MCE Insurance British Superbike News
2010 | 2009
Team Manager debriefs: Snetterton
20 Jul 2010 - MCE Insurance British Superbike News
The seventh round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Snetterton produced some dramatic races and mixed results for the teams and riders. Here some of the team managers reflect on the weekend's events:

HM Plant Honda
Ryuichi Kiyonari - R1: 2nd, R2: DNF, R3: 1st
Josh Brookes - R1: 1st, R2: 1st, R3: DNF

Team Manager Havier Beltran: "It was fantastic for the HM Plant Honda team and all of our sponsors to win all three races at Snetterton and shows the potential of the Honda CBR1000. It is however disappointing that both riders were forced to retire once each whilst at the front of the races with engine issues. We know we have to overcome these if we are to win the championship."

Worx Crescent Suzuki
Tommy Hill - R1: 3rd, R2: 2nd, R3: 2nd
Yukio Kagayama - R1: DNS, R2: 21st, R3: 10th

Team manager Jack Valentine: "It was a very good weekend for us. I think the results have really boosted Tommy's confidence and this will help him as we head to the Brands Hatch GP round. The team has worked hard on the set-up, the GSX-R has always been good but it's the very last little details that are making all the difference and certainly we've now got a very good basis on which to build for the coming races. Yuki struggled manfully with his injured hand and it was typical of his luck that he suffered the setback with the clutch issue just before that first race. However his performance in the third race was inspiring, he put in a sterling ride. We're looking forward to getting Yuki to Brands Hatch fully fit. Not having two riders at full strength has cost us with bike development as the season has progressed, and we've seen the other teams make up ground, but hopefully come round eight we'll be at full strength again!"

Swan Honda
Stuart Easton - R1: DNF, R2: 8th, R3: DNS
James Ellison - R1: 7th, R2: 4th, R3: DNF

Team Manager Shaun Muir: "As a team we are really digging deep at the moment. In James' case he can do no better, still recovering from his early season injuries. He is working hard each weekend and were it not for the backmarkers in race two, and a reckless Seeley in race three, we would probably have had a pair of podiums and real hope of the top six shoot out. Stuart's weekend was blighted with interrupted sessions over electronic glitches, which although on surface seems minor; really do knock your momentum. Race one and threes' withdrawals were down to unforeseen mechanical breakdowns that could and have hit any rider in the paddock, but to get all this over the course of one weekend and in the races is cruel luck for Stuart. We will regroup and focus ourselves on the next round. We have a mid week test planned to work on some areas and without doubt we will get the boys in good shape for Brands Hatch."

Relentless Suzuki by TAS
Michael Laverty - R1: 6th, R2: 5th, R3: 3rd
Alastair Seeley - R1: 5th, R2: 3rd, R3: DNF

Team Principal Philip Neill: "It was a tough weekend and all the races involved tight battles, but I think we have now firmly established ourselves as one of the top teams in the championship. That's eight podiums now in 14 races, which we can't be too disappointed with, although as I have always said, we are here to win races and that's what we will keep pushing for. Michael struggled a bit this weekend with his set-up changes but ultimately proved his strength by finishing on a high and Alastair is now right back at the sharp end. Unfortunately the crash in the final race drops him just one point outside the top six, but he looked strong throughout and we will never criticise our riders for trying hard."

Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati
Michael Rutter - R1: 4th, R2: DNF, R3: 4th

Team owner Phil Jessopp: "Michael rode well again at Snetterton. It's a real shame about the second race - it messed up our weekend really but as Michael says, we're looking forward to Brands Hatch now which should really suit our bike."

MSS Colchester Kawasaki
Gary Mason - R1: 9th, R2: 11th, R3: 9th
Simon Andrews - R1: 8th, R2: 9th, R3: 6th

Team Manager Nick Morgan: "The biggest thing to say about this weekend is how much of a team effort it had been. We were a couple of key members down but from the start there was a great feeling across the board. Then when it mattered, which at times it really did, everyone pulled in together and we showed what it means to bang out a result. The team showed its mettle though all three races. What it showed is that this team can work hard under pressure to do a brilliant and precise professional job when it matters most and get a result when things are against them. I can't say enough about them. We know we can run better than that and with a bit of luck, we'll be up where we should be."

Motorpoint Yamaha
Andrew Pitt - R1: 14th, R2: 12th, R3: 8th
Dan Linfoot - R1: 13th, R2: DNF, R3: 12th

Team Manager Rob McElnea said: "Andrew gave us some light this weekend, his ride in the third race from 15th on lap one shows he has the pace and he can race hard. Both guys made the day tough by not getting the best of starts and at Snetterton it is difficult to pass. To try and catch the front pack coming from that far back was never going to happen but he dug in and gave us some positives for Brands Hatch. Dan puts himself under so much pressure by not getting away at the start and to be 21st on lap one is never going to turn into a good day! He has to make the most of his great pace through qualifying; he can do the lap times as long as he can get away. Brands Hatch is the race we have been waiting for with Andrew, it will be his first weekend where he actually knows which way the track goes and he has had great success at world level there so with a little luck we can get a strong result for Motorpoint Yamaha."

Quay Garage Honda
Tommy Bridewell - R1: 10th, R2: 6th, R3: DNF

"Tommy never fails to give less than a hundred percent and despite his off on Saturday, we're once again delighted with his commitment and performance. We're disappointed that he didn't finish the final race and relieved it was no more than an electronic sensor as that was a brand new engine this weekend and we didn't need the cost of another rebuild, that's for sure. But to come away from one of the fastest circuits in the country with a sixth and tenth place shows how well he's riding and what a great job James and John Buckingham are doing on the bike and if Tommy can keep plugging away, we'll be more than happy."

Sorrymate.com SMT Honda
Chris Walker - R1: 11th, R2: 7th, R3: 7th

Team Owner Robin Croft: "Fantastic, super and over the moon are just some of the words I could use to describe the weekend. I'm absolutely delighted with the efforts of both Chris and the team and we've been out there fighting hard in every one of the three races. The results have given us one of our best ever weekend's of racing and Chris simply felt happier and more comfortable with the bike as the weekend wore on. We've had a good, fast and safe weekend of racing and I couldn't be happier with how it's all gone. I've already had a good chat with Chris and I'm delighted to say that we've reached an agreement that will see him riding for SMT Honda for the remainder of the season, which is terrific news for all parties. We've had a great time working with each other and will now get a bit of testing done before the next round to make sure we're even more dialled in when we get there and I really cannot wait to get to Brands Hatch in three week's time!"

The next round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship is a triple header at Brands Hatch GP on 6/7/8 August. Advance adult weekend admission tickets cost just £30 online with children aged 12 and under admitted free. Limited grandstand and camping tickets are also on sale now. For more information and to book visit www.brandshatch.co.uk or call 0870 950 9000.
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