RIZLA SUZUKI ON THE PACE
 Rizla
Suzuki racers Chris 'Stalker' Walker and Cal Crutchlow showed
impressive pace to mix it at the sharp end of today's double-header
ninth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship
at Mallory Park in Leicestershire.
Despite practice and qualification being cancelled due to
torrential rain and floods, the Rizla Suzuki aces made the
most of a 35-minute morning practice session to set their
bikes up for the dry and sunny race day conditions.
In the absence of qualification, starting positions were determined
by current Championship standings and Stalker got off to a
blistering start in both races from eighth. In the opener
he was always in contention for the podium and ended up fourth.
In the second race he was at the front again and fighting
for third when a red flag brought the race to an early end
and he was sixth.
Crutchlow, starting from 11th, made early progress in the
opening race and was looking strong for a top six finish until
his quick-shifter malfunctioned and he was reduced to manual
gear changes, ending up ninth. In race two he set the second
fastest lap of the race and was menacing for the podium when
the red flag cut his challenge short.
Honda's Shane Byrne won the first race and Ryuichi Kiyonari
the second.
Rizla Suzuki is back in action on Sunday, August 12th, at
the 10th round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship
at Croft in North Yorkshire.
Chris Walker:
"It's a relief to be racing in the dry for the first
time in what seems like ages. It's also great to be running
at the front at a technically-difficult track and that goes
to prove the sort of progress Rizla Suzuki has made in the
last few rounds, we are getting closer and closer to challenging
for race wins, which is just what we all want.
"Thanks to all the Stalker fans who made the trip to
support me today. It was great to hear the cheers in the crowd
and I really enjoyed myself. Everything is starting to come
together and I can't wait until the next round to keep the
momentum going."
Cal Crutchlow:
"The second race was slightly disappointing as it was
red flagged and I was sure I had the speed to take a couple
of the riders in front - fourth or even third may have been
possible. However, I've equalled my best-ever BSB fifth place
from last week and I'm happy with that, it shows we are capable
of running consistently toward the front of the field.
"Mallory Park is my home circuit and the fans have been
really great this weekend. It's been tough with a lack of
practice and qualification but I'm leaving here knowing we
are at our most competitive of the season and now targeting
podium finishes for the rest of the year. Bring it on."
Simon Buckmaster - Team Manager:
"Rizla Suzuki proved at the last round it could compete
in the wet and this round we have shown we can do it in the
dry. It's great to be mixing it in the thick of the action
- that's where we want to be for the rest of the season.
"Chris had a superb first race and Cal a brilliant second.
Between them they showed guts, determination and sheer speed.
We are starting to unlock the potential of the Rizla Suzuki
GSX-R1000 and we like what we see, so the next round at Croft
in three weeks time cannot come quick enough for us.
"On a final note, I'd like to congratulate the MCRCB
- the BSB organisation - for its excellent handling of a very
difficult weekend of very wet weather and tragedy."
Race One Result:
1: Shane Byrne (Honda) 28:21.458
2: Jonathan Rea (Honda) +2.779
3: Leon Haslam (Ducati) +2.938
4: Chris Walker (Rizla Suzuki) +6.058
5: Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) +7.422
6: Tom Sykes (Honda) +9.137
7: Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +27.263
8: Leon Camier (Honda) +29.758
9: Cal Crutchlow (Rizla Suzuki) +29.858
10: Scott Smart (Kawasaki) +30.184
Race Two Result:
1: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 21:24.315
2: Haslam +1.780
3: Byrne +4.497
4: Sykes +5.457
5: Cal Crutchlow (Rizla Suzuki) +5.924
6: Chris Walker (Rizla Suzuki) +6.282
7: Lavilla +6.979
8: Michael Rutter (Kawasaki) +14.666
9: Hill +15.481
10: Smart +15.472
Championship Positions (after nine of 13 rounds):
1: Kiyonari 298
2: Rea 282
3: Haslam 267
4: Lavilla 246
5: Byrne 228
6: Leon Camier (Honda) 179
7: Sykes 171
8: Chris Walker (Rizla Suzuki) 151
9: Hill 110
10: Karl Harris (Honda) 102
11: Cal Crutchlow (Rizla Suzuki) 85
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