HOPKINS WINS AT SILVERSTONE BSB

John Hopkins extended his lead in the 2011 British Superbike Championship with a win and a third today, at Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire. Hopkins will take an eight-point lead to the final three-race round at Brands Hatch GP in a fortnight's time.

Hopper- Looking to wrap up the title at Brands

 Hopkins' Samsung Crescent Racing team-mate Jon Kirkham again proved he can run with the Title Fighters. However in race one he was judged to have jumped the start and was given a ride-through penalty, effectively ending his race. Kirkham rode at his best in the second race as part of the seven-bike leading group, eventually placing sixth.

John Hopkins: "I'm very happy with the weekend's results. Part of me knew we were in damage limitation mode as I was sure I'd have fight through the pain barrier at some point, with my finger only days after major surgery. The team, though, made my job much easier by giving me such a good set-up based on the limited number of laps we did in practice and qualifying – I need to say it's a massive thanks to them.

"The first race – well, I won! It wasn't easy and Michael Laverty was tough opposition, even when I passed him I couldn't drop him, so I was relieved to take the chequered flag.

"Then we had a real race on our hands – my hand – to get the swelling out of my finger before race two. The team had a specialist work with me over the weekend, and through icing, then laser treatment and elevating we kept on top of it.

"Race two was difficult as I didn't have the grip from the rear tyre that I'd had in the first race. It was sliding around from the beginning and while I tried to conserve it I was struggling toward the end of the race. I was still able to challenge Tommy Hill for second, but with the red flag coming out with a lap to go (due to another rider's engine 'blowing up' and putting oil on the track) I ran out of time."

Jon Kirkham: "A good weekend as again I was on the pace. But the jump start in race one was annoying. The starter kept us on the grid for what felt like an age and I could sense my clutch was cooking, then it jumped – I stopped it with the brake, and I was stationary when the race started, but was still judged to have jumped. I was gutted. 

John Kirkham- on the pace

"Race two started well because the team had the forethought to get me sorted with a soft tyre in what was left of my first race, so I was able to put in a fast lap for a front row qualifying position. I was pleased I was able to race with the top guys, and passing Shane Byrne I thought I might have a chance of a top-five, but then he passed me back and before I could have another go we got the red flag. But to be less then three-seconds behind the winner I know I have the pace now to regularly ride at the front."

Jack Valentine, team manager: "I'm very pleased with the outcome. Hopper has been magnificent again this weekend, he's riding competitive, controlled races with a badly injured hand – and winning! The effort he's putting in is amazing.

"JK is now at home with the pace of the leaders, he's in there with them and he's putting in passes, his race craft improves with every race and he's able to play the team-mate Hopper needs, dicing with the Title Fighters, taking points from them when he can.

"So I've no complaints, the boys performed. But for the red flag in race two we might have slightly better results on both their accounts. But we're talking 'ifs'; to come away with an eight-point lead in the championship is a great outcome. Just three more races to go..."

Performance Parts Ltd are please to support, sponsor and supply Swan Yamaha. For more information about the performance parts we have for YOUR bike please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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PODIUM FINISHES FOR SWAN YAMAHA AHEAD OF SEASON SHOWDOWN

Swan Yamaha’s Tommy Hill and Michael Laverty secured podium finishes at the penultimate Showdown round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Silverstone today as the team now prepare to fight for the title at the deciding finale at Brands Hatch.

Hill and Laverty at Silverstone

In the opening race of the day Laverty took the lead before championship leader John Hopkins passed him on the ninth lap at Stowe. Laverty was trying to regain the position but a mistake cost him the chance of victory as he had failed to see the last lap flag or pit board on the final lap and had to settle for second. Hill took third place as he fought hard to maintain his podium finishing form that has seen him maintain second in the overall standings ahead of the final round.

In the second race Laverty again took the lead before the leading Title Fighters battled for the podium positions. Hill then hit the front, but with four laps remaining he was pushed to second but still scored vital points for the championship as Laverty secured fourth. Hill lies second in the standings, eight points adrift of the championship leader whilst Laverty leaves Silverstone in fourth place overall.

Hill said: "We have left Silverstone second in the standings and still ready for the title fight at Brands Hatch. I was feeling frustrated with third place in the first race; it wasn’t a bad result in terms of a podium finish and consistency is important but not when a certain American is winning races ahead of us. I really thought we could challenge for the win and we did pull them in towards the end after they had got a bit of a gap. We obviously wanted more in race two and again I had mixed emotions for that race as I was pleased that I had John (Hopkins) behind me for the championship, but also I want to win badly for myself and the Swan Yamaha team. We had a few issues with set up this weekend and I did struggle with grip but I knew I just had to push on because every point counts. Josh (Brookes) came past me and I wanted to have a go but the championship tapped me on the back of my head and I knew that the points would be critical coming in to Brands Hatch and the last three races.”

Laverty said: “Race one was going to plan and I was feeling comfortable with the pace and I followed John (Hopkins) for a few laps but I made a stupid mistake because I hadn’t seen my pit board or the last lap flag and so I didn’t take a punt to get passed him. I was a bit frustrated with that and I wanted to make amends in the second race. In the second one I took the lead on the first lap, but John Hopkins got passed me and before I knew it I was back to third. I was suffering with some brake issues and the race was getting a bit messy as everyone was making lunges and it was all pretty hectic! I think if I had been able to get to the front I could have controlled the pace but I just didn’t get the chance I needed. We will re-group though and come back for Brands Hatch and the last three races of the season ready to get back on that podium.”

Swan Yamaha team owner Shaun Muir concluded: “I am delighted that we leave Silverstone still in contention for the championship and the racing today just shows that all of the riders out there are giving it everything. The title will go down to the wire and it was just a shame that the race was red flagged as I think Michael could have made a move to take the last place on the podium.”

For more information visit www.swanyamaha.co.uk 

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Shakey recovers to score two fifth places at Silverstone Showdown

HM Plant Honda’s Shane 'Shakey' Byrne overcame his difficult qualifying session at the penultimate round of the British Superbike Championship at Silverstone with a determined ride in the two races secured him a pair of fifth place finishes ahead of the final round at Brands Hatch.

Shakey - all smiles going into the final 3 races

 
In the first race Shakey had to carve his way through the field following some radical changes following qualifying as the team tried to solve the chatter issues they had been suffering throughout free practice and qualifying. The gamble paid off and after a strong start the former double champion was through to fourth by the third lap. He fought with the Title Fighters and was able to score points in fifth, which he followed up again in race two despite leading for two laps. The HM Plant Honda rider now heads into the final round at his home circuit 44 points adrift and desperate to secure the final three wins of the season in a bid to keep his title hopes alive.

Ryuichi Kiyonari again struggled to find a set up to give him confidence in the races; in the opening race a problem on the grid caused him to be moved to pitlane as the team worked to resolve the issue. The defending champion should have started from the back of the grid but took his place on the fourth row and was subsequently given a ride through penalty. He rejoined but finished in 28th position and outside of the points. In the second race Kiyo again was unable to find the pace to run with the leading group and he could only finish in 13th position.

Shakey said: "We certainly didn't come to Silverstone to score two fifth places but if someone would have offered me that on Friday or even Saturday afternoon I would have snapped their arm off for it. It was a learning experience for me in the first race after we made some radical changes; it was just annoying that we found the pace at that point in the weekend despite the boys working so hard in the garage to turn things around. I was trying to get everything perfect in race two after leading for a few laps and then John (Hopkins) came past me in the slipstream down the straight and that was it. Maybe I could have had an answer for third or fourth on the last lap, but from 13th we turned it around well in the races. We are on the back foot coming into the final round at Brands Hatch but the championship is still far from over."

Kiyo said: “It was another difficult weekend and then to have a mechanical problem on the grid for the first race was disappointing. I didn’t realise that I needed to start from the back of the grid so I took my grid position and then saw that I had a ride through penalty. We had made changes that had some good and bad points, like we have had in previous rounds. I couldn’t go fast enough again and I am not happy with the results. I don’t want to end the season like this so for Brands Hatch I want to be back fighting with the other Title Fighters.”

Kiyo- not an easy season

 
Jason said: “It felt great to be back on the HM Plant Honda Fireblade after being out for so long with injury although the weekend didn’t go completely according to plan. I felt good being back out on the Honda Fireblade and it was just a shame that we had problems that meant we couldn’t challenge in the race. We showed we were capable of a strong finish in free practice and now we want to get to Brands Hatch and crack on for the final race of the season.”

Team Manager Havier Beltran concluded: “It was a massive turn around for Shakey with the big changes that were made ahead of the races. It was just a shame that we hadn’t been able to achieve that earlier in the weekend. To go from 13th to fifth was a big step forward and with three races there is still all to play for; we just need to figure out how to beat our competitors. We struggled with Kiyo’s machine set up, again he wasn’t comfortable and it was another disappointing weekend – of course we need to try and resolve this for Brands Hatch. In the Superstock class it was really unfortunate for Jason to have suffered an electrical problem on his comeback, especially as we had suffered problems during qualifying too. The whole HM Plant Honda team now is focused on how we can improve for Brands Hatch and the final three races of the Showdown.” 


For further information about Honda, the HM Plant Honda team and its riders please visit
www.honda.co.uk or www.honda-racing.co.uk 

Performance Parts Ltd are please to support, sponsor and supply HM Plant Honda. For more information about the performance parts we have for YOUR bike please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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HM Plant Honda prepared for Silverstone Showdown

The British Superbike Championship reaches the penultimate round this weekend at Silverstone as Shane 'Shakey' Byrne and Ryuichi Kiyonari prepare to close the point deficit in the overall standings as Jason O’Halloran returns from injury in the National Superstock 1000 Championship.

 
Shakey currently lies third in the standings, 25 points behind the championship leader following the opening Showdown round at Donington Park. Shakey had taken a fourth place in the first race before a collision with Michael Laverty in race two meant a determined ride back from a crash to eighth place. This weekend he is determined to make amends and put the HM Plant Honda Fireblade back on the podium in a quest to close in on the title leaders Kiyo meanwhile lies sixth in the standings and as he continues to regain his podium finishing pace the defending champion is seeking a stronger performance this weekend.

 In the National Superstock 1000 Championship Jason returns from injury prepared for the final two rounds of the season. He has been sidelined since the Knockhill round following a crash but is looking forward to his return this weekend with the HM Plant Honda team.

 Shakey said: “I am looking forward to Silverstone and getting back out on the HM Plant Honda Fireblade. Basically, this weekend we are taking everything we have learnt so far this season and condensing it so that we can start in a stronger position. The team have been working hard since Donington Park to see what else we can try, but we have a few changes to refine in practice and then we will be focused on the races and doing everything we can to put the HM Plant Honda Fireblade back on the podium again.”

 Kiyo said: “The first Showdown round at Donington Park was disappointing as we didn’t score points in Race one, so at Silverstone we have to try and catch up in the points and get ourselves in a better position for the final round at Brands Hatch. The problems we have been having are not easy to solve, but I still think it is possible to fight with the other Title Fighters. The title won’t be easy to win now but I haven’t given up because anything can still happen; we saw that at Donington with Shakey and Michael. I will be trying hard to be back on the podium because I still want to win for the HM Plant Honda team.”

 Jason said: “I can’t wait to get back on the HM Plant Honda Fireblade this weekend for the first time since my crash. I had waited to make a return when I felt that I would be able to ride like I need to and when I felt I had got my strength back to where it needs to be to race. Recently I have had a couple of rides on a Honda CBR1000 and it felt good, so I am looking forward to rolling out again on Friday and then getting some good results before the end of the season.”

Performance Parts Ltd are please to support, sponsor and supply HM Plant Honda. For more information about the performance parts we have for YOUR bike please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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HOPKINS: MORE SURGERY ON INJURED HAND

 With a week to go to the penultimate round of the 2011 British Superbikes Championship, Samsung Crescent Racing's John Hopkins continues his fight to be 100% fit for the final races as he recovers from hand injuries sustained at the MotoGP round in the Czech Republic in August.

Hopper: Finger surgery since Donington!

Despite sensationally winning both races at Donington Park BSB a week ago – and taking over the BSB championship lead – Hopkins knew his hand still wasn't sufficiently healed and so rushed back to California to consult further with his surgeons. X-rays revealed areas still fractured with his middle finger not locating in the knuckle – the finger has now been micro-plated and screwed.

John Hopkins: "There was a lot of pain in my fingers at Donington Park, and I knew it wasn't right and in fact I was very worried I'd aggravated the injury. So I rushed back to see my surgeon on the Monday.

"The x-rays showe d that my middle finger wasn't locating properly in the second knuckle. Fortunately the bone area that had previously been crushed was now nicely healed and so my surgeon was able to put in screws and plates so as to stabilize the finger.

Riding through the pain barrier - with no painkillers

 "I could feel straight away that the finger was much stronger and it's improved every day since. I'm now very confident that I'll be able to ride at near-enough 100% at Silverstone next weekend."

Jack Valentine, team manager: "I was amazed John was able to ride through such pain at Donington Park. He wouldn't take pain killers and we could tell by the end of the second race it had been a tough ordeal for him.

"The news now is all-good, John's surgeon identified the issues and has done an incredible job in returning the stability John's knuckle and finger needed. John's very excited by the progress he's made and we can now look forward to him being physically much better prepared for the Silverstone round. He took the lap record there at the World Superbike round we attended earlier this year. We think he'll now be able to continue with that kind of pace. We can expect to be very competitive."     
    
 

Performance Parts Ltd are please to support, sponsor and supply HM Plant Honda. For more information about the performance parts we have for YOUR bike please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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Challenging start to the Showdown for HM Plant Honda

The HM Plant Honda team had a difficult start to the final three round Showdown for the British Superbike Championship title at Donington Park last weekend as Shane 'Shakey' Byrne and Ryuichi Kiyonari continue to fight for the title.

Shakey and Kiyo had qualified in fifth and seventh place respectively for the first race and following an impressive start off the line Shakey took the lead on the opening lap, he then swapped places with Michael Laverty for the lead before holding the position for nine laps before Tommy Hill forced him wide at Goddards which saw him drop to fourth. Shakey then was forced to settle for the position and the points as the tyre spun on the rim, slowing his pace. Kiyo meanwhile retired from the first race of the Showdown with a suspected engine braking problem.

HM Plant's Shakey Byrne

In race two Shakey started from second on the grid with Kiyo in seventh and he got another strong start from the front row. However as the pack entered Redgate corner for the first time Shakey collided with Laverty and the pair crashed out. Shakey was able to rejoin the race and a determined ride saw him carve his way through the pack and up the order to finish in eighth position. Kiyo again struggled to run the pace of the leading pack and finished in sixth place.

Shakey said: "We have been up against it this weekend. We had a game plan that looked like it would work - we couldn’t let the Yamahas get to the front so I tried to get into the lead as soon as I could in race one. The final sector has been my weakest all weekend and Tommy was able to pass me twice at the same point. I then had the tyre spin on the rim and I had no answer to him. It had sent us wide the second time which I know wasn’t intentional or malicious and I am not blaming him for trying but it meant the others got a gap and I couldn’t close it back. But that is what the format of the championship now produces and we all want to win the BSB title. In race two we made an improvement and got a good start. I basically got alongside John Hopkins and waited for him to brake and I thought it was absolutely perfect as I got the inside. Unfortunately though Michael was there too and we went down. It was another frustrating moment in the weekend for me and to be 25 points behind really makes me feel for the whole of the HM Plant Honda team. It is not where we need to be but we can learn from the weekend.”

 Kiyo said: “It was a hard weekend for me. In race one we had a problem with the engine and it was very disappointing to not have finished the race as we need to be scoring points for the championship. In the second race we tried a different setting to try and improve again but after five laps we had a problem with front chatter and then the rear was spinning and I couldn’t do the lap times to stay with the other riders. I think it puts us in a difficult position to win the championship now but I won’t give up because different things can still happen and we can still win.”

Performance Parts Ltd are please to support, sponsor and supply HM Plant Honda. For more information about the performance parts we have for YOUR bike please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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HOPKINS DOMINATES DONINGTON BSB, LEADS CHAMPIONSHIP

John Hopkins stormed to a dominant double win today at the tenth round of the 2011 British Superbikes Championship at Donington Park. The wins put Hopkins in the lead of the BSB championship with just two rounds to go.

Hopkins' Samsung Crescent Racing team-mate Jon Kirkham was also in great form, fighting for podium finishes and placing 5-3 to strengthen his position as leader in the Rider's Cup, the competition to be the best rider outside of the Showdown's Title Fighters.

Hopper and Kirkham - on the podium again

John Hopkins: "This is a very special double-win for me. It's good to come back from injury and to immediately win and to take over the championship lead. But as well this is a day of remembrance back at home, for the victims of 9/11, so I'm thinking of those people and their families, and this is my tribute to them.

"We enjoyed some great racing today. I was careful to conserve my tyres in the first race and I let the opportunities come to me, Tommy Hill's mistake when passing Shane Byrne played to my advantage and then it was just a matter of planning and waiting for the chance to pass Michael Laverty, and that came four laps from home. I had plenty of pace left in the bike, and in the tyres, to take it from there.

Two wins and a lead in the Championship!

"The second race was actually harder. I got most of the racing done early, I was in the lead by the fourth lap, but the lack of distractions meant the pain in my fingers was very obvious. The bike was awesome, though, from half distance I was able to pull four-tenths a lap on Tommy and once we got to a two-second buffer I just controlled it from there."

Jon Kirkham: "I'm really pleased. I was looking for two top-fives this weekend, so a fifth and a third is more than job done. I got caught behind Ryuichi Kiyonari early in the first race and this let the leaders get away, it was only a matter of a couple of seconds, but it's so hard to pull that back given the pace at the front.

Podium finish and Rider's Cup lead

"The second race was brilliant fun. I could see from my pit board that I was being chased hard and when Kiyo slowed I had to pass quickly and make something of a break if it wasn't going to get messy. I got my head down and from there to the end of the race I wouldn't let my speed drop. So the gap grew quite comfortably and I was surprised at the end to see Tommy's bike coming into view. To share the podium with John today was fantastic."

Performance Parts Ltd are please to support, sponsor and supply Samsung Crescent Suzuki. For more information about the performance parts we have for YOUR bike please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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PODIUM FINISHES FOR SWAN YAMAHA AT DONINGTON PARK

The Swan Yamaha team had mixed start to the Showdown as Tommy Hill claimed a double podium finish whilst Michael Laverty secured a second place in race one before a crash left him scoring just two points in the second race at Donington Park.

The opening race of the day saw both Swan Yamaha riders in an epic dice for the first victory of the Showdown. Laverty had taken the early lead in the first race before Shane Byrne stole the position on the third lap. Laverty then dropped to third as Hill moved ahead but with four riders switching places after Hill made a move on Byrne at Goddards it gave Laverty the chance to take the lead. Laverty then maintained his position until the final threea laps when John Hopkins edged ahead and Laverty and Hill completed a double podium performance in second and third respectively.

The second race almost ended prematurely for Laverty when he collided with Byrne at Redgate on the opening lap and as the pair ended in the gravel he then had to pick up the Swan Yamaha to try and salvage some points. He was able to finish in 14th position and set the fastest lap of the race in the process. Hill had taken the lead on the opening laps but was passed by Hopkins and despite his best efforts finished in second place to put him three points behind in the overall standings.

Michael Laverty and Tommy Hill

Hill said: "I was gutted with the first race result today despite finishing on the podium as we just didn’t have the speed. The Swan Yamaha team changed the engine between races to see exactly what the problem was and how we could fix it for race two. We got into a rhythm over the opening laps and then the pace dropped off and I knew the guys behind us were closing in. I knew we had to do something so I made a lunge from about six bike lengths back and I didn’t quite make it. In the second race I saw Michael make a brave move when he dived for the apex. I just let them carry on as I knew what would happen. I settled down into a rhythm and John Hopkins came passed me and there wasn’t much I could do. It hasn’t been the worst weekend for me with two podiums but we needed wins and we need to change that at Silverstone."

Laverty said: "I was happy to be on the podium again in the first race. I got to the front but to be honest I was surprised when Shakey came passed me as I wasn’t sure he would have the pace after the way the weekend had gone for him. I let him run the pace and then I knew I had to get my finger out and make a move to get back in the lead. I passed Shakey with the melee at Goddards but then it was all a bit busy as we went into Redgate! I was on the outside but then I saw John Hopkins went for the same line so I took a chance on the inside and it paid off. I held John off for a few laps but I didn’t want to do something risky and end up in the gravel; there will be fairing bashing to come but I didn’t want to risk it in the first Showdown race! I was feeling confident for the second race and I wanted to get to the front as soon as possible. Shakey had done the same move in race one and we went for the apex but he hadn’t seen me. It is frustrating but it was a racing incident. It will be an uphill task now but we knew we had the pace which makes it even more disappointing. The pressure is slightly off me now as I can just try for wins rather than being too conservative but anything can still happen and I will fight until the bitter end for the title."

Team Manager Gary Ekerold said: "Coming off the three wins at Cadwell Park it was always going to be hard to manage expectations of the Swan Yamaha team but for Tommy it has been a great weekend with two podium finishes. Michael obviously had a disappointing second race but we have banked points for the championship and now we look ahead to Silverstone where we know we can be strong."

Performance Parts Ltd are please to support, sponsor and supply Swan Yamaha. For more information about the performance parts we have for YOUR bike please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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HM Plant Honda set for BSB Showdown at Donington Park

The HM Plant Honda team return to action this weekend for the opening Showdown round for the British Superbike Championship at Donington Park as the final phase of the season gets underway in Leicestershire.

Shane 'Shakey' Byrne currently lies second in the overall standings, just seven points adrift of the championship lead and following the previous round at Cadwell Park believes the HM Plant Honda team will be ready to challenge for victories again this weekend. The last time Shakey raced at the track he secured a pole position and two race wins on his way to securing his second BSB title in 2008. 

Defending champion Ryuichi Kiyonari currently lies sixth in the standings ahead of the Donington Park event and knows that he needs to start winning races again to ensure that he moves up the order ahead of the final two rounds at Silverstone and Brands Hatch after this weekend.

The team will not replace the injured Jason O’Halloran in the National Superstock 1000 Championship this weekend, but the Australian is expected to return at the penultimate round at Silverstone.

Shakey said: “I am really buzzing about getting to Donington Park and the Showdown now. The HM Plant Honda team have worked hard all season and now we are planning for the final three rounds and formulating our plan of attack! We found some changes at Cadwell Park to make the HM Plant Honda stronger and we have been winning races and on the podium all season so there is no reason why that should change now it is the Showdown. To be champion everyone knows you need to work harder, push harder and myself and the HM Plant Honda team are going to be giving one hundred and ten percent to try and end the season as the 2011 British Superbike champions.”

Shakey - hoping to fly at Donny. (pic from MNJ Photography)

 
Kiyo said: “For Donington Park we have some ideas on some more improvements we can make following the test and then the three races at Cadwell Park as we have a better understanding. I am half looking forward to this weekend and the Showdown starting and half nervous; I think the six of us are probably all the same! The circuit is one of my favourite though and I have missed it since the last time we raced there so for me I am excited to be back there. I think the Showdown is going to be harder than the Main Season as it is a different pressure now. There are so many different stories that can happen before the final round at Brands Hatch and we cannot make any mistakes, but you also need to try and win every race as otherwise it will not be enough to be champion. I hope we can do that at Donington Park this weekend.”

Kiyo - looking to be on it... (pic from MNJ Photography)

 Team Manager Havier Beltran concluded: “It is now the important part of the season and ahead of the Showdown both Shakey and Kiyo know what they need to do and that is to win races and consistently finish ahead of the other riders. Since Cadwell Park the whole team have been working hard so that we can approach the final three rounds ready to fight for the title and we are confident that we have the best package with the HM Plant Honda Fireblade to retain the number one plate.”


For further information about Honda, the HM Plant Honda team and its riders please visit
www.honda.co.uk or www.honda-racing.co.uk 

Performance Parts Ltd are pleased to supply, support and sponsor HM Plant Honda. For more information on the performance parts we have for your bike please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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SAMSUNG CRESCENT RACING READY FOR THE SHOWDOWN

 John Hopkins and the Samsung Crescent Racing team are readying themselves for the crucial Showdown phase of the 2011 British Superbike Championship, that gets underway this weekend at Donington Park in Leicestershire.

Hopkins is still recovering from the finger injuries he sustained at the Bruno MotoGP in August, but confirms he fully expects to be able to fight for wins this coming weekend. As the top-six in the championship start their three-round battle to determine the series champion Hopkins says he couldn't be in more motivated. Hopkins team-mate Jon Kirkham, having narrowly missed inclusion in the top-six Title Fighters, begins his own battle to win the Riders' Cup – awarded to the best rider outside of the top-six.

John Hopkins: "I'm ready to return to racing. Tomorrow they take the last pins out of my middle finger – then I'll have full articulation in all fingers. I've been keeping up my f itness and exercising my hand so I expect to be able to push right from the get-go. I know Donington Park well from my MotoGP years, I love the place, so I'm right on the game there.

Hopper's Hurt Hand: Final pin's been pulled so he's ready to pull the pin

"I've been waiting for this phase of the championship to start, and now it's here I can't wait to get stuck in. I can sense this weekend is going to be fantastic, we're all going to be going for it and it's my intention to be right at the very front!"

Jon Kirkham: "The disappointment of missing out on the Title Fighters has been more than made up by the excitement of racing at the front again – and the impending battle to grab the Riders' Cup. That will be no less difficult than trying to make the top-six, there are plenty of riders who have plenty of form right now, but I'm keen to stay in the top-six in the race results and if at anytime my being there will help Hopper then so much the better."

Kirkham - looking for points and to help Hopper make Valentine's Day

Jack Valentine, team manager: "To say Hopper is ready would be an understatement. He's is literally 'pulling the pin', or pins, as we speak. We've stayed in contact as he's been recuperating back at his home in the States and he's certainly fired-up for this weekend, he's really up for it and I think we can expect him to come out fighting. This is a very exciting point in the championship, as we literally start all over again, and with Donington, Silverstone and Brands being the final rounds – all good venues for Hopper – we can expect a very strong and determined run to the flag from him.

"It's been good to see JK coming back up to speed over the last couple of rounds, and that last race at Cadwell Park really recharged him, there's nothing like racing within sight of the lead to spark up a racer. I think we can expect to see JK getting into the top-six again, with the Riders' Cup there's motivation for him too.

"Within the team we have the bikes ready, all the tools needed to do the job, everything is set for this final stage of the championship. The energy levels in the team are at an all time high, we're definitely ready!"         
    
Performance Parts Ltd are please to support, sponsor and supply performance parts to Samsung Crescent Suzuki. For more information about the performance parts we have for YOUR bike please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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SWAN YAMAHA LEAD TITLE RACE TO DONINGTON PARK

The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship Showdown reaches Donington Park this weekend (9-11 September) and Swan Yamaha’s Tommy Hill leads the title standings by seven points with Michael Laverty joining him in the title battle ahead of this weekend’s two races.
 
Hill has secured seven wins ahead of the Showdown, but with Laverty just 19 points off the lead of his team-mate the pair are preparing to challenge for the top step of the podium again after sharing the three victories last time out at Cadwell Park. The Championship returns to the circuit for the first time since 2008 and after completing some laps of the track recently the team are feeling confident ahead of the weekend.
 Hill said: "It feels good to be leading the championship standings into the Showdown but this is racing and we know how fast things can change. The last time I rode at Donington Park was in 2007 but we know that we have a strong package with the Swan Yamaha and we are full of confidence ahead of the event. I am taking the Showdown race by race and we need to remain consistent – but not too consistent as every point is crucial and we need to be finishing ahead of the other Title Fighters to maintain our position."

Tommy Hill - by MNJ Photography

Laverty said: "I am looking forward to it as Donington Park has always been one of my favourite tracks. I think some of the changes we made at Cadwell Park just clicked and that little bit extra we were looking for we found. We did a few laps around there a few weeks’ back and we know we have good pace so I am feeling ready for the races. The whole season is about building for the Showdown and I am mentally prepared for it and I just want to get stuck in now for those wins. We need to try and win every race as inevitably whoever wins the most is going to be champion. We need to be riding on the edge and taking those chances to win as the last seven races are the most important of the season." 

Michael Laverty - by MNJ Photography

 Performance Parts Ltd are pleased to supply Akrapovic Exhausts to the Swan Yamaha team. For more information on what performance parts we have for YOUR bike please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

Performance Parts Ltd - Bionics for your Bike. Better. Stronger. Faster...