IMPRESSIVE MARTIN SCORES WELL AT CADWELL
Hydrex Bike Animal Honda rider Guy Martin bounced back to
something like form with a pair of solid points scoring rides
in front of another massive bank holiday crowd in round nine
of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Cadwell
Park.
With team mate James Ellison sidelined due to a training
injury caused the previous week when motocrossing in Spain,
it was left to the 27 year old from Kirmington to uphold the
team's honour at his local circuit.
Despite the handicap of a row six start, Martin battled to
fifteenth place in the opening race whereby he followed it
up with a fine eleventh in the second race to make it his
first double points scoring finish since the rescheduled Brands
Hatch round in May, and in doing so now lies in 18th in the
Championship, with Ellison in seventh.
In the Metzeler National 1000cc Superstock Championship Kieran
Clarke, aboard the 1000cc Hydrex Bike Animal Honda Fireblade,
finished in seventeenth in the reduced 12-lap race so failed
to add to his points tally.
Guy Martin: "I think we're getting
there. I almost got tenth in the second race but just couldn't
quite get past. At every other meeting we've been so far away
but now we're going in the right direction and have a good
base setting. We've got through the weekend without any major
problems, so it's a big thanks to all the lads and lasses.
It could be worse, I could have parked it in the pond!"
Kieran Clarke: "After two years away
I found it really difficult this weekend and it didn't help
when I crashed in practice and missed a lot of track time.
About four laps from the end of the race I felt as if I was
just about ready to start qualifying so we're going to go
and do some testing and get some miles under my belt so that
we can come back battling at Croft. I'm disappointed not to
score points and hopefully we can put that right next time
out."
Shaun Muir (Team Owner): "After what
looked to be a disastrous weekend for us, Guy pulled a rabbit
out of the hat for us and in all fairness he rode really well.
I was watching him on the back part of the circuit and he
just needs to be a little more aggressive but I'm pleased
that he scored points in both races and he was unlucky not
to get inside the top ten in race two. It was unfortunate
for James as he had to sit this weekend out due to the training
injury he received last week and hopefully he will be fit
for Donington in two weeks time and we'll assess his progress
over the next week before making a decision. As for Kieran,
we realise he needs some time on the bike and hopefully all
three riders will continue to score points at our local round
in three weeks time at Croft."
Superbike Race One Result
1, Leon Haslam (Honda) 26m42.195s, 2, Tom Sykes (Suzuki) +0.551s,
3, Shane Byrne (Ducati) +8.819s, 4, Leon Camier (Ducati) +11.981s,
5, Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +18.970s, 6, Michael Rutter (Ducati)
+19.482s, 7, Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +22.094s, 8, Michael Laverty
(Suzuki) +26.571s, 9, Atsushi Watanabe (Suzuki) +33.816s,
10, Gary Mason (Honda) +34.606s. 15, Guy Martin (Hydrex Bike
Animal Honda) +41.964s.
Superbike Race Two Result
1, Leon Haslam (Honda) 22m11.771s, 2, Tom Sykes (Suzuki) +0.541s,
3, Shane Byrne (Ducati) +0.910s, 4, Leon Camier (Ducati) +1.269s,
5, Michael Rutter (Ducati) +16.556s, 6, Simon Andrews (Yamaha)
+23.458s, 7, Atsushi Watanabe (Suzuki) +27.178s, 8, Scott
Smart (Kawasaki) +27.375s, 9, Michael Laverty (Suzuki) +28.549s,
10, Karl Harris (Yamaha) +37.426s, 11, Guy Martin (Hydrex
Bike Animal Honda) +37.565s.
2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship Standings
after Round 9
1. Shane Byrne (Ducati) 364pts
2. Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 254pts
3. Leon Haslam (Honda) 249pts
4. Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 236pts
5. Leon Camier (Ducati) 205pts
6. Michael Rutter (Ducati) 195pts
7. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 177pts
8. Simon Andrews (Yamaha) 127pts
9. Michael Laverty (Suzuki) 125pts
10. Tristan Palmer (Honda) 84pts
18. Guy Martin (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 27pts
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