Ryuichi Kiyonari will take centre stage at the International Motorcycle Show at the National Exhibition Centre on Wednesday as he receives, for the second consecutive year, the Bennetts British Superbike Champion’s trophy. The HM Plant Honda rider sealed his title glory in the final round of a season that had seen him win no less than nine races in a hard fought campaign. The 25 year old Japanese rider will be presented with the magnificent trophy on the main stage of the show in a fast moving lunchtime spectacular that will provide an action replay of the highlights of a great season.
Jonathan Rea, Kiyonari’s team-mate, tested his supremacy with some hard riding to take the runner-up spot ahead of the Airwaves Ducati rider Leon Haslam.
The ceremony will also mark the achievements of the galaxy of champions across the whole of the BSB package as they receive their trophies.
Michael Laverty, powered the Relentless Suzuki by TAS, to Maxxis British Supersport title glory, overcoming the determined in-team challenge from Ian Lowry, not forgetting the hard riding Dennis Hobbs, aboard the Padgetts Honda, who battled into third place overall. James Westmoreland comfortable secure the British Supersport Cup for Centurion Honda.
Luke Jones will be able to reflect on his British 125GP title winning season, in which he overcame the youthful challenges of Dorna Academy Cup winner Robbie Stewart.
The winner of the fifth and final running of the Virgin Media Cup, with it’s one-make format of Yamaha R6 bikes, was BJ Toal – he receives a trophy, and a ride in next year’s British Supersport championship with Yamaha. Midge Smart and David Paton who pressed him all of the way also have trophies to collect.
Glen Richards, the winner of the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Championship, has a trophy to collect, as do the two riders he beat in a competitive series, Steve Brogan and Hudson Kennaugh. In the Superstock Cup, there were no less than nine race winners, but it was Norman Brunton who came out on top in title stakes, ahead of Dean Johnson and James Hurrell.
Pauli Pekkanen proved the dominant force in the inaugural year of the KTM 990 SuperDuke Battle and the Flying Finn has a champion’s trophy to collect, with awards also to the second and third placed riders Kelvin Reilly and Francis Williamson.
And, there will be a look ahead to the forthcoming 2008 season during which the British Superbike Championship, decided over twelve double race rounds, will again be providing the best in domestic motorsport.
Racedates:- Round 1:April 6th - Brands Hatch (GP)
- Round 2: April 20th - Thruxton
- Round 3: May 5th - Oulton Park *
- Round 4: May 26th - Donington Park (GP) *
- Round 5: June 15th - Snetterton
- Round 6: June 29th - Mallory Park
- Round 7: July 20th - Oulton Park
- Round 8: August 10th - Knockhill
- Round 9: August 25th - Cadwell Park *
- Round 10: September 14th - Croft
- Round 11: September 28th - Silverstone (International)
- Round 12: October 12th - Brands Hatch (Indy)
*Bank Holiday Monday raceday
