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.
Cal, 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.
Stalker: “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:“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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