HM Plant Honda heads to Snetterton in Norfolk this weekend as the Bennetts British Superbike Championship meets for round five of the 12-round season. The flat, former airfield circuit offers high-speed action thanks to the long Revett Straight as well as some challenging corners.
Both HM Plant Honda Superbike riders have been off to Japan in the break to test for their forthcoming race at the Suzuka Eight-Hour, as well as taking part in last weekend’s Suzuka 300km race. Meanwhile Steve Brogan has been training hard in the gym so he’s in the best physical shape for the weekend.
In the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship, Steve intends to close the gap on series leader Glen Richards, while continuing to dominate in the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 series.
Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda
British Superbike – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
“I’m back from Japan testing for the Suzuka Eight-Hour and riding in the Suzuka 300km race. It was very disappointing for me as my team-mate crashed on second corner and totalled the bike so I never had chance to ride in the race! Still, the time in Japan wasn’t wasted as we did plenty more testing on the new Fireblade. Although the bikes obviously aren’t identical it’s still more track time and it was nice to be able to give Japan feedback from our HM Plant Honda team and now we’ve got more information from our time in Japan too. We’re testing at Cadwell after Snetterton as well, so it all helps. I’m really looking forward to Snetterton as I think this circuit and the next few should suit the CBR1000R a little more. Either way, I’m expecting some good results from now on as we refine the bike still further.”
Cal Crutchlow – HM Plant Honda
British Superbike – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
“I know we got 8th in the Suzuka 300km race, but I was a little disappointed to be honest. The clutch went with 28 laps still to go, then we got a misfire, the tyre delaminated and we ran out of fuel on the last lap! Testing was good though and I’m looking forward to the Eight-Hour. If we can get a good, consistent bike I’m looking for a top six result. Snetterton I’m looking forward to big-time. Most riders have had two weekends off, but Leon and myself just the one as we’ve been in Japan testing. It’ll be good going to Snett and it’s the easiest circuit to ride on the calendar really. I reckon it should suit us and the new CBR1000RR. Hopefully we can make up some ground on Shakey in the championship.”
Steve Brogan – Honda (UK) Racing
British Supersport – Honda CBR600RR
British Superstock – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade
“With the TT and the other guys heading to Japan it’s seemed like an age since we last raced, so I can’t wait to get stuck in at Snetterton. In the few weeks since Donington I’ve kept myself busy with moving house and training hard. Snetterton is one of my favourite tracks and I go well there. Last year in Superstock I broke the lap record, then it was later re-broken by another rider, but I think with the new Fireblade being such a strong package I can get another lap record and extend my points lead in the series. I haven’t been round Snett on a Supersport bike since 1999, but I’ll be getting right in there and setting up the bike, getting the gearing spot-on and will be up with the leaders from the first session. I will be aiming to take a chunk out of Glen Richards’ points lead. His Triumph has lots of punch out of the lower speed corners, but our HM Plant CBR600RR has it’s own advantages too. I think we’ve got the edge on Glen at the top-end, so at Snett if he pulls a gap out of the corner, I think we’ve got the power to catch right up to him down the straight. I can’t wait!”
Havier Beltran – HM Plant Honda Team Manager
“It’s back to normal duties for the boys and the HM Plant Honda team. We will continue to keep improving the bikes and our results and there’s every reason that we will do that this weekend at Snetterton. Both Leon and Cal are confident of being on the podium at Snett. It’s a quick circuit and we’re hoping that it should suit our set-up. You have to be careful, as it's all right-hand corners and just the one left, which can catch you out. Set-up will be crucial, but we’re hoping to come away with some good results. With Steve we want him to extend his lead in the Superstock championship aboard the new Fireblade. He’s been in the gym training hard recently, as he wants to be in the best shape possible to get the most out of the CBR600RR in the Supersport series.”
