2007 British Superbike Motorcycle Racing

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.