain would clear mid-race to make way for a drying track. Unfortunately, by the time the rain began to ease off at half race distance, the Tech 3 Yamaha rider was already at a strong disadvantage on the time sheets.

With just nine laps to go of the 3.761-metre track, heavy rain fell once again and Toseland was forced to continue riding a safe race to pick up any points possible and further experience at MotoGP level. Difficult conditions had already seen experienced contenders, including team-mate Colin Edwards and race and championship leader Dani Pedrosa, crash out.

The Tech 3 Yamaha rider passed the chequered flag in 11th place to slip down to ninth position overall in the championship standings.

“I’m obviously disappointed with today’s result. I was fourth fastest in warm-up this morning and thought that was a good sign of a better race day. I got a really good start from the grid but I had no confidence to push hard, which meant that I wasn’t able to hold off any challenges.

“I feel that I could have had a good race if I had the correct rear tyre but there’s little point in dwelling on it now. I must remain focussed and get my confidence back. I’m looking forward to the challenge of Laguna Seca and hope that we can continue to make improvements with the set-up of the Tech 3 Yamaha.”

Keep up to date with all James Toseland news at www.jamestoseland.com

Race result
1. C. Stoner 47’30.057; 2. V. Rossi +3.708; 3. C. Vermeulen +14.002; 4. A. De Angelis +14.124; 5. A. Dovizioso +42.022; 6. S. Guintoli +46.648; 7. L. Capirossi +1’04.483; 8. R. De Puniet +1’04.588; 9. S. Nakano +1’16.773; 10. A. West +1’29.275; 11. J. Toseland +1 lap

Championship standings (after round ten)
1. Rossi 187; 2. Pedrosa 171; 3. Stoner 167; 4. Lorenzo 114; 5. Edwards 98; 6. Dovizioso 90; 7. Vermeulen 73; 8. Hayden 73; 9. Toseland 65; 10. Nakano 64

Oulton Park - Toselands take on Bennetts BSB

I’m watching with great interest the effect that the weather is having on motorcycle racing this year. As you probably already know, I was a victim of the changeable British weather at my first ever home GP last month. Four crashes in one weekend including one on the first corner of the race, is totally uncharacteristic and made the British GP my worst of the year so far.

With that in mind, I have a huge amount of respect for the Bennetts BSB riders who have been able to perform consistently well this year despite the range of weather that has been thrown at them. We’ve seen everything from sun and gale force winds to rain and snow.

The rain at the last event at Mallory Park definitely brought surprise results and, as I predicted, Michael Rutter put in a much stronger performance at the circuit he used to live just five minutes away from. A race win was a fantastic achievement for him and the team and should be a great confidence boost for him at the midway stage of the season.

Round seven of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship should be interesting because it’s the first time in the season that the series returns to a track that the riders have already raced at this year. The first time of asking saw a really strong performance from Airwaves Ducati and a double victory for Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne. However, James Ellison also impressed with a second-place finish so it will be interesting to see if he can go one better with a victory this time round.

Shakey will be keen to get back to the top step of the podium after a difficult second race at Mallory Park a few weeks ago so we should be in for two exciting Bennetts British Superbike showdowns. It’s a crucial weekend for title contenders to ensure that Byrne doesn’t extend his advantage at the head of the standings too much further.