Michael Rutter & Peter Hickman - Photo Credit: Motorsport Vision

MSS Colchester Kawasaki have announced their rider line-up for the 2012 British Superbike season with experience the buzzword at Nick Morgan’s squad. The riders boast 491 BSB race starts between them with the bulk held by Michael Rutter who rejoins the team after four years away.

Rutter, who turns 40 shortly after the start of the season, hopes his experience proves vital in a year that sees regulation changes in the British Superbike Championship.

“This is going to be an interesting year for everybody, but I have obviously been with Nick and the team before so know what to expect from them and I am looking forward to getting back on the Kawasaki again. I know the power is good and having watched the riders clocking up podiums last year, I could see the whole machine is a good package. I missed out on the top six in the Showdown last season through that crash but this year I want to be back in that top six again. We need to be aiming for results early on as I also think that the bikes will change a lot during the season so it is important to score well from the start. I am definitely hoping that some of my experience of all the different bikes over the years will benefit me.”

Like Rutter, new teammate Peter Hickman narrowly missed out on the BSB Championship Showdown in 2011 and hopes to make the extra step this year.

“I’ve been talking to Nick for a couple of years but it came together for 2012 over the winter and I’ve got to say I’m really chuffed to be with such an established team. I keep coming back to Kawasaki; I won the Superstock Cup in 2004 on one and raced one again in Superstock in 2005 before two years on the Hawk Kawasaki bike in 2006-7 with some really good results in the first year.”

“The new rules in BSB should maybe close the gap but I’m sure it will still be the same faces up the front. I’m bringing my crew chief with me so it will be good to have a bit of consistency and I know Nick runs a great team. I feel like I’ve earned my place on the BSB grid now and with this package and team there’s no reason why we can’t be aiming for the top six, even with such a strong field. I have more to prove this year and I am really excited about getting started so I just can’t wait now for Brands Hatch and the start of the season.”

MSS Colchester Kawasaki ran a 2012 spec bike towards the end of last year and Team Owner Nick Morgan hopes it will help his new riders steal a march on the competition.

“We have an interesting line-up for this year that will hopefully cause some surprises. Michael needs no introduction and possesses such experience that will see him snatch results when they’re least expected. From my perspective it’s a good opportunity for a new rider like Hicky to come in and learn from Michael. I think he’s a really underrated rider who’s worked hard to get where he has. Last season saw some great rides, maybe he could benefit from some more direction and it will all click into place.”

“One thing we did last year that turned a few heads was run to the 2012 spec before the end of the season. We didn’t set the world alight but we logged up days and days of data at different tracks on how the new ZX-10R reacts when using the new engine spec regulations and Motec ECU. This means when we come to start testing in Spain we won’t have to re-invent the wheel and will be able to utilise that information to fine tune the bikes to Michael and Hicky.”

The Young Riders Fund

Up and coming riders Josh Elliott and Niall Campbell will be supported by the Young Riders Fund for a second year in succession after a vote among the fund’s supporters and friends. The teenage pair benefitted from the collaboration last year and 64% of voters chose to extend the partnership.

The Young Riders Fund is run by volunteers with a passion for motorcycle racing and with donations from supporters and sponsors, they provide financial assistance to riders starting their careers.

18 year old Campbell, from Lanarkshire, will stay with the Grant Racing team in the National Superstock 600 Championship and has praised the YRF for giving him the confidence to compete at such a young age.

“I’ve had a great experience previously with the YRF and I’m looking forward to continuing to receive their backing,” he said. “The fund’s support has really helped motivate me and has given me extra confidence. I’m very excited about the 2012 season and hope to share some great moments with the YRF and its supporters.”

Elliott, 17, has joined Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki for the upcoming National Superstock 1000 season and the Northern Irish youngster is looking to repay the YRF for their support.

“I’m delighted to be a part of the young riders fund again for 2012. Everyone involved is very supportive and they are great bunch of people. I’m looking forward to meeting a lot more of them this year at BSB. I will be working extremely hard to achieve my goals and fly the flag for the YRF this season.”

Both riders will get their 2012 campaigns underway at Brands Hatch on Easter weekend.

Shane 'Shakey' Byrne - Photo Credit: Honda Racing

Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne had a miraculous escape after being involved in a multi-car accident on Monday before being hit head-on by a vehicle moments later. The Londoner was driving his Mercedes Vito when he was involved in the pile-up and when he climbed out of the damaged vehicle, he was struck head-on.

Byrne’s injuries were somehow limited to a sore ankle and was his usual cheerful self when he broke the news on his Twitter page.

“Bad day… Was in a multi car pile up early am, survived that in the pitch black, got out of my van, then got knocked down by another car!! Wish I could say I was joking, fortunately wife and children ok, suspected broken ankle turned out to be ok #callmelucky. 70mph head on smash, knocked down by another car after the crash and a sore ankle… Somebody was looking out for me!!!”

Two days later, Byrne offered an update on his condition and again, seemed in good spirits despite his near-miss, tweeting “Just out of local hospital, my shoe got ripped off in the accident & 1 of the cut/grazes is pretty raw, toes look like small sausages ha ha.”

Despite the injury, Byrne has assured everyone that he will be fully fit for the start of the 2012 British Superbike Championship in April when he will compete with Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki.

Luke Quigley - Photo Credit: Motorsport Vision

BSB newcomers GBmoto have signed Luke Quigley to complete their rider line-up for the 2012 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship. The 32 year old moves up from the National Superstock 1000 class after a strong 2011 season which saw him win what turned out to be the final race of the season, finishing third overall.

Quigley will race in BSB for the first time since 2008 and expects the 2012-spec Honda Fireblade to be a competitive package under the new regulations.

“You get nervous preparing to race but this winter has brought a different kind of pressure with interest from different teams. When Mark came with an offer to ride in BSB, well, it’s where I want to be. Every rider wants the best bike, in the best team, in the best possible championship, against the best riders. It’s been awesome really running my own team. It’s good experience doing things yourself, but Mark (Smith-Halvorsen – Team Principal) has given me the opportunity to concentrate more on my racing. I think the series will be even more competitive. Hopefully there will be a good mix of riders up front and I think the Honda will be a great bike to be on. I’m looking forward to the opportunity. Mark’s (going all out to prove a point. He doesn’t just want to be another team in the paddock. He wants to be right up there and, being in a competitive team that wants to win, helps a rider’s confidence.”

Team Manager Terry Liquorish expects Quigley and teammate Tristan Palmer to spring a surprise in what promises to be a fascinating season.

“We signed Luke because we really believe he will fit into our team well – and have watched first hand just how well he can race this year. Whilst there is more power and less weight in Superbike which alters the technique required, we will be making sure he adjusts well to the extra grip, stopping power and balance that will be dialled into our Hondas. The rule changes will suit both our riders, who can start the season without any external pressure or heightened expectation – a little like we did last year. We don’t plan to be any less competitive this season. We are not getting carried away with the task ahead of us, but neither are we at a loss as to how to progress and develop things systematically. Luke has added another reason for the team to feel happy and confident as we go about the job of preparing for the premier class.”

The new season gets underway on April 9th at the Brands Hatch Indy circuit.

Nine winners of 2011, and tributes to two who lost their lives aiming to join them

The twelve months of 2011 have been twelve months of contrasts, a twelve months packed with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Now, having looked back over the previous year the writers of The Checkered Flag look forward at what the 2012 racing season could bring with new driver line-ups and regulations.

Peter Allen

Intra-team battles ad Force India and Toro Rosso
The two midfield F1 squads have gone with potential over experience for their 2012 driver lineups. The stakes are potentially very high for the drivers at both teams, with Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg eyeing any seat that becomes available at Mercedes, while Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne will fight it out to become Mark Webber’s replacement at Red Bull. All four are highly-rated, and it will be fascinating to see what happens at both teams.

Toro Rosso teammates and F1 new boys Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne - one battle to watch in 2012

David Bean

Someone to match Vettel?
Sticking to F1, most fans will be looking for the emergence of a challenger to Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull. Will one of the McLaren pairing, or even Fernando Alonso at Ferrari, be able to stop next season becoming as one-sided as it was in 2011? It will also be interesting to see how Kimi Räikkönen and Romain Grosjean do at Renault, and how the exciting young talent – the likes of Daniel Ricciardo, Jean-Eric Vergne and Charles Pic – manage in their first full seasons as F1 drivers.

Josh Bell

Formula One 2012
I have two, so forgive me for being greedy. The battle at Toro Rosso between their new driver line up of Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne will be extremely intense, particularly as one of them may land themselves a Red Bull seat if Mark Webber departs at the end of 2012. Secondly, I am optimistic of five teams challenging for the Formula One World Championship next season. Or maybe I am just a romantic? Merry Christmas readers!

James Broomhead

NGTC comes of age
Nationally I think the BTCC is headed for another superb year. The second half of the year was the NGTC-spec cars coming out party, and in 2012 it will be interesting to see some more of the potential of the new cars when Honda roll out the new Civic. How their efforts – with Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden compare to the teams with a whole year of NGTC trouble-shooting behind them – is just another facet in a year that could bring even more manufacturers in even bigger grids.  

Andy Champness

Challengers to Team Vodafone
The V8 Supercars has again shown it’s the best touring car series in the world, so more of the same please! Team Vodafone dominated the 2011 season, but I think teams such as Stone Brothers Racing and Ford Performance Racing will up their game and close the gap in 2012. Look out for the likes of Tim Slade, David Reynolds and in particular Shane van Gisbergen who this year won his first race at his home event in New Zealand and backed it up in Darwin to finish fourth in this year’s championship. These are the sport’s new generation, young drivers who showed in 2011 that they have the talent and ability to pose a genuine threat to the more established stars.

Mark Foley

The Young(er) Blood
Formula Renault 2.0 champion Alex Lynn and the imaginatively named Carlos Sainz Jr. join the ranks of British Formula 3 for 2012, and both could be potential headaches for the more experienced British F3 runners cracking their knuckles as they eye the 2012 title. Lynn has BRDC and FIA Excellence Academy support behind him, whilst Sainz Jr. comes ominously armed with Red Bull backing, adding pressure, removing excuses and drawing plenty of keen eyes onto the youngsters tipped for future stardom.

Formula Renault UK champion Alex Lynn - one of the drivers set to make the 2012 British Formula Three Championship a year to remember

Chris Gurton

What To Look For Next Year – National racing and beyond
For me there are a number of things to look for next year. After the teething troubles of the new NGTC cars in the BTCC, a more level playing field next season and a big field should lead to an exciting championship. On the subject of touring cars, it will be interesting to see how Arena Motorsport and Special Tuning Racing cope with the step up to WTCC.

After an extremely close fought title battle in British GT, next seasons Championship will no doubt be an equally exciting and close fight. Look out for the new look Ginetta G55 GT3 and the Aston Martin V12 Vantage adding to the array of stunning cars throughout the field. For fans of endurance racing, the new World Endurance Championships should be something to look out for too.

Also, with driver moves and deals still being confirmed within Formula One, an exciting new driver to keep an eye out for is Jean Eric-Vergne. The Frenchman showed true class in the 2010 British F3 Championships on his way to the title and runner up at the end of a season in formula Renault 3.5 has shown his ability. With the backing and support of Red Bull, could he be the new Sebastian Vettel? 

Leigh O’Gorman

What To Look For In 2012 – The World Endurance Championship
The emergence of the World Endurance Championship may not just be “the thing to look for in 2012”, but rather the biggest motorsport news of the decade. Since the WEC was announced at Le Mans, manufacturers have either thrown their hat into the ring or are weighing up future participation in a series that may – realistically – have far more relevance to the automotive industry than Formula 1 could ever dream of. Also, a nod to Tony Fernandes, who continues to raise the profile of motor racing in Asia, by organising national and club championships in emerging territories.

Simon Paice

What to look for in 2012 -Ginetta Juniors
In 2012, I’m really excited for the Ginetta Junior Championship. 2011 saw the teenage racers once again produce superb racing and while Seb Morris dominated, the likes of Niall Murray, Charlie Robertson, George Gamble and Sennan Fielding emerged as top talent. With some of them returning to join the usual influx of exciting new rookies, it is sure to be a fascinating, must watch 2012 season in the G40′s.

Also something I’m really looking forward to seeing is Petter Solberg in a Ford in the WRC, taking it to the Citroens and hopefully picking up a second world title.

Vince Pettit

British Superbikes
The 2012 season in British Superbikes looks set to be another great championship battle, defending champion joined by Isle of Man record breaker Ian Hutchinson, the Swan Yamaha team will be hard to beat. Although with that said that the PBM squad have assembled a strong team with the likes of Shakey Byrne and Stuart Easton. TAS Suzuki will also feature with Alastair Seeley looking to continue his momentum in the main class after securing the National Superstock 1000 and British Supersport titles in 2009 and this season respectively.

Louis Suddaby

A New Era Begins
2012 sees the introduction of CRT (Claiming Rule Teams) in MotoGP and a glimpse into the future of the premier class of motorcycle racing. Don’t expect too much too soon but this new philosophy had to happen, if anything to give us more bikes to look at. Moto3 will replace the 125cc class and unpredictability is the only certainty while EVO rules will now effectively be standard in the British Superbike Championship, surely producing another open season. 2012 will also be a huge year for Valentino Rossi. Surely Ducati will get it right this time?

Scott Wilkes

New regulations in BTCC and MotoGP
In the BTCC, the NGTC cars that started to make a surge to the front of the pack at the end of this season should be a preview of what’s to come this season, and it should be an even better season for close racing than we have just seen.

In MotoGP, the withdrawal of Suzuki and the arrival of the CRT machines should herald the start of an interesting shakeup in the sport. With the addition of the new standardised Moto3 series replacing the 125cc Championship, I am expecting the same level of competition as we saw in the spectacular Moto2 championship this year.

As for a rider/driver to look out for, it has to be Marc Marquez. After a poor start to last season, I wasn’t expecting much more from the young Spaniard. However, as happens most times with myself, I was proved wrong, and Marquez started a brilliant resurgence which left him a position to possibly win the championship at the final race, only to be ruled out by injury.

Nine winners of 2011, and tributes to two who lost their lives aiming to join them

Peter Allen

Huff beats Muller in Porto
Rob Huff chases down and catches Chevy teammate Yvan Muller, pulling alongside and past the Frenchman into one of the tight Portuguese street track’s chicanes. Huff attempts to turn in ahead, but there is contact. Huff goes across the inside of the chicane and keeps the lead to score his sixth win of the year. The momentum certainly seemed to be with Huff at the halfway point, but Muller would come back from this incident bigger and better to overhaul the Brit and win a third world title.

Rob Huff beat Yvan Muller in Porto (among other places) but still lost the title.

David Bean

Sky’s F1 deal
From a personal view there was the excitement of Nick Heidfeld’s car catching fire and exploding in front of us in the Hungarian Grand Prix, and the mix of exhaustion and contentment that I felt as the top three Britcar 24 Hours runners came to a stop beside me under the Silverstone podium, signalling the end of a busy 24 hours of reporting for this site. From a wider perspective, however, the moment someone from Sky Sports put their signature on a contract to show Formula 1 is one of the most significant of the year. This deal marks a radical change in how the sport is transmitted to some of its most dedicated fans, and it could have huge implications for the future of F1.

Josh Bell

Alonso’s start at Monza
There have been many in 2012, some sadly more disconcerting. The standout moment that provided me with the most emotion was Fernando Alonso‘s extraordinary start at his home Grand Prix, storming to the front of the field from fourth on the grid in the Ferrari. I was stunned in disbelief, a moment perhaps written in the storms. It was a brief, yet brilliant, high point in the race for Fernando but it was incredible nonetheless.

Jason Plato's Chevrolet Cruze before, and after, the RML run team's miraculous resurrection

James Broomhead

Moment Of The Year – RML’s Donington Rebuild
Jason Plato has just barrel rolled out of the second BTCC race at Donington Park, he physically and mentally battered by the accident at the thought of ending his weekend a race early and facing not scoring on an unhappy weekend. Cue a miraculous rebuild from the Silverline Chevrolet team in time for a superlative recovery drive almost forgotten during the rest of the season. Every possible panel on the car was replaced, a new aerial taped to the door, the entire team involved, including Plato’s father polishing the buckled roof. Enough cannot be said for the team, you wonder how many teams would even contemplate attempting the task.

Andy Champness

Moment Of The Year – Tom Boardman’s “Great” Silverstone
Moving away from Australian V8 Supercars to British Touring Cars, my moment of the year was provided by Special Tuning Racing’s Tom Boardman (and not just because I help out with their PR!) Most of you will be thinking I’m going to say the win at Knockhill, but it was actually the final two races at Silverstone. After his move on Plato at Knockhill, Tom got a bit of needless grief, so to watch him storm through to finish race two in sixth after starting from 23rd and then finishing the final race in third on his own merit was special. Tom was ecstatic afterwards, telling me: “That has to be one of the best races I’ve had all season! I know my win at Knockhill was good, but that felt great!” It was a poignant moment, knowing how hard the team had worked to get the cars fighting at the front and for Tom to show he can genuinely cut it with the best of them.

Tom Boardman took a maiden BTCC win at Knockhill, but it's his performance at the season finale that is Andy Champness' moment of the year

Mark Foley

British Formula 3 Paul Ricard, Final Corner, Final Lap
An edgy, race-long tussle between key championships contenders, Felipe Nasr and Kevin Magnussen, apparently wasn’t interesting enough for feisty Portuguese series-hopper Antonio Felix Da Costa, who made his presence felt throughout his guest appearance at the Paul Ricard weekend from the first corner to the last…Magnussen, Da Costa and Nasr ran nose-to-tail throughout, with a resilient Magnussen looking set to hold off strong opposition and claim a much needed win for his stuttering championship campaign. But, with the chequered flag in sight, an all-too-late lunge at the last corner from Da Costa saw the young Dane flicked off the circuit, allowing Nasr through to take yet another win. It not only sent pulses racing, but also managed to define each protagonist’s season in some respects – Da Costa’s wild racecraft, Nasr’s consistency and Magnussen’s awful luck.

Chris Gurton

Mark Webber’s pass at Eau Rouge
I’ve been fortunate enough to witness and be part of a number of great moments over the past year within motorsport and will have many stories to tell my grandchildren. But one moment that I couldn’t let pass without mentioning was a real breathtaking moment which sums up just what it takes to be a great racing driver. I am of course talking about Mark Webber’s stunning overtake on Fernando Alonso during the Belgian Grand Prix. Having got a better exit from La Source, Webber was gaining on the Spaniard down the hill towards Eau Rouge tucked into the slip stream. Assuming he would wait for the run up to Les Combes and the DRS Zone to make his move, remarkably we witnessed Webber pull out and pass the Ferrari round the outside and through Eau Rouge in a move which would normally end in tears. It was a remarkable manoeuvre and one that many would never even consider but was executed with skill and precision by the Aussie.

Leigh O’Gorman

Dan Wheldon’s fatal crash
Sadly, this has to go to the death of Dan Wheldon – the ramifications of which may be felt in motor racing for years to come. Since the crash, noises for better cockpit protection for single-seater’s have grown louder, while IndyCar’s days at high-banked ovals may be numbered. With IndyCar struggling for ovals, Wheldon’s death – amongst all the pointless greed and bickering of the owners and organisers – may finally be what defines the future of IndyCar. That Wheldon was about to move to a new chapter as the driver of Andretti-Autosport’s Go Daddy car makes it all the more tragic. A true superstar was lost.

Whether be the future of open-wheel oval racing, or the closed cockpit concept the death of Dan Wheldon will be felt by the Indycar fraternity and beyond for years to come

Simon Paice

Teammates get it wrong
There are two moments that stand out for me, both being incidents that stunned me into silence when team-mates got it wrong on track. First was the Honda Racing mix-up at Oulton Park in the BTCC, when Matt Neal made a last lap, final corner lunge at Gordon Shedden and resulted in putting them both through the gravel, cueing shocked faces from everyone watching.

The other was in the Formula Renault BARC opener at Croft, when the Fortec Motorsport team had a disaster. Braking for the first corner on the opening lap, contact between three of the Fortec cars resulted in its two title contenders, Josh Webster and Archie Hamilton, ending their races in the gravel, to the disbelief of those in attendance. This proved decisive in Webster narrowly missing out on the title.

Vince Pettit

Seeing Liam Doran take X Games Gold was a definite highlight of my year. I’ve been a fan of the X Games for some years and the recent addition of Rallycross has been excellent. Seeing Liam Doran work his way through the heats to face a head to head with rally legend Marcus Gronholm was amazing. Who would have thought a British driver in Downtown Los Angeles could cause such an upset on his X Games debut.

Liam Doran flew to X-Games glory, defeating Marcus Gronholm in the LA final

Louis Suddaby

Faubel and Zarco’s Dead Heat in Germany
Even now, I look at the photo finish from that day and still can’t believe what I’m seeing! The 125cc class is no stranger to close finishes but this was incredible. Never in the history of Grand Prix motorcycle racing had we seen a dead heat and the winner decided by a tiebreak. The fastest lap of the race swung it Faubel’s way. On four wheels, the Honda implosion at the final corner at Oulton Park stands out as a jaw dropping moment from the BTCC while Jenson Button’s last lap win in Canada also had me shouting at the telly!

TCF's two-wheel regular Louis Suddaby on the end of the 125cc race in Germany "I look at the photo finish from that day and still can’t believe what I’m seeing!"

Scott Wilkes

0.006s.
It’s difficult to describe just how epic the final two laps of the British Superbike Championship were. As Shane Byrne ran away with the victory in the final race at Brands Hatch, the title contenders were locked in a titanic duel for second. As the laps counted down to the penultimate tour, John Hopkins and Tommy Hill. After swapping positions at practically every corner, it came down to a sprint for the line out of the final corner. In the end, Tommy Hill walked away from Brands with the British title, and the honour of being part of two of the greatest laps of racing ever witnessed.

Nine winners of 2011, and tributes to two who lost their lives aiming to join them

 The twelve months of 2011 have been twelve months of contrasts, packed with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. As the writers of The Checkered Flag continue to look back on the year they pick their ’Race of the Year’, inlcuding a GT race decided on the final lap,  an endurance race to convert the unconvinced and a Grand Prix that became an endurance race – at least for spectators. 

Peter Allen

GP3 Nurburgring Race 1
Lewis Williamson had been set to become GP3’s first two-time winner of 2011 with his second consecutive victory after his Arden teammate Mitch Evans had received a drive-through penalty. But then the rain came down with just a few laps to go. Rio Haryanto quickly reeled Williamson in, taking the lead when the Scot ran wide at Turn 1. The lead then changed hands between the pair twice more over the following corners, before Valtteri Bottas caught and passed Williamson and chased after Haryanto. The Indonesian would hold on for a fine win, while Williamson would regain second from Bottas before the finish.

the changing weather brought Rio Haryanto to the front of the GP3 race at the Nurburgring

David Bean

Canadian Grand Prix
The Canadian Grand Prix was an epic race. It was the longest in F1 history – mainly thanks to a rain delay of over two hours in the middle of the race – but when the cars were on track there was not a dull moment. There were collisions between frontrunners, mistakes from champions, fantastic overtaking manoeuvres, an excellent drive from Regenmeister Michael Schumacher and, of course, the victory that Jenson Button described as the best of his career. Other F1 races came close to matching this one – China, Monaco and Hungary spring to mind – but nothing was quite as gripping as that June afternoon in Montreal.

Josh Bell

Formula Renault 3.5 at the Nurburgring
Given that the Canadian Grand Prix is probably going to be the most popular choice, I have gone for something less ingrained in the minds of the public. For me, and perhaps I am little biased given I cover the category, Race One in the Formula Renault 3.5 event at the Nurburgring was scintillating, as Robert Wickens and Daniel Ricciardo battled for victory in intermittent conditions from the very first lap. The Canadian won it by a nose and courtesy of Eurosport, here is the link to the highlights of that wonderful race:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HABa8ZC6HqU

James Broomhead

British GT, Snetterton
You cannot talk about races without mentioning the 24 Hours of Le Mans – that was pure fairy tale. However, the two hour Avon Tyres British GT race at Snetterton was the most impossibly twisting event of the year. Matt Bell and Michael Guasch won United Autosports’ first ever race by leading just the final lap and after serving two penalties. Glynn Geddie almost wins the race in the pits, Matt Griffin hit a spinning backmarker while battling for the lead, the two Porsches hit each other early on in the rain and the GT4 winner came back from the longest stop-go penalty I can ever remember – 1:11.

Matt Bell and Michael Guasch came back from two penalties to take a last gasp win at Snetterton

Andy Champness

Bathurst 1000
For me it has to be Bathurst. Call me predictable, but this race is anything but! It had everything – drama, heartache, crashes, breakdowns and even a terrifying fuel fire. But after 161 laps around this perilous mountain and almost six and a half hours of driving, it was an epic, down to the wire battle between Craig Lowndes and Garth Tander racing for everything they had. Over the final 20 laps, Lowndes stormed through from fourth carving chunks of out of Tander’s lead to just half a second going into the last lap. Tander did brilliantly to survive the onslaught and the difference between winning and losing the 2011 Bathurst 1000 came down to just 0.292 seconds!

Mark Foley

Macau GP
When open-wheel champions from all corners of the globe were set to go wheel-to-wheel for the 58^th Macau GP, it promised much, and didn’t disappoint. After a furiously paced 4-way scrap for the lead fought with slipstreaming and heavy braking – jubilant opportunist Daniel Juncadella took the win with Marco Wittmann in 3^rd (the early leader and certainly the moral victor having dropped down the order after a late safety car). With British F3 champ Felipe Nasr in 2^nd, a podium rich with young talent served as a great book-end to the Formula 3 year.

Daniel Juncadella beat pole-sitter Marco Wittmann and British F3 Champion Felipe Nasr in a terrific close to the F3 year

Chris Gurton

24 Hours of Le Mans
For me the race of the year has to be the Le Mans 24 hour. Set to be another ding dong battle between the Peugeots and Audi with their new R18 car, it didn’t disappoint. After two huge accidents involving the Audi no.3 of Allan McNish and the no.1 of Mike Rockenfeller the German marque was left with what some would say was their weaker driver line up of Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer to bring home the sole remaining Audi. Up against the 3 factory backed Peugeot 908’s and the privateer Oreca 908 they certainly showed their true ability and maturity in the face of some quite remarkable and dangerous tactics from the French team to pressure the Audi into a mistake. With seconds splitting the front running Audi and the Bourdais, Lamy and Pegenaud Peugeot in second place the finishing margin after 24 hours of racing was just 13.8s. Those who think endurance racing is boring should think again.

The Audi R18 of Andre Lotterer, Marcel Fassler and Benoit Treluyer, winners of this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, photographer Chris Gurton's race of the year

Leigh O’Gorman

Race Of The Year – Ford 400, Homestead-Miami Speedway
This is easy easy. From the moment the flag dropped, eventual champion Tony Stewart was absolutely on it and taking the challenge to Carl Edwards, with Stewart winning by a second. Thankfully, there was no nonsense, no ridiculous wrecking, no competition cautions and no TV-driven interruptions – just some of the hardest racing of the year. It was everything NASCAR could be if they just stopped screwing around with the package. The rain delays only ramped up the tension throughout. Brilliant stuff.

Simon Paice

BTCC’s first Croft Race
My race of the year has to be the opening BTCC race at Croft. Mat Jackson produced one of his trademark drives through the field in changing conditions and after passing twelve cars, narrowly missed out on the win by 0.055 seconds to Matt Neal, a race that epitomised the entertainment of the BTCC.

Neal and Jackson race towards the checkered flag - Neal would win. Just.

Another race that will also last long in my memory is the Canadian Grand Prix. The longest race in Formula One history, it had it all, safety cars, a rain delay, Michael Schumacher nearly getting his first comeback podium, a rare Sebastian Vettel mistake and a superb Jenson Button drive through the field for the most unlikely of victories.

Vince Pettit

British Superbike Finale, Brands Hatch
My race of the year has to be the final race of the British Superbike 2011 season on the GP circuit at Brands Hatch. After a season of hard racing the championship comes down to the last race and was decided by just 0.006 seconds. The race itself was amazing to watch, especially the last lap where it so easily could have been either Hill or Hopkins; neither rider wanting to roll over and accept defeat. Eventually the Brit defeated the American in a fight that will go down in BSB folklore.

The BSB finale - John Hopkins and Tommy Hill battling on track over the title - was a two-wheeled race of the year

Louis Suddaby

BSB Final Weekend: Race Three
Often, title deciders end in tears but the very last race of the British Superbike season saw Tommy Hill and John Hopkins race fair and square with everything on the line, producing the best lap of racing I’ve ever seen, bar none. The two swapped places six times on the last lap and Hill made it over the finish line six thousandths of a second ahead of Hopkins to win the championship. For sheer excitement and given what was at stake, nothing on two wheels came close this year.

Scott Wilkes

Canadian Grand Prix
This was the most difficult accolade for me to chose this year, as this years motor sport season hasn’t really pulled me in as much as previous seasons. Thinking back throughout the year however, one race stood out to me. On my way back from spectating at Silverstone for the British MotoGP, I was witnessing reports on Twitter that the Canadian Grand Prix had been red flagged for around an hour. I almost hadn’t tuned in once I’d arrived home, but how glad I was I had.

Witnessing Jenson Button‘s surge through the field was a sight to behold. Despite various contacts throughout the race with team-mate Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari‘s Fernando Alonso, Button held onto the leading pack, and in drying conditions which he loves, he was able to set some blistering laps to catch Sebastian Vettel, and force the leader into making a mistake on the penultimate lap.

Dan Linfoot and Barry Burrell

Hawk Racing have confirmed their 2012 line-up which will see them competing once again in familiar Buildbase BMW livery in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship.

Barry Burrell will continue building on his 2011 experiences with the team while he is joined by Dan Linfoot who will be competing in his third season of BSB.

Linfoot said: “It was always my goal to stay in BSB next season; it is where I want to be and the Moto2 experience this year I am sure can only have helped. The new rules for 2012 will make it a more level playing field and that will definitely be great for everyone. I think the experience the team had last season and the rule changes mean we can be aiming for some good results.

“The BMW has performed well in the Superstock class for the past couple of seasons and that shows that it is one of the best bikes on the market at the moment; there is no reason why that shouldn’t translate to BSB. There are lots of questions marks in terms of who is going to be the ones to beat for next season with the various changes, so we will have to wait for round one at Brands Hatch! The team have been working hard on the bikes and I want to be up there from the start.”

Burrell on the Buildbase BMW in 2011

Burrell added: “I am really excited to be back in BSB next season with the Buildbase BMW team again as we made steps forward last year and we can continue to do the same in 2012. It took a while last season to adapt to the BMW but now we have that experience we will start next year in a stronger position, as we ended 2011 with some good results.

“I have goals to be inside the top ten and I think with more power now we should be able to move up the order and show what we can do as a team.” 

Tommy Hill - Photo Credit: Motorsport Vision

Tommy Hill will defend his MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship crown with Swan Yamaha after announcing his plans for 2012 on Wednesday. The Lingfield rider saw off John Hopkins in a memorable final race to win this year’s title, beating him on the last lap by 0.006s.

Hill admitted he had possibilities to race in other championships but couldn’t turn down the opportunity to defend his title while sporting the number one plate across the country.

“At the end of last season after winning the title I was speaking to different teams and looking at the different championships, but I knew I needed to have the complete package. I have a lot of fans in BSB and I think having a British champion trying to hold on to the number one plate is something to get excited about; I certainly am! I really wanted to stay with Yamaha and build on the results and our relationship. The Swan Yamaha team have won one BSB title but now we are looking at how we can improve so we can do it again. The consistency with the team is very important and they have already started looking at what we can do to move forward again. The rule changes don’t worry me as through most of my career I haven’t used traction control. I think it will now come down more to rider input and also working as a team to get the chassis set up right. I know there has already been hard work behind the scenes at the workshop and as a rider that really gives me confidence before we even begin testing.”

“I think going into next season there is probably less pressure on me than there was last year despite being the champion. If anyone had asked me before last year what my ambitions were the answer was always to win the BSB title. That is now complete but now that I have it, I certainly won’t be giving it up without a fight. I am treating next year in the same way I did last season because I definitely want to keep hold of the number one plate for myself and the Swan Yamaha team.”

Hill’s teammate will be road racing legend Ian Hutchinson who will compete in his first full season in British Superbikes. The five-time Isle of Man TT winner has endured a terrible year as he battled his way back from a compound fracture of his left tibia and fibula sustained in September 2010.

Hutchinson is back in action after an injury-hit 2011

‘Hutchy’ retuned at November’s Macau Grand Prix, claiming a stunning third place, and his performance has earned him an opportunity he admits he’s been looking for for years.

“Next year is definitely a big one for me and I have never been looking forward to a season so much. I am glad that I had the opportunity to race at the end of this year as I have always had faith in my own ability but I just needed to prove to any doubters that I could still race. I have wanted to race in BSB for several years but the right opportunity has never been there and that makes 2012 a big year for me. For the last three years I have won in the British Supersport and National Superstock classes, but I haven’t really had full seasons to be able to fight for the title. I think the knowledge I have of riding a Superbike on the roads will help me, and in that respect the new rules will too as I have never ridden with all the gizmos. I tested the Swan Yamaha before Macau and it is a great bike to ride; everything about it feels good so I can’t see any reason why I can’t run at the front. 

“I am over my injury now; I currently still use the right-hand gear shift that the team adapted for me to run at Macau but it is not a concern. The team have got it working perfectly for me so I just feel ready to get out testing as soon as possible! I think the injury and the year just watching from the sidelines has definitely made me want it more; I want to prove that I can still be successful and I am determined to show that. The crash doesn’t faze me and I don’t think of it as traumatic, but as an experience. I was just unlucky that I got hit and injured the leg so badly. As a rider it hasn’t affected me as something like that can happen at any time. Now I just want to race and my aim is to get the results myself and the Swan Yamaha team deserve both in BSB and at the TT.”

With his new rider line-up, team owner Shaun Muir feels he has everything in place for another successful year on the track and on the road.

“Everyone at SMR has been working behind the scenes since the end of the 2011 season. We knew that we wanted to have continuity in the team with Tommy to try and retain the BSB crown, which everyone knows is never easy. For that to happen we wanted to give him everything he requires in order to achieve it and we have been working hard on giving him an extremely competitive package and I believe we are already ahead of the game. The team are focused and we are obviously delighted to be defending the number one plate with Tommy. He wants to win another BSB championship as much as he wanted to win his maiden one last season.”

“We were then looking at our options for a second rider. Our goals as a team and for Yamaha are to win the BSB title and win at the Isle of Man TT. We reviewed our options carefully and I have been impressed with Ian Hutchinson, not only his race craft but also his ability to work with the team and his determination to return from injury. He has spent a lot of time in the garage with us this year and his recent performance at the Macau Grand Prix proved he is over his injury now. Hutchy will be with the team for two seasons (2012 and 2013) and we are committed to him; I really want to turn him into the complete racer that can win in both disciplines. He has the potential so we want to be able to give him the opportunity to excel. We are now looking forward to working again with Swan and our new partners for the forthcoming season. We are also fielding Wesley Pearce in the Superstock class and look forward to developing his riding over the course of the year, with a view that he can progress into British Supersport in 2013.”

Alastair Seeley - Photo Credit: Motorsport Vision

Alastair Seeley will return to the British Superbike Championship in 2012 after signing a deal to race for the new look Tyco Suzuki squad. Seeley last raced in the BSB for the TAS Racing run team in 2010, qualifying for the championship showdown, but stayed with the Northern Irish outfit to win the British Supersport Championship this year.

Seeley is not expecting a settling in period on his return to Superbike machinery and is already planning a title challenge in 2012.

“I’m very excited to be back with the TAS team for another year, especially getting back on a Superbike, and I’m equally excited about the new Tyco Suzuki colours. The bike looks really well. Once we get some pre-season testing done my aim will be to try and win the championship; that really is my only goal. I think the new rules in BSB will be in my favour, having already won two championships without electronic aids, and I have every confidence in the boys at TAS to give me the best possible package. Until then I’ll be doing plenty of motocross and trials riding to hone my throttle control, but I can’t wait to get started.”

Seeley forms an impressive team with Australian Josh Brookes and Team Manager Philip Neill is delighted to have Seeley back in the Superbike fold.

“It’s fantastic to confirm Alastair Seeley as our second rider in BSB for next year. We have had a tremendous journey with Alastair since we brought him into our set-up at the start of 2009. He was a relative unknown in British championship terms back then, so to be able to turn him into a double champion in such a short space of time is very satisfying. He has been hugely impressive on all types of GSX-R machinery and his goal now is to become the first rider ever to win three different British championships. He had a great rookie season in Superbike back in 2010; probably the best one we have seen so far. He then took on the Supersport challenge this year with the all-new GSX-R600 and did a great job for TAS Racing and Suzuki. We have rewarded that success with another shot in BSB we believe he can be a genuine title contender in 2012.”

John Hopkins and Tommy Hill - Photo Credit: Pirelli

Motorcycle racing is a sport of fine margins. A blink of an eye can make the difference between winning and losing, success and failure, agony and ecstasy. This year’s MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship took those margins and slashed them, providing one of the most dramatic climaxes to a season ever seen in motorsport.

On paper, the 2011 season promised plenty with defending champion Ryuichi Kiyonari joined by former double champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne, the Londoner making a welcome return after two years in the World Championship.

Shaun Muir Racing swapped Honda power for a Suzuki GSX-R1000 with Swan remaining as title sponsors. James Ellison and Stuart Easton had departed though with Tommy Hill and Michael Laverty taking over, both eager to make up for their Showdown disappointment in 2010.

Easton had switched to MSS Colchester Kawasaki but he wasn’t the only man on the move. With Byrne moving in at Honda, 2010 runner-up Josh Brookes had taken up the vacant seat at Relentless Suzuki while reigning Superstock 1000 champion Jon Kirkham secured one of the vacant Suzukis at Samsung Crescent Racing. The identity of his teammate was one of the stories of the off-season.

Jack Valentine pulled off a huge coup by signing former MotoGP star John Hopkins in January of 2011. An already star-studded British Superbike field had just been added with a touch of American stardust.

In the competitive EVO class, Team WFR were expected to be the team to beat with Alex Lowes, Glen Richards and Graeme Gowland on board but former MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider Simon Andrews was looking to stop them. The Easter weekend would signal the start of the 26 race journey…

Many questions needed answering but any doubts surrounding Shane Byrne’s quality after two years away were dispelled in the very first qualifying session. The 34-year-old outpaced Kiyonari for pole position on the tight Indy circuit with Hill and Laverty locking out the other half of the front row for Swan Yamaha. French teenager Loris Baz was a superb fifth for Motorpoint Yamaha while at the other end of the scale, 39-year-old BSB stalwart Michael Rutter took sixth for Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati. John Hopkins and Josh Brookes were surprising casualties in Q2 though and found themselves on the third and fourth row respectively.

In a dramatic opener, Byrne secured maximum points in a race which saw Laverty crash spectacular out of the lead. Stuart Easton also led at one stage but had to settle for fourth behind Hill and the impressive Tommy Bridewell whose podium finish had Tyco Honda in dreamland. The BSB’s international stars had a tough start with Kiyonari’s Honda Fireblade breaking down while John Hopkins and Josh Brookes had trips through the gravel and failed to score.

Byrne had his eyes on a home double but Hill had other ideas in race two, overtaking him at half distance. Kiyonari capitalised on a late error from his teammate two laps from home to score 20 valuable points with Laverty doing likewise in fourth. Hopkins also opened his account with fifth while Glen Richards stole an early march in the EVO championship by winning both races.

Byrne returned after two years away to win the opening race of the year (Photo Credit: Honda Racing)

Only a week had passed before racing resumed, this time at Oulton Park and Swan Yamaha were in dominant mood, leaving the rest of the field trailing in practice before securing a 1-2 on the grid. Hill had edged out Laverty for pole but disaster struck in morning warm-up. Loris Baz had already fallen with fluid believed to be on the circuit and Hill was the next to fall, suffering ligament damage to his shoulder.

Laverty inherited pole position but couldn’t convert it into victory, that honour going to defending champion Kiyonari, his fourth Oulton Park win on the bounce. John Hopkins and Stuart Easton impressed to complete the podium with Byrne beating Laverty to fourth. The star of race one finished down in 12^th though with Alex Lowes setting a lap time quick enough to put him on the front row for race two, winning the EVO race in the process.

The 20-year-old did the double later on but couldn’t stick with his more powerful counterparts, the fight for victory involving Stuart Easton and Josh Brookes. The race was blown wide open on lap nine though when Brookes crashed at the Britten’s chicane, destroying his Suzuki. The ensuing safety car wiped out Easton’s comfortable lead and John Hopkins took full advantage, becoming the first ever American winner of a British Superbike race.

The opening four races of the season had seen four different winners and the opening race at Croft made it five out of five, as Jon Kirkham broke his duck for Crescent Suzuki. The Derby rider shone in damp conditions to win from 16^th on the grid, although he did have a touch of fortune with ‘Shakey’ Byrne suffering an engine failure when well placed. Byrne bounced back with victory in race two as Kirkham and Michael Laverty came together with the 25 points enough to give the Byrne the overall lead, three ahead of Hopkins and six ahead of Stuart Easton whose 100% record of top six finishes kept him in contention.

Sadly for the Scot, his title hopes, and his very career in the sport, were thrown into doubt with a moment of misfortune in Northern Ireland. Competing in the North West 200, Easton suffered a heavy crash during practice, suffering serious injuries to his pelvis and femur. His season was finished and MSS Colchester Kawasaki were missing their lead rider.

Stuart Easton's season was cruelly ended by injury (Photo Credit: MSS Colchester Kawasaki)

Team Owner Nick Morgan’s replacement of choice came in the form of Alex Lowes who surrendered his 60 point lead in the EVO class to get his hands on the ZX-10R. His response to being handed the opportunity of a lifetime was nothing short of stunning. The Lincolnshire youngster took a shock pole position at the ultra-fast Thruxton, beating Hopkins and the fit-again Hill in the process as the British weather continued to show its grim side.

The rain continued into race day, playing beautifully into the hands of wet-weather specialist Michael Rutter. After starting fourth, the Ducati rider fought out a thrilling battle with ‘Shakey’ Byrne for second place behind Michael Laverty, who became the season’s sixth different winner. Rutter would sneak past Byrne for second within sight of the flag, riding around the outside of the Honda at the final chicane. Lowes ended up down in seventh, losing out to John Hopkins and the privateer Hondas of Peter Hickman and Dan Linfoot.

The star of Sunday wasn’t enjoying his Bank Holiday Monday too much and crashed out second place in race two, bringing a promising Kawasaki debut to a disappointing end. As at Croft, Byrne came to the fore in the second race of the day, claiming his third victory of the year, while Hickman’s impressive afternoon reached new heights with second place, beating Rutter who crashed out on the penultimate lap.

Byrne’s championship lead was now up to 15 points with Hopkins’ third place in race two the highlight of Thruxton for the American. Despite his enforced lay-off, Easton was still up in third ahead of Swan Yamaha’s Hill and Laverty in fourth and fifth. By missing Oulton Park, Hill had fallen 66 points off the pace but with the top six qualifying for the end-of-season showdown, the Kent rider was still handily placed. That’s more than could be said for the defending champion who was down in seventh after picking up a measly seven points from the wet meetings of Croft and Thruxton.

He wouldn’t trouble the top step of the podium in Knockhill either with Hill completely dominating the weekend. Pole position was impressive enough but race day was sensational. John Hopkins was the only man anywhere near him on Saturday but didn’t see Hill for dust in race one, finishing nine seconds adrift in second despite late pressure from Shane Byrne. Rear tyre problems put paid to Hopkins’ hopes of a race two victory but that was the least of his concerns as the issue caused him to crash out, resulting in a fractured collarbone joint. Hill stayed well out of trouble, cruising to victory ahead of Byrne and Laverty with Kiyonari returning to something like his best in fourth.

This brought ‘Kiyo’ back into the top six at the expense of Peter Hickman and Tyco Honda revealed another piece of bad news in the days following Knockhill, announcing that they had parted company with Tommy Bridewell with the Wiltshire man admitting he was struggling to get to grips with the Fireblade. The Quay Garage team opted not to call in a replacement, meaning Hickman and EVO rider Patric Muff would remain in a two rider line-up for Snetterton.

The Norfolk circuit had undergone a facelift since the BSB’s last visit and the new 300 layout stood in front of the riders this time around. Opinions were varied with Shane Byrne feeling it provided more of a challenge and Ryuichi Kiyonari admitting it took some getting used to but John Hopkins acclimatised the quickest, claiming pole position from Hill and Kirkham with both HM Plant Hondas on the second row. The spectators were unanimous in their approval and turned out in record numbers or race day.

A bumper crowd at Snetterton was treated to some thrilling racing (Photo Credit: Pirelli)

From an entertainment point of view, the ‘300’ didn’t disappoint with both races going down to the wire. Hill and Hopkins disputed the opening victory and the American prevailed, snatching the lead at the Montreal hairpin on the final lap, much to Hill’s chagrin. The tight right-hander would catch him out in the second race too as Hopkins fought with polesitter Ryuichi Kiyonari on lap one. Hill tripped over the back of the HM Plant Honda and was out on the spot but his fall was child’s play compared to what was to come.

Shortly before half distance, Alex Lowes was forced to pull out with mechanical problems, leaving oil on the start/finish straight. Simon Andrews and Jentin Racing’s Steve Brogan were next on the scene and crashed in spectacular fashion, with both bikes sent skywards after making contact with the Riches tyre barrier. Andrews injured his shoulder while Brogan suffered a broken leg but considering the nature of the accident, the injuries were thankfully minor.

When the race resumed, so did the drama and Hopkins found himself embroiled in another last lap dogfight, this time with Shane Byrne. An outstanding move at Coram gave Byrne the lead two laps from the finish but Hopkins was in no mood to settle for second, diving up the inside into Oggies next time around. Contact was inevitable and both ended up on the grass. Third-placed Ryuichi Kiyonari couldn’t believe his luck and inherited a first victory in over two months with Josh Brookes promoted to second. Hopkins and Byrne did make it to the finish, albeit in third and fourth.

For Brookes in particular, the 20 points were all important as it moved him back into the top six at the expense of Stuart Easton but with six riders within 17 points of him, the race to qualify for the Showdown was very much alive heading to Oulton Park in mid-July.

The excitement was cranked up another notch by the return of another former MotoGP rider, and recent BSB race winner, in James Ellison who took over from Dan Linfoot on the Sorrymate.com Honda. The World Supersport frontrunner made an inauspicious start in qualifying, only managing 19^th, while Hopkins’ pole streak continuing.

His victory hopes were scuppered by the great British weather though as he slid off at Lodge, presenting Tommy Hill with a lead he never looked like losing. Shane Byrne had difficulties in the torrential conditions and lost ground to Josh Brookes and Michael Rutter who deprived him of a place on the podium. Michael Laverty was sixth behind Gary Mason but all thoughts were with younger brother John who suffered multiple injuries, including two dislocated shoulders and two broken ankles, after a horror crash in Friday practice.

Michael had a place on the front row for race two at Oulton but the weather conditions deteriorated still further and rendered any further racing impossible. The outstanding race would take place at Cadwell Park instead but before that, there was the summer triple-header at Brands Hatch to get through.

As has become tradition, Paul Bird’s Kawasaki WSBK team joined the paddock but Tom Sykes had suffered an injury weeks earlier, ruling him out. Joan Lascorz was fit and ready though with Australian Broc Parkes joining him for three races on the GP circuit.

Lascorz impressed to put his ZX-10R on the front row but yet more wet weather changed everything later in the day, turning race one into a lottery. Josh Brookes pulled out the winning ticket after an inspired decision to start on slicks, a choice shared by Michael Rutter and Gary Mason who joined him on the podium to boost their chances of making the showdown. The championship leaders didn’t cover themselves in glory with Hill, Byrne and Kiyonari struggling on wets while Hopkins and Laverty could only manage fourth and eighth respectively.

Byrne and Hill atoned with a victory apiece on Sunday to seal their places in the Showdown with Hopkins picking up a brace of podium finishes to join them in the top six. Michael Laverty’s place was also virtually secured while Josh Brookes and Ryuichi Kiyonari still had work to do. The Australian was 16 points clear of Michael Rutter in seventh but Kiyonari’s position was much more precarious, only five points ahead with 75 on offer at Cadwell Park.

Kiyonari's title defence didn't go to plan, struggling to make the Showdown - Photo Credit: Honda Racing

For Hopkins, it was just as well that his Showdown place was sewn up as the Californian wouldn’t make the trip to Lincolnshire. ‘Hopper’ had been given a wildcard entry with the Rizla Suzuki team for the Czech Republic MotoGP at Brno but only made it as far as Saturday Practice when a crash left him with a dislocated finger, necessitating a couple of weeks out of action.

Sunday’s race was carried over from Oulton Park and Michael Laverty made good use of his front row grid slot to lead a Swan Yamaha 1-2 but plenty of action took place in their wake. It all centred on the fight for third between Brookes and Rutter with a podium and a possible showdown spot up for grabs.

Brookes sensed an opportunity coming into the Hall Bends but Rutter didn’t give an inch. In the end, the Ducati rider came off second best and retired while Brookes raced on to finish third. On reflection, the stewards deemed the Australian to be at fault and threw him out of the race, promoting Shane Byrne up to third. Kiyonari was a solid fifth for HM Plant Honda and Rutter’s misfortune gave him valuable breathing space in the race for sixth spot.

Rutter wouldn’t score a point in Monday’s two races either, confirming Brookes and Kiyonari as the final pieces of the championship puzzle, and Tommy Hill ensured he would begin it as leader with his sixth and seventh wins of 2011. Despite scoring the most points in the ‘regular season’, Shane Byrne would start the Showdown seven points in arrears while Hopkins had 11 points to make up. Eight points further back, Michael Laverty held fourth place with Brookes and Kiyonari each a further point behind.

With momentum firmly on their side, Swan Yamaha dominated qualifying at Donington Park with Hill smashing the lap record on his way to pole. Hopkins was back in action and took third on the grid with Peter Hickman the wildcard in fourth. Byrne, Brookes and Kiyonari had to satisfy themselves with a place on the second row.

Kiyonari may well have aced the Showdown 12 months ago but luck wasn’t on his side this time as mechanical problems took him out of race one. Josh Brookes didn’t make the best of starts either with sixth a poor start. It was left to the other four contenders to decide victory and despite leading for much of the race, Byrne missed out on the podium. Hill couldn’t convert pole position into 25 points either and with a late overtaking move on Laverty, Hopkins drew first blood despite feeling the after-effects of his Brno injury.

Incredibly, ‘Hopper’ did the double later on after holding off Hill but two more title contenders took themselves out of the mix. Laverty and Byrne had their eyes on first place on the run down to Redgate on lap one but both ended up in the gravel and well down the order. Both scored points, but Hopkins and Hill had pulled out a lead. Kirkham took the final place on the podium and with it, the lead in the Riders’ Cup while Martin Jessopp claimed his best ever result in fourth, giving Rapid Solicitors- Bathams Ducati a welcome boost in Rutter’s absence.

The penultimate round of the Championship took the BSB to Silverstone and Laverty felt immediately at home at the “home of British Motorsport”, securing pole position. Hopkins would continue his 100% record in the Showdown though with another supreme victory while Laverty beat teammate Hill to second. Brookes and Byrne finished right on the tail of the Swan Yamahas but further ground was lost in the title race.

With that in mind, Brookes’ performance in race two was outstanding as he brought Hopkins’ winning streak to an end, although third was far from disaster for the American. Hill was delighted to pull some points back on him though with second place, giving him eight points to make up at the Brands Hatch finale. Laverty, Brookes and Byrne needed snookers going into the final weekend but Kiyonari’s hopes had already been extinguished, ending his reign as champion.

One title had been decided at Silverstone though with Glen Richards wrapping up the EVO Championship. With Alex Lowes leaving WFR Honda early on, the Australian took over with consistent point-scoring. Graeme Gowland ended the year with nine wins out of ten but Richards had built up such a lead that the crown was his with three races to spare.

And so after five months of flat-out wheel-to-wheel combat, just three races remained and we were effectively left with two realistic challengers. It was Hill vs. Hopkins for the title of British Superbike Champion.

Hopkins got the jump in qualifying, taking third with his rival in fourth, but Josh Brookes stunned everyone with a wonderfully taken pole position, edging out Laverty on the other Swan Yamaha. The battle for pole was repeated in the race as Laverty and Brookes dominated with the Ulsterman taking the honours, but the two title contenders were inseparable right the way to the finish line.

Hill dived up the inside of Clearways to snatch third but the Suzuki had the legs down the home straight, giving Hopkins a crucial advantage into the last two races. This wouldn’t be the last time they’d arrive into Clearways side-by-side.

We’d all hoped reliability issues wouldn’t come into play but disaster struck for Crescent Suzuki in race two. Hopkins was brought to a halt by an electrical problem on the opening lap and Hill closed the gap with fourth, although he was beaten to the podium by an inspired James Ellison, giving Sorrymate.com Honda their first ever rostrum finish. Hopkins fought desperately to salvage some points and made it up to 12^th but his lead was now a mere two points and suddenly there was everything to play for in the final race of the year.

Hopkins led the title fight into the season's final race - Photo Credit: Pirelli

Victory in race two had gone to Shane Byrne, an emotional moment for the Londoner who had recently become a father for the second time. ‘Shakey’ dedicated the victory to Lilly-Jade and followed it with another stunning success in the final race but in truth, all eyes were on the events taking place behind him.

Ellison led the battle for second from Hopkins and Hill with the respective teammates looming just behind but Hill grasped the initiative with four laps to go before depriving Ellison of second shortly afterwards. Hopkins followed him through, as he had to, but with four points difference between second and third, he had to overtake Hill and had one solitary lap to do it.

At Surtees, Hopkins made his move with authority but with everything on the line, Hill was in no mood to let it lie there. At the end of the back straight, Tommy dived past, only to lose the place back at Westfield. Sheene’s curve is certainly not renowned as an overtaking spot but Hill threw caution to the wind to regain second. This time he had one corner in which to hang on.

There was no point holding back now and Hopkins gave it everything. The GSX-R1000 was first to the apex of Clearways but ran slightly wide, giving Hill the edge coming onto the start/finish straight. As each metre disappeared, Hopkins drew further and further alongside the Yamaha and Tommy had never been so desperate to see a chequered flag. It came, in the nick of time.

The season was over but neither knew who had taken the spoils but the reaction of the crowd said it all. Tommy Hill was the 2011 British Superbike Champion. Understandably, Hopkins was devastated to have come so close but as a BSB debutant, he had everything to be proud of.

Shane Byrne finished the year as the highest overall points scorer and left to rue the showdown format which potentially cost him a third championship but if the Showdown had ever shown its value, it had done so in 2011. Star performers came in the form of Kirkham, Riders’ Cup winner, and Peter Hickman who ended the season in ninth place while Graeme Gowland was the top EVO rider in the overall classification despite missing out on the title.

In total, the 2011 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship saw over 13 hours of racing and who would imagine that 0.006 seconds would decide it all. It is indeed fine margins that decide matters in motorcycle racing and in 2011, Tommy Hill was marginally better than the rest.

Hill, Hopkins and Byrne have been the class of the field this year - (Photo Credit: Öhlins)

2011 MCE British Superbike Championship with Pirelli & BSB-EVO

Riders Championship (Final Standings)

Pos	Rider	Bike	Team	Wins	Pts
1 (C)	Tommy Hill	Yamaha	Swan Yamaha	7	647
2	John Hopkins	Suzuki	Samsung Crescent Racing	5	645
3	Shane Byrne	Honda	HM Plant Honda	6	625
4	Michael Laverty	Yamaha	Swan Yamaha	3	601
5	Josh Brookes	Suzuki	Relentless Suzuki by TAS	2	598
6	Ryuichi Kiyonari	Honda	HM Plant Honda	2	526
7	Jon Kirkham	Suzuki	Samsung Crescent Racing	1	210
8	Michael Rutter	Ducati	Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati		164
9	Peter Hickman	Honda	Tyco Honda		155
10	Gary Mason	Kawasaki	MSS Colchester Kawasaki		139
11	Martin Jessopp	Ducati	Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati		110
12	Chris Walker	Kawasaki	Pr1mo Racing		105
13	Graeme Gowland	Honda	Team WFR		92
14	Loris Baz	Yamaha	Motorpoint Yamaha		88
15	James Westmoreland	Honda	Team WFR		88
16	James Ellison	Honda	Team Sorrymate.com		79
17	Tommy Bridewell	Yamaha	Motorpoint Yamaha		76
18	Stuart Easton	Kawasaki	MSS Colchester Kawasaki		69
19	Dan Linfoot	Honda	Tyco Honda		63
20	Alex Lowes	Yamaha	Motorpoint Yamaha		60
21	Glen Richards	Honda	Team WFR		54
22	Ian Lowry	Kawasaki	MSS Colchester Kawasaki		27
23	Scott Smart	Ducati	Moto Rapido Ducati		21
24	Joan Lascorz	Kawasaki	Kawasaki World Superbike Team		17
25	Barry Burrell	BMW	Buildbase BMW Motorrad		13
26	Patric Muff	Honda	Tyco Honda		11
27	Karl Harris	Aprilia	Splitlath Motorsport		10
28	Steve Brogan	Honda	Jentin Racing Honda		8
29	Simon Andrews	Kawasaki	Buy-Force.com PR Racing		8
30	Jake Zemke	Honda	Team WFR		8
31	Broc Parkes	Kawasaki	Kawasaki World Superbike Team		7
32	John Laverty	BMW	Buildbase BMW Motorrad		6
33	Hudson Kennaugh	Kawasaki	Buy-Force.com PR Racing		5
34	Dan Kneen	Kawasaki	Marks Bloom Racing		3
35	Tom Tunstall	BMW	Doodson Motorsport		1
36	James Hillier	Kawasaki	Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing		1

Throughout this week, The Checkered Flag will be looking back on motorcycling in 2011. Relive the thrills and spills at www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk. Here is when you can see the seasons revisited…

Tuesday 6th December: 125cc Season Review

Thursday 8th December: Moto2 Season Review

Friday 9th December: World Superbike Championship Season Review

Sunday 11th December: MotoGP Season Review

GBmoto - Photo Credit: Alfonso Lygo

The 2012 MCE Insurance British Superbike grid continues to take shape with GBmoto and Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing confirming their entries for the new season.

GBmoto will move up from the National Superstock 1000 Championship with Tristan Palmer making the step-up with them. The Ansley rider won three races on his way to fourth overall and Team Principal Mark Smith-Halvorsen has backed him to impress next year.

“We know how tough the step up in class is going to be in 2012, but it has always been our intention to go Superbike racing and win – so let’s get on with the job of learning fast and putting a solid season together. Tristan is an asset to our team; he has good Superbike experience and I know he is going to surprise people next year.”

“We are currently talking to lots of other riders – some in the UK, some from overseas – it’s my job to make sure we get another competitive guy and I am very confident we will do that. As for machinery, detailed plans are already in place and I expect us to be running factory kitted bikes next year.”

“I would like to thank everybody that has supported us through 2011; our message to you is simple: “you have allowed us to succeed”. A great deal of gratitude goes to everybody that has supported us in every way, throughout the year.”

Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing sees the merger of two existing BSB outfits, Danny Cheevers’ Pr1mo Racing and Pete Extance’s Bournemouth Kawasaki, with Chris Walker and James Hillier providing the riding talent.

Walker is looking forward to the new look British Superbike Championship and feels the 2012 rules will allow his experience to shine through.

“It is exciting that the team has come together; to join forces is great as they have some big plans and it is fantastic to be able to be back on the BSB grid next year. For me it is brilliant to be with the same team for a second consecutive season as we know what we need to build on and how we can make improvements. I am familiar with the team and the Kawasaki and the new rules I think will suit riders like me who have raced Superbikes for over a decade; hopefully that experience will close the gap. I was desperate to be back in BSB in 2012 and we want to be pushing for the top six in the Showdown as that is my ambition. We had some top five finishes last year and we will return more prepared so hopefully we can achieve that goal as the team and the machine have the potential.”

Hillier took part in his first full season last year with only one point to show for his efforts and is hopeful that the opportunity to ride with Walker will aid his development.

“I am really looking forward to next season and working alongside Chris as a two man team. Last season was my first full year and as a one rider team it does make it more difficult, whereas in 2012 we will be able to work together and I can learn from him and his experience. Everyone knows it is hard racing in BSB but everyone in the team will be determined and giving one hundred percent. We have some data now from last year so we have a better starting point and with the new rules I don’t think we will now be a million miles away. For me I want to have a consistent year and score top ten finishes and I think the team’s hard work is invaluable in order to do this.”

2012 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship

Confirmed Teams & Riders

Team	No.	Riders
Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki	67 3	Shane Byrne  Stuart Easton
Tyco Suzuki	2	Josh Brookes
Team WFR	22 2781	Alex Lowes  James Westmoreland Graeme Gowland
Honda Racing UK	7 10	Michael Laverty  Jon Kirkham
PR Racing Kawasaki	17 101	Simon Andrews  Gary Mason
Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing	9 37	Chris Walker  James Hillier
GBmoto Racing	33	Tristan Palmer

The 2012 PR Racing line-up - Photo Credit: Double Red

PR Racing Kawasaki have confirmed their status as the latest BSB Elite team for 2012 with Gary Mason joining Simon Andrews. Mason moves from the MSS Colchester Kawasaki team and has already sampled the 2012 spec machinery in the closing races of this season.

The 32 year old has been impressed by the Liverpool-based team during his time in the paddock and is delighted to be working together with them in a season which sees a new set of regulations similar to the former EVO class.

“I have known PR Racing for a number of years, so when the opportunity to ride for the team became available, I was delighted to take it. The energy, enthusiasm and passion for success in the team are really high. I know with that commitment and the right backing, we will do well on the track.”

“Both Simon and I are old-school riders. Not having traction control and other complex electronics controlling the bike suits our riding style. As a rider, you should feel the bike and know when to push. Our wealth of knowledge and experience on the Kawasaki will be a real advantage. This is an exciting time for the championship and we cannot wait to be back on the track in preparation for the start of the season.”

Andrews is staying on for a second season with PR Racing and is highly motivated after missing the second half of last season with a broken leg sustained in a crash at Snetterton.

“I am really pleased to be staying with the team for 2012 on the Kawasaki UK supported ZX-10R. Until the accident last year, all our planning and development was coming together really well, as we had regular podium finishes. Not finishing last season has made me more determined than ever, as I feel I have a point to prove.”

Team Development Director Julian Mosquera expects the upcoming season to be as competitive as ever and feels he has the riders to make an impression.

“We are delighted to retain Simon for another year and have Gary Mason join the team. Having two riders of their calibre and experience shows our commitment and determination to step up to the challenge of contending the 2012 BSB Championship. This is the first year all teams will be racing on a level playing field, so given last year’s development and the results we achieved with Simon, we all feel up beat going into the full Evo championship.”

Michael Laverty - Photo Credit: Pirelli

Michael Laverty and Jon Kirkham will form Honda’s 2012 rider line-up as they look to challenge for the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship. The team will be highly motivated in their quest for the title with their CBR1000RR Fireblade machine celebrating its 20^th anniversary in the new season.

Laverty will be expected to lead the team having qualified for the championship showdown in each of the last two years and the Northern Irishman admits it was a difficult decision to make the switch from the title-winning Swan Yamaha squad.

“It is an exciting prospect for me to be joining Honda for 2012. It was unexpected and it is always a difficult decision to move teams, especially as we had such a good season this year. I was fortunate to have options and I have gone from one championship winning team to another; everyone knows that Honda have the history in BSB and we are really looking forward now to next season. I think the change with the rules has played a part in my decision to join Honda. You can see from Evo this season that the Honda chassis and engine was so strong and delivers useable power which will be so important next year Next season for sure is going to be interesting and I think we start in a great position. The calibre of Honda and the Fireblade is high and we know we have big potential to fight for the title.”

Kirkham joins from Crescent Suzuki who have moved into the World Superbike Championship and hopes to mount a title challenge after claiming his maiden BSB win in 2011.

“It is absolutely fantastic for me to be joining the official Honda team as they are well established and the most successful team in the BSB paddock. I really do believe they will have the package to beat with the new technical regulations as you could see how strong the Honda Fireblade was in the Evo championship last season, and the new for 2012 ‘Blade looks set to be even stronger. 2011 was an up and down season for me so next year I just want to concentrate on my riding and getting the Honda up the front where we want and need to be. I want to be consistently ‘up there’. This season I have proved I can be, so I now need to do that every race and with the Honda team I believe that is totally possible. I have my own expectations; I am sure everyone does, but I definitely want to exceed them next year. I have never been so excited about a season as I am about 2012 and I just want to get started now.”

Honda also announced their plans for the Superstock 1000 Championship with Jason O’Halloran joined by Gary Johnson and Team Manager Havier Beltran is delighted with the rider line-up he has assembled for the 2012 season.

“We are very happy to announce these four riders who bring a great mix of different talents and personalities to the team. All four have great natural racing ability and proven credentials, but all of them also very much have the potential to go even further and have things they want to prove in their respective championships. With this combination, coupled with the new regulations and the new 2012 CBR1000RR Fireblade, we are injecting some great new energy into our racing operation and we will continue to be a force to be reckoned with next season.”

Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) - Photo Credit: Motorsport Vision

Josh Brookes will stay with the TAS Racing team for an assault on the 2012 British Superbike Championship with the Northern Irish squad also securing a title sponsorship deal with Tyco Security Products.

The team announced the deal at the Motorcycle Live show in Birmingham and Brookes is hopeful that he can improve on his 2011 performance where he reached the Championship Showdown before finishing fifth overall.

“I thought I was heading home for the Australian summer for four months but I’m delighted to be back in the UK for a few days to re-sign for TAS Racing. I love the new look of the bike in Tyco Suzuki colours and there’s no better place to get the whole season going again than the NEC bike show. It took us a while to get things to click this season, but when it did we proved how good a package we are together, so I’m looking forward to taking that to the next level in 2012. I really enjoy working with the boys at TAS and I love the Northern Ireland lifestyle – so at least there will be no surprises when I return to start the season. The goal as always is to win the championship and I really believe we can hit the ground running and do the business from round one in April. I’m looking forward to it.”

Tyco Suzuki team manager Philip Neill agrees that the championship has to be the aim for 2012 and hopes to announce a teammate for Brookes in the near future.

“Our aim this year with a two rider team in BSB is to target the championship, and we believe re-signing Josh as our headline rider is a good start in making that a realistic target. He showed us glimpses of brilliance this year with his race wins and some superb lap times. It’s fair to say it probably took us a bit longer than we anticipated to get to know each other, and for Josh to gel with the TAS Racing GSX-R1000 Superbike – so a second year together was always going to be beneficial. It’s good to get the deal finalised and great to have Josh back onboard. Now we need to concentrate on getting him a team-mate to complete the line-up.”

Phil Dashey, General Manager & Vice President of Tyco Security Products, is excited about the partnership with TAS and hopes to be a part of a title winning team next year.

“Tyco is thrilled to partner with TAS Racing and Suzuki GB for the 2012 BSB season. The team has shown unrivalled levels of professionalism and a pure passion for the sport, and having spent time with Philip, the team and Suzuki – I believe they are a perfect match for Tyco, our products and our partners. Tyco’s global R&D site for our cutting edge security systems is actually based not too far from TAS in Belfast, where we have almost 200 brilliant people. Our participation in BSB, so far, has been exciting enough, but it’s time to make our assault on the championship.”

The 2012 British Superbike Championship will start and finish at Brands Hatch - Photo Credit: Motorsport Vision

The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship will visit one of the world’s most historic motorcycle racing venues in 2012 with the news that the TT Circuit Assen will host a meeting next year.

Host of the premier class of Grand Prix racing since 1949, the track in the Netherlands is widely acclaimed as the “The Cathedral” of motorcycling and with the opening rounds of the title showdown taking place there on 21^st-23^rd September, the spectators are sure to see some electrifying racing.

Brands Hatch will start and end the championship once again with the Indy layout launching the new season on Easter weekend before a champion is crowned on the Grand Prix circuit in mid-October. With the ‘Showdown’ format remaining, the fans making the trip to Kent are sure to see the title decided but the British Superbike Championship will be hard pushed to beat this year’s thrilling finale where Tommy Hill beat John Hopkins to the title by 0.006s.

The 2012 season will begin with back-to-back meetings with Thruxton following a week after Brands with Oulton Park hosting round three on the May bank Holiday weekend. After making its debut last year, the Snetterton 300 circuit will return with BSB then moving onto Knockhill before the second Oulton Park meeting in early July.

The summer meeting at Brands Hatch will take place earlier than normal next year with the late-July date chosen to avoid a clash with the Olympic Games taking place in London. Cadwell Park’s annual August event is pencilled in for August 25^th, 26^th & 27^th while Donington Park will host the final round of the regular season a fortnight later.

The venues of Assen, Silverstone and Brands Hatch will be the perfect setting for the title battle to be decided next autumn and Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of MotorSport Vision feels the championship is going from strength to strength despite the tough economic climate.

“The 2012 BSB calendar is the strongest ever and this is a tribute to the extraordinary health of BSB amidst tough economic conditions that are a major challenge to many other series. It has always been a priority for MSVR to drive down the costs of competing in BSB with sport-leading technical regulations whilst driving up the quality of the show.  As a result BSB is becoming ever more attractive to manufacturers, teams, riders, sponsors, circuits and fans, which means 2012 is likely to be BSB’s best year yet.”

2012 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship Calendar

]]> http://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2011/11/showdown-to-kick-off-at-assen-as-bsb-announce-2012-calendar/feed/ 0 http://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2011/11/paul-bird-motorsport-secure-rapid-solicitors-backing/ http://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2011/11/paul-bird-motorsport-secure-rapid-solicitors-backing/#comments Mon, 21 Nov 2011 01:27:19 +0000 Louis Suddaby http://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/?p=51284

Stuart Easton, Andy Baldwin of Rapid Solicitors and Shane Byrne - Photo Credit: Jon Jessop

Paul Bird Motorsport have continued to signal their intentions for their British Superbike Championship after announcing a title sponsorship deal with Rapid Solicitors. Last week, the Penrith-based team confirmed Shane Byrne and Stuart Easton as the riders with which they plan to challenge for the 2012 title and Saturday’s news means the nationwide accident compensation experts will see their logo emblazoned on the factory Kawasakis.

The team will run under the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki banner and Andrew Baldwin believes his company couldn’t find a better partner for the 2012 British Superbike season.

“As principal sponsor of a new team I have to be certain my substantial investment will have the best chance of success. This isn’t merely a jolly for me; we need clients to appreciate our investment in the sport by using our services. We need to be in the news and results put you there. I visited the Penrith factory to see the set-up and to meet some of the key people involved in this project. I was left in no doubt that this team is determined to entertain and to deliver silverware. Paul Bird readily admits that coming back from World Superbikes, he knows everyone will want to beat his team, but he’s ready for the challenge. I admire this kind of courage and starting as one of the favourites for the 2012 championship, will provide added impetus to deliver results.”

Team Owner Paul Bird is delighted with the package he has put together for the team’s BSB return and is now looking forward to challenging for the title.

“We are delighted to welcome Andy and Rapid Solicitors to our team and we hope it will be a long and successful association. We’re coming back to BSB for one reason and that’s to win. I have signed the two riders we wanted, I’m using the bikes we wanted and now we have an important sponsor on board, it just gets better! I’m sure Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki will be a major force in next season’s championship but it will be tough and we’re under no illusions.”

BSB Series Director Stuart Higgs feels the partnership shows the appeal of the British Superbike Championship and expects a successful season for Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki.

“I’m delighted that Rapid Solicitors and PBM are joining forces. The combination of a team and championship level association is a powerful alliance which will thrust Rapid Solicitors brand and services to a huge audience making them top of mind within their field of expertise. PBM are a World Championship pedigree team and we are delighted that they are back in BSB.”

The company will also receive exposure in the Grand Prix paddock with James Ellison’s participation in the upcoming MotoGP season, courtesy of PBM’s entry as a Claiming Rule Team.

Alex Lowes after taking pole at Thruxton - Photo Credit: MSS Colchester Kawasaki

Alex Lowes will return to Team WFR for the 2012 British Superbike Championship with the Honda squad having confirmed their rider line-up for next season. The Yorkshire outfit will have one of the most exciting line-ups on the grid with the Lincolnshire youngster joined by Graeme Gowland and James Westmoreland.

Lowes started the 2011 campaign with WFR Honda and dominated the EVO class, winning five of the first six races before departing for MSS Colchester Kawasaki and eventually finishing the season at Motorpoint Yamaha. Lowes, who also had a run-out with Castrol Honda in World Superbikes, is happy to be returning to a team he feels comfortable in and can’t wait to get started.

“I feel really good about the new season and returning to WFR Honda as I have had some of my best results with the team, so it is a mega opportunity for me. When we parted it was amicable and now I have been given the chance to return and we can really show what we are capable of. We want to be in that top six for the Showdown and you can see from this year how many riders had the chance of making the cut. I have a great team and two team-mates so we can push each other all the way. I can’t wait to get out testing now so we can really hit the ground running.”

Following Lowes’ departure, Graeme Gowland hit a stunning run of form which saw him win the final nine races in the EVO category, missing out on the title by 27 points to Glen Richards. The Northumberland believes the new rules, similar to the former EVO regulations but applied to the whole field, will give them an advantage early on in 2012.

“I can’t wait for next year, it really can’t come soon enough for me. I think that the experiences last season on the Evo spec bike has definitely taught me a lot in terms of race craft and tyre conservation that will probably catch some other riders out next year with the new rules. I was confident at the end of the season after a good set of results with overall top six finishes and then to have the test where we were able to test the new specification WFR Honda was great for me. It is a massive step for us as a team to have already got testing underway and also for me personally to have some consistency by staying with the team. I just need to thank everyone at Team WFR for giving me the chance to ride again with them and we really want to improve on our results in 2012.”

Westmoreland also competed for Team WFR during the 2011 season, running a 2012-spec bike at Donington Park, and is excited at the progress that has been made since then.

“It is great for me to know I am going to be working with team WFR Honda next season. I obviously finished last season with them and I know that we will have a good direction for 2012. I am made up about joining them for the full season as they put a lot of effort into their racing and for sure they have a great package. I rode a version of the 2012 specification bike at Donington Park and even between then and the end of the season there were big improvements. Then from the end of the season to the end of the recent test we had in Spain we saw even more changes and steps forward and we know what else we need to do before we start racing again next year. I am definitely feeling good about the new season and looking forward to getting out testing again in the new year.”

Managing Director Myles Schofield has made it clear that the team intends to challenge for the title next year and believes he has the riders capable of achieving it.

“I am thrilled to have three riders that represent the best young British talent, riding for Team WFR next year. We have known for a while who we wanted but to get all three of them is a great coup. I think this line up signals our intent – and that is to win the British Superbike Championship in 2012. As the leading Evo team I like to think we have a little bit of a head start and we’ll certainly use what we learnt last year to the best of our advantage. We are also fortunate in that we have a three-pronged attack with a trio of riders who are all capable of winning races so I am very excited now to see what happens come April.”

Stuart Easton and Shane Byrne: Photo Credit – Tim Keeton/Impact Images

Paul Bird Motorsport have signalled their intentions for the 2012 British Superbike season by signing Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and Stuart Easton to ride a pair of factory-spec Kawasaki ZX-10Rs. After four years in World Superbikes, the Cumbria-based outfit are making a welcome return to the British series and have assembled a ‘dream team’ for their first year back.

Byrne,  who led much of the 2010 championship before losing out in the Showdown, is returning to the team with which he won his two previous BSB titles and expects to be challenging at the front next year.

“It’s a bit like coming home as this will be the third time I’ll have ridden for Paul and it’s quite funny as you spend five minutes with the team and it’s as if you’ve never been away! The team always puts out competitive bikes and the Kawasaki will be a major threat I reckon. You know Paul wouldn’t be coming back to BSB if he didn’t think he could win it so I think we’ll have a real good shot at the title.”

In Easton, Paul Bird Motorsport have one of the highest-rated riders in the championship and the Scotsman is delighted to be back after missing much of 2011 through injury. The Hawick rider suffered serious injuries at the North West 200 but expects be fit and ready for the start of testing.

“My injuries are healing well and everything should be sorted in time for me to start testing with the team as planned. It’s great to be back with PBM and I appreciate the support they have given me this year whilst I was out. We have enjoyed so much success together in the past, I’m really looking forward to this challenge and if we can replicate that it will be great.”

PBM will also enter next year’s MotoGP Championship as a “Claiming Rules Team” and team owner Paul Bird is excited at the way things are shaping up for next year.

“When we decided to return to British Superbikes, signing both Shakey and Stuart was always the plan and I’m delighted they’ve come on board with us. We’ve won British championships as well as World championship races together and for me it’s my dream team. We have proved that the Kawasaki ZX-10R is a fantastic bike and have won on it at BSB in 2010 so we know what we need to do. I promised Stuart a deal straight after his crash and he’ll be back to full fitness very soon and with Shakey keen to make up for missing out this year, we are ideally placed.”

Alastair Seeley - Photo Credit: Suzuki Racing

Alastair Seeley proved too strong for Ben Wilson in the final race of the season to win the Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport Championship by a single point. In a weekend that swung one way then the other, the Northern Irishman beat Wilson by 2.384s to overhaul his four point advantage.

Wilson had taken the lead after a dramatic opening race which saw him take his ninth win of the year, aided by a crash for Seeley at Graham Hill Bend. Seeley fought back with second in race two and with Wilson back in fourth, the door was open for the Relentless Suzuki man to snatch the title with victory in the decider.

Seeley duly delivered and couldn’t hide his joy at taking the championship after a season-long dogfight with Wilson.

“It is a great feeling to have won the title for the Relentless Suzuki team. Philip and Hector gave me a job to do for the team this year and the new GSX-R600 was an awesome package just out of the crate. I knew I had to try and pull away from Ben in the final race and we had a good one; I am sure we swapped paint too! I rode my own lines and just kept pushing hard and it was enough to win the race. I can’t thank everyone enough for their support; it has been an awesome season and we have had some fierce competition between us. It’s been great racing with Ben; very exciting and I’m sure it made good TV for the fans and we didn’t give each other an inch all year. It’s an amazing achievement for me, for the team and all the sponsors involved. I’m on top of the world after the win.”

Gearlink Kawasaki’s Wilson was proud of his team’s support throughout the year but cast his mind back to some of the moments which may have made the difference.

“I am just gutted to have missed out by a single point. I feel that I lost the championship as I threw away some points this year. It has been a great season and I need to thank the Gearlink Kawasaki team for all their support.”

Third place overall went to Billy McConnell ahead of Paul Young, Sam Warren and Christian Iddon while Jack Kennedy took seventh after claiming his maiden victory in race two.

Michael Rutter (#6) - Photo Credit: Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati

Michael Rutter was left to look back on what might have been after a mixed weekend which, in many ways, summed up his season. The Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati rider finished seventh in race one but with damp conditions prevailing for the start of race two, a podium finish looked possible.

Rutter was up to fifth and challenging Tommy Hill and James Ellison before an oil leak forced him to retire. Although he recovered to seventh in race three, Rutter was disappointed with the failure to finish in race two.

“I can’t believe the season is over already. We were feeling confident about Brands Hatch and we had a good qualifying session that put us on the second row so I was definitely happy with that. In the first race I was struggling a bit with grip for whatever reason so to finish seventh was a decent result considering. On Sunday we were in a good position off the start and was up to about fifth and with the leading group. I think we had real potential for a podium finish but we suffered an oil leak and it was so disappointing to have to pull over. That put me down on the fourth row for the final race but we got a decent start and worked up to the leading group but then we just couldn’t get any further up the order. I was happy enough with that result too as it was tough starting that far down the grid.”

Looking back on the season as a whole, Rutter couldn’t help but look back on the incident with Josh Brookes at Cadwell Park which cost him a possible place in the championship showdown.

“Overall it has been a good season for the Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati team; it was obviously disappointing not to have made the top six as it could have been a different end to the season but that was out of our hands and that’s racing. I want to thank everyone for their support this year and after Macau we will then focus on next season.”

Teammate Martin Jessopp also had a bittersweet end to the season as he claimed his 11^th top ten finish of the season in race one. The Yeovil man fell victim to the damp conditions in Sunday’s opening race though before a determined ride to 13^th in the final race of the year, allowing him to end the season on a high.

“Brands Hatch unfortunately wasn’t the end of season we were hoping for especially as we had really high hopes for the weekend. We knew that the top-five would be running a hot pace so it was always going to be a difficult task but we were fired up for a good end to the season. I had a good qualifying session and was again in the top ten so I was happy with that. In the first race we finished in the top ten but I wanted more than that in the second one. I had got a good start and was behind Michael and I saw him slide the back at Paddock Hill Bend and so I took a different line and I hit the wet patch and it ran me into the gravel. I tried to keep it upright but as I got to the end I had to lay it down and I just couldn’t get it started again. That put me on the back foot for the final race as I didn’t have any data from the race before after we had made some changes and down the order on the grid. I worked my way up from a reasonable start but then I was losing grip and it became an uphill challenge. It has been a season of highs and a few lows but we have achieved a lot and I need to thank the whole Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati team.”

Team Owner Phil Jessopp was happy with the performance of both riders over the season and also took time to congratulate the man that eventually took the title in dramatic circumstances.

“The final round was absolutely brilliant and I have to congratulate Tommy Hill on his championship win; the whole of the Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati team were glad to be part of the show. Both Michael and Martin have had an extremely good year and it was just a shame for us that Michael didn’t make the top six after the crash at Cadwell Park. We finished the season with some top ten finishes and now we look forward to next year and looking towards that. I want to also thank everyone involved this season with the team, particularly Rapid Solicitors and Bathams.”

Ryuichi Kiyonari - Photo Credit: Honda Racing

Ryuichi Kiyonari’s championship defence, and his HM Plant Honda career, ended with a whimper as he failed to make the top ten all weekend at Brands Hatch. The Japanese star won each of his three British Superbike titles with the Lincolnshire squad but couldn’t rekindle that magic this weekend, with 11^th in race one the best he could manage.

Kiyonari was sad not to have ended the season on a high but thanked the team for their efforts throughout his glorious career with them.

“It has been another difficult weekend for me and I am disappointed that I couldn’t have a better result to end the season. We have worked hard and I need to thank the HM Plant Honda team for their support to try and help me improve over this year.”

Team Manager Havier Beltran admits that this year hasn’t been Kiyonari’s finest but thanked the 29 year old for providing the team with some of its’ greatest moments.

“It has been a difficult season for Kiyo; with him the HM Plant Honda team has won three BSB titles and scored 43 race wins which makes him the most successful rider in BSB history. We want to thank Kiyo for the successes we have celebrated together over the years. He will always be part of the Honda family and we wish him all the best for the future, in whatever he decides to do, as he will not be returning to the HM Plant Honda team in 2012.”

Shane 'Shakey' Byrne - Photo Credit: Honda Racing

Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne has promised to come back stronger than ever in 2012 after his Brands Hatch winning double proved to be in vain. The HM Plant Honda rider held off Jon Kirkham to win the first of Sunday’s races before dominating the second, but a qualifying crash and sixth place finish on Saturday effectively ended his title challenge.

Victory in race two was Byrne’s first since the birth of his second daughter Lilly-Jade and the Londoner admitted he was prepared to do whatever it took to take the chequered flag first.

“That win in the first race of the day race felt like I had just won the championship! We gave it everything at the weekend and I wanted nothing less than two race wins on Sunday. We had a good start but in the first laps I didn’t do a very good job of avoiding the damp patches and I had a few moments – in fact more than I think I have had in my whole career! I didn’t know who was behind me but I knew I wasn’t prepared to let them through as I wanted that win badly. The second win was great for me and the team but at the same time I felt a bit empty as all that hard work and great wins but for no championship title.”

With this year’s title eluding him, going in the end to Tommy Hill, Byrne is now turning his attentions to next season and regaining the title which he won in 2003 and 2008.

“After the first race of the day I didn’t initially realise I couldn’t still win the championship, but then the boys said to me just get out there and enjoy it and that’s what I did. Every lap I kept thinking why did Donington and Silverstone go so wrong? I was desperate to achieve the last two wins of the season and on Sunday we won the battle but we didn’t quite manage the war. The double win was a great result for the HM Plant Honda team for all their hard work all season. Missing out this year means I have something to come back for next year and I will certainly be throwing some grenades then!”

Team Manager Havier Beltran was full of praise for his leading rider as he proved his championship credentials despite ending the year in third overall.

“Shakey did a fantastic job by taking the double win at Brands Hatch and he couldn’t have done any more. At the beginning of Sunday the championship was realistically unfortunately out of reach so all he could do was end the season with two victories and that is exactly what he did and it was a classy performance from him and we couldn’t have asked for more.”

John Hopkins - Photo Credit: Suzuki Racing

John Hopkins paid tribute to the Samsung Crescent Suzuki team after coming within 0.006 seconds of winning the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch. The American missed out after a thrilling final lap which saw Tommy Hill beat him to the finish line by inches to take the title.

Hopkins accepted he couldn’t have done any more and thanked his team for giving him the opportunity to challenge for the championship.

“Well I don’t feel great obviously, but I don’t feel completely empty either. This has been a great season, I gave it everything I had but it just wasn’t to be. So hats off to Tommy for taking the title.”

“I couldn’t be more grateful to the Samsung Crescent Racing team: They gave me everything including the best bike out there. I came into this year on a make-or-break basis and I’m hugely grateful.”

Jon Kirkham ended the season on a high though by winning the BSB Riders’ Cup as the highest points scorer outside the title challengers, despite crashing in race three. Kirkham joined his teammate in thanking his team for a memorable year in which he claimed his first race win.

“I had a great first race today. It was good to show what I could do and to be on the podium again was brilliant as it secured me the Riders’ Cup, for being ‘best of the rest’ as the first non-Title Fighter!”

“In the second race I didn’t have the rear tyre performance I had for the first, it was spinning up and when I pushed it – I really wanted to be in the top-five there, helping Hopper – it just let go.”

“I sit here now and the year has just gone so quick; it’s been an enjoyable year and to race with the Samsung Crescent Racing team has been brilliant. Big thanks to them for a giving me such a great year.”

Team Manager Jack Valentine couldn’t help but look back on moments that might have cost them the title but knows they can hold their heads up high.

“I’m speechless. It’s impossible to put into words how this feels. It’s hugely disappointing, yet I find I’m happy as well – I think that’s the pride I feel for the team. What they’ve achieved this year has been brilliant; an unbelievable job.”

“Racing will always be a story of ‘ifs and buts’ and we’ve plenty of those to take away from this weekend – what if Hopper’s electrics hadn’t suffered that glitch in the first race; what if JK had stayed on and got in the mix? But the story of the Championship isn’t down to one or two isolated moments like those; there’s more to it than that and everyone has those moments during the year. We just have to take away the positives. We were there and we got to within literally an inch or so of the title. We did everything we could.”

“So I’d like to say a big thank you back to my riders as well, I’ve appreciated everything they’ve done this season. Hopper has been an inspirational rider to work with, very giving, very open and always positive – we’ll have so many great memories of this season with him. JK has been through an incredible journey this year, making the step up to the big time and today he showed he’s now one of Britain’s top riders for sure. Then huge thanks to Lez and Dale and their crews; all of them have been incredibly professional – and inspirational – this season. It’s been a great team. And finally, to Samsung, FIXI and all our sponsors – thanks for everything. Without their support we wouldn’t be here. The support has been brilliant. We hope they enjoyed the ride as much as we did.

“One more thing, then: bring on 2012!”

Gary Mason - Photo Credit: MSS Colchester Kawasaki

After a season that started with such promise and optimism, MSS Colchester Kawasaki left the final round at Brands Hatch with little reward and another injured rider. Gary Mason crashed his ZX-10R in Saturday Practice and although he attempted to race later on, he pulled out due to the injuries sustained.

After undergoing tests after the opening race, Mason was revealed to have injured his neck and sat out both Sunday races in the interests of safety.

Teammate Ian Lowry didn’t have a great weekend either, finishing 13^th in race one before failing to finish at all on Sunday. The Irishman crashed out of the second race before a mechanical problem took him out of the third.

“Saturday wasn’t too bad and I was starting to feel comfortable on the bike but Sunday was a bit of a disaster, I’m really disappointed”, commented Lowry. “The start of the second race was good and I was running in the top ten but the bike developed a mechanical problem, I’m not sure what it was but the back end felt really bad and I pulled in for safety. I’m really disappointed, the team has done a great job and I felt that I could have had a good result.”

One bright moment for the team saw Danny Buchan secure the runner-up spot in the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship although not in the circumstances he’d have wanted. The 18 year old was still satisfied though and thanked all the people who supported him this year.

“That’s not the way I would have liked to finish the championship, I’d much rather have battled Luke for second but I’ll still take it. Having finished the season, 2011 has been amazing. Second place in the championship is a great result and I’d like to say a big thank you to MSS Colchester Kawasaki, who have been superb and a fantastic team to work with. On a personal note I’d like to say thank you to mum and dad and all of the Buchan family, friends and personal sponsors for all their support. I couldn’t have done it without you guys – thank you.”

Team Owner Nick Morgan was sad to see the season end in such disappointment but  has already promised to come back stronger next year.

“That was a tough final few races and with both Howie (Mainwaring) and Gary injuring themselves the season does feel like it has finished on a bit of a low, I wish them both a speedy recovery. The start of the season was immense with Stuart Easton running so well, Gary getting podiums and Danny winning first time out, its shame it didn’t finish that way round! That’s racing as they say and we will be back even stronger next year.”

The three men that have been the class of the field this year - Photo Credit: Öhlins

2011 MCE British Superbike Championship with Pirelli & BSB-EVO

Riders Championship (Final Standings)

Shane 'Shakey' Byrne - Photo Credit: Honda Racing

2011 MCE British Superbike Championship with Pirelli & BSB-EVO

Final Round: Brands Hatch GP (Race Two Result)

Tommy Hill - Photo Credit: Pirelli

Tommy Hill edged out John Hopkins in one the greatest laps of racing in BSB history to win the 2011 British Superbike Championship by 0.006s. The two rivals were part of a five-man battle for second behind runaway winner Shane Byrne and swapped places no fewer than six times on the final lap with everything on the line.

Byrne accelerated clear on the opening lap, putting his pole position to full use and as the race settled down, the HM Plant Honda led by over a second from James Ellison, Hopkins, Hill, Michael Laverty and Jon Kirkham.

Laverty was playing a key role, protecting teammate Hill from the second Crescent Suzuki of Kirkham but on lap five, that threat disappeared as Hopkins’ teammate slid out at Druids, allowing the Swan Yamahas to concentrate on the job at hand.

As the race approached half distance, another challenger was looming behind them as a rampant Josh Brookes closed in. The Australian crashed out of race two, forcing him to start from the sixth row, but was now up into sixth and lapping quicker than anybody else.

Hill’s rear gunner lasted until lap 14 when Brookes dived up the inside of Laverty into Paddock Hill bend. With the Relentless Suzuki looking menacing, Hill knew he had to make his move and set about challenging Hopkins for third.

With just two points separating them, whoever finished ahead would take the title and Hill put himself in prime position for the first time on lap 17, getting a superb slingshot out of Hawthorns before pulling in front into Westfield.

At the start of the penultimate lap, Hill put a bike between himself and Hopkins by passing Ellison into Paddock Hill, the respite lasted only three corners though as Hopkins followed him through at Surtees. Just a lap and a half remained and the championship battle was well and truly on.

Hill led by 0.060s as the final lap got underway but that advantage only lasted up to Surtees as Hopkins forced his way up the inside to take second. Despite a minor slide, Hill was quicker on the exit and lined himself up for a pass into Hawthorns, nipping through at the end of the back straight.

Hopkins fought straight back into Westfield but Hill simply refused to give in, showing extreme bravery to slide up the inside into Sheene’s corner. With everything on the line, Hopkins made a desperate lunge into Clearways, the final corner of the season, and although he made it to the apex first, Hill ducked underneath him as the entered the home straight.

After 26 races and six months of tooth and nail competition, the race for the title literally turned into a sprint to the finish line. The naked eye couldn’t separate them but the timing screens and a subsequent photo finish gave Hill the verdict by six thousandths of a second, crowning him champion by two points.

Hill and Hopkins ran nose to tail throughout the 20 lap race

Hill admitted he wasn’t sure himself who was champion when he crossed the line and couldn’t hide his joy when the result was confirmed.

“Magic, absolutely unbelievable – I didn’t know that I had beaten him until I saw the reaction of the crowd. Winning the title means everything to me – that last lap was amazing, it was BSB wanted and I gave it to them. I just got into the rhythm and rode as hard as I could so to come out on top like this is just so special.”

“I’m gobsmacked. I’ve tried to stay as relaxed as possible since receiving the trophy. The season puts a lot of pressure and that reflects on everyone. It was just a shock that a whole season can come down to that. I wanted it badly and it was do or die.”

Hopkins was understandably devastated upon his arrival in parc ferme but was gracious in defeat, “hats off to him, he won. There was nothing more that I could have done,” he added.

Almost forgotten in the drama, Byrne took victory by just over four seconds, ending a superb season on a high with Hill and Hopkins joining him on the final podium of the year. Ellison ended up in fourth, just ahead of Laverty who got his own back on Brookes with a pass at Paddock Hill bend three laps from home.

Michael Rutter took seventh ahead of EVO winner Graeme Gowland who finished the season with nine straight class victories. Peter Hickman was ninth while Ryuichi Kiyonari surrendered his crown in muted fashion with tenth place.

Shane 'Shakey' Byrne - Photo Credit: Honda Racing

2011 MCE British Superbike Championship with Pirelli & BSB-EVO

Final Round: Brands Hatch GP (Race Three Grid)

John Hopkins - Photo Credit: Suzuki Racing

2011 MCE British Superbike Championship with Pirelli & BSB-EVO

Riders Championship (One Race To Go)