The torrential rain at today’s eighth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park failed to dampen the spirits of Chris ‘Stalker’ Walker as he stormed to third place on the podium, or of Cal Crutchlow as he recorded his career best ever result of fifth.
Stalker, starting from 11th on the grid at the 2.69-mile long track, was always in contention for the podium in the opening race, dicing for second right until the chequered flag - eventually finishing third on the rostrum for just the second time in 2007. In the second race he was comfortable in third when after nine-laps he ran on into a gravel trap and fell over. He remounted and joined the race 11th, fighting his way back to eighth by the end.
From seventh on the grid, Cal went back as far as 14th before getting the bit between his teeth and dragging himself up to fifth in the opening race, his best ever result in a British Superbike Championship event. In the second race his rear wheel spun on the start-line and he was battling back from 12th when forced to retire on lap three with an electrical fault. Honda’s Ryuichi Kiyonari won the opening race and Jonathan Rea the second.
Rizla Suzuki travels to Mallory Park in Leicestershire for the ninth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship in just one week’s time, with Superbike racing starting at 1300.
Stalker
“I am incredibly happy with my second podium result of the season. My Rizla Suzuki was well prepared, I felt confident with it and really enjoyed the race; it was great to be mixing it at the front and just a shame I missed out on second place by the smallest margin.
“I was in third in the second race when I pushed just a little too hard into the final corner. I didn’t crash but ran into the gravel and then fell over. With a little help from some friends I managed to get back on track and up to eighth by the finish. It may have been wet but that was one race I wish there had been another 10-laps so I could have climbed even further back up the results sheet. Either way, it’s been a great weekend and a big thanks to Rizla Suzuki and the fans for their support.”
Cal
“I have achieved my season’s goal of a top six finish and I am very happy about that. My pace was good, the Rizla Suzuki performing well and it all just clicked. That’s another tick in the box for my career ambitions and now the podium is my next target and I want it by the end of the season if possible.
“In all honesty I think I could have made fifth in the second race. My Rizla Suzuki was doing what I asked of it and despite a poor start I was carving up through the field when I lost power because of a minor electrical fault. That’s disappointing but overall I am delighted with my performance today and can’t wait to get racing again.”
Simon Buckmaster, Team Manager
“Well done to Chris for a very impressive podium in the opening race and for showing immense determination and courage in the second race to remount and fight back to eighth. He showed his quality today and we liked what we saw.
“Congratulations to Cal on achieving his goal of the top six just over half way through the season. He was on course for a second top six finish but a small electrical problem robbed him of that. As he has done all season, he will continue to improve and we are looking forward to seeing what he can achieve.
“There’s no rest for Rizla Suzuki as we are racing at Mallory Park next weekend. We will go there on the back of our best results of the year and with fire in our bellies for a repeat performance or better. Well done to all of the Rizla Suzuki team for their efforts.
“Finally, I’d like to thank former Team and Commercial Manager Robert Wicks for all his work with the team for the last two and half years. He is moving on to new challenges but he will always be a member and friend of this team in our eyes and we wish him all the best for his future career.”
Race One Result
- Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 31:03.104
- Shane Byrne (Honda) +20.075
- CHRIS WALKER (RIZLA SUZUKI) +20.815
- Leon Haslam (Ducati) +23.634
- CAL CRUTCHLOW (RIZLA SUZUKI) +29.967
- Leon Camier (Honda) +42.345
- Scott Smart (Kawasaki) +1:24.828
- Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +1:28.272
- Ollie Bridewell (Suzuki) +1:32.318
- Guy Martin (Honda) +1:43.863
Race Two Result
- Jonathan Rea (Honda) 24:33.750
- Karl Harris (Honda) +12.103
- Byrne +19.949
- Haslam +26.780
- Camier +29.256
- Tom Sykes (Honda) +51.584
- Michael Rutter (Kawasaki) +1:00.028
- CHRIS WALKER (RIZLA SUZUKI) +1:10.681
- Ollie Bridewell (Suzuki) +1:13.025
- Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) +1:14.807
DNF: CAL CRUTCHLOW (RIZLA SUZUKI)Championship Positions (after eight of 13 rounds)- Kiyonari 273
- Rea 262
- Haslam 231
- Lavilla 226
- Byrne 187
- Camier 166
- Sykes 148
- CHRIS WALKER (RIZLA SUZUKI) 128
- Harris 99
- Hill 94
- CAL CRUTCHLOW (RIZLA SUZUKI) 67
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