British Super Bikes 2012 | Round 1 Brands Hatch Indy

BSB Brands Hatch Testing | James Westmoreland

Round 1 – Brands Hatch Indy – 06^th April – 09^th April 2012

Author: Chris Maher, Pictures courtesy of: Chris Maher | Photography

Easter Season Opener 2012

Qualifying

Tyco Suzuki’s Josh Brookes takes pole, for the first race of the season. After dry testing and free practice sessions, the heavens opened up to soak the track prior to qualifying. Big loser on the day was 2011 champion Tommy Hill sliding off early in the first session to start the race at the back of the field. Samsung Honda’s Jon Kirkham came in second with Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne third. Performing well also in the wet conditions was MSS Bathams Kawasaki’s Michael Rutter. While ex WSBK riders, Haga, Foray and Scassa made it to Q1.

There was a welcome return for Rapid Solicitors Stuart Easton after a bad accident in last years NW 200, qualifying in 9^th position.

Front Row Grid

Josh Brookes – Tyco Suzuki 52.877
Jon Kirkham – Samsung Honda 53.155
Shane Byrne – Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki 53.361
Tristan Palmer – GBmoto Racing Honda 53.585

Race 1

The conditions worsened for race one of the 2012 MCE Insurance British Super Bikes. 5 riders didn’t complete the first lap. The safety car was deployed several times whilst debris got cleaned up, but early leader Shane Byrne made a flying start into turn one from third position of the grid. Jon Kirkham took up the front position a quarter of the way through the race.

Two thirds of the way into the race, Samsung Honda’s Jon Kirkham still had a marginal lead with Michael Rutter in second and Tyco Honda’s Alistair Seeley in third. Seeley moved into first position overtaking Kirkham into Druids. Brookes made a last minute charge to match the pace of the three leaders, but slid off line a little later to finish back in tenth position. And last seasons champion Swan Yamaha’s Tommy Hill dropped his bike in the later stages of the race and out of the points.

Seeley looked like he was going to win round one of the BSB, but losing rear grip on the final corner allowed Samsung Honda’s Jon Kirkham to accelerate past him and over the line for the first race win.

Result

10 Jon Kirkham Samsung Honda
34 Alistair Seeley Tyco Suzuki
4 Michael Rutter MSS Bathams Kawasaki
5 Ian Lowry Padgetts Racing Honda
101 Gary Mason Quattro Plant Kawasaki Super Team
46 Tommy Bridewell Supersonic Racing BMW
67 Shane Byrne Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki
27 James Westmoreland WFR Racing Honda
79 Freddy Foray Quattro Plant Kawasaki Super Team
2 Josh Brookes Tyco Suzuki

Flickr Photos (View)

* Due to poor weather condition and degraded track surface through spillages, Round 2 at Brand Hatch got cancelled, and will now take place prior to the Round 3 at OultonParkon Sunday 6^th May.

The next race is Round 2 at Thruxton on April 15^th.

Race 1 Results Round 2 Thuxton