WALKER RETURNS TO SUPERBIKES
 After
a six year absence, Chris Walker returns to British Superbike
action in the opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike
Championship at Brands Hatch this Bank Holiday Monday riding
an all-new Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 and determined to establish
himself as a title contender from the outset.
A four-time runner up in the series, fans' favourite 'Stalker'
has spent the last half dozen years battling in the Grand
Prix and World Superbike Championships. The 35 year old returns
to British Superbikes with the Suzuki team he finished runner-up
with in 2000 and is eager to go one better this year.
Reigning British Supersport Champion Cal Crutchlow lines
up for his first ever British Superbike race on his Rizla
Suzuki GSX-R1000 at Brands Hatch. The 21 year old is one of
the hottest young talents in British racing and is ready to
seize his opportunity to show what he can do in the most competitive
National Superbike Championship in the world.
Both Stalker and Cal have enjoyed a successful pre-season
developing the new Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 into a Superbike
racer. Using the challenging 2.60-mile long GP circuit at
the historic Brands Hatch venue in Kent, Superbike racing
starts at 1230 on Monday April 9th...
Chris Walker:
"The talking and testing stop here - it's time to race
and I am very excited about the opening round at Brands Hatch.
It's been six years away for me and I am looking forward to
racing full-time in front of the British fans again - they
are the best in the world.
"Our pre-season testing has been good and Rizla Suzuki
has thrown the kitchen sink at getting the new GSX-R1000 ready
in time for the opening round. I have unfinished business
with this Championship and after collecting runner-up spot
four times in a row, I really want to make the break to the
top step of the podium. Realistically that means I need to
be on the pace right from the opening race; so I'll be giving
it my all at Brands."
Cal Crutchlow:
"I've always dreamed of being a Superbike racer and
now it is coming true and I will be making my British Championship
debut at Brands Hatch. Testing with Rizla Suzuki has been
good and at all the circuits I have been close on the timesheets
to my team mate and the other title contenders which has boosted
my confidence.
"I don't know what to expect this weekend but I'll be
bringing all of the determination, skill and application to
the races that I used to win the British Supersport Championship
in 2006. This is my chance to make my mark in motorcycle racing
and I'm not about to let it slip by."
Simon Buckmaster - Team Manager:
"Rizla Suzuki, Chris Walker and Cal Crutchlow are in
excellent shape and ready to race. Our test programme has
been positive and we have improved the Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000
every step of the way. We are hopeful that we can continue
our forward momentum and convert it into good results at Brands
Hatch this Monday.
"It's been hard work developing the all-new GSX-R1000
into a racer capable of winning in such a short period of
time but we think we are close. It's going to be an exciting
weekend of racing and I'm hoping the fans will turn out in
force to cheer Chris, Cal and the Rizla Suzuki team on. See
you all at the races."
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