Rizla Suzuki's Chris 'Stalker' Walker put on a determined display of riding in today's 12th round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Donington Park, finishing with superb fourth and sixth places results.
Stalker, starting from second on the grid, got the holeshot and led both races from the off. In the first event he struggled with front grip and dropped back to sixth; in the second race he spent 20-laps competing for the podium and was in contention right until the chequered flag, eventually finishing fourth.
Cal Crutchlow showed enormous promise during the practice sessions but his luck ran out in the races: In the opener he was less than a second from the lead and battling for his first podium when he found a false neutral and ran into Ryuichi Kiyonari with both falling off. In the second race he was comfortable in fifth when he was forced to retire.
Ducati's Leon Haslam won both races.
Rizla Suzuki is back in race action at the 13th and final round of the 2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch in Kent on Sunday, October 14th.
Chris Walker..."It's been a good day at the races and I am completely exhausted after trying my heart out. The second race was great and frustrating, I really wanted a podium here in front of my home fans but it wasn't to be despite my Rizla Suzuki working exceptionally well and doing what I wanted the whole race.
"I've one more chance to show what I can do at Brands Hatch in three weeks time and it is a favourite circuit of mine. I want to end the season on a high note and hope to see the Stalker fans there - it's going to be entertaining."
Cal Crutchlow..."After feeling comfortable and able to run at the front all weekend, race day has been a bit of a disappointment. I am sure I could have got on the podium so crashing out while less than a second from the lead has gutted me a bit. The second race was equally disappointing when I was forced to retire from fifth.
"It's onwards and upwards for me though and I can't wait to get to the final round and challenge at the front again. My Rizla Suzuki is right on the pace and I still want a podium more than anything to seal the season."
Simon Buckmaster - Team Manager..."Well done to Chris for such a spirited and impressive performance in race two. He really got the crowd behind him leading both races and I think his fourth place got the loudest cheer of the day.
"Cal had a promising but ultimately difficult weekend. Rizla Suzuki and Cal will not be deflected though; the positives are strong and point to a maturing Superbike rider who is now a regular top five contender and just a whisker off gaining his first podium.
"It's been a successful weekend for Suzuki with Michael Laverty winning the British Supersport Championship - congratulations to the Relentless team; it deserves this and it proves just how good the Suzuki GSX-R600 really is."
Race One Results- Leon Haslam (Ducati) 30:37.871
- Tom Sykes (Honda) +1.416
- Shane Byrne (Honda) +1.626
- Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) +9.214
- Jonathan Rea (Honda) +12.034
- Chris Walker (Rizla Suzuki) +15.515
- Scott Smart (Kawasaki) +26.204
- James Haydon (Kawasaki) +28.661
- Michael Rutter (Kawasaki) +33.019
- Steve Plater (Yamaha) +54.844
DNF:
Cal Crutchlow (Rizla Suzuki)
Race Two Results- Haslam 30:35.829
- Sykes + 0.056
- Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +3.416
- Chris Walker (Rizla Suzuki) +7.132
- Lavilla +12.299
- Byrne +16.567
- Rea +16.672
- Rutter +34.428
- Plater +34.841
- Karl Harris (Honda) +46.036
DNF:
Cal Crutchlow (Rizla Suzuki)Championship Positions (after 12 of 13 rounds)- Kiyonari 404
- Rea 367
- Haslam 363
- Lavilla 318
- Byrne 283
- Sykes 270
- Chris Walker (Rizla Suzuki) 206
- Leon Camier (Honda) 199
- Tommy Hill (Yamaha) 135
- Cal Crutchlow (Rizla Suzuki) 125
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