British Superbike, Round 12,
Donington
Park Grand Prix Circuit
Text courtesy Team Suzuki.
Edited by webBikeWorld
Race Results
September 23, 2007 - Rizla Suzuki's Chris 'Stalker' Walker put on a
determined display of riding in today's 12th round of the Bennetts British
Superbike Championship at Donington Park, finishing with superb fourth and
sixth places results.
Stalker, starting from second on the grid, got the hole shot
and led both races from the off.
In the first event he struggled with front grip and dropped
back to sixth; in the second race he spent 20-laps competing for the podium
and was in contention right until the checkered flag, eventually finishing
fourth.
Cal Crutchlow showed enormous promise during the practice
sessions but his luck ran out in the races.
In the opener he was less than a second from the lead and
battling for his first podium when he found a false neutral and ran into
Ryuichi Kiyonari with both falling off.
In the second race he was comfortable in fifth when he was
forced to retire.
Ducati's Leon Haslam won both races.
Rizla Suzuki is back in race action at the 13th and final
round of the 2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch in
Kent on Sunday, October 14th.
Chris Walker: "It's been a good day at the
races and I am completely exhausted after trying my heart out. The
second race was great and frustrating, I really wanted a podium here in
front of my home fans but it wasn't to be despite my Rizla Suzuki working
exceptionally well and doing what I wanted the whole race.
"I've one more chance to show what I can do at Brands Hatch
in three weeks time and it is a favorite circuit of mine . I want to end the
season on a high note and hope to see the Stalker fans there - it's going to
be entertaining."
Cal Crutchlow: "After feeling comfortable and
able to run at the front all weekend, race day has been a bit of a
disappointment. I am sure I could have got on the podium so crashing
out while less than a second from the lead has gutted me a bit. The
second race was equally disappointing when I was forced to retire from
fifth.
"It's onwards and upwards for me though and I can't wait to
get to the final round and challenge at the front again. My Rizla Suzuki is
right on the pace and I still want a podium more than anything to seal the
season."
Simon Buckmaster - Team Manager: "Well done to Chris
for such a spirited and impressive performance in race two. He really
got the crowd behind him leading both races and I think his fourth place got
the loudest cheer of the day."
"Cal had a promising but ultimately difficult weekend.
Rizla Suzuki and Cal will not be deflected though; the positives are strong
and point to a maturing Superbike rider who is now a regular top five
contender and just a whisker off gaining his first podium."
"It's been a successful weekend for Suzuki with Michael
Laverty winning the British Supersport Championship - congratulations to the
Relentless team; it deserves this and it proves just how good the Suzuki
GSX-R600 really is."
|
2007 British Superbike - Donington Park - Race
One Results |
|
1: Leon Haslam (Ducati) 30:37.871 |
|
2: Tom Sykes (Honda) +1.416 |
|
3: Shane Byrne (Honda) +1.626 |
|
4: Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) +9.214 |
|
5: Jonathan Rea (Honda) +12.034 |
|
6: Chris Walker (Rizla Suzuki) +15.515 |
|
7: Scott Smart (Kawasaki) +26.204 |
|
8: James Haydon (Kawasaki) +28.661 |
|
9: Michael Rutter (Kawasaki) +33.019 |
|
10: Steve Plater (Yamaha) +54.844 |
|
DNF: Cal Crutchlow (Rizla Suzuki) |
| |
|
Race Two Results |
|
1: Haslam 30:35.829 |
|
2: Sykes + 0.056 |
|
3: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +3.416 |
|
4: Chris Walker (Rizla Suzuki) +7.132 |
|
5: Lavilla +12.299 |
|
6: Byrne +16.567 |
|
7: Rea +16.672 |
|
8: Rutter +34.428 |
|
9: Plater +34.841 |
|
10: Karl Harris (Honda) +46.036 |
|
DNF: Cal Crutchlow (Rizla Suzuki) |
| |
|
Championship Positions (after 12 of 13 rounds)
|
|
1: Kiyonari 404 |
|
2: Rea 367 |
|
3: Haslam 363 |
|
4: Lavilla 318 |
|
5: Byrne 283 |
|
6: Sykes 270 |
|
7: Chris Walker (Rizla Suzuki) 206 |
|
8: Leon Camier (Honda) 199 |
|
9: Tommy Hill (Yamaha) 135 |
|
10: Cal Crutchlow (Rizla Suzuki) 125 |
Qualifying
Rizla Suzuki is ready and raring to go racing at the penultimate round of
the 2007 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Donington Park in
Derbyshire this weekend after a three-and-a-half week break from track
action.
Cal Crutchlow piloted his Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 to his best
ever Superbike results at Cadwell Park at the last round in August with a
fourth and fifth and is looking to make the elusive step onto the podium at
the challenging 2.5-mile long Donington Park.
"I feel that I am riding better than ever and my Rizla
Suzuki is doing everything I want," explained Cal.
"For the last few rounds we have made very few changes and
my results have been getting better and I think it will be more of the same
this time out. I want a podium finish before the end of the season and
will be doing all I can to achieve it at Donington Park."
Rizla Suzuki racer Chris "Stalker" Walker joined Cal at a
test at Donington Park in May as part of the Bikefest Show and was
marginally faster than his team mate on the day.
He said: "The test we had at Donington earlier in the year
was very useful. Our lap times were fast despite a lack of rubber on
the track and we left with a good set up on my Rizla Suzuki.
"I have two races left to show exactly what I can do on a
Superbike and I want to get back on the podium for Rizla Suzuki and all the
Stalker fans. Donington is my home track and one I am familiar with
from World Superbikes so it's a big opportunity for me and the team."
Rizla Suzuki Team Manager Simon Buckmaster is enthusiastic
about the team's chances at the Derbyshire track that is famous for hosting
the British round of the MotoGP Championship. He said: "Rizla Suzuki
is revved up to get back on track and racing again. We feel as though we are
in the ascendancy and have a real shot at the podium in the two final
rounds."
Rizla Suzuki's Chris "Stalker" Walker took his best
qualifying position of the season securing second place on the grid at the
12th round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Donington Park
today.
Stalker spent three practice sessions building up his
effort, slashing his lap times every outing on circuit.
He started strong in qualification but left his best effort
to the final minutes, setting a blistering pace at the 2.5-mile long
twisting and challenging circuit.
Cal Crutchlow was vying for the top spot on the time-sheets
during every session and was challenging again in qualification but was held
up by traffic on his quick laps, eventually ending up fifth fastest and
heading up the second row.
Honda's Tom Sykes took pole position.
Chris Walker: "I am absolutely delighted to have
secured my first front row of the season. Every session we made small
improvements and kept going faster and during qualification I just threw
everything I had at it and second on the grid is just what my Rizla Suzuki
team deserves for all their hard efforts this weekend.
"It's the podium or bust for Stalker tomorrow as I am more
determined than ever to get good results for my home fans."
Cal Crutchlow: "Qualification did not go to plan,
between traffic on the circuit and my qualifying tires I didn't really get a
clean lap to go for pole position. I ended up setting a series of quick
times on a race tire instead.
"The good thing is I was right on the front row pace using a
tire that will last 20-laps while many others could only record those times
on two-lap sticky qualifiers. My race pace is good and the podium
remains my number one target."
Simon Buckmaster - Team Manager: "After a test at
Donington Park earlier in the year, we always knew Chris was going to be
strong and quick here. He's proved his speed today and is looking forward to
the races and fighting for the top honors.
"Cal has been impressive all weekend and his qualifying
position belies a race pace that is second to none. With a bit of luck he
will get on the podium tomorrow - he certainly has the bike and ability to
do so - it's what step of the podium is the next question!"
|
2007 British Superbike Round 12
Donington
Park Grand Prix Circuit - Qualifying |
|
1: Tom Sykes (Honda) 1:30.901 |
|
2: Chris Walker (Rizla Suzuki) +0.154 |
|
3: Leon Haslam (Ducati) +0.208 |
|
4: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +0.284 |
|
5: Cal Crutchlow (Rizla Suzuki) +0.354 |
|
6: Jonathan Rea (Honda) +0.498 |
|
7: Shane Byrne (Honda) +0.658 |
|
8: Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) +0.719 |
|
9: Karl Harris (Honda) +0.788 |
|
10: Michael Rutter (Kawasaki) +1.052. |
