2011 BSB champion decide by 0.006 seconds!

Swan Yamaha's Tommy Hill has won the 2011 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship after beating John Hopkins to the line by just 0.006 seconds for second place to win the title by two points after an epic final lap as the title protagonists fought for the crown. HM Plant Honda's Shane 'Shakey' Byrne won the final race of the season.
A frantic opening lap saw Michael Laverty take the initial lead but Byrne then hit the front with a move at Druids, whilst the Swan Yamaha rider went wide on the exit which allowed James Ellison, John Hopkins, Tommy Hill and Jon Kirkham ahead.
Byrne then gradually edged out his lead but behind the tension was building between the leading Title Fighters as Ellison maintained his position ahead of the championship contenders Hopkins and Hill as the pack were inseparable with Laverty sixth. Kirkham then crashed out of contention at Druids to end his race, but he still had done enough to win the BSB Riders Cup.
Byrne continued with his impressive pace to double up on wins but the intensity of the battle for the title was increasing over the final laps as Josh Brookes began to also close in on the pack and he passed Laverty at Paddock Hill Bend on the 14th lap to move fifth.
Hill was desperate to get ahead of Hopkins as he knew it was his only chance of the title and he looked set to make the move at Clearways but it wouldn't stick as he put his American rival under increasing pressure. Laverty meanwhile got the better of Brookes to regain fifth which he would hold until the end of the race.
The penultimate lap saw Hill make a move at Paddock Hill Bend to move second, but Hopkins was instantly on the attack and Hopkins dived down the inside at Surtees as the battle to become champion intensified. Hill held the advantage as Hopkins fought back hard as the pair swapped places five times on the final lap. The first came from Hopkins at Surtees as he retook second before Hill reclaimed it into Westfield. The American hadn't given up though and he again made a pass at Sheene Curve before Hill barged ahead at Stirlings. Hopkins looked set to take the position back into Clearways but it became a drag to the line as Hill crossed the line by just 0.006 seconds to win the title.
Ellison took a strong fourth place ahead of Laverty and Brookes. Michael Rutter ended his season with a seventh place as he held off Graeme Gowland, Peter Hickman and James Westmoreland.
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship final, Brands Hatch:

1. Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda)
2. Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +4.434s
3. John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki) +4.440s
4. James Ellison (Sorrymate.com Honda) +4.679s
5. Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha) +4.782s
6. Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +5.785s
7. Michael Rutter (Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati) +12.253s
8. Graeme Gowland (WFR Honda) +15.963s
9. Peter Hickman (Tyco Honda) +16.130s
10. James Westmoreland (WFR Honda) +24.203s

Final MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings:

1. Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) 647
2. John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki) 645
3. Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) 625
4. Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha) 601
5. Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 598
6. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 526

www.britishsuperbike.com

#21 John Hopkins, My goal is MotoGP

John Hopkins will be a World Championship rider in 2012. That much he is certain of.

The 28-year-old, looking to complete a stunning career revival by winning the British Superbike title this weekend at Brands Hatch, has made no secret of his desire to return to MotoGP next season.

Hopkins was a full-time grand prix rider from 2002-2008 - starting at Red Bull Yamaha and finishing with a year at Kawasaki. In-between, Hopkins rode for the factory Suzuki squad, with whom he took four podiums and fourth in the 2007 world championship.

Injuries at Kawasaki, which then withdrew from MotoGP at the end of 2008, marked the start of a downward spiral that Hopkins feared he might not overcome.

But MotoGP team manager Paul Denning still believed in Hopkins, and an agreement was reached for the Californian to race for Denning's Samsung Crescent Suzuki BSB team in 2011.

"I took the best option to jump-start my career," said Hopkins, during an exclusive interview with Crash.net. "It was like coming home to a second family."

A rejuvenated Hopkins soon repaid Denning's faith, taking his first BSB win in round two and he leads the championship by eight points heading into the Brands Hatch decider.

"It's been a huge learning curve," said Hopkins. "The tracks, the competition... I've done MotoGP, AMA and some World Superbike races, but I've never had fiercer competition while racing than in BSB.

"I knew the [Showdown] points' system would favour me because my main aim was to stay in the top six and learn the new tracks, but we didn't expect to win so early and we've stayed where we wanted to be."

Regardless of the championship outcome, Hopper's achievements in BSB, WSBK (on pole as a wild-card at Silverstone) and as a MotoGP stand-in for Rizla Suzuki this season mean he is on the wanted list of several teams for a 2012 grand prix ride.

"My goal is to get back to MotoGP. My mind is set so that anything else is just a stepping stone to MotoGP," said Hopkins.

"I have a whole new approach to racing and my career. I am more mentally tough and more driven than I've ever been. If you want to be the best, then you have to race the best, and I still believe the best are in MotoGP."

The obvious MotoGP choice would be a return to Rizla Suzuki, but the factory's Japanese bosses are yet to confirm their 2012 plans and Hopkins - also linked to LCR Honda - warned that he can't wait forever.

"I'd like to continue the relationship with Suzuki, but everything is still a bit unknown with their MotoGP plans," he said. "Paul has said that everything [at Suzuki] is still on hold and I'm not going to let anything slip through my fingers by having to wait too long.

"This entire year for me has been about trying to lock-up the British Superbike Championship, so I'm not concentrating on anything else until I finish that. Then, on Sunday night, I'll start trying to make a decision."

Should a 2012 MotoGP ride prove impossible, Hopkins has 'plenty' of World Superbike options.

"At the end of the day, I want to progress." he said. "Even if we don't get back to MotoGP next year, there are plenty of competitive options on the table in World Superbike.

"So regardless, I'll be world championship racing next year. That I can say is certain."

Also for certain is that Hopkins will be back in MotoGP, for a third 2011 appearance with Rizla Suzuki, during the Malaysian Grand Prix from October 21-23.

The #21 finished tenth as a replacement for the injured Alvaro Bautista at this year's Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, before being forced to withdraw from a wild-card ride at Brno due to a hand injury in practice.

Should Hopkins seal a 2012 MotoGP ride, he would be the only rider other than seven-time world champion V.Rossi to have raced in 500cc.

MotoGP is moving to 1000cc engines for 2012.
www.crash.net

2011 BSB Round 12 Brands Hatch GP

Shane 'Shakey' Byrne maintained his position as the fastest rider around the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit this morning as the HM Plant Honda rider topped the second and final free practice session ahead of this afternoon's qualifying and opening race of the finale.

Byrne started the session as he would eventually end it; setting the pace in the early stages as the local ace continued to show that he will be a contender in qualifying and the race this afternoon. Michael Laverty who had pushed him in the morning session, then went ahead on the Swan Yamaha as the anticipation builds for the title-deciding three races.

Josh Brookes and the Relentless Suzuki by TAS team then were pushing and the Australian went ahead as the session reached its final minute. However last season's runner-up wasn't there for long and just seconds later Byrne again went back to the top of the times as he carried his strong momentum through to the final practice session.

Brookes and Laverty ended second and third as the Title Fighters prepare to do battle this afternoon as they headed off John Hopkins in fourth on the Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki. He held a minimal advantage over main title rival Tommy Hill who rounded out the top five as again the Title Fighters held the top positions.

James Ellison on the Sorrymate.com Honda again showed his pace in sixth ahead of Graeme Gowland who again made it into the top eight on the Mirror.co.uk BSB Evo specification WFR Honda. Peter Hickman and the Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati pairing of Michael Rutter and Martin Jessopp rounded out the top ten.


MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, free practice two:

1. Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) 1m:25.638s
2. Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +0.024s
3. Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha) +0.183s
4. John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki) +0.384s
5. Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +0.438s
6. James Ellison (Sorrymate.com Honda) +0.475s
7. Graeme Gowland (WFR Honda) +0.569s
8. Peter Hickman (Tyco Honda) +0.632s
9. Michael Rutter (Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati) +0.963s

www.britishsuperbike.com

2012 KTM  Moto-3  latest photo.


Click here!
http://hrc-racing.com/news/news-6.html

HRC RC213V Test at Motegi Japan Photo

2012 RC213V Test Photoｓ uploaded.

The number is a little.

From here

HRC RC213V Test Photo

Simoncelli tests 1000cc HRC Honda at Motegi Japan

After agreeing a new contract with San Carlo Honda Gresini and HRC at Motegi, Marco Simoncelli was back on track on Monday following a bittersweet Grand Prix to test the 1000cc bike he will ride next year. It was an important opportunity to discover the potential of the RC213V and give his feedback to HRC, and turned out to be a fun day for Marco who now heads to the Philippines for a short break before the next round of the MotoGP World Championship at Phillip Island in Australia.

San Carlo Honda Gresini 

Marco Simoncelli
“The big day finally arrived and I was able to test the bike I will be riding in Team San Carlo Honda Gresini colours next year. It was a fantastic experience to get out on the RC213V and I would like thank HRC for the opportunity. I completed 50 laps and quickly felt confident with the new bike, setting similar lap times to the RC212V. At the end of the day I gave my feedback and suggestions, which I hope will be important in the development of the bike from here. Now I am taking some days off on the island of Boracay in the Philippines before the next race at Phillip Island.”  

Yamaha Moto GP ready for team orders to help #1 Jorge

Yamaha will have no hesitation in implementing controversial team orders if required to help Jorge Lorenzo successfully defend the MotoGP world title in 2011.

The Spaniard trails Honda rival Casey Stoner by a massive 44-points with only four races remaining and Yamaha management have confirmed that if necessary they will ask Ben Spies to help Lorenzo in the final phase of the season.
Yamaha boss Lin Jarvis told MCN: “There are still some races to go and it is not like we are six points adrift with only two races to go. We need to see how the season pans out and I would hope by the last two races of the year we are still mathematically in the hunt to fight and then let’s see what we need to do in that moment.

"Ben and Jorge are both team players, so I think we have a very good relationship between these two riders this year, unlike perhaps in the past. These riders are not competing against each other in the championship and the harmony that we have could be an advantager.
"What is important is that the team wins and we give our riders the maximum effort and if one rider mathematically has no chance to win the championship and the other does, I think it is only reasonable they should help.”

Team orders are frequently used in Formula One but it is a highly contentious issue, with fans angered that race results are manipulated.
But Jarvis added: “We've seen the situation in Formula One recently where they’ve cancelled the ban on team orders, which personally I agree with. In my opinion the team should have every right to decide the strategy as it sees fit and I don’t think it is for the public to decide what is the strategy of a manufacturer and a team.”

Ben Spies said Yamaha management had not even spoken him about the prospect of team orders ahead of last weekend's Motorland Aragon race and he said: "For me there’s been no team orders. We saw that at Indy when I passed Jorge. In Misano, Dani (Pedrosa) was able to pass Casey at the end and that’s racing and the way it should be.
"When a championship is won because somebody let somebody else beat them then I don’t like it so much. But I haven’t heard anything and I don’t plan on riding any differently. Whoever is in front of me I’ll be trying to pass them.” www.motorcyclenews.com

Superbike World Championship 2011 Round 12. Magny-Cours

Carlos Checa (Althea Racing Ducati) was crowned champion at Magny-Cours by the time the first 23-lap race had been completed under glorious French sunshine, in front of 86,100 spectators. By the end of race two Ducati had also secured the Manufacturers’ title, thanks to Checa’s double win. Carlos has now won 14 races this year, including five doubles. Checa enters the final round at Portimao with 467 points while Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) has 360 points after scoring two second places today.
Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) moved up to overall third with a total of 283 points, overhauling non-starter Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) who was ruled out of this weekend’s races because of his pre-existing foot injury. The final podium man in Magny-Cours was top BMW Motorrad Motorsport finisher Leon Haslam, who took third in race one and fourth in race two. Superpole winner Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) was in line to fight for a podium finish had he not had the misfortune to crash in race one and then have a technical DNF in race two.
Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) was the top Aprilia finisher today, with a fourth and a sixth and top Kawasaki man was Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) who was eighth and then seventh, moving up to 11th overall. Michel Fabrizio (Suzuki Alstare) was only 12th and then a non-finisher in the races, having another tough weekend.
Privateer rider Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert Liberty Racing Ducati) was in sparkling form again, with a sixth and a fifth, and Haslam’s team-mate Troy Corser had two solid ninth places.

Race 1
Checa won his first Superbike World Championship with an assured victory in the opening race. Once clear of long-time leader Laverty, Checa was unopposed and took his 13th race win and raised his points total to an unassailable 442. His only pre-race title rival Melandri was second after a late charge through to the podium. Haslam made his German based team happy with a top three finish, after his usual battling performance. Camier was a close fourth, with Laverty slowing to end up fifth.
Carlos Checa: “It’s a great moment, I want to say thank you to everyone who helped me from when I started racing until now, of course especially Genesio, Ducati and all the team. It’s a perfect moment to also win the race. I don’t know what to say, just that we need to focus for the next one. It’s a great emotion going through my mind.”
Marco Melandri: “It’s a big day for me, and I’m very happy about the race. I’m a bit disappointed about the first few laps but after that my rhythm was good and I made some nice passes, but I’d like to get some more wins before the end of the year.”
Leon Haslam: “We’ve not been on the podium too many times this year so we’ll take every opportunity. It was a good battle all the way, it always seems I’m battling with Marco and Eugene for that last podium slot. I’m just looking forward now, I’ve obviously signed up with BMW for next year so we’ll just keep progressing this year”
Results: 1. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 38'16.465 (159,04 kph); 2. Melandri M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R1 2.201; 3. Haslam L. (GBR) BMW S1000 RR 3.218; 4. Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 3.796; 5. Laverty E. (IRL) Yamaha YZF R1 5.602; 6. Guintoli S. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 9.634; 7. Haga N. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 9.814; 8. Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-10R 11.387; 9. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 17.143; 10. Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX-10R 24.523; etc.

Race 2
Checa took his 14th win of the season in fine style when he held off late charger Melandri. Third was long time leader Laverty who was only passed in the very late stages, in a strong and decisive move, by his team-mate Melandri. Haslam was unable to repeat his podium from race one, as he finished six seconds from the win in fourth place. Fifth place went to local man Guintoli.
Carlos Checa: “It’s a fantastic moment and now is the time to relax! Winning the title with a great weekend like this is unexpected. We felt comfortable and in the end I did what I like, race as fast as I can, and win. Now it’s time for some celebrations!”
Marco Melandri: “We tried some modifications at the front but didn’t improve like we thought. I was struggling a lot in the beginning but in the last few laps I was more comfortable on the bike and started to push. When I saw I could catch Eugene, I knew I had to pass him at the small hairpin under very hard braking, I’m sorry I was very strong with him!.”
Eugene Laverty: “I had to work hard for the podium, they were two very tough races, the first one didn’t go to plan, but in the second race it was nice to get out front, the push from the bike was good. I tried to stay with Carlos but I don’t think anyone could this year. I was close to second but Marco beat me to it. Portimao will be a decider to see if I can get third in the championship.”
Results: 1. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 38'17.851 (158,945 kph); 2. Melandri M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R1 1.267; 3. Laverty E. (IRL) Yamaha YZF R1 2.043; 4. Haslam L. (GBR) BMW S1000 RR 6.506; 5. Guintoli S. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 7.843; 6. Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 8.360; 7. Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-10R 15.285; 8. Badovini A. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 15.549; 9. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 16.278; 10. Haga N. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 22.996; etc.
Points (after 12 of 13 rounds): 1. Checa 467 (2011 Champion); 2. Melandri 360; 3. Laverty 283; 4. Biaggi 281; 5. Haslam 216; 6. Camier 194; 7: Guintoli 179; 8. Haga 170; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Ducati 491 (2011 Champions); 2. Yamaha 415; 3. Aprilia 399; 4. BMW 261; 5. Kawasaki 209; 6. Honda 162; 7. Suzuki 162.

World Supersport
Chaz Davies (Yamaha ParkinGO) took the overall victory in the Supersport World Championship after finishing sixth, in a race won by his team-mate Luca Scassa. Sam Lowes (Parkalgar Honda) was second today with long-time leader Broc Parkes (Kawasaki Motocard.com) just holding off his rapidly advancing team-mate David Salom for third. James Ellison (Bogdanka PTR Honda) was fifth, as Davies eased to the title and a new total of 181 points with one round left to run. Fabien Foret (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) was only eighth today but remains second overall, in 144 points. Parkes is third in the points, on 136, tied with Salom.
Results: 1. Scassa L. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 37'48.052 (154,031 kph); 2. Lowes S. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 1.582; 3. Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1.749; 4. Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1.826; 5. Ellison J. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 2.384; 6. Davies C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 5.212; 7. Tamburini R. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 9.755; 8. Foret F. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 11.268; etc.
Points (after 11 of 12 rounds): 1. Davies 181 (2011 Champion); 2. Foret 144; 3. Parkes 136; 4. Salom 136; 5. Lowes 129; 6. Scassa 121; 7. Ellison 83; 8. Marino 78; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Yamaha 226; 2. Honda 214; 3. Kawasaki 177; 4. Triumph 36.

Superstock 1000
In winning the race at Magny-Cours Danilo Petrucci (Barni Racing Ducati) did all he could to stop Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Ducati) from being champion, but in finishing fifth Giugliano took the crown with one round to spare. A three way fight for second in the race between team-mates Lorenzo Zanetti and Sylvain Barrier (BMW Motorrad Italia Superstock), plus Niccolò Canepa (Lazio MotorSport) ended up in that order.
Results: 1. Petrucci D. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 23'48.111 (155,67 kph); 2. Zanetti L. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 2.734; 3. Barrier S. (FRA) BMW S1000 RR 2.801; 4. Canepa N. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 2.997; 5. Giugliano D. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 11.455; 6. Massei F. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 11.817; 7. Antonelli A. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 11.956; 8. Morais S. (RSA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 14.026; etc.
Points (after 9 of 10 rounds): 1. Giugliano 171 (2011 Champion); 2. Petrucci 144; 3. Zanetti 137; 4. Barrier 112; 5. Canepa 109; 6. Baroni 70; 7. Antonelli 67; 8. Reiterberger 64; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Ducati 215 (2011 Champions); 2. BMW 173; 3. Kawasaki 83; 4. Honda 75; 5. Yamaha 16.

2011 Moto GP in Motegi Japan. Circuit onbord video

2011 Moto GP In Motegi Japan

The Repsol Honda rider took his 10th pole position of the season at Motegi with blazing lap of 1’45″543 that broke not only Jorge Lorenzo’s 2008 qualifying record (before the one tire rule) but also lowering the same record that the Yamaha rider had set a couple of minutes earlier.
Jorge Lorenzo stopped the Repsol Honda domination that characterized this Japanese GP weekend so far. The Spaniard came back to take second and he was 0.256s adrift, the only other rider to go under the 1.46 mark and now he has an interesting race pace.
Closing the front row will be Andrea Dovizioso who moved into third on his last flying lap, demoting Repsol Honda team mate Dani Pedrosa to 4th and Valentino Rossi to seventh. With Pedrosa on the the second row will be a still recovering Ben Spies and Gresini Honda’s Marco Simoncelli who suffered a crash at turn 5 at the halfway mark of the session.

This was one of Rossi’s better qualifying sessions, even if he’s still 1,2 seconds off pace but at least he’s six tenths of second from Pedrosa.
Alvaro Bautista took his Suzuki to the 8th spot, followed by Aspar’s Hector Barbera in ninth, while Nicky Hayden who had an excellent start yesterday could manage only a 10th spot today.


MotoGP Motegi Qualifying Results:
01- Casey Stoner – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC212V – 1’45.267
02- Jorge Lorenzo – Yamaha Factory Racing – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.256
03- Andrea Dovizioso – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC212V – + 0.524
04- Dani Pedrosa – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC212V – + 0.699
05- Ben Spies – Yamaha Factory Racing – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.775
06- Marco Simoncelli – San Carlo Honda Gresini – Honda RC212V – + 0.944
07- Valentino Rossi – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP11.1 – + 1.200
08- Alvaro Bautista – Rizla Suzuki MotoGP – Suzuki GSV-R – + 1.319
09- Hector Barbera – Mapfre Aspar Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP11 – + 1.427
10- Nicky Hayden – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP11.1 – + 1.496
11- Hiroshi Aoyama – San Carlo Honda Gresini – Honda RC212V – + 1.544
12- Cal Crutchlow – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 1.551
13- Randy De Puniet – Pramac Racing Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP11 – + 1.650
14- Colin Edwards – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 1.898
15- Karel Abraham – Cardion AB Motoracing – Ducati Desmosedici GP11 – + 2.655
16- Toni Elias – LCR Honda MotoGP – Honda RC212V – + 2.902
17- Kousuke Akiyoshi – LCR Honda MotoGP – Honda RC212V – + 3.100
18- Damian Cudlin – Pramac Racing Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP11 – + 3.695
19- Shinichi Itoh – Honda Racing Team – Honda RC212V – + 4.704
www.twowheelsblog.com