HM Plant Honda chase successful foray north of the border
at Knockhill
The HM Plant Honda team heads to Scotland for round eight
of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship this weekend.
In the Superbike class, Cal Crutchlow – currently second
in the overall standings – and team-mate Leon Haslam,
fourth, will both be aiming for wins and podium finishes at
the 1.27-mile circuit. Steve Brogan is making a good recovery
from breaking two metatarsal bones in his left foot in a crash
at Mallory Park earlier on in the season, and he will be chasing
victories in both the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 class
and the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport series.
Knockhill marks the arrival of Exide Technologies as a sponsor
of the HM Plant Honda team who will be on-board for the remainder
of the season.
Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda
British Superbike – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
“I’m still desperately chasing my maiden win this
year, but I’m confident it will come as we’ve
been pretty consistent of late, battling for the podium positions
in the races. I've also won before at Knockhill, so that's
a good sign. We know how tricky the conditions can be at Knockhill
– well, we’ve seen them be tricky everywhere so
far this season – but we just want to get our heads
down from tomorrow onwards and get a good set-up for the race
wet or dry.”
Cal Crutchlow – HM Plant Honda
British Superbike – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
“I’m so fired up for this weekend. I want wins
– nothing else. Knockhill is tight and twisty and it’s
up-hill and down-dale but I do enjoy going north of the border.
I’m hoping the sun will shine but we will do our best
whatever the weather. This will be a special, but hard weekend
for me, after one of my best mates – Craig Jones –
passed away at the start of the week. I will be wearing one
of his actual helmets that he wore this season for the weekend
and I’ll be proud to do so and I hope my results will
make him proud of me.”
Steve Brogan – HM Plant Honda
British Supersport – Honda CBR600RR
British Superstock – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
“My left foot is still not 100% but it’s definitely
not going to bother me on the bike this weekend. I have been
training on it, and walking on it – but not running.
Mentally I’ve been preparing myself for going out there
to win both races. There’s no reason why I can’t
do that. Knockhill is a short circuit, but it’s one
of my favourites and I always seem to do well there. I’m
hoping to qualify really well in the Supersport race –
I’m desperate to win another 600 race this season, while
in Superstock another maximum would stretch my lead over Jon
Kirkham, which would be perfect. At this circuit it’s
vital to qualify well and be on the front row. Worst-case
scenario you really want to be on the first two rows. Either
way, I’m feeling confident and want two good results.”
Havier Beltran – HM Plant Honda team manager
“At Knockhill we’re confident that both Leon and
Cal are capable of podiums and more in the Superbike class
aboard their Honda CBR1000RR Fireblades. The guys have had
a bit of a break – as well as doing the Suzuka Eight-Hour
race in Japan – but back at base the mechanics have
worked hard on the bikes, especially on chassis set-up so
we want to be able to build on the improvements we made at
Oulton Park. With Steve, he’s had a further two weeks
off for his foot to recover still further so he’s keen
for good results at Knockhill. The Scottish round also is
the first where we welcome a new sponsor to the HM Plant Honda
family. Exide Technologies will be joining us as a sponsor
of the HM Plant Honda team until the end of this year. We
hope that the deal will be very positive for both parties
and that the relationship will be a long and fruitful one.
Exide Technologies are a leading company in the battery industry
and we're proud to be associated with them, as they have strong
links with our parent company Honda.”
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