Plater gets a hat trick at NW200

Aim Yamaha rider Steve Plater had a fantastic weekend at the recent 2008 NW200 races with three wins in the supersport and superbike races.

Despite some early suspension and set-up issues during practice, the team worked flat out on the bikes to make sure they were ready for the races. However, a gearing change caused some issues for the first superbike race which left Plater with a fourth place finish.

Desperate to improve on his first result of the day, Steve and the team worked hard for Plater’s remaining three race and their efforts were rewarded when he brought home the wins in both the supersport races and then top spot in the Blackhorse Motorcycle Finance Feature Superbike race.

Steve Plater – ‘The team has done a fantastic job and given me the ingredients to win the main race of the day so I have to say a big thank you to them. Everyone has worked so very hard all week and it’s nice to be able to repay them all with these results today.’

Supersport race 1

1st Steve PLATER Yamaha - AIM
2nd Alastair SEELEY Yamaha - JMF Team Millsport
3rd Ian LOUGHER Yamaha - Blackhorse Motorcycle Finance
4th Ian HUTCHINSON Yamaha - AIM Racing

Supersport race 2

1st Steve PLATER Yamaha - AIM Racing
2nd Alastair SEELEY Yamaha - JMF Team Millsport Racing
3rd Ian LOUGHER Yamaha - Blackhorse Motorcycle Finance

Black Horse Superbike race

1st Steve PLATER Yamaha - AIM Racing
2nd Cameron DONALD Suzuki - Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing
3rd Michael RUTTER Ducati - North West 200 Ducati

Byrne steals victory from Haslam

Shane 'Shakey' Byrne doubled up on race wins at Donington Park this afternoon, after diving down the inside of Leon Haslam at the Melbourne Loop with two lap remaining.

Byrne said: "That really was a long hard race and I didn't make it easy for myself! My start wasn't that bad and it was just a case of picking people off at the right places. I knew I could set the fast laps consistently it was just making up the places at the right time. I must admit that the last pass on Leon (Haslam) was one of those where you shut your eyes and go for it. I am happy with another double win for Airwaves Ducati - roll on Snetterton."

Byrne appeared to be struggling at the beginning of the race, whilst Leon Haslam rocketed off the line on the HM Plant Honda but it was James Ellison who took the lead. It was short lived as a determined Haslam took the inside line at McLeans on the opening lap to take the lead.

Once past Ellison's Hydrex Bike Animal Honda Haslam then edged away at the front whilst behind there was a four-way scrap for second place between Cal Crutchlow, James Ellison, Leon Camier and then the chasing Airwaves Ducati of Byrne.

Byrne was able to make his move on Camier first at the Melbourne Loop on lap thirteen, then a lap later took Ellison to move to third and on to the back of the HM Plant Hondas.

Crutchlow was defending hard from the shadowing Byrne but on lap seventeen he left the smallest of gaps on the inside line at the Melbourne Loop which was all that Byrne needed to move to second.

One lap later he repeated the pass on the second HM Plant Honda of Haslam, who was unable to repay the manoeuvre, giving him his second podium of the day.

Haslam said: "Once I was in the lead I tried to keep setting consistent laps and then with three laps to go I could hear the Ducati behind me. When Shakey came past I just couldn't get him back, he had just timed it perfect. I am happy that I have finally been able to give the HM Plant Honda team my first double podium. I am now looking forward to Snetterton as I think that circuit will suit the Honda Fireblade."

Leon Camier just missed out on a podium finish in fourth, whilst James Ellison followed him home in fifth.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, race two result:

1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati)
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 after Donington Park:

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

Bike Accident Compilaton

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Further Statement from North West 200 Ducati

Following the NW200 Ducati/JHP Racing statement issued yesterday (Thursday) and the subsequent MCRCB rule amendment last night with regard to the minimum weight limit of the 1200cc twin cylinder Ducati Superbikes, the team are pleased to confirm today (Friday) that the team will race at Donington Park this Bank Holiday weekend.

Alistair Kennedy, speaking on behalf of the main sponsors NW 200, said: "Having spoken to all the senior members of the team including John Hackett, Ken Foley and Michael Rutter, we now believe that the amended weight limit will allow us to participate in Monday's races. This is subject of course to no unforeseen technical problems over the weekend."

GSE Racing confirm racing at Donington Park

Following a week of negotiations with MCRCB and MSVR, GSE Racing Team Principal Darrell Healey has confirmed that Airwaves Ducati will race at Donington Park this weekend.

Healey said: "It has been a very busy week for GSE Racing off the track! I am delighted to confirm that as a result of the amendments to the MCRCB Bulletin 2008/6 addressing the teams safety concerns, Airwaves Ducati will be in a position to compete this Bank Holiday weekend in Round 4 of the British Superbike Championship. Donington Park has to be one of GSE Racing's favourite circuits; not only is it an exciting track for the Airwaves Ducati but we have achieved fantastic results there in previous seasons and we look forward to continuing that this weekend."

Both Airwaves Ducati riders are looking forward to getting back on their Ducati 1098R's at the 2.5-mile Derbyshire circuit following their three podium place finishes at Brands Hatch two weeks ago. Their early season form has resulted in a 44 point lead in the championship for Shane Byrne with team mate Leon Camier in third place on 83 points.

Spiga Motors - Honda CBR 1000 RR

Jones joins Rea and Pitt at Donington Park

Parkalgar Honda's Craig Jones will be joining fellow World Supersport Championship racers Jonathan Rea and Andrew Pitt on the grid at Donington Park next weekend (24/25/26 May), when they will be taking on the regulars of the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship.

Jones, the leading Brit in the World Supersport Championship, is eager to return to the track, having taken a win in the Supersport class there before, back in 2004.

Jones said: "It will be a relaxing and enjoyable meeting for me at Donington Park. The whole idea is to give Parkalgar Honda a race-test in advance of the World Championship round at the same circuit later in the year. Saying that, getting back to the British paddock and on a track I love, I am sure I'll be giving it my all. That goes double now we know that Andrew Pitt and Johnny Rea will be wildcarding at the same event - I suspect it will be World Championship pace from start to finish."

Jones may have broken his left hand in a crash at the last round at Monza, but he is confident he will be almost back to full fitness in time for next weekend: "My hand was broken but I was able to race last weekend and still finish sixth. I have been resting and healing since then and don't expect it to pose any problems at Donington Park. In truth, I am really looking forward to racing in front of the British fans again; this is a real bonus for me and the whole team."

Parkalgar Honda Team Manager Simon Buckmaster added: "The whole idea behind attending the Donington Park round is to give us data and settings for when we return to the track in September for the World Championship round. But on top of that, we are a British-based team and we enjoy racing as well, so while there is a serious angle for the World Championship, we will also be going for the win. It's going to be great to be racing in front of the UK fans; the fact is they are the best in the world."

Bennetts British Superbike Championship

The British Superbike round at Snetterton is one of the fastest on the calendar and with top speeds of nearly 200mph, this really is the round to see superbikes at their flat-out best. Lots of slipstreaming followed by heavy braking means that there are always plenty of overtaking opportunities at Snetterton.

Will it be Honda, Ducati, Suzuki or Yamaha that come out on top? The team and rider line-up is as strong as ever with the rivalry reunited between HM Plant Honda and Airwaves Ducati, with Leon Haslam moving to the black and orange Fireblade for 2008 and Shane Byrne returning to Ducati. Who will stand on the top step of the podium in Norfolk?

Neukirchner takes it to the Max

Max Neukirchner has become the first German to win a Superbike World Championship race as he and Noriyuki Haga took the honours in Monza.

Alstare Suzuki's Neukirchner won Race 1 at the Italian circuit, beating the Yamaha Motor Italia of Haga by just 0.058 seconds.

Race 2 saw Haga edge out Neukirchner by just 0.009secs after a three-man sprint for the line.

Australian championship leader Troy Bayliss was third in Race 1 on his Ducati Xerox, with nearest rival Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) down in eighth after he was relegated to the back of the field after a clash with fellow Spaniard Fonsi Nieto.

In Race 2, Haga and Neukirchner both were behind Ryuichi Kiyonari as they braked for the final entry into the Parabolica but they got through to complete the fifth closest finish in Superbike history.

An engine problem ended Bayliss' afternoon but Checa also retired to ensure the Australian extended his already-daunting championship lead.

Neukirchner was delighted with his afternoon's work, saying: "It's the first win by a German rider in World Superbike and I'm really happy about that."

"My team did a great job this weekend. Our engine for sure is very fast, Suzuki have done a lot of development work on it."

Haga could not believe how close Race 2 finished.

"On that last lap, I was thinking about what I had to do to win, my head was totally blank but I arrived at the line and couldn't believe the gap, 0.009 seconds," he said.

"Monza is special for me, here is our home track and I have been thinking for all last week that I must win."

French disaster for Stoner

Casey Stoner's defence of his world championship hangs by a thread after a disastrous French MotoGP saw the Australian fail to pick up a point, while Valentino Rossi collected his second-straight victory to take the championship lead.

Stoner led the race early but Rossi powered past him and was never headed from that point, winning by five seconds. The Australian looked set for at least a podium finish, but rain at Le Mans put a spanner in the works.

His bike faltered badly with seven laps to go and he was forced to push it into the pits before changing bikes and heading back out. He finished 16th.

Rossi lead a FIAT Yamaha quinella with Jorge Lorenzo, nursing two fractured ankles, charging into second, while Colin Edwards claimed his first podium of the year, riding a consistent race to finish third, ahead of Dani Pedrosa, who relinquishes his championship lead, while Australian Chris Vermeulen had his best race for the year, finishing fifth.

Rossi, who collected his 90th GP win, leads the championship on 97 points, three clear of Pedrosa and Lorenzo who share second, while Stoner remains stranded back on 56 points, 41 off the lead and in fourth.

The race started well for Stoner, who came from third off the grid to lead Pedrosa and Edwards at the first turn. He looked to have a clear advantage on those two, but when Rossi pushed his way through to second with two laps it was clearly going to be the Italian's day.

The battle for the podium was intense and when the rain started to fall with ten laps remaining, it looked like the riders may have to come in and switch bikes. But they kept the faith, and worked hard just to keep the bikes on track.

But Stoner, who was third at that stage, raised his hand to indicate something had gone wrong as he crossed the start-finish line late in the race. He immediately slipped back to sixth with his engine spluttering and then had to jump off and push his bike when it stopped at the top of pit lane.

Stoner certainly wasn't the only rider to have a bad day, James Toseland crashed out early on and John Hopkins had a hairy moment when the chain snapped on his Kawasaki when he was close to top speed.

In the end, the Yamahas clearly handled to tricky conditions the better, filling the top three places while Pedrosa's Repsol fell off the pace to finish fourth. Vermeulen, a winner at Le Mans last year, rode an excellent race on the Rizla Suzuki to finish fifth, Andrea Dovizioso was sixth, Loris Capirossi seventh, Nicky Hayden eighth, Randy de Puniet ninth and Shinya Nakano tenth. Australia's Ant West picked up two points in 14th.

The day belonged to Rossi, who joined Angel Nieto on 90 GP wins in all classes. In brilliant scenes after the race, Rossi picked up Nieto on his Yamaha and let the former 80cc and 125cc champion drive him back to the pits.

He then joined Lorenzo and Edwards on the podium, with the young Spaniard unable to stand on the podium because of the injuries he sustained in Shanghai two weeks ago.

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Safety First Suzuki's Fong, Rizmayer To Focus On AMA Supersport Class In 2008

Safety First Suzuki is proud to announce our 2008 AMA racing program. Team Owner, Kevin Hanson, explained what’s in store for 2008. “It’s been a busy last couple of months. Our Suzuki program has been set in place for some time with 17 year old young gun, Bobby Fong, returning. However, I really wanted to take my time and see who was available for the second rider slot.

My rider coach, Owen Weichel, approached me about a Hungarian rider, Gabor Rizmayer, through a longstanding contact with a friend in Europe. The holdup was Gabor is a Suzuki supported rider in Europe and there were some AMA rounds that conflicted with his European race schedule. Thankfully, we were able to secure Gabor for (7) AMA rounds this season starting with Daytona. The great thing is he brings a ton of race experience as well as 125 & 250 GP experience so I’m really excited about the opportunity of having him on the team,” commented Hanson. Both riders will be focusing solely on Supersport except for the Daytona 200. This will allow us to focus all of our efforts on producing great results in the ultra-competitive Supersport class,” advised Hanson.

Safety First Suzuki has also added some new sponsors and key personnel to the team for 2008. Dave Moss, owner of Catalyst Suspension Tuning will serve as crewchief for the team and suspension tuner for Bobby Fong. Dave is a well respected tuner via his trackday tuning business and his two suspension DVD’s, “Introduction to Sportbike Suspension” and “Twiddling Knobs.” “I’m excited about bringing 10 years of tuning, communication and organizational skills to the team for this great opportunity Kevin has presented me with,” commented Moss.

Additionally, Traxxion Dynamics has come on board as a sponsor, along with Traxxion tuner Don Finnelli to serve as lead mechanic and suspension tuner for Gabor Rizmayer. “I’m really excited about using the Traxxion Gas Cartridges this year. I feel this will give us a competitive advantage by allowing the riders to take advantage of using a full-blown superbike style fork product that is legal in Supersport,” exclaimed Hanson. Richard Cherney who has been a long time supporter of Bobby Fong since he started dirttrack racing as a child will serve as Bobby’s lead mechanic.

Penske is also stepping up their support for 2008. Shane Schweighart from Penske will be operating out of the team transporter during the year servicing Penske products for riders as well as supporting the team with Penske 8770 shocks that provide another level of performance over the standard Penske triple clicker shock.

Michelin will also be returning as a big supporter of Safety First Suzuki this year. “We recently returned from testing the new suspension components and Michelin tires at Jennings in January with really good results. We tested new Michelin fronts and rears that are a big leap forward from last year. I think the Michelin riders in the U.S. this year are really going to impressed with the product for 2008, commented Hanson.

See you at Daytona…..

Safety First Suzuki was formed in 2004 by police officer/racer, Kevin Hanson, based out of Chicago, IL. For 2008, Safety First Suzuki will be competing in the AMA Superbike series in the Supersport class. For further information, please checkout www.SAFETYFIRSTRACING.com to see the Safety First Suzuki line of apparel, casual wear and performance products. Kevin Hanson continues to educate elementary school aged children nationwide about the importance of helmet usage.