Leon Haslam took two strong second positions during today’s blustery Bennetts British Superbike races at Donington Park. In the first race, Haslam suffered a bad start but fought back to finish behind winner Shane Byrne, while in the second the Derbyshire rider led for almost 18 of the 20 laps but Byrne made a pass on the HM Plant Honda rider going into the Melbourne hairpin and pulled away to take his second win of the day. Haslam’s team-mate Cal Crutchlow took a disappointing sixth in race one after suffering from a lack of grip towards the end of the race. Cal made amends with a fighting third place in the second outing.
Rob Mac Racing's Karl Harris completed his first race distances of the season with two solid finishes, elevating him up the scoreboard to start his Championship campaign at Donington Park yesterday. ‘Bomber' Harris topped the time sheets with his blisteringly fast pace throughout free practice, posting a 0.5 second lead over his rivals in the final dry free practice. A forecasted downpour deemed the sole qualifying session wet and Harris fell victim to the ultra slippery conditions, crashing out twice to finally qualify in 10th place.
With a double header in the Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup and a ride in the National Superstock championship, Boston rider Ben Wilson is in for a busy time at Donington Park on Whit Monday. The first race of the season was postponed because of snow at Brands Hatch in early April and it was decided the R1 Cup riders would be spared the long trip back down to the Kent circuit for the re-run and would have two races at Donington Park instead. Ben Wilson will be hoping to capitalise from this by securing two good results on Monday.