Race one:
1: James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)
2: Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) +0.131s
3: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +9.112s
4: Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +9.170s
5: Peter Hickman (RAF Reserves BMW) +11.276s
6: Tommy Bridewell (Tyco BMW) +16.139s
Race two:
1: Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki)
2: Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +0.589s
3: Stuart Easton (PBM Kawasaki) +1.331s
4: Peter Hickman (RAF Reserves BMW) +3.343s
5: Christian Iddon (Bennetts Suzuki) +4.239s
6: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +5.327s
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings:
1: Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) 45
2: Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) 33
3: James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 29
4: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 26
5: Peter Hickman (RAF Reserves BMW) 24
6: Stuart Easton (PBM Kawasaki) 219
Report
JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Ellison headed off four-time MCE Insurance British Superbike Champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne to win the first race of the opening round at Donington Park, but in race two the PBM Kawasaki rider grabbed glory after an intense battle with Dan Linfoot.
Byrne had grabbed the early lead in the first race, but after the intervention of the Nissan GTR Safety Car as marshal’s dealt with Ralf lo Turco’s crash, Ellison forced his JG Speedfit Kawasaki into the lead.
Byrne was trying to repay the move, but there was no way ahead of the Cumbrian who took his first race win in two years by 0.131s and Kawasaki’s first in the championship at the Leicestershire circuit since 1999.
Josh Brookes had ridden hard and strong, surpassing even his own expectations, to bring the all-new Milwaukee Yamaha on to the podium in third place as he outgunned Honda Racing’s Linfoot at the Melbourne Hairpin to take the placing by 0.058s.
Ellison’s hopes of a repeat performance in race two were thwarted by a flat battery which caused him to miss the sighting lap period and because of that an enforced start at the back of the grid. He put in a determined performance to charge through the pack to salvage a twelfth place finish.
Ahead of him Byrne claimed the initial advantage, but Linfoot in second after pushing his way ahead of Stuart Easton, was reeling him in. The front running scrap was fast developing and soon they were trading places, with positions changing at nearly every opportunity.
At the end Byrne had that little bit extra, taking the victory from the young Yorkshireman as Easton finished third from RAF Reserves BMW rider Peter Hickman and Christian Iddon on the Bennetts Suzuki.
Brookes, who had lost ground after taking evasive action Kiyonari high-sided in front of him fought back to finish sixth. The Buildbase BMW rider leaving Donington Park with a single 14th place finish ahead of the next round at Brands Hatch in two weeks time. |