Racegoers will be able to re-live the sensational Bennetts British Superbike action and see Ryuichi Kiyonari crowned champion amid a fast moving video presentation on the central stage of the International Motorcycle Show. The HM Plant Honda rider clinched the title in the final round of a roller-coaster season and will collect the Champion’s Trophy at noon on Wednesday 1 November, in a public ceremony that is open to everyone attending the show, at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.
The 24 year old is the first Japanese rider to win the country’s premier title, and his success also ended a lean spell spanning some two decades since Honda last powered a rider to the elite championship. Kiyonari will be interviewed on stage by series commentators Fred Clarke and Larry Carter, along with former racer and television pundit James Whitham.
Joining Kiyonari on stage will the Airwaves Ducati riders Leon Haslam, who ended the season as runner-up, but the winner of the Audi Performance Award based on overall speed in qualifying, and Gregorio Lavilla, the champion of 2005 who was third in the overall rankings. Their combined efforts ensured that Ducati took the manufacturers title.
Chris Martin, the winner of the British Superbike Cup, will receive his trophy, and the two riders who finished second and third in the standings for Independent riders and teams, Marty Nutt and Howie Mainwaring.
Cal Crutchlow, the British Supersport Champion, in receiving his trophy will, no doubt, also look excitedly to his future career in British Superbikes with Rizla Suzuki, while Tom Sykes and Eugene Laverty will also have much to talk about.
Pete Spalding, who won all twelve rounds of the British Supersport Cup, is another rider moving on, he will compete in the main Championship next term, but first he will enjoy his remarkable winning spree as he is handed his trophy. Joining him on stage will be Aaron Walker and Christian Elkin.
Daniel Cooper, the winner of four races, sealed the British 125GP crown, ahead of James Westmoreland and Michael Wilcox, while Anthony Rogers took the honours in the ACU Academy Cup section, ahead of Dean Hipwell and Sam Lowes.
In Superstock action, Australian Brendan Roberts was the dominant force in the Metzeler Racetec National Championship, taking the title ahead of Aaron Zanotti and Luke Quigley, while in the Cup Bob Collins was victorious, ahead of Martin Buckles and Kenny Gilbertson.
Tom Grant, the winner of the Virgin Mobile Cup, will be on stage, no doubt enthusing about his first taste of riding the Yamaha R1 he will be racing in next year’s Superbike Championship, along with the rider, Matt Whitman and James Webb, whom he held off to take the title.
And, for those fans wanting a permanent record of the action from the country’s premier racing series, two all-new products will be launched: a five hour double DVD will portray the action, blow-by-blow, while the official British Superbike review, a hard backed, lavishly illustrated publication captures fully the story of a memorable year. Looking to the future, the official 2007 British Superbike Championship calendar will also be launched.
Related Linkswww.britishsuperbikes.comwww.motorcycleshow.co.uk
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