Round 12: Donington Park Event preview
High Stakes
The 2007 Bennetts British Superbike Championship heads home
next weekend to the circuit where the series first began 20
years ago. The first race took place at Donington Park in
1988 and will play host to the penultimate round of this year's
championship.
HM Plant Honda team mates Jonathan Rea and Ryuichi Kiyonari
will battle it out for the 2007 title at the Leicestershire
track. This round may be the decider as to who secures the
crown - the defending champion or the Superbike newcomer.
Kiyonari, who has a clear 41-point advantage over Rea, has
won nine races so far this season, compared with the Ulsterman's
five. With 100 points left to play for, Rea can still fulfil
his dream of winning the Bennetts British Superbike Championship
before his move to the World Supersport Championship next
season.
However, with the 41-point deficit to make up, Rea needs
to focus on race wins to gain the title. However, the fight
is still not over for Airwaves Ducati's Leon Haslam. The local
rider will be looking to re-establish himself as a serious
title contender at his home track ahead of the final event
at Brands Hatch on 14 October. Gregoria Lavilla also has an
advantage at Donington Park as this is the track where, in
2006, he gained the fastest lap record with a time of 1:31.243.
With at least three riders still in contention for the coveted
crown, the penultimate round of the Bennetts British Superbike
Championship is set to be a thrilling showdown. All of the
edge-of-the-seat action can be witnessed live at Donington
Park on Sunday 23 September or on ITV1.
"It's fantastic to see so much competition in the world's
leading domestic motorcycle racing championship," says
Bennetts Marketing Director Mark Fells. "We are looking
forward to an exciting final two events."
2007 Standings (after round 11)
British Superbike Championship
1. Ryuichi KIYONARI 388; 2= Jonathan REA 347; 3=. Leon HASLAM
313; 4= Gregoria LAVILLA 294; 5= Shane BYRNE 257. 6= Tom SYKES
230; 7=Leon CAMIER 199; 8= Chris WALKER 183; 9= Tommy HILL
135; 10= Cal CRUTCHLOW 125.
|
