Year: 2017

Leon Haslam took a thrilling British Superbike race victory in the first outing at Assen. The ‘Pocket Rocket’ saw off a challenge from Shane Byrne, James Ellison, Sylvain Guintoli, Josh Brookes and youngster Bradley Ray to extend his lead at the top of the championship table to 28 points.

Off the line, it was initially pole-sitter James Ellison who got the jump. Ellison pushed hard early on, using the harder SC1 compound tyre to his advantage. The McAMS Yamaha rider was quickly caught by the chasing pack, which at the time consisted of Haslam, Dan Linfoot, Bradley Ray, Christian Iddon, Sylvain Guintoli and John Hopkins.

During the race however, the cream came to the top as Shane Byrne and Josh Brookes charged through the field from 16th and 11th respectively. Whilst ‘Shakey’ caught the leaders fairly swiftly, Brookes wasn’t able to make an immediate impression, as he sat around 1.5s off the pace. Bradley Ray drifted off the leaders and was being caught by Anvil Yamaha’s Josh Brookes.

The gap between Brookes and Ray and the leaders began to shrink however, as the battling quartet out front tripped over each other. Haslam and Ellison swapped positions for the lead, allowing Guintoli to take advantage, whilst Byrne sat in 4th. Guintoli tried a move at the final chicane, running in deep before blocking off the three riders behind him. As they went four abreast down the straight, Byrne was a big beneficiary and moved to 2nd.

However, it was Josh Brookes and Bradley Ray who took the most advantage of the squabbling and closed right up to the rear of the leaders. Soon, it went from an eight-wheeler to a twelve-wheeler, as Bradley Ray had also latched onto the rear of the five ahead of him.

With just a handful of laps to go, Haslam hit the front and stayed there until the end, taking his third consecutive win – both in 2017 and at Assen, having done the double at the circuit in 2016. Shane Byrne took advantage of a hectic final lap to pip James Ellison to 2nd. Ellison himself beat Sylvain Guintoli on a mad dash to the line, with Brookes and Ray coming home 5th and 6th. Jake Dixon was 7th ahead of Peter Hickman – who came from 19th on the grid on his Smith’s BMW. American John Hopkins was 9th ahead of Jason O’Halloran in 10th. O’Halloran remains sixth in the championship, a colossal 73 points back of Haslam, making it virtually impossible to take the championship title now.

Just one second covered 2nd to 6th, whilst under three seconds covered the whole top six. Haslam did however beat Byrne by nearly two seconds, although ‘Shakey’ starts race two on pole.

Out of the National Superstock 1000 wildcard riders, Richard Cooper was 13th, with Josh Elliott in 19th. FS3 Kawasaki’s replacement rider, National Superstock 1000 series leader Danny Buchan, crashed out at turn three, with 11 laps to go.

Image by: Peter Backhurst

Back at Oulton Park, I caught up with FS-3 Quattro Plant Kawasaki team owner, Nigel Snook. Snook, who has a previous career in business, understands what it takes to become successful and he hopes to translate that to BSB. In this exclusive interview, Snook talks about his BSB life so far, his 2018 plans and his thoughts on National Superstock 1000 rider, James Rispoli.

How have you found your British Superbike experience so far?

I think it’s been what you might call a ‘difficult second season’. We had a charmed start in 2016, as we bought the ex PBM/Shane Byrne Kawasaki that ‘Shakey’ had finished second on in 2015, so we had ready-to-go bikes. We had five guys who had a wealth of experience between them, a couple of vans and we basically got on with it from there. Our rider, Billy McConnell, had a few decent results, including a fourth place at Snetterton. Overall, we probably exceed ours and other peoples’ expectations.

Over the winter, we upgraded the bikes to the 2017/18 spec ZX-10RR with a lot of support from Kawasaki. We had engine work done by Frank Wrathall Developments, who used to work on the Paul Bird Kawasakis and we continued to use the special swinging arm and low, centre of gravity fuel tank that PBM had developed.

The engine in the bike is now a monster and our data engineer spends most of his time turning it down. That has been quite a challenge for Billy to master; he is a really good 600cc Supersport rider but unfortunately, he has had a few prangs. This culminated in him having a major off at Thruxton, which caused him and the bike a lot of damage. As a result, Luke Stapleford deputised for Billy at Silverstone and although he didn’t race he was able to confirm to the team that we have got a very good bike. A number of riders have been in touch with us about riding the bike for next season and Kawasaki are very willing to support us.

As much as it’s been difficult, you guys have made some progress though, haven’t you?

We have made progress. We have bought a transporter, the hospitality unit that we are standing in right now and of course, the new bikes so we have made a big investment – in staff, facilities, branding, image and so on. Now what we need to do is pop the cherry on the top and – without being disrespectful to Billy or James Rispoli, our Superstock 1000 rider, – we need to take it to the next level for next season. Watch this space in 2018!

Are you therefore looking at a Showdown position for next season?

That would be very nice, however, we need to remain realistic. We need to be regularly getting into Superpole, troubling the top six and showing consistency. There are riders who have been both race winners and crashers this season who were only confirmed in the Showdown at the previous meeting at Silverstone. What we really need is a positive, professional building season in 2018 where we can establish ourselves as serious contenders.

On the topic of rider selection, who is in the running for 2018?

Well, we can’t name names but there are plenty of people that have started saying hello to me! The rumour machine is well and truly flat out too. We have a close relationship with Kawasaki and they have riders who they have supported for many seasons too. So you won’t be surprised to hear that Kawasaki are suggesting names. Stuart Higgs also likes to suggest names. However, they are all spending my money so at the end of the day, I’ll decide who it is! Hopefully, on the other side of Assen, things will become clearer.

There is one rumour doing the rounds about Danny Buchan riding for you next season. Is there any truth to that?

You’re quite right – that is a rumour that has been floating around and quite honestly, I can see where that rumour would come from. Kawasaki have supported Danny for many years and he has been with them for a long time. In 2015, he had a go on the BeWiser Kawasaki and whilst he had a few crashes – which some people seem to remember more than his results, including podiums. Sadly, that team folded and he then had a ride on the MotoRapido Ducati which is night and day different from a Kawasaki and it didn’t quite work out.

For this season, he has come back to the National Superstock 1000 championship and whilst he is not quite storming it, he has been very successful. He and Richard Cooper are having a real dual. Obviously, Kawasaki are keen to see him win the championship and see him promoted to a Superbike. The Superstock series has been significantly upgraded this season as we know, with extra races and longer races. Therefore, with the investment in the championship, the organisers would clearly want the winner to graduate.

Have you enjoyed your British Superbike experience thus far?

Most days I do enjoy it! Some other days, I have to take myself for a long walk around the paddock – especially when I have to contemplate repair bills. However, having said that, there is as much regret at the missed opportunities as there is contemplation of the repair bill.

How would you sum up James Rispoli, your National Superstock 1000 rider?

James is another classic 600cc rider; he won both his titles in The States on a 600cc bike and had success at Team Traction Control too. Riding style has to be adapted for a big bike. James is very hard on the brakes into corners and comes out of the corners very hard on the power too. On a Supersport bike, you’re used to coming out of a corner and thinking, ‘well where is the power’ but on a 1000cc Superstock bike it will just chuck you off.

James is very talented, he’s very brave and just needs to refine his riding style so he can go to the next level on the big bikes. I think that, quite truthfully, we are a bit disappointed for James; we thought that maybe he would be able to make more of an impression towards the front but boy, that class is a tough one! James is a very good ambassador for the team but as you know, it is a results game and so far he’s only managed a couple of fifth places.

Explain your role within the CoolFab Minibike championship.

It was a coincidence really. My professional life has involved me in leading significant organisations in the area of vocational education and training, so I’ve always been involved with skills development. So I suppose I’ve got a built-in interest to see people get on.

Crispin Vittoria came up to me at the MCN Live show in London and introduced himself. He mentioned he was buying the old Bournemouth Kawasaki hospitality unit and then asked me if I would be interested in using it for BSB rounds. To cut a long story short, his sponsor dropped out and I stepped in to buy it, on the condition that Crispin would run it for me at BSB rounds. In return, that meant he could have it for free at Cool Fab rounds. It was more a marriage of convenience than a business deal – the team got to support Cool Fab and we had the benefit of having our own hospitality facility at BSB rounds.

I turned up to the first Cool Fab round at Llandow and was so taken by the talent on display. I met Alan and Adam Cook, the father of James and Max and could see there were some really talented lads there. Adam has been running the hospitality unit so I got to know him well and have followed Max’s progress in the Moto3 championship and was delighted when he won the championship ay Oulton Park. The Quattro Plant FS-3 team has been giving Max some support so we were delighted when he was also selected for the The British Talent Cup selection day at Silverstone has been one of the highlights of my year – a great day.

Max is just one example but what’s not to like about youngsters enjoying themselves and pursuing their dreams? Even if they don’t make it big, the skills and the disciplines are transferable to all walks of life. I will enjoy watching Cool Fab go from strength to strength.

Image by: Peter Backhurst

The penultimate round of the 2017 MCE British Superbike Championship beckons and this weekend, it comes from Assen, just outside of Groningen in the north of The Netherlands. The circuit – which was added to the championship back in 2012 – hosted two phenomenal races in 2016, both of which were won by former WSBK Superstar, Leon Haslam – who will be looking to do the same again this year, especially after a new deal was announced on Wednesday, to remain in his current team. Out to stop him in his tracks however are Josh Brookes and Shane Byrne. Both Brookes and Byrne have won around Assen and will use their own knowledge of racing at world level to combat Haslam in the races. You can’t discount the other showdown contenders either, with Jake Dixon having had podiums in the Supersport category in 2015. Peter Hickman and Jason O’Halloran need a strong showing here to be in with any realistic chance of championship glory at Brands Hatch.

Leon Haslam leads the championship coming into Assen. This is the first time he has led the championship since he last left Oulton Park, back in May. For the last three seasons, whoever has left the 11th round of the championship in the lead has gone on to win it at Brands Hatch. With Haslam boasting a 22-point advantage over Josh Brookes, that is a daunting statistic for the opposition. On top of that, Haslam won both races at Assen last season and has three World Superbike podiums to his name at the circuit. However, despite his success at the ‘Cathedral of Speed’, we shouldn’t write off anyone else from matching him or beating him, especially Josh Brookes.

Josh Brookes was a World Superbike race leader at Assen in 2016, showcasing his talents on an ill-handling Milwaukee BMW in wet weather. Brookes has three British Superbike wins at the circuit,  one other podium and has finished in the top four in every BSB race he has finished in at Assen. Brookes has however had three DNFs at the track but that won’t phase the Aussie, who is hunting for his 2nd British Superbike championship, looking to become the only Australian to be a double-BSB champion. Of all the riders on the grid, the 34-year-old has won the most races at the track (3), which sets the stage for a titanic head-to-head scrap with Haslam.

Shane Byrne currently sits in the bronze medallist position in the standings, with just one point separating him from arch-rival Josh Brookes. Byrne has had two wins at the circuit but has only had two podiums at Assen between his last win and 2017 – both of which were 2nd place finishes last season. A Ducati has never won at Assen in BSB, so that will be another record that ‘Shakey’ will want to set straight whilst in The Netherlands. Byrne has just five wins to his name – his lowest tally of wins prior to the 11th round of the championship since 2012 – which he eventually won. Could the 40-year-old turn statistics upside down?

Jake Dixon will be tackling the TT Circuit Assen for the first time on a Superbike. Having sustained hip injuries at Oulton Park last year, he missed this round, so he is effectively in the identical situation to Bradley Ray. Dixon has shone at Assen in the past, with two podiums in 2015. Dixon has already shown that this year, he can turn up to a circuit and re-invent himself as a rider and be competitive from the start. Kawasaki won both races as a manufacturer last season, so the bike is a proven winner. It all depends on how quickly young Dixon can adapt. Then again, that is not to say ‘discount him’. He is just 30 points off Leon Haslam’s series lead and that may well come down a few points if Jake can take on the established trio at the front of the field.

Peter Hickman hasn’t had a podium since race two at Cadwell Park but he has scored points in all but one race so far this season. The Smith’s BMW ace will be hoping that he extends his consistency on the other side of the North Sea, at Assen – a circuit where he has just two top-tens and a best finish of 7th, back in 2013. BMW have never won a race at Assen in BSB, although Hickman will be hoping to change that on Sunday. If results don’t go Hicky’s way, then it could be all over for him by the time we get to Brands Hatch, two weeks later.

Jason O’Halloran comes to Assen as the last rider in the Showdown, in sixth place. Back in 2013, O’Halloran scored two podiums for Honda in the British Supersport category and in 2016 – the next time he raced at Assen, he was 5th and 3rd, setting the fastest lap in race one and starting from pole in race two. Assen has to be treated as a turning point in the Showdown for O’Halloran, who trails series leader Haslam by 54 points. It could all be over by Brands if things don’t work out in Jason’s favour this weekend but to make it to the Showdown with a new bike is an achievement in itself – one that a lot of pundits did not expect.

Whatever happens this weekend at Assen, it is sure to set us up with a thrilling climax to the year at Brands Hatch two weeks later. Throw into the mix the likes of Christian Iddon, Luke Mossey, Bradley Ray and the McAMS Yamaha pairing of James Ellison and Michael Laverty and you have a big opportunity for potential upset – not to mention the in-form Dan Linfoot.

Thanks to Pete Backhurst for the image.

Josh Brookes has stated that he and his Anvil Hire Tag Racing Yamaha outfit “should be winning races” this weekend, ahead of Assen in the Netherlands. It is the penultimate round of the season, with Brands Hatch being the Grand Finale two weeks after.

The former BSB champion started by saying, “Every round of the Championship is equally as important, most people try to push you to say something different but it reality is, it’s the same environment that I’m going into”, seemingly not feeling pressure ahead of this weekend.

“How I felt about the Championship at round one is the same now. I want to win it, I want to do the best job I can and I hope the team can work perfectly together and make the results that we need, so we can at least feel satisfied that we gave it our best”.

The 34-year-old continued, saying, “At the last round, I felt I gave it all I could but the results didn’t reflect what we were all capable of. But looking forward, if we do everything the best we can, and I’m riding as good as I can, then we should be winning races”.

Josh is the most successful BSB rider at Assen, with three wins and a podium finish. He also led the World Superbike race in the wet last year.

“I like Assen, it’s special for the British Championship because we get to go overseas and although many British fans head over, you also get a lot of Dutch fans and they are passionate for their motorsport, and the people there create a good atmosphere for racing”.

“I can’t control the points gap to me and Leon, I can only control what I do. Of course, I want to make a great weekend and if I’m winning races that will make it special and memorable. The focus for me is to try and conduct myself the best way I can, ride every session as strong as I can to give the team the best feedback so we can improve the bike if it needs it.”

A double win for Brookes would take the gap down to a maximum of 12 points, depending where Haslam finishes in relation to that. Brookes, Haslam and Shane Byrne have the most wins at the track, meaning we could be in for a three-way scrap on Sunday.

Image by Peter Backhurst