Virgin Media Optoma Loans Yamaha heads south to the historic circuit of Thruxton in Hampshire this weekend, 13 - 15 April, for round two of the 2007 Bennetts British Superbike Championship. Thruxton was originally built in 1940 as a World War II airfield for Allied troops heading to France for the D-Day landings. Decommissioned in 1946, it opened its doors to motorcycle racing in 1950, and has since provided some of the fastest and closest-fought encounters on two wheels in recent years.
Despite a tough opening round over the Easter Weekend, spirits in the team are still high. Although finishing just outside the points at Brands Hatch, James Haydon completed full race distance on unfamiliar tyres and at a good consistent lap pace. James faced a torrid time at Thruxton in 2006, suffering two first-lap crashes. A feat he is certainly looking to put behind him.
An unexplained mechanical problem saw Tommy Hill make an early exit from the second race after posting a strong top ten finish across the line in the first. Tommy will be looking to replicate a brace of top ten finishes at the 2.356-mile Hampshire circuit from last year.
Tommy Hill:"After a reasonable performance in the first race, I was hoping for better things in the second. Unfortunately my run of bad luck at brands continued with mechanical. I'll be looking to make amends for all the teams hard work this time out."
James Haydon: "I was disappointed not to have scored any points last weekend, but Thruxton is a different story. The positives from Brands were that I completed full race distance in both races for the first time on Pirelli's, so in effect a good test for me and the bike."
SupersportTom Grant has already proved himself worthy of the opportunity offered to him by Rob McElnea as the 2006 Virgin Media Cup Champion. A dream front row start for his first Supersport race onboard the Virgin Media Yamaha YZF-R6, and consistently fast lap times all weekend have exceeded all expectations for the 18-year old at this early stage of the season. Tom took a close fought victory at Thruxton on his way to the 2006 Virgin Media Cup title, and current form suggests that he could be in contention again this time out.
Billy McConnell has spent the past few days recuperating from the massive highside that brought about the premature conclusion to the opening Supersport race at Brands Hatch. The plucky Aussie is sure to bounce back from his disappointment and will be even more determined for a solid placing at Thruxton.
Tom Grant:"Despite the ride through I had an amazing weekend at Brands. I know that I have the pace to run at the front and indeed worry some of the more experienced riders on the grid."
Billy McConnell:"It was scant consolation to have got the fastest lap in the race, especially when my butt was so sore after sliding down the track! I need to concentrate on getting a good start at Thruxton as it is such a fast track and I don't want to have be playing catch-up again all race."
Virgin Media CupIrishman BJ Toal heads to the second round of the Virgin Media Cup at Thruxton this weekend as the Championship leader. The 19-year old from Omagh certainly had the luck of the Irish at Brands Hatch when his two closest rivals, David Paton and Dane Hellyer, crashed out two-thirds of the way through the race.
The rangy Dean Hipwell bagged twenty valuable points last time out and hopes to be in contention again at Thruxton. Although struggling with set-up early on, third placed rider Midge Smart used his considerable race experience to secure the final spot on the podium.
After only just clinching the final point scoring position at Brands Hatch, Robbie Brown is yet to capture his strong early season form from 2006 where he finished an excellent fourth at Thruxton. The Virgin Media Cup veteran will look to this weekend to kick-start his title challenge. The Virgin Media Cup riders will take full advantage of mentor Niall Mackenzie's Thruxton knowledge in order to gain their own advantage this weekend around the fastest circuit on the calendar.
Dean Hipwell: "I got a really bad start but I got my head down and started to make up for it. I then got lucky when Paton and Hellyer crashed and managed to put it on the podium. It's a great start for me, and a good confidence booster. Hopefully my starts will improve at Thruxton."
Midge Smart:"The boys took off to a real quick start, in the initial laps I felt I was losing the front a bit. I stuck with them and then the others fell in two separate incidents, leaving me to pick up third. It's a great start to the season and some very valuable Championship points."
Rob McElnea, Team Principal:"The opening round was a disappointment for the whole team, especially after Tom and Billy had so much promise with two great qualifying positions. We had a run of bad luck with the Superbikes, but James rode maturely to bring the bike home safely in both races, allowing himself some valuable onboard testing with the new Pirelli tyres. The Virgin Media Cup is going to be another closely fought contest this year, and we have already seen a few new stars begin to emerge."
The Superbike and Supersport riders take to the track on Friday for Free Practice, ahead of Saturday's Qualifying sessions and Sunday's full race schedule.
ITV1 broadcast window, 14.40 - 16.10 Sunday 15 April.
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