Highs and Lows for Gearlink Kawasaki at Brands Hatch Final Round

It was a hugely emotional weekend for the Gearlink Kawasaki team at the final round of the Motorsport British Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch. Alastair Seeley rode his heart out despite coming to Brands Hatch with a 19 point deficit. He rode a stunning first race and finished second and went into the main race on Sunday four points behind Easton. In a dramatic final race of the season once again the Gearlink Kawasaki team were forced to take the runner-up spot in the overall Championship after the race was cut short and Alastair was awarded third place.

It was a mixed weekend for the Gearlink Kawasaki team as fellow Supersport rider Ben Wilson had a huge crash on Saturday morning during the qualifying session. This fractured his lower leg/upper ankle and he was declared unfit to ride in either British Supersport race.

Alastair knew he had his work cut out but he was eager to try and salvage something from Brands Hatch. The rain fell heavily on Saturday for qualifying and he ended up in sixth place on the grid, he got a great start and worked his way through the pack to take a solid second place. Setting the fastest lap in the race he was sat in pole position for race two on Sunday, after the opening lap the rain came down and the race was red flagged. The race was then declared wet and shortened; Alastair got another good start but was pushed wide on the back section of the track forcing him back to fourth at the end of the opening lap. He managed to re-group and get his head down making his way back through to the front. Meanwhile Easton was making a charge through the pack and it was not long before the pair were fighting for the lead as they have all season. Easton made a pass to the front and Alastair dropped to third, the race was red flagged due to a big crash into Paddock Hill and the Championship was decided.

Alastair Seeley - "Well to say I'm gutted is an understatement. It's been such a rollercoaster year and the crash and injuries I sustained at Cadwell were what put a huge hindrance on my season and I've ended up second. I couldn't have finished second to a better and worthy Champion, we've had some fantastic battles over the season and it's been an enjoyable year just with the end result not what I was hoping. I finished this race smiling knowing that I had tried my best, my laps this year at every track were always consistently fast and that's a testament to the Gearlink Kawasaki team. They have worked so hard all year and with it being a new team for me to do what we have is a great achievement, I fitted in well from the start and everyone has worked so hard all season to help me win. It was difficult this weekend with the changing weather conditions as I wanted to push hard but not beyond the limit where I wouldn't finish, the track was really greasy and the conditions made things much worse. I tried hard this weekend and did everything I could to try and win the Championship and fair play and congratulations to Stuart Easton for winning it. Thank you to everyone who have supported me this season, my sponsors, my family, mechanics, girlfriend and the entire Gearlink Team, it's been great just unfortunate not to take the Championship win."

Ben Wilson - "I'm totally devastated to have to end the season in the medical centre, I was keen to end the season on a high note but it just wasn't to be. I was just caught out on a wet part of the track and that was me down but I went into the barrier at a quick part of the circuit. It hurt as soon as I got up and the medics x-rayed me in the medical centre and that was my season over. I'm sorry to everyone this isn't the way I wanted the season to end and thank you to everyone who has stood by me over this season and hopefully I'll be back fully fit to race again next year."

Pirelli National Superstock 600s

It was a totally different story in the Pirelli National Superstock 600 class as Luke Hedger became the 2013 Superstock 600 Champion in his first season in the Championship after becoming 2012 British Motostar Champion. Luke was fired up for the weekend and the super talented youngster proved his worth and rode an extremely mature race not getting involved in any situations and bringing the Gearlink Kawasaki home in eighth place but taking the Championship win by 16 points. His team-mate Mark Wilkinson struggled in the wet conditions and finished in 21^st place.

Luke Hedger - "I'm absolutely over the moon with the Championship win, to move up to the Superstock 600 class this year from the Motostar class was a big jump and it took me a while to adjust to the new riding style to suit the 600. I couldn't have done this without the help and support this year from Michael and Norma and all the Gearlink Kawasaki team they have been unbelievable and I couldn't ask more from a team. All season I have just settled in more and more and the wins started to come and I started creeping up the Championship table and that's when I started to think that it might just be possible if I could remain consistent to win the series. I've worked hard all year and really wanted to do well; to win the Championship is just brilliant I'm so pleased for everyone involved. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped me this season, all my personal sponsors, my team, my girlfriend and especially my Mum and Dad."

Mark Wilkinson - "That was my first race on the Kawasaki in the wet and I got a good start but made a few mistakes on the first lap and lost a lot of places. I was stuck in a group and with the conditions being so bad it was hard to make any moves. I've managed to score points in every round this year and would have been nice to finish the season in the points but it just wasn't to be. I would like to say a huge thank you to all the Gearlink Kawasaki team for making me feel at home and welcoming me into their team like they did. Also to everyone back home in Australia for their support it's much appreciated. Roll on 2014."

Team Manager Michael de Bidaph - "What can I say? I'm massively disappointed not to have won the Supersport Championship again. Alastair could not have done any more this weekend and it was taken away from us with a red flag situation. However, this year has been a fantastic year, we as a team, have constantly been at the front at all the races this year and Ben and Alastair are a credit to this team and we have taken so much from it. We will back again next year to try again and one day we will win that Supersport Championship. The Gearlink Kawasaki team would like to wish Ben a speedy recovery.

Luke was superb; he did everything he had to do today to win the Superstock 600 Championship. He rode a very mature race and did not do anything stupid, we're all really pleased with his Championship title and he took away some of the disappointment from the Supersport result.

Mark made a few mistakes in the opening laps but he has never ridden the bike in a wet race before and up to now he has been in the points at every race. He's been an absolute delight to have him in our team; he fitted in really well and rode very hard and always willing to learn.

I must say a huge thank you to all our very loyal sponsors, especially Kawasaki Motors UK, all our product sponsors and we are just sorry we were unable to repay you with the Supersport Championship but we will keep trying."

For more information on Gearlink Kawasaki please visit: www.gearlinkracing.com
We're pleased to support, sponsor and supply performance parts to Gealink Kawasaki racing. For more information on the parts we have to add some 'bionics to your bike' please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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Alex Lowes secures maiden title with Samsung Honda

The Samsung Honda team is celebrating its fourth British Superbike Championship title after Alex Lowes defeated Shane Byrne in the final race of the season at Brands Hatch to become the youngest-ever BSB champion.

The triple-header event – which took place in mixed conditions – was packed with drama that kept the fans on the edge of their seats and took the title fight down to the final lap of the final race. Lowes took second place in the first race of the weekend on Saturday, but a crash in the second race on Sunday would have put him on the back foot had title rival Byrne not also crashed out, leaving the Samsung Honda rider with a three-point advantage.

With Josh Brookes snatching an early and unchallengeable lead in the final race, Lowes and Byrne went head-to-head for second place, battling fiercely for the points that would ultimately award one of them the championship title. In the end, it came down to the last lap and it was Lowes aboard the Samsung Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade that had the edge, taking second place to secure his first – and the team’s fourth – BSB crown. Freddy Foray finished thirteenth, tenth and fourteenth as he deputised for Ryuichi Kiyonari.

In the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship Jason O'Halloran missed out on the podium in the Sprint race with a fifth place and crashed out whilst dicing with the lead group in the final race. He ends the season in sixth place overall.

Alex Lowes
I’m pretty happy. It was an unbelievable last race, really difficult, and I just didn’t know how fast to push. I saw on my pit signals that Shane was closing on me and round here that is the last thing you wanted to see. It was a case of keeping focussed and when Shane had got past me I knew that I had to pass him if I wanted the title so I pushed on real hard. I had a few moments but luckily kept it all together and beat him to take the title. To me that really is incredible, because its always difficult with the weather playing such a big part. Saturday’s race was hard – it was difficult to know where the grip was so it was a case of keeping calm and then pushing hard. It felt pretty good but it was quite slippery. In Sunday’s first race Josh Brookes touched my bar and I went down – it was not my fault and I can’t be angry about something that is out of my control. It was one of those things, unfortunate.

Freddy Foray

To come into this championship for two rounds was not easy but it was an opportunity that I could not turn down. I was more confident here than at Silverstone even though the conditions were difficult. I didn’t want to make any mistakes and was pleased to score points. I am very happy to have worked with the team, who are all very friendly, and it has been very good experience for me.

Jason O’Halloran
That was not the way I wanted to finish off the season, but that's racing. I was pushing to try and catch the lead group and I just folded the front at Paddock Hill, which was obviously disappointing but it's been a good second half to the season with podiums, pole positions and fastest laps. I just want to say a big thanks to the whole Samsung Honda team for a great season.

Havier Beltran – Team Manager
It was a fantastic end to 2013 for Samsung Honda and Alex. The whole team and everyone involved worked so hard and I can’t emphasise enough the effort that has gone into this season. Our partners and everyone involved have done a superb job and that has put us where we are today. Alex was so confident and I had little doubt that he would be able to do this here at Brands Hatch and it was a fabulous end to a great season of BSB.

2013 British Superbike Championship final standings:

1) Alex Lowes (HON) 643

2) Shane Byrne 636

3) Josh Brookes 621

4) James Ellison 589

5) James Westmoreland 564

6) Ryuichi Kiyonari (HON) 522

Performance Parts Ltd are please to supply Samsung Honda. To see what we have for your bike please visit: www.performanceparts-ltd.com/store

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MILWAUKEE YAMAHA END THE SEASON WITH PODIUM FINISH

The Milwaukee Yamaha team ended their season with a podium finish at Brands Hatch as James Ellison overcame his disappointment of race one to claim a third place in the second race of the weekend whilst Tommy Bridewell claimed a fourth place in the final race.

In the second race of the weekend Ellison got a flying start and carved his way up the order to hit the front of the pack, but as the conditions changed he was passed in the closing stages by Lee Costello and Josh Brookes who claimed the win. Bridewell had slid out of contention in the challenging conditions at Druids, but fought back to in the final race of the season to claim a fighting fourth place ahead of team-mate James Ellison.

Ellison said: “A podium was what we were going for but qualifying where we did I thought it would be an uphill battle today, but I had a good line for the first few corners and it seemed to work out and then I found myself in the lead and I thought ‘that will do’. I pushed so hard and full credit to all of them on the podium as there was nothing more I could squeeze out. We couldn't quite do it in the final race but I want to thank the Milwaukee Yamaha team for their hard work this season.”

Bridewell said: “It was a difficult day and it was tough with the conditions and I just spun it out in the first race today on a wet patch. The last race I started quite far back and the bike felt unbelievable. I followed Shakey through the pack and I honestly thought about having a go and it was a big decision but I decided to let them decide the championship and not get involved. I think one hundred percent we could have been on the podium but I am happy to have ended the season strongly and I need to thank Milwaukee Yamaha.”

Team owner Shaun Muir concluded: “It is a shame the Showdown didn't work out for us and our challenge petered out because the deficit was too much to close here and it wasn't meant to be for James. In respect of Tommy he worked hard all weekend and was on the back foot with the conditions but he ground on throughout. He took a sensible view in race two not to get involved with the title fight but it was a great end to the season. Big congratulations have to go to Alex Lowes and Samsung Honda for the title win and I also want to thank Milwaukee and all of our partners for this season. Let’s hope the winter goes quickly!”

For more information visit www.milwaukeeyamaha.com

We're pleased to support, sponsor and supply performance parts to Milwaukee Yamaha. For more information on the parts we have to add some 'bionics to your bike' please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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Positive Weekend for Gearlink Kawasaki Silverstone - Round 11

It was a solid weekend for the Gearlink Kawasaki team at round 11 of the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship at Silverstone circuit this weekend. Alastair Seeley reeled in the points for the Championship title by taking a win and third place in the two Supersport races, he was later dropped to 10^th place in the second race due to a penalty gained for a move on Jason O'Halloran and Ben Wilson gained a fifth and fourth place.

Alastair Seeley was back in fine form at Silverstone and celebrating his 34^th Birthday and wearing a stunning new '34' branded Shoei helmet, he had a great opening race taking a solid win and narrowing the gap in the Championship lead and closing in on Easton. In the main race on Sunday, Seeley started from pole position and was locked in a hard scrap for a six lap sprint race after the safety car re-entered the pit lane after being deployed for an incident. Seeley as always, fought tooth and nail and the riders were exchanging paintwork on several laps. He was involved in an incident with Jason O'Halloran where the two came together, he re-grouped and then was dicing for the lead with Billy McConnell and Luke Mossey. The trio exchanged positions for the majority of the final two laps with Alastair finishing the race in third place. He was later penalised for the incident with O'Halloran and given a ten second penalty which dropped him to 10^th position.

Alastair Seeley - "It was another good weekend and it was the first time since my crash at Cadwell that I actually felt good on the bike again and I was able to move it around to where I needed to. It was great to be back on the top step of the podium on Saturday and close in the lead in the Championship. The second race was a little messy and there was some contact between all riders, it was a hard race and we all wanted to win. I ended up with third but I was knocked back to 10^th after a time penalty incurred for the O'Halloran incident. I'm a bit annoyed by the outcome of it as I'd worked really hard to get myself in a good position in the race and also the Championship but I will make sure that I keep fighting to the end."

Ben Wilson struggled all weekend at the Silverstone circuit where he took his only race win at last season. He secured fifth in the qualifying session and despite a good start he could only bring the Gearlink Kawasaki home in fifth position. He started from sixth for race two and sitting behind the safety car for a number of laps Ben was eager to get back racing again, he rode a solid race to finish again in fifth, and later promoted to fourth after the Seeley penalty.

Ben Wilson - "I really struggled here to get a good set up on my bike, despite winning here last year Silverstone has never been a circuit I have gone well at. I just couldn't get the set up right on my bike with the gearing despite trying several options over the weekend. It's solid points at one of my weakest tracks so I need to go to Brands focused and with the aim to get back on the podium and the hope to secure third in the Championship."

Pirelli National Superstock 600s

It was an unbelievable weekend for the Gearlink Kawasaki Superstock 600 riders, in the original scheduled race, Luke Hedger was nearly saying goodbye to winning the Championship when an engine problem occurred on the opening lap. The race was red flagged on lap one and rescheduled for after the first Superbike race, the Gearlink Kawasaki team had one hour to change the engine in Hedger's bike and they got him back out on the grid. In the process he went on to ride one of the most stunning races this season taking a fantastic win for the team and also the Championship lead as he heads to the final round. Mark Wilkinson was also suffering a mixed weekend after hitting a wet patch on Friday he was unable to put in a good qualifying time then, in the second qualifying session his bike had a problem so he ended up in a lonely 22^nd place on the grid. He also rode his heart out and secured two Championship points and gained 14^th place.

Luke Hedger - "Today was something very different and also very special, at the start of the initial race on the opening lap I felt my bike lose power. I was devastated but then we were told the race was postponed and I held out some hope, what I got in return from the Gearlink team I could never have expected. They were unreal and got set to changing my engine and putting it all back together in less than an hour, without them I certainly wouldn't have then been able to go out there and win the race. They worked so quick and they gave me a race winning bike, after all their hard work I knew I had to go out there and do something pretty special, so I did. I would like to thank Jamie Cooper for the loan of Aaron Clarke's engine. I got a good start and was eager to stay near the front, the Gearlink Kawasaki was awesome and I'm so glad I took the win, I now go to Brands leading the Championship for the first time this year and I can't wait to get there!"

Mark Wilkinson - "It was an up and down weekend for us, qualifying one was going really well and I was feeling quite comfortable on the bike but I made a small mistake touching the wet AstroTurf which caused me to crash at over 130pmh. Thankfully not a great deal of damage was done to neither me nor the bike. We had a small technical problem in qualifying two which forced me out of that session also. I ended up in 22^nd place on the grid for the race, I was able to make a great start and moved quickly towards the front only to have the red flag come out. We had a full re-start, I got another good start and was up to the top 15 bunch. With only a seven lap race I was unable to move through the field much further but I was still able to continue my points scoring positions and ended up in 14^th place. I'm looking forward to some better luck at Brands Hatch. I'd like to congratulate my team-mate Luke on his win. I'd also like to thank the Gearlink Kawasaki team again for their hard work repairing the bike and to all my personal sponsors back in Australia."

Team Manager Michael de Bidaph - "Ben was struggling all weekend to find a set-up that suited him right and it was damage limitation on a track he has suffered misfortune at in the past. Hopefully he will feel stronger at Brands Hatch and finish the season on a high note.

Alastair rode a great first race to take the win and it's good to see him back at the sharp end after a couple of poor results due to injury at the previous rounds. He rode a good race in race one and closed the gap in the Championship standings. He also rode a very good second race and the riders were clashing paint on most turns, he came together with Jason O'Halloran and was later penalised for the move. In my opinion it was a harsh decision and I feel that O'Halloran's strong protest did not help the situation especially as he also caused Alastair to sit up during the race by his aggressive manoeuvres.  

Luke was the star of the day; he rode his heart out on a bike that had just been rebuilt in less than an hour. I must credit my entire Gearlink Kawasaki team for their hard work and dedication they put in to ensure that we got Luke out on the track and he was able to repay them with the race win and also the Championship lead. We have to keep his feet on the ground now for Brands and try and treat it as another race weekend, he rode with his head today and we're really pleased with his result and his attitude towards it.

Despite Mark struggling during qualifying with a small crash and then a bike problem he once again pulled it all together in the race and rode fantastically well to once again secure some more Championship points. He has the right attitude and worked hard for the result he got today and never gave up, I hope he will have a good result at Brands."

For more information on Gearlink Kawasaki please visit: www.gearlinkracing.com
We're pleased to support, sponsor and supply performance parts to Gealink Kawasaki racing. For more information on the parts we have to add some 'bionics to your bike' please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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DOUBLE PODIUM FINISH FOR MILWAUKEE YAMAHA AT SILVERSTONE

The Milwaukee Yamaha team returned to the podium at Silverstone today at the penultimate round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship as Tommy Bridewell claimed a pair of third places whilst James Ellison scored a fifth and a fourth place.

In the opening race of the day Bridewell fought his way up to third over the opening laps, passing the Tyco Suzuki pairing of Josh Brookes and PJ Jacobsen. Bridewell then aimed to close the gap to the lead pair and claiming third place. Ellison charged through from his sixth row start to make up nine places on the opening lap, continuing to move up the order to score a fifth place.

Race two was another strong performance from Bridewell as he scored his best performance in the championship with his first double podium finish with another strong third place finish, breaking away from the pack. Ellison had been in close contention with his team-mate until he suffered a huge moment on the seventh lap; he saved a huge high-side by holding onto the bike despite being completely out of the seat and off to the side of the Milwaukee Yamaha. The moment dropped Ellison back off the pack but he closed back to claim fourth place. 

Ellison said: “I am still annoyed with myself here as it should have been more here this weekend. The first race we were on the back foot because of qualifying and it started well; I passed nine people on the first lap but we had made a tiny change and the bike wasn’t handling the same as it was when we did our best lap in free practice three. We thought it would have helped and fifth was the best we could. I didn’t get a great start in race two but was then up behind the Tyco Suzuki boys and I was desperate to get passed. I took a big handful of throttle at Vale and before I knew it I was looking at the sky! I thought just don’t touch the floor and I just kept the throttle open and was lucky enough to get on – those sit ups in the gym and the core strength paid off! I certainly haven’t given up on the title yet because there are still three race wins to be had at Brands Hatch.”

Bridewell said: “The first race was a bit messy to begin with and I didn’t get the start I needed but after a few laps I managed to get behind Josh and PJ and it turned into a good race. I enjoyed it a lot, I was sat behind PJ for a lot of laps and I knew I had to pass him, but I just couldn’t and when I did I then couldn’t lose him which was great. The second race was difficult as I got behind Josh and PJ at the start again and I knew I had the pace to run with Alex and Shakey so I needed to get passed them fast. By the time I did the lead two had dropped me and I didn’t have the pace to catch them. I think we are just lacking that extra two tenths even though our pace was fast but I am happy as this is my first double podium and I am pleased with how I rode. The Milwaukee Yamaha team have done a phenomenal job to turn it around for me since Friday so we will see what we can do at Brands Hatch.”

Team owner Shaun Muir concluded: “It was another weekend of mixed fortunes for the team. James’ qualifying performance put himself on the back foot and made it a tall order for race one. In race two he was stuck in a battle and then had that big moment which lost him the chance of a better result and it does feel like the championship is going to be difficult now but we will keep pushing. Tommy picked up two podiums which was good to see and his confidence is growing all the time. We now need to try and end the season on a high at Brands Hatch in two weeks time.”  

For more information visit www.milwaukeeyamaha.com

We're pleased to support, sponsor and supply performance parts to Milwaukee Yamaha. For more information on the parts we have to add some 'bionics to your bike' please visit www.performanceparts-ltd.com

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Lowes shares Silverstone spoils for Samsung Honda

Alex Lowes took a win and a second place in today’s two ‘Showdown’ 11th-round British Superbike Championship races at Silverstone in Northamptonshire, sharing his finishes with championship rival Shane Byrne and so taking the series down to the wire at Brands Hatch in Kent on 20 October.

Byrne held a lead of a single point going into today’s two Showdown races and maintains the lead over the 23-year-old Samsung Honda rider after sharing the Silverstone spoils equally today.


Frenchman Freddy Foray, deputising for the injured Ryuichi Kiyonari, finished in 11th and 15th positions in the day’s two 14-lap races around the 3.7-mile (5.9km) Silverstone circuit taking two points-scoring finishes on his Samsung Honda CBR1000RR debut.

In today’s Motorpoint British Supersport championship race, Samsung Honda rider Jason O’Halloran was taken out of the lead by another rider on the penultimate lap whilst heading for his debut victory. Fortunately, the Australian rider was uninjured. After qualifying in pole position, O’Halloran also crashed out of contention in Saturday’s Sprint race, consequently leaving Silverstone empty-handed.

Alex Lowes
It was a great first race with Shakey and it was really nice after the mistake at Assen. I am pretty lucky that he wasn’t fully fit as that race could have been even more difficult so fair play to him and that is why he is champion! It was a fantastic second race and I said to Shakey afterwards again that races like that are what we live for. You obviously want to come out on top but even to finish second in that one left me with a smile on my face. We improved our pace for race two and the Samsung Honda was great; I tried to push again at the end of the race but fair play to Shakey and now we go to Brands Hatch pretty level with just one point in it. It is still all to play for!

Freddy Foray
I'm proud to have raced this weekend for Samsung Honda; the team is very strong and very friendly and it has been great to have been a part of this event. This weekend was a little bit hard for me but the team worked very hard to help me and I want to thank them. I thought I could be better for the second race but it's the game you have and it is never easy. I want to wish all the best to Kiyo for his recovery.

Jason O’Halloran
The weekend was good for me apart from the races! We topped three of the four sessions and were second fastest in the other so we showed that we had the pace. We showed the same in the races but in both of them I got taken down whilst battling for the lead which is obviously disappointing but now we just have to look to Brands Hatch.

Havier Beltran – team manager
Alex again has shown his determination to win this title and we have had some areas we need to look at for Brands Hatch. However, his performances in both races were unquestionable and it was a fantastic show. The first race he won was another display of how well he is riding at the moment and the last race with the photo finish could have gone either way too and that sets up for surely an incredible final round at Brands Hatch. We need to thank Freddy for standing in this weekend. He put in a great amount of effort to learn the track and adapt to our Samsung Honda in a short space of time and I was happy with his progress. In the Supersport class, it was a really disappointing weekend for Jason and today’s no-score was no fault of his own. It was an unfortunate outcome after he had worked so hard but we will regroup and come back ready for the two final races of the season at Brands Hatch.

Performance Parts Ltd are please to supply Samsung Honda. To see what we have for your bike please visit: www.performanceparts-ltd.com/store

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