Category: Crew On Two

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

The JG Speedfit Bournemouth Kawasaki outfit will remain the same for 2018, with current championship leader Leon Haslam and BSB race-winner Luke Mossey staying for another season. Despite rumours that Leon Haslam would go to WSBK with Pucetti Kawasaki and that Jason O’Halloran was to replace him, the team will remain unchanged. This means it will be the 2^nd consecutive season that ‘Pocket Rocket’ Leon Haslam will ride for the team and the fourth consecutive year that Luke Mossey rides for Pete Extance’s outfit.

Despite the initial goal being to have both Kawasaki riders in the Showdown in 2017, Pete Extance told ThePitCrewOnline that ‘Skywalker’ Mossey had “done enough” to retain a place in the team, saying that “he has demonstrated enough to show that he can get into the Showdown”. Haslam was speculated to return to World Superbikes with Pucetti Racing from May this season but that deal has reportedly already gone to Sylvain Guintoli.

Both riders have endured an injury hit 2017, with both suffering vertebrae injuries. Leon Haslam also picked up a fractured skull in his accident at Knockhill, Scotland.

Haslam and Mossey have just five wins between them in 2017 compared to the official team of GB Moto Kawasaki in 2016, who had achieved eight by the same point last year and had finished with a total of 10. However, the 2017 season is much closer and there has been a larger spread of winners – a total of nine prior to round 11.

The JG Speedfit Bournemouth Kawasaki will now head to Assen in The Netherlands, as Leon Haslam pursues a repeat performance of last season – as he achieved a double victory.

Images by Peter Backhurst

Pete Extance sat down with us at Oulton Park, to talk all things 2017 and his season thus far, as well as what is beyond the season’s end and his plans for next season. As well as that, we talk a lot about the bad luck of this year and the injuries that have seemingly plagued the team since Knockhill, in June.

Since we last sat down, things haven’t been stellar. Has it been difficult since Knockhill?

It’s been a very difficult season so far. It started last time we were at Oulton Park when Leon crashed into the back of James Ellison. Then, Leon came back to Knockhill and unfortunately, fractured his skull and the top of his vertebrae. This led to him being very stiff at Snetterton and whilst he did come back, it was a painful comeback for him. From then on in, it’s been very up and down. The momentum has seemingly stopped going – until we came here! He was full of confidence and our results have been really good this weekend.

For Luke, we actually think that he should’ve won at Knockhill – he was fastest by half a second. He came away with a 2nd and a 4th and whilst that wasn’t ideal, Luke led the championship when we left Knockhill. The momentum, again, has not been with us on Luke’s side either. He had a warm-up crash at Snetterton, which resulted in unfortunately having brake issues. It is difficult to test brakes and each time we thought we fixed them, we found out we hadn’t! This persisted for three races. Going to Thruxton, he was full of confidence. In FP3, he caught the back wheel on the grass going down the main straight and unfortunately, that resulted in him having a broken vertebrae – so both riders have had similar injuries. Luke is still struggling now and I think we maybe came back a fortnight too early. Luke really is in pain in the fast corners, which is why he pulled out of race one and opted not to run in race two.

Were you surprised that Luke’s crash in FP3 at Thruxton led to such bad injuries?

We were definitely surprised that it happened to us again but I guess it is the luck of the draw. That crash could’ve resulted in Luke not being collected by the bike and then walking away. I’m a firm believer that the Dainese suit does protect you and next year, Luke’s Spidi suit will have an airbag too. I think that will help a lot of riders.

Do you regret Luke coming back so soon?

I don’t we can in all honesty. It was a riders decision and his dad’s decision to come back. However, going into race three at Silverstone, he was tying on points with Jake Dixon, so on another day, it could’ve been Jake crashing and Luke finishing high enough to get in the Showdown. Of course, it is difficult with hindsight but I believe firmly that the right decision was made and again, last weeks decision was also down to the Mossey family.

Will team orders be employed – as we spoke about them last time?

Luke will definitely get involved and hopefully get on the podium and upset some other riders and their positions. Being realistic, we have to look at Brands Hatch and not Assen, as Luke is still in pain. It isn’t really about team orders, it’s about Luke showing that he is a team player and that if he was ahead of Leon, then he wouldn’t hold him up and he would help him as much as possible. I have never been in this position so we will just have to wait and see.

With you not being in this position before, does that make it even harder?

It does but I think the races will unfold. We aren’t going to be running riders out wide and slowing our race down to annoy them – you can’t mess about with 220BHP Superbikes. If Luke was leading and Leon had to win to take the title, we would be foolish not to allow Leon through because that is what teams are about. Luke’s contract for 2018 does not rely on helping Leon. Luke has shown us enough this season – his professionalism has been superb. He has demonstrated to me that he deserves a ride for next year with us and that he can make a Showdown place.

Does Luke not getting into the Showdown take pressure off you as far not having to worry about which rider wins?

It definitely does! It isn’t a stress that I want but you have to look at the championship this year, Luke hasn’t been out of the Showdown placings until Silverstone was over. Unfortunately, there has been too many crashes and DNFs and too many injuries. However, it has made him stronger, hungrier and more determined than ever to deliver a successful 2018.

On the subject of 2018, what are your plans going into next season?

We are in contact with both riders at the moment. Nothing is signed and sealed as there is a lot of movement in the paddock at the moment. Our ideal scenario is to keep continuity but it is a very tough part of the season. On Wednesday the 27th of September, we will be announcing our plans for 2018.

The fact that Leon was wanted by Pucetti didn’t bother us too much. We spoke about it as a team. Leon’s contract is with Kawasaki but also it is with the team. It had to take its course and I didn’t have any influence on Leon leaving or staying. I just hope that the guys we employ to look after Leon are doing a good enough job for Leon. If we can win it this year and Leon stays, I’d love to defend it next season. If Leon doesn’t stay with the team, then lets focus on winning it anyway!

There have been three or four riders out of the top nine in the championship that have been in touch. Whether that is a genuine enquiry about riding for us or using it as a leverage against their own teams, I’m not sure. It’s great for us that we are being looked at by riders but at the same time, we need to concentrate on the remainder of this season too!

Aside from riders, are there any changes in your team – e.g, machinery, re-entering a support class?

Not at all, everything stays the same. Our contract is with Kawasaki and that also stipulates that we can’t do a support class. The plan is to become championship winners with Leon and also manufacturers champions with Luke, Leon and Jake Dixon’s points too. Whilst we are the official team, it has been great that Jake has played his part too.

The Isle of Man TT and the North West 200 are still being spoken about. We have never missed the TT since we’ve been running a team but again, I can’t sit here and categorically say that we have or haven’’t signed a rider for the roads but we would like to shortly.

Would it be annoying for you if a more ‘privateer’ team in Lee Hardy’s outfit beat you to the title?

As a team owner, that would be annoying! However, the championship is so close and Jake is at the top of his game. The machinery is very similar and I believe we may even share the same engine tuners. When you have a rider like Jake, it is always going to be tough. We are looking to be the Kawasaki team that wins the championship but if we aren’t, then I will be the first to congratulate the crew at RAF Regular and Reserves!

Image by Peter Backhurst.

Danny Buchan will ride the FS3 Kawasaki for the 11th round of the British Superbike Championship at Assen in The Netherlands. The 24-year-old currently rides for Steve Buckenham’s Morello Kawasaki team in the National Superstock 1000 championship, which he leads by 15 points.

The FS3 Kawasaki team have been without their main rider, Billy McConnell, since he crashed out spectacularly at Thruxton, back in August.

Former British Supersport champion Luke Stapleford filled in for the team at Silverstone, as he had no World Supersport commitments. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to deputise at Oulton Park.

Danny Buchan will be making a welcome return the British Superbike championship, where he last made an appearance on Dave Tyson’s Tsingtao Kawasaki last season, finishing a high of 11th at Cadwell Park, on an older Kawasaki compared to others on the grid. The ‘Basildon Bullet’ has 10 victories to his name so far this season in the National Superstock 1000 championship. Buchan has two podiums to his name in British Superbikes, with 3rd and 2nd in 2015 – also riding a Kawasaki.

It is no secret that the former National Superstock 1000 rider wants to return to British Superbike, with FS3 providing the ideal chance for him to showcase his ability on a Superbike. Some pundits have criticised Danny for supposedly ‘not being able to ride without traction control’.

The Assen round starts on the 29th of September, with main race day commencing on the 1st of October. Race one starts at 11:15 and race two from 15:30 British time. Both races are scheduled to be run over 18 laps.

Thanks to Peter Backhurst for the image.