 |
 |
Suzuki GSXR Motorcycle Forum
Welcome to Gixerboyz. The Suzuki GSXR Motorcycle forum. If its about GSXR's then you have come to the right place. Of course, other motorcycles also welcome...
Back to Home Page
|
Insuring Your Bike? Call 0845 494 0063
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
andyk3
Site Founder
Joined: 15 Dec 2005
Posts: 21581
Location: Widower to a Nintendo DS
|
 Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:30 pm Post subject: BSB Snetterton |
  |
|
Rain foils Sykes challenge as momentum builds
RIZLA SUZUKI’S Tom Sykes will head the second row of the grid from fifth place after his bid for pole position was foiled by heavy rain mid-way through the qualifying session for the fifth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Snetterton in Norfolk.
The 23-year-old Lancashire ace had been consistently at the top of the time sheets throughout all three dry practices and was building up his pace during the 50-minute session when the rain fell and scuppered any chance of improving with 30-minutes remaining. His lap-times in the dry mark him out as a potential race winner tomorrow.
Rizla Suzuki’s Atsushi Watanabe on his first visit to the 1.952-mile airfield track qualified 12th after taking more than three-seconds off his lap times from the first practice session. The reigning Japanese Superbike Champion is learning fast and was sure he could have achieved a second row start if the session had stayed dry. Ducati’s Shane Byrne took pole position.
Superbike racing kicks off at 1315 on Sunday, 15th June with race two at 1630. British Eurosport will broadcast live between 1300-1400 and 1530-1745.
Tom: “It’s hard not to be disappointed in fifth place after being in the top two in the previous sessions, but the truth is we are in much better shape than the qualifying result. We didn’t go banzai at the start of qualifying because we wanted to put together a tyre test and that shows that I can run mid 1min 5secs laps right at the end of the race - that puts us in contention.
“My practice starts have been good and if I can replicate that tomorrow I’ll be right at the sharp end from the first corner. I don’t think anyone will be able to break away and I am confident for the race – my Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 is spot on and my team has done a fantastic job all weekend and deserve a sup of champagne.”
Atsu: “We have made much progress every session and I go faster and faster. In qualifying I think top eight and second row possible and then rain falls and ruins chances. This means I must wait to tomorrow before challenging for top eight, that is all.
“Well done to my team for such good support. Snetterton is scary track to learn in just 2.5-hours with very fast speed at end of straight. To be close to top lap times is big achievement and I hope I can continue my improvement in races.”
Jack Valentine, Rizla Suzuki Team Manager: “We should be higher up the grid with Tom and Atsu, I think both have more pace than their qualifying positions suggest, but when it rains mid-way through a session there’s not much anyone can do about it. Tom naturally builds his speed and was on a race run when it rained, while Atsu has been improving almost every lap and the rain couldn’t have come at a worse time.
“But Rizla Suzuki is very upbeat. On race rubber Tom is grease lightning quick and on the same pace as the front row, if not faster, so we expect a podium or better from him. As for Atsu, he’s determined, improving and getting faster; the top 10 is his target and I think he has the bike and ability to achieve it.
“You can feel the momentum building with the team and despite a slightly disappointing qualification, there is no doubt Rizla Suzuki has the ability to challenge for wins tomorrow. We can’t wait for the racing.”
Qualifying Results
1: Shane Byrne (Ducati) 1:05.162
2: Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +0.099
3: Leon Camier (Ducati) +0.258
4: Leon Haslam (Honda) +0.335
5: TOM SYKES (RIZLA SUZUKI) +0.378
6: Karl Harris (Yamaha) +0.743
7: Michael Rutter (Ducati) +0.779
8: Michael Laverty (Suzuki) +0.845
9: Billy McConnell (Kawasaki) +0.920
10: James Ellison (Honda) +0.951
12: ATSUSHI WATANABE (RIZLA SUZUKI) +1.404. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Growler
Knee down king
Joined: 14 Jun 2007
Posts: 303
Location: Ipswich
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yep It hammered it down during the qualifying. A good day will be tomorrow if the weather holds
G |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jedi 100
MOTO GP rider
Joined: 03 May 2007
Posts: 3663
Location: Hertfordshire
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 11:45 am Post subject: |
|
|
| why does the rizla gsxr use an endurance tank? |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
andyk3
Site Founder
Joined: 15 Dec 2005
Posts: 21581
Location: Widower to a Nintendo DS
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 6:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Podium joy for Sykes at Snetterton
RIZLA SUZUKI’S Tom Sykes took a brilliant third place podium finish in the opening race of the fifth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Snetterton in Norfolk today.
In bright sunshine Tom competed for the victory in the first race and his third visit to the podium so far this season was well earned. With minor adjustments to suspension planned for race two the result may have been even better but cold driving rain ravaged the 1.952-mile Norfolk circuit and he eventually finished seventh.
Double Japanese Superbike Champion Atsushi Watanabe was making fast progress in dry conditions and scored a hard-fought 12th in the opening race. In the second wet race he struggled with the conditions and ended 20th. Ducati’s Leon Camier won the first race and Shane Byrne the second.
Rizla Suzuki is back on track at the sixth round of the British Superbike Championship at Mallory Park in Leicestershire on Sunday, June 29th.
Tom: “It’s great to get another podium and I think we really worked hard to achieve it in the opening race. I had to dig deep right at the end and the sheer speed of my Rizla Suzuki really helped, it was a missile down the straights.
“For the second race we made a few changes to help through the corners and if it had been dry we were in good shape; but then the rain fell. I did the best I could getting home in seventh and it’s onwards and upwards from here, roll on Mallory Park.”
Atsu: “Race one was good fighting fun. I feel I go faster and faster and am able to compete with other riders for good points finish. I wish for dry second race but much water on track and little grip from rear meant not ideal result.
“I feel better with my GSX-R1000 this weekend and hope that next round stay dry and I maybe get better result.”
Jack Valentine, Rizla Suzuki Team Manager: “Tom’s performance in the first race was excellent. He pushed hard and was just half a second away from winning the race. With the small changes to his bike he wanted, I am sure he could have competed for the victory in the second race if it had been dry. Atsu also had a good run finishing 12th.
“The weather turned cold and wet for race two and it was much more challenging for both riders with grip hard to find. In those conditions seventh for Tom and 20th for Atsu was the best they could do and Rizla Suzuki will now evaluate the data from the race to help find better settings for the future.
“It’s been a tough weekend and the work the Rizla Suzuki team has put in to get another podium has been immense. Our forward momentum continues, we will go to the next round looking for more podiums and our maiden race win of the year and know we have the team, rider and bike to achieve them.”
*** Rizla Suzuki premium team partner Express Insurance is running a free to enter competition for 20 pairs of VIP passes to the British MotoGP next weekend, Sunday June 22nd – to enter, simple visit www.expressbikeinsurance.co.uk/motogp before the competition ends at midnight on Tuesday 17th June.
Race one results:
1: Leon Camier (Ducati) 23:13.162
2: Shane Byrne (Ducati) +0.092
3: TOM SYKES (RIZLA SUZUKI) +0.597
4: Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +1.026
5: Leon Haslam (Honda) +2.311
6: Michael Laverty (Suzuki) +2.872
7: James Ellison (Honda) +6.050
8: Karl Harris (Yamaha) +6.437
9: Michael Rutter (Ducati) +16.842
10: Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +19.540
12: ATSUSHI WATANABE (RIZLA SUZUKI) +22.327
Race two results:
1: Shane Byrne (Ducati) 18:41.592
2: Leon Camier (Ducati) +2.433
3: Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +6.012
4: Michael Rutter (Ducati) +11.875
5: Leon Haslam (Honda) +14.527
6: Michael Laverty (Suzuki) +19.957
7: TOM SYKES (RIZLA SUZUKI) +21.123
8: Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +21.162
9: Tristan Palmer (Honda) +25.262
10: James Ellison (Honda) +27.488
20: ATSUSHI WATANABE (RIZLA SUZUKI) +1 lap
Championship points after five of 12 rounds:
1: Shane Byrne (Ducati) 235
2: Leon Camier (Ducati) 152
3: Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 151
4: Leon Haslam (Honda) 118
5: James Ellison (Honda) 103
6: Michael Rutter (Ducati) 102
7: TOM SYKES (RIZLA SUZUKI) 100
8: Michael Laverty (Suzuki) 79
9: Stuart Easton (Kawasaki) 62
10: Simon Andrews (Yamaha) 51
15: ATSUSHI WASTANABE (RIZLA SUZUKI) 23. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
andyk3
Site Founder
Joined: 15 Dec 2005
Posts: 21581
Location: Widower to a Nintendo DS
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 6:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
no idea sam  |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
K31000
Site Admin
Joined: 05 Jan 2006
Posts: 3333
Location: On the patio, putting the washing out.
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 7:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I know it's a Ducati but Shakey put in a bit of a ride in the wet to win, especially after doing well to not run Karl Harris over.
And over a shortened race as well. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fishy
Captain Nemo
Joined: 19 May 2007
Posts: 5352
Location: 20,000 leagues under the sea
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I thought Shakey was awesome, but then he always was, right the way back to when he first appeared on the 'privateer' Powerhouse GSXR and started dusting the factory boys. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
