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HM Plant's Michael Rutter decided he was taking no prisoners
at Croft on his factory Fireblade. A new circuit for the series,
many riders had little or no knowledge of it before the previous
Thursday's testing, but that's never an excuse - these guys
have to learn fast.
In race one Rutter steamed past Kagayama on the last lap after
a missed gear from the popular Japanese rider. Scott Smart
took the third with Kiyonari and Reynolds just off the podium.
Race two saw a longer battle and plenty of interchanging between
the top three, with Rutter bettering them and Reynolds being
beaten to second by Smart, Kiyonari on fourth again.
Race 1
1 - Michael Rutter - Honda - HM Plant Honda
Racing - 30:10.136
2 - Yukio Kagayama - Suzuki - Rizla Suzuki - 30:10.972
3 - Scott Smart - Kawasaki - Hawk Kawasaki - 30:12.746
4 - Ryuichi Kiyonari - Honda - HM Plant Honda Racing - 30:14.099
5 - John Reynolds - Suzuki - Rizla Suzuki - 30:17.339
6 - James Haydon - Yamaha - Virgin Mobile Samsung - 30:28.509
7 - Sean Emmett - Ducati - Monstermob Ducati - 30:31.169
8 - Dean Thomas - Ducati - Sendo Ducati Dienza - 30:31.967
9 - Tommy Hill - Yamaha - Virgin Mobile Samsung - 30:35.531
10 - John McGuinness - Kawasaki - Hawk Kawasaki - 30:46.047
Race 2
1 - Michael RUTTER - Honda - HM Plant Honda
Racing - 30:08.942
2 - Scott SMART - Kawasaki - Hawk Kawasaki - 30:10.933
3 - John REYNOLDS - Suzuki - Rizla Suzuki - 30:11.854
4 - Ryuichi KIYONARI - Honda - HM Plant Honda Racing - 30:20.664
5 - James HAYDON - Yamaha - Virgin Mobile Samsung - 30:25.433
6 - Gary MASON - Yamaha - Virgin Mobile Samsung - 30:33.921
7 - John McGUINNESS - Kawasaki - Hawk Kawasaki - 30:35.146
8 - Craig COXHELL - Honda - Team Vitrans - 30:36.510
9 - James ELLISON - Yamaha - Jentin Racing - 30:46.003
10 - Steve PLATER - Yamaha - Virgin Mobile Samsung - 30:46.125
Championship Points
1 - John REYNOLDS (Suzuki) - 362
2 - Michael RUTTER (Honda) - 312
3 - Scott SMART (Kawasaki) - 276
4 - Yukio KAGAYAMA (Suzuki) - 249
5 - Sean EMMETT (Ducati) - 240
6 - Ryuichi KIYONARI (Honda) - 150
7 - Dean THOMAS (Ducati) - 132
8 - James HAYDON (Yamaha) - 132
9 - Tommy HILL (Yamaha) - 105
10 - Gary MASON (Yamaha) - 95
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Superstock |
How do they not crash? |
Oh, they do |
Aftermath |
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| Superbikes race 2 |
1st corner |
2nd corner |
Final battle |
The weekend
Croft is a great circuit for viewing - having the advantage
of being small enough and flat enough to be able to see several
corners from the banking areas, or even behind the fencing.
The sun was favouring the British crowds again enhancing the
idyllic feel. The catering was typically British though -
BSB rounds don't attract the variety of world rounds so if
you like healthy food then take a packed lunch!
My main entertainment for Saturday was weedling
the already primed superbike riders into having their pictures
taken in their boxers for the Bikegirl calendar, with the
help of Chez (pitlane anorak babe who unfortunately crashed
her CBR6 into a cow on Sunday morning and went to hospital
instead of Croft). Plenty of cajoling, blushing and outright
extroverting (thank you Steve Plater) later we had the basis
for 7 months's worth. What a fun day! Thank you models and
photographers (Glynne Lewis of Blue2 and Guy Cope).
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