Following race two Leon commented, “Today has been fantastic. I’m so pleased to have won again, and I’m absolutely delighted that Shane secured the championship. No one deserves it more than him. I have to say a big thank you to the Airwaves Ducati team; they’ve worked really hard over the weekend to give me a bike that was so good on the brakes that it made my job of overtaking a whole lot easier. I’m a little disappointed not to have got back on the podium in the second race but I’m really pleased with how I was riding and now can’t wait to get to Brands Hatch.”

Team Manager Colin Wright added “It has been a fantastic season for us, we started the year with new bikes, two new riders and different tyres to contend with. Obviously our goal was to win the championship but to be celebrating the win with everything new is a massive achievement for GSE Racing. We have won 4 British Championships in the last 10 years! Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to this superb record.”

Race One Results:

1. Leon Camier - Airwaves Ducati
2. Cal Crutchlow - HM Plant Honda
3. Shane Byrne - Airwaves Ducati

Race Two Results:

1. Leon Haslam - HM Plant Honda
2. Shane Byrne - Airwaves Ducati
3. Tom Sykes - Rizla Suzuki
4. Leon Camier - Airwaves Ducati

Tomorrow GSE Racing will be looking to achieve their 4th British Superbike title. Airwaves Ducati riders Shane Byrne and Leon Camier will start round 11 from the second row of the grid. Championship leader Shane qualified 6th and Leon 7th with only 0.039 seconds separating the pair.

Knowing he needs just a top 10 finish tomorrow to secure the 2008 title, Shane commented,

“I went as fast as I felt necessary today. Towards the end of qualifying I decided to push a little harder but made a couple of mistakes. Fortunately they weren’t big mistakes but big enough for me to think about the championship being at stake. After that I rode at 99% but still managed to achieve a1:26.136 lap and bring the Airwaves Ducati home! Although I’m a little disappointed not to be on the front row I am pleased with my times today. Both Leon and I have a really good race pace which is what the Airwaves Ducati team has been working towards all weekend and I think we should be in great shape for tomorrow’s races.”

Leon worked hard to improve his lap times over qualifying with his fastest time of 1:26.175 coming on lap 4 of 7 in the final session.

“We made a big change to the Airwaves Ducati this morning ahead of practice and I’m really confident we’ve made a step forward with our race pace. Although the settings aren’t ideal for one quick qualifying lap, we’ve focused on getting ourselves the best possible set up for the races”.

The schedule for Round 11 of the British Superbike Championship is as follows:

Race One – 1315
Race Two – 1625
Qualifying Results:

1. Cal Crutchlow – HM Plant Honda 1:25.489
2. Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda 1:25.790
3. Michael Rutter – North West 200 Ducati 1:25.952
4. Karl Harris – Team Yamaha 1:25.976
5. Tom Sykes – Rizla Suzuki 1:26.012
6. Shane Byrne – Airwaves Ducati 1:26.136
7. Leon Camier – Airwaves Ducati 1:26.175

Fresh from his second British Superbike victory a fortnight ago, Leon was immediately on the pace today. His best time of 1:26.927 came on lap 18 of 24 and was the fastest in first practice.

“I’m pretty happy with how today has gone. The practice session this morning really helped me to get into the flow of riding the Airwaves Ducati around here and then this afternoon allowed us to try some changes. Just before the second session was red flagged I had gone out to try something new, but unfortunately that will now have to wait until tomorrow. It’s looking really positive and we still have some adjustments to try tomorrow.”

Shane completed a total of 50 laps over the two sessions and recorded his best time of the day early on in second practice, matching Leon’s fastest lap of 1:26.927 from this morning.

“You can normally make assumptions before a race weekend as to which circuits the Airwaves Ducati will suit and which it won’t as much, but to be honest we weren’t too sure about Silverstone. Fortunately the Airwaves Ducati has worked really well straight away. I did a fairly long run in the morning session and then in the afternoon we went further than a full race distance with some good consistent times. I’ll look over the data with my Airwaves Ducati engineer this evening to identify ways in which we can make improvements for tomorrow and hopefully kick up a gear and go even quicker.”

Qualifying for round 11 of the Bennetts British Superbike championship commences tomorrow, Saturday September 27th 2008 at 1400.

Airwaves Ducati head to Silverstone this weekend looking to secure GSE Racing’s 4th British Superbike championship title. Rider Shane Byrne needs a single top 10 finish at the penultimate round of the series to lift the coveted trophy and be crowned 2008 champion.

A frustrating weekend last time out at Croft saw the 2003 champion finishing 5th and 4th however with a lead of 94 points in the championship, Shane has his sights set on clinching the title this Sunday.

“I’m a bit disappointed not to have won the title in the previous round at Croft, but now I’m fully refreshed and heading to Silverstone where I have a very good chance of taking it, and that is what I and the rest of the Airwaves Ducati team have been working for. I like to be on maximum attack, riding on the limit, but I have to ensure that I don’t fall down and that I take the championship – it will be good to get the job done in the first race at Silverstone”

After securing his second British Superbike victory a fortnight ago, Leon Camier is feeling confident of adding to his win tally this weekend.

“Although I was disappointed not to have got on to the podium in the second race, winning race one at Croft was a huge confidence boost so I’m really looking forward to Silverstone and hopefully getting back on the top step of the podium. Until we get some laps under our belt I’m not too sure how the Airwaves Ducati will work around there but I know that the whole of the Airwaves Ducati team will work hard to give me the best possible package come race day.”

Round 11 of the Bennetts British Superbike championship takes place on Sunday 28th September

All in all it was a good weekend for me at Croft, I can’t complain too much I got my second win of the season in the first race and a fifth place in the second.

Before we got to Croft we stopped in with Malcolm and Rhoda Rathmell, I bought myself a Sherco trials bike to play around on over the winter! Malcolm being an ex pro at this job took me out for a little while on Thursday, him and Wayne (Braybrook) decided to show me how it’s supposed to be done! I picked up on a few bits but I need to get out on it a bit more, to say I was pretty useless to start off with was an understatement! Good fun though and no damage done so I can’t complain too much.

Whilst at dinner the night before somehow we got onto the subject of the Scott Trial, which is, so I’m told a hard event that separates the men from the boys. I’m not quite sure how we got on the subject but the next minute I’m having a bet on with Rhoda that I wouldn’t manage to get to the first petrol check. Being a betting man I said I’d be up for it and bring on the challenge, over the weekend at Croft I heard a few horror stories! Well anyway, I’m now entered, I’m rider number 67 (ironically Shakey’s number) and apparently I’m now doing it! I’m not quite sure what I’ve let myself in for but we’ll have to see how it goes, it can’t be that bad, can it?!

I headed up to Croft with Storka on Thursday afternoon, saw the team and went out for dinner again with Shakey to what has become our Thursday night Chinese. Or not as in the case of Cadwell, first time all year we missed the Chinese and ended up in an Italian, which I have to say wasn’t the best. We found a little Chinese in Darlington this weekend and despite being surrounded by a few OAP’s we had some good craic and good food.

I woke up on Friday morning listening to the rain on the motorhome roof and I just thought here we go, another wet weekend. Croft’s always been a circuit I’ve enjoyed riding and although I’ve never been there on the Ducati it was fun to ride. We got a good set up on the bike early on in the weekend and things just felt good. I was happy as I went into the race on Sunday and I felt like I could get a good result. I wasn’t pushing too hard and despite not getting a great start I worked my way through the field, I was a bit cautious when it came to passing Shakey as I knew he had to win the Championship. I knew once I got past him I’d have to do well lol! The bike felt perfect and things just fell into place and I took the win. We didn’t change anything for the second race but the bike just didn’t feel as good and I couldn’t get the grip that I managed to find in race one. I could only bring her home in fifth, which I was a bit disappointed about.

‘Silly season’ as it’s called in the paddock gets earlier every year, and once again it’s contract time. Everything will be announced in the press soon and once it is something will be issued on my site as to where I’ll be riding in 2009, so keep your eyes peeled.

After Croft John Laverty and I were put onto our Bike Test by Ducati, yes many of you won’t believe neither of us have our bike license! We headed down to Silverstone not quiet knowing what to expect. It was interesting to say to least and felt odd doing everything so slowly. BSN and Bike Channel were there taking some video footage, which you can see here: - Http://www.bikesportnews.com/articles/ - it’s worth a giggle!

Things are pretty busy at the moment, I’m supposed to be heading to London on Sunday to co commentate the World Superbikes at Vallelunga with Jack and Whit and then back at Silverstone next weekend for the BSB race, it’s all go but all good fun.

Stay tuned

Cheers

Leon #2

Having got a poor start in an action packed first race Leon Camier had to push hard to catch the leading group. He then took 4th position from his teammate before picking off the two Honda’s and a Suzuki to take the lead on lap 13. Leon pulled out a significant lead to cross the line 2.5 seconds ahead of the rest of the field. Shane, who had moved up into 3rd on the final lap, was pushed wide on the last turn causing him to drop two places to finish in 5th.

The start of race two saw Shane work his way up from 10th place at the end of the first lap to take 5th position by lap 13. He recorded some of the fastest race laps of the day to move ahead of Leon Camier with two laps to go; however he was not able to catch the podium contenders and crossed the line in 4th place with his teammate behind him in 5th.

Following his race win and 5th place Leon had a mixed reaction to his day saying;

‘Obviously I‘m delighted to get another win for the Airwaves Ducati team but I am disappointed not to get on the podium in race two. I had a pretty average start in race one but was feeling really good and confident with my overtaking. I knew I could win it and was pleased when I did eventually cross the line. The second race just didn’t go to plan after that; I got a much better start but struggled with grip and when I knew Shane was behind me I thought he would probably have a better chance of catching the front runners so I let him pass me. I am disappointed with race two but will take my experience of race one and move ahead to think about Silverstone now.’

Shane was clearly disappointed with his day saying;

‘It’s been a bad day at the office for me! I am gutted that I did not get on the podium in either race and I am disappointed not to have wrapped up the championship here at Croft. In race one I worked hard to get myself up to 3rd however I was pushed very wide on the final corner and driven back to 5th. It was gutting but it got me really fired up for race two, however that didn’t go to plan either and although I was lapping fast I couldn’t catch the front guys and had to settle for 4th. It has been a frustrating weekend but I’ll now focus on Silverstone and hopefully take the championship for Airwaves Ducati there.’

Race 1 Result
1. Leon Camier - Airwaves Ducati
2. Leon Haslam - HM Plant Honda
3. Tom Sykes - Rizla Suzuki
4. Cal Crutchlow - HM Plant Honda
5. Shane Byrne - Airwaves Ducati

Race 2 Result
1. Leon Haslam - HM Plant Honda
2. Tom Sykes - Rizla Suzuki
3. Cal Crutchlow - HM Plant Honda
4. Shane Byrne - Airwaves Ducati
5. Leon Camier - Airwaves Ducati

Shane commented on his crash saying; ‘It was a third gear high side on the chicane; it was strange because I went through the turn no differently to any other time I have this weekend but the rear came out on me and the Airwaves Ducati launched me up into quite a big one! I am generally ok; I have bruised my shoulder which is sore and a bit stiff, I’ve also got a bit of a dead leg and I have knocked my front teeth out. I should be able to get myself fixed up and I will be ok but I will need to have a medical in the morning and we will take a view on it after that.’

Whilst this afternoon’s damp track prevented him from bettering his time of 1:21.695 from first practice Leon Camier felt he learnt something from his two 5th place finishes.

‘We have taken positive and negative points from the changes we made to my Airwaves Ducati today. This afternoon was frustrating as I only did 9 laps but the track was getting damp so we opted not to go out for the remainder of the session. We may have to rethink the plan tomorrow anyway as I think it is going rain but we shall plan for that as and when we know. Overall I am confident that the Airwaves Ducati team will prepare the best possible package for me and I will perform to the best of my ability for them and the fans.’

Qualifying for round 10 of the British Superbike Championship takes place tomorrow, Saturday September 13th at 13.45pm.

Shane, who currently leads the championship by 110 points, is looking forward to getting back on the track after a frustrating bank holiday weekend.

‘Cadwell Park was a bit of a rude awakening for me, I know I came away with two 3rd places but I had to work really hard for them. Since returning home I’ve been cycling my legs off so I can be as fast as possible at Croft.’

Referring to the possibility of winning the championship at Croft Shane is understandably excited but is keeping his focus.

‘I am really looking forward to this weekend; obviously winning the championship at Croft is a possibility, and that would be fantastic, however I and the rest of the Airwaves Ducati team will be focused on the job at hand - which is to get as good a result as possible. Croft is not a favourite circuit of mine but I don’t dislike it either; it has not been particularly kind to me in the past but hopefully my luck might change there this year! I know I can’t afford to drop more than 10 points to Tom Sykes, so first up we are going to have to work hard to get the Airwaves Ducati to the front and then think about wrapping up the championship after that.’

Leon was pleased to be back in amongst the front runners in the last round and is feeling positive about the rest of his season;

‘With the progress we made over the weekend at Cadwell Park, I’m feeling really confident heading to Croft. We’ve worked hard to make a big step forward with the set-up on the Airwaves Ducati; I also feel that I am riding well so I’m looking forward to racing at the front of the field once again. I was disappointed not to have made it on to the podium last time out so I will kick up a gear for the Airwaves Ducati team at Croft.’

Round 10 takes place at Croft circuit in Yorkshire on Sunday September 14th.

The first few times over the mountain I was a bit cautious but once I got into the flow of things and started thinking about bike set up and gearing etc it totally took my mind off anything else. I’ve not had a good run of form of late but I felt back to my normal self at Cadwell and hopefully I’ll be able to end the season on a high note for myself and the Airwaves Ducati team.

I felt good throughout the weekend, it takes a little longer to find a decent race set up at Cadwell as it’s so different to any other race circuit that we go to and you need to try a number of things before the bike feels right around the entire track, each bit of the circuit is very different so in some places the bike may feel great and in others not so great. It’s all about trying to find a happy medium there.

My only niggling problem over the weekend was the tendonitis in my elbow seemed to reappear; I’ve not had it for a while but with Cadwell being so physical I think it may have triggered it again so I’m going to have to go and see my physio before Croft.

After Knockhill, Storka and I decided to go up to Fort William to have a play on the downhill mountain bike course. To say it was awesome was an understatement, although a little daunting we thought we’d give it our best shot. Dangerous and scary spring to mind but we were up for the challenge. I’ve been out doing loads of cross country cycling recently and really been getting into it. So we thought whilst we were up north we’d give it a bash. I had a few good rides down the course and felt half in control; Storka on the other hand was having a fight with the track, with the track winning! I looked round at one point to find him doing a triple summersault over the handlebars off his bike and rolling down the rest of the hill – it looked painful – rather him than me!! There are times you wish you had a video camera with you and that was one of them!

We’ve got a few weeks off before Croft now so I’m off back home to Kent, do a bit more cycling and spend some time with my trainer before coming back up north again.

Thanks to everyone for their comments in the guestbook for Cadwell, much appreciated.

Catch you later

Leon

From the front and second rows of the grid, Shane and Leon dropped to 5th and 7th at the start of race one. As the leading pair pulled away, both Airwaves Ducati riders quickly became involved in a four way battle for 3rd. After successfully making his way up to 4th, Shane worked hard to overtake the Honda of Cal Crutchlow on lap 11 with Leon doing the same just 2 laps later to eventually finish 3rd and 4th respectively.

In a reduced distance second race Shane and Leon each lost a place off the start but this was quickly made up again after a rider fell in front of them. At the start of lap 6 Leon pulled out from the slipstream of Michael Rutter to take 4th and quickly caught his Airwaves Ducati teammate. On lap 10 Leon passed Shane for 3rd only to be pushed back down to 4th one corner later. Although able to catch the two frontrunners, neither Shane nor Leon could improve on another 3rd and 4th place finish.

Leon was pleased with his results saying, “To be back in amongst the front runners feels great and I am really happy. I was hoping to get onto the podium, especially in the second race, but the fact that I’m riding better and the Airwaves Ducati 1098R set-up has improved, is a result in itself. I managed to knock four tenths of a second off my time and actually posted the fastest time in the final sector which includes the mountain! So I’m feeling confident now heading to Croft.”

Following race two Shane commented, “I really like Cadwell Park and I thought it would be a good circuit for us on the Airwaves Ducati but it’s actually been a tough weekend. We’ve had to work so much harder and make a lot of changes from session to session but all credit to the Airwaves Ducati team for helping me get two podiums today. I really want to get back on that top step and I think that had the second race been the original 18 laps I could have won. Nevertheless I’m looking forward to Croft and hopefully taking the momentum and the pace from race two with us.”

Race One Results:
1. Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda
2. Tom Sykes – Rizla Suzuki
3. Shane Byrne – Airwaves Ducati
4. Leon Camier – Airwaves Ducati

Race Two Results:
1. Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda
2. Tom Sykes – Rizla Suzuki
3. Shane Byrne – Airwaves Ducati
4. Leon Camier – Airwaves Ducati