Tag Archives: Peter Hickman

Hickman joins BMW FIM EWC Team for Le Mans 24 Hour

Hickman gets last minute call up for Le Mans

The BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team will receive support from a big name in the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family at the “24 Heures Motos” in Le Mans (FRA). Peter Hickman (GBR) will be the fourth rider for the #37 BMW S 1000 RR in Le Mans. He joins the team and its three regular riders Kenny Foray (FRA), Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR) and Markus Reiterberger (GER) at short notice.

I’m really excited to be part of the official BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team this weekend in Le Mans”, said Hickman. “The team is fighting for the world championship and I am privileged to have been asked to contribute to the team. I have raced at three Le Mans 24-hour races before and have also raced at Slovakia, Suzuka and Qatar. So I’m not new to endurance and have always enjoyed the experience. I can’t wait to get out on the bike!”

Hickman and BMW Motorrad Motorsport have enjoyed success together for many years. The 33-year-old has won four races at the Isle of Man TT on the BMW S 1000 RR and has also won the Macau Grand Prix on three occasions.

The Englishman has also enjoyed success on the racetrack with his regular team, Smiths Racing. In the British Superbike Championship (BSB), he has secured one of the six coveted places in the “Showdown” for the title in each of the past three years. He also rode for the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team at Donington Park (GBR) in the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) in 2019.

Marc Bongers – BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director

After the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team’s successful start to its debut season, we have had to wait a very long time to finally go racing again. However, we have used the break to continue to develop the endurance version of our RR. The tests in July at Le Mans were very positive. We are well-equipped and can hardly wait to take on the challenge that is the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Anything can happen in endurance racing, so it is difficult to make any predictions before the race. However, we have done our homework and are looking to build on what we achieved at Le Castellet and Sepang.”

BMW Motorrad Motorsport. FIM Endurance World Championship FIM EWC.

The 2020 24 Heures Motos will be flagged off at 12pm this Saturday on the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans. Despite the absence of spectators, the teams are all set to race what is the third round of a 2019-2020 FIM Endurance World Championship thrown into utter disarray by the global health crisis. The race will be held closed doors for the first time since 1978, with all participants and organizing staff following strict hygiene precautions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The stakes will be even higher at the 2020 24 Heures Motos following the cancellation of the Bol d’Or and the Suzuka 8 Hours. The season finale will now play out in Portugal on 26 September at the 12 Heures d’Estoril for both the world championship title and the Superstock World Cup.

At the 24 Heures Motos, a maximum of 65 points are available for the win, with bonus points for pole position and for being in the lead 8 hours and 12 hours into the race.

At the 12 Heures d’Estoril, which as the championship final will now benefit from the bonus of 150 per cent of the points at the finish line, another 67.5 points will be available in total: the points for the win, for pole position and for the leader 8 hours into the race.

SERT GSX-R1000 riders Etienne Masson, Gregg Black and Xavier Simeon currently lead the series – recently revised from five to four rounds after the cancellation of the Suzuka 8 Hour Race in Japan.

There are a mere 15 points separating the top two teams in the provisional rankings, Suzuki Endurance Racing Team and BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team. The next two teams, Wójcik Racing Team and YART Yamaha, are 31 and 36 points respectively behind the leader. VRD Igol Pierret Experiences, who are 48 points behind, also have strong ambitions, as do some of the factory teams who were unlucky in the early part of the season. Webike SRC Kawasaki France Trickstar are 49 points from the leader and F.C.C. TSR Honda France with Aussie Josh Hook are 54 points behind, while Team ERC Endurance have to make up a 67-point gap to take their Ducati Panigale to the top of the standings.

FCC TSR Honda Sepang
F.C.C. TSR Honda riders are Mike di Meglio, Freddy Foray and Australian Josh Hook.

Thanks to their victory last time out, Mandy Kainz’s Yamaha team return to France for the latest round of the 2020 EWC championship lying fourth in the overall classification, just behind fellow Yamaha squad, Wojcik Racing. The team will be aiming to take more points at this weekend’s event; the YART Yamaha team has had previous success at the 2.6-mile French circuit, standing on the top step in 2009 and has claimed a further four podium finishes.

Sepang Hour YART Trophy
YART Yamaha won the Sepang 8 Hour

The team will field their highly experienced line-up with the first Italian FIM EWC Champion and 2017 Le Mans 24 hour winner, Niccoló Canepa, partnered with 2016 IDM Superbike Champion and previous Endurance race-winner Marvin Fritz, and former Red Bull Rookies and European Moto3 champion, Karel Hanika, who will make his first proper start with the YART Yamaha YZF-R1 at the renowned 24-hour event.

Mandy Kainz – Team Manager – YART

For us it is going to be quite a strange race, racing in front of empty grandstands for 24 hours, but it is what it is and we’re more than ready despite not having as much pre-event testing as normal. The biggest challenge will be for our riders because, in such a long Endurance race, you’re always chasing motivation to continue, and a lot of that comes from the fans. Still, our riders are very professional and will be able to give it their all. For Le Mans, we aim to return to the championship and pick up good points to put us in the title fight at the finale in Estoril. It is a must to finish the 24-hour event if we want to be within a chance of the title in this strange year. I know we can do a good job because we have an amazing package; the bike, the Bridgestone tyres and our riders are all very strong, so I know we can do a good race.”

The Wojcik Racing Team come into Le Mans looking to fight back from a non-finish in Sepang. The team will once again run British Superbike rider, Gino Rea, Frenchman Axel Maurin, Australian Broc Parkes and Polish rider Maceli Bezulski. The polish-based Yamaha team are determined to fight for the podium to keep themselves within a title chance come the season finale in Portugal.

ARRC Sepang Test SBK Parkes
Broc Parkes

The Moto Ain Yamaha World Cup Supported Team’s trio of riders, Roby Rolfo, Robin Mulhauser and Hugo Clere will be looking to protect their lead in the Independent team and FIM World Cup standings. They currently lead the independent championship by 14 points over Wojcik Racing Team, in a Yamaha top-five lockout.

Completed in 1966, the famous 4.185km Bugatti circuit located in north-western France has seen various changes to the course. The current layout has been in use since 2008 and provides spectacular racing. Its high and low-speed corners mixed with heavy braking zones, fast changes of direction and unpredictable weather are what makes Le Mans and the 24 Heures Motos one of the most challenging and rewarding events on the calendar.


Source: MCNews.com.au

360º videos put you in rider’s seat

These amazing 360º videos of British Superbike rider Peter Hickman put you in the rider’s seat like no other on-board video we have seen before.

A few weeks ago he posted this video of him doing two laps of Snetterton Circuit, Norfolk, during a free practice session in June 2019.

Then he followed it up a couple of days ago with this video shot during the second BSB practice session at Thruxton in April 2019.

360º camera

We must admit we are bored with the abundance of on-board action videos, but this 360º view is something else.

It was shot using a Insta360 ONE X camera positioned on the headstock of Hickman’s BMW S 1000 RR where the view swivels completely around.

Insta360 ONE X 360º cameraInsta360 ONE X 360º camera

Ok, it’s not exactly in the rider’s seat, but the camera provides the most unique view of riders we have seen.

Most importantly the videos show the amount of stress and strain on the rider and how much a racer really moves around in his seat.

The Insta360 One X costs about $A750 and combines the options of 4K and 360º lenses.

It also has FlowState stabilisation so the image isn’t blurred by the vibrations from the bike.

AI-powered features include auto-follow, auto-frame and auto-edit.

It measures just 115 x 48 x 28mm and weighs only 115g. It’s capable of shooting 5.7K footage at 30fps.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Peter Hickman confirms Yamaha for Supersport TT campaign

Hickman to race YZF-R6 in Supersport

Gloucester-based Smiths Racing and Peter Hickman have swapped their Supersport Triumph Peter HickmanDaytona 675 for a Yamaha YZF-R6 in 2020, adding the 600cc machine to their already confirmed plans for the Superbike, Superstock and Lightweight classes where they will campaign BMW S1000RR and Norton Superlight machinery respectively.

The team have enjoyed a long and successful period with the Triumph 675 including winning the British Supersport Championship on two occasions, with Australians Glen Richards and Billy McConnell, as well as taking Isle of Man Supersport TT race victories with Hickman and Gary Johnson. Hickman’s win in the second Supersport TT race of 2019 followed four successive podium finishes around the Mountain Course whilst he also took a hat-trick of wins last year at the Ulster Grand Prix.

IOMTT Supersport R Peter Hickman
Peter Hickman – Supersport TT 2019

However, due to the lack of new parts to update the Triumph compared to the new generation Yamaha, they have decided to switch to Yamaha power in 2020, with the R6 being a much more up-to-date machine as well is being a consistent race winner in both the British Supersport Championship and at the International road races.


Peter Hickman

“We’re all really looking forward to 2020 and having the official BMW support for the first time is a big thing for us as we’re a privately-run, small team so to get that recognition is absolutely fantastic and nothing short of what, I feel, the team deserves – what we’ve achieved over the last three years has been pretty epic! We’re also running the Norton Superlight and carrying out all of the development work on the 650 Superlight which the team have already got in pieces and set to work on to hopefully turn the bike into a race winner at the TT.

“Finally, we’ve made the decision to change from the Triumph to the Yamaha in the Supersport class for the International road races which will obviously be a bit different to the last three years. We’ve had an awesome time with the Triumph and it’s been absolutely brilliant with the win at last year’s TT and all three victories at the Ulster Grand Prix being phenomenal. The little Daytona has done a fantastic job but, unfortunately, it’s a little bit long in the tooth now so to try and move with the times and keep up with what everyone else is doing we’ve decided to move over to the Yamaha. I’ve never actually raced an R6 before so I’m really looking forward to jumping on it to see what we can do.”

Peter Hickman
Peter Hickman on the Triumph at the 2018 Supersport TT

The move completes their assembly of machinery for the 2020 season where they will be the official BMW-supported team for the International road races with Hickman again favourite for race honours in the Superbike and Superstock classes having been victorious at the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix last year.

The team will also contest the Lightweight races with Hickman riding the Norton 650 Superlight which debuted in 2019. Hickman and Smiths Racing took delivery of the bike before Christmas and will now spearhead the development of the machine as they look to build upon the 8th place and 120mph lap recorded at last year’s Isle of Man TT.

IoM TT Hickman ImgRichardSykes
Peter Hickman on the Norton in 2019 – Image by Richard Sykes

Hickman will also line-up for the team in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship where he will campaign the BMW S1000RR for a fourth successive season alongside team-mate Alex Olsen.


Darren Jones – Team Manager

“It wasn’t an easy decision for us to change from Triumph as they have been faultless in aiding us all the way through our roads campaign in 2019 but unfortunately, as the bike is no longer in production, we have been struggling to get the parts we need and feel like we are at the maximum when it comes to development. Therefore, 2020 will see us take on a fresh challenge and we feel that’s what’s needed to give Hicky a fighting chance. A big thanks to Steve at Raceways Yamaha for pulling out all the stops in getting us the R6 before Christmas, the boys have started already!

“That completes our machine line-up for the season ahead and with a year behind us with the BMW S1000RR and factory backing we are much better prepared than in 2019. The Norton project is another fresh challenge in the Lightweight class but our firm aim is to demonstrate the skill and experience of our team to turn this machine into a podium contender.”


Rebecca Smith – Team Principal

“We’ve enjoyed a wonderful journey with Triumph Motorcycles, having won two British Championships and two Isle of Man TTs. The support that they have shown us over the last seven years has been fantastic and for that we are extremely grateful. We now look forward to the new challenge with Yamaha and we are extremely hopeful of adding to our success already achieved in the Supersport division.”


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Source: MCNews.com.au

Hickman to race IoM on ‘heavy’ Norton Superlight

Peter Hickman to return to Isle of Man on Norton Superlight


It has been confirmed that Louth-based Peter Hickman will return to the Isle of Man TT races in 2020, racing the Norton Superlight in the Bennetts Lightweight Race, with the bike this time prepared and run by his own Smiths Racing Team.

BSB Rnd Donington DYeomans Peter Hickman AROA
Peter Hickman – Image by David Yeomans

The five-time TT Race winner joined John McGuinness and Davey Todd for a three-pronged assault with the new 650cc Norton Superlight in 2019 but was only able to complete two qualifying laps ahead of the shortened two lap race. While his Norton teammates both retired from the race, Hickman came home in a strong eighth position and posted a fastest lap at an impressive average speed of 120.260mph.

The decision for the bike to be prepared and run by the Smiths Racing team in 2020 allows the Norton factory to focus solely on increasing production of their road bikes.

Development of the Superlight race bike moves to Smiths Racing, but the team are no strangers to producing a race winning machine in a short space of time after taking victories in the 2019 RST Superbike and RL360 Superstock TT Races despite late delivery and little testing with the new BMW S 1000 RR.

The Lightweight Race has become a fiercely competitive class in recent years and the 32-year old is clear in his objectives.

Peter Hickman

“It handles really well which is especially important with the lightweight bikes. They don’t have much horsepower so they need to be able to turn properly and the bike did that immediately. Of course, there are things we need to change. It’s really heavy – heavier than my superbike – because it’s still a road bike and a lot has to be done to make it lighter. I think the podium is realistic and the win would be the cherry on top. I don’t go into anything thinking that we can hopefully finish sixth! The reason we’re doing this is because I feel the bike has potential. If I didn’t feel that, I wouldn’t be doing it.”

IoM TT Hickman ImgRichardSykes
Peter Hickman – Image by Richard Sykes

Success for Hickman and the Norton Superlight would undoubtedly hold extra significance for the Lincolnshire man, after his father Dave Hickman played a key part in the success of the JPS Norton team and the iconic rotary-engined bikes of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.

Now with bikes for six different races at the 2020 Isle of Man TT Races, could Hickman be the first man in TT history to claim six TT victories in a single week? It’s not impossible!

Source: MCNews.com.au

Peter Hickman peerless at 2019 Ulster Grand Prix

Saturday Race Reports


Superstock Race

Peter Hickman romped to his third victory at the 2019 Ulster Grand Prix when he dominated proceedings in a heavily delayed Daly’s Superstock race on Saturday afternoon.

Ulster GP Sat Peter Hickman AJ
Peter Hickman

Heavy rain and mist in the morning meant it was 12.45pm before any track activity took place but when racing did get underway, the Smiths Racing BMW rider disappeared into the distance to eventually win by 24.2s from Davey Todd with Conor Cummins in third.

Hickman grabbed the lead the minute the lights went green but it was a disaster for fellow front row starter Lee Johnston who dropped all the way back to tenth whilst Jamie Coward, fourth in qualifying, pulled in at the end of the warm-up lap.

Hickman’s lead over Todd on the Penz13.com BMW at the end of the first lap was only half a second as Dean Harrison slotted into third but as soon as he crossed the line he sat up and raised his hand to retire. It was close for fourth though as Michael Sweeney, David Johnson, Derek Sheils and Cummins were locked in battle.

Second time around and Hickman doubled his advantage and it was now Johnson on the Honda that was in third with Cummins moving into fourth ahead of Sheils, Sweeney and the recovering Johnston. Michael Dunlop, who started from the second wave, was up to eighth.

On lap three, Hickman pulled the pin and a lap of 122.830mph, the fastest of the race, saw his lead jump to five seconds but further back, Cummins overhauled fellow Honda rider Johnson for third. The battle for fourth continued to rage though with Johnston continuing to move forward.

The final two laps saw Hickman extend his advantage considerably as he lapped more than five seconds a lap quicker than Todd but the latter had a comfortable gap over Cummins and was able to ease off. The Manxman had left the group behind him as just half a second covered Johnston, Johnson, Sheils and Sweeney.

Hickman duly took the chequered flag for his third win of the week, and ninth UGP win in total, with Todd taking his first UGP podium in second. Cummins again finished third with Johnston rueing what might have been as he took fourth.

Sheils, Johnson and Sweeney were close behind with Dunlop taking eighth ahead of David Jackson and Brian McCormack.

Superstock Race – Saturday

  1. Peter HICKMAN BMW 21:54.056
  2. Davey TODD BMW +24.239
  3. Conor CUMMINS Honda +29.792
  4. Lee JOHNSTON BMW +34.003
  5. Derek SHEILS Suzuki +34.171
  6. David JOHNSON Honda +35.880
  7. Michael SWEENEY BMW +36.579
  8. Michael DUNLOP BMW +1:16.308
  9. David JACKSON BMW +1:23.029
  10. Brian McCORMACK BMW +1:24.238

Supersport Race 2

Peter Hickman’s dominance of this year’s Ulster Grand Prix continued on Saturday afternoon when he swept to victory – his fourth of the meeting – in the opening Supersport race on the Trooper Beer by Smiths Triumph.

Hickman moved ahead of Davey Todd on the run towards Leathemstown on the first lap and never looked back, eventually coming home 8.3s clear of the Ashcourt Racing Yamaha of Lee Johnston. Todd held onto third despite suffering from a lack of vision.

Hickman’s lead over Todd was 1.37s at the end of the first lap with Johnston 0.8s further back in third and Todd’s Milenco by Padgetts Honda team-mate Conor Cummins well in contention in fourth. Jamie Coward slotted into fifth ahead of Michael Sweeney whilst Mike Norbury was having a great ride from the second wave and was up into eighth.

Lap two and with the clear road ahead of him, Hickman’s lap of 118.835mph saw him extend his lead to 4.63s but it was Johnston who was now in second as Todd’s steamed up visor saw him drop into the clutches of Cummins. Coward was now in a lonely fifth as Sweeney and Derek Sheils disputed sixth.

A new fastest lap of 119.242mph on lap three enabled Hickman to double the gap to Johnston who had now pulled clear of the battle for third which saw Todd and Cummins split by less than half a second.

Hickman went quicker still on the fourth of five laps, 119.329mph proving to be the quickest of the race, and he eventually ran out victor by 8.3s from Johnston who, like Thursday, took another second place.

Todd edged out Cummins by the miniscule margin of 0.042s and with Coward safe in fifth, Sheils got the better of Sweeney on the final lap to take sixth.

Frenchman Xavier Denis had another good ride into eighth with Dominic Herbertson and Brian McCormack completing the top ten. Norbury slipped back to 11th, a good result nonetheless, with American Patricia Fernandez taking a solid 16th place.

Whitemountain Centre Supersport Race Result

  1. Peter HICKMAN Triumph 18:45.386
  2. Lee JOHNSTON Yamaha +8.306
  3. Davey TODD Honda +10.135
  4. Conor CUMMINS Honda +10.177
  5. Jamie COWARD Yamaha +20.956
  6. Derek SHEILS Yamaha +39.230
  7. Michael SWEENEY Yamaha +39.736
  8. Xavier DENIS Honda +1:02.100
  9. Dominic HERBERTSON Kawasaki +1:02.331
  10. Brian McCORMACK Yamaha +1:10.206

Superbike Race 2

Peter Hickman equaled Phillip McCallen’s 23-year old record of five wins in a meeting at the Ulster Grand Prix when victory in Saturday’s feature Superbike race maintained his 100% winning record at this year’s event.

Ulster GP Sat Peter Hickman AJ
Peter Hickman

The Smiths Racing BMW rider had to work a bit harder on this occasion than his two previous races on Saturday but once he’d seen off the early challenge of Dean Harrison, he edged away to win by an eventual 3.018s. Harrison slipped back to third before overhauling Conor Cummins on the last lap.

It was the Silicone Engineering Kawasaki rider who got the holeshot but his lead over Hickman at the end of the first of the six laps was only 0.117s with Cummins only half a second further back in third. They’d made a bit of a break over fourth placed Derek Sheils as Lee Johnston made his now customary slow getaway and dropped as low as tenth.

Hickman grabbed the lead going into Rock Bends with Cummins also getting past Harrison, this time on the high speed run through Budore, and a lap of 123.603mph gave Hickman a 2.1s lead at the end of the lap. Only 0.4s separated Cummins and Harrison as Sheils maintained fourth ahead of Johnston and Davey Todd.

By half race distance, Hickman’s lead had more than doubled to 4.7s, aided by a lap of 125.517mph but he was given a warning by the damp conditions as the rear wheel stepped out as he rounded Dawson’s onto the start and finish.

Harrison had moved back up to second only for Cummins to regain the runners-up spot along the Flying Kilo on the fourth lap and as they continued to battle, Johnston closed in rapidly.

As the race entered its final stages, spots of rain began to fall once more and with his lead having got as high as six seconds, Hickman eased back slightly on the final lap to win by more than three seconds. It was his fifth win of the meeting and 11th Ulster GP win in total, which is already the joint fifth highest total of all time.

The battle for second went all the way to the line but with the fastest lap of the race, 126.321mph, it was Harrison who got the verdict from Cummins by 0.865s, the Manxman taking his third podium of the week.

Johnston took fourth with Todd taking fifth as Sheils slipped back slightly to sixth. David Johnson had a relatively lonely ride into seventh as Frenchman Xavier Denis’s excellent week continued with eighth. David Jackson and Mike Booth completed the top ten.

MMB Surfacing Superbike Race Result

  1. Peter HICKMAN BMW 21:32.926
  2. Dean HARRISON Kawasaki +3.018
  3. Conor CUMMINS Honda +3.883
  4. Lee JOHNSTON BMW +9.392
  5. Davey TODD BMW +16.094
  6. Derek SHEILS Suzuki +19.370
  7. David JOHNSON Honda +29.822
  8. Xavier DENIS Honda +44.882
  9. David JACKSON BMW +1:03.992
  10. Mike BOOTH Kawasaki +1:11.728

SuperTwins Race

For the second time in three days, the Supertwins class at the Ulster Grand Prix served up a thrilling race as Christian Elkin and Joseph Loughlin disputed the win throughout the five laps but on the sprint to the line it was former double 125cc British Champion Elkin that came out on top on the Dynobike Kawasaki by 0.078s!

The duo seized control from the outset and it was Loughlin who held the advantage on the Team ILR/Mark Coverdale Paton at the end of the first lap by 0.269s as Lee Johnston slotted into third on the Ashcourt Racing/KMR Kawasaki. Meanwhile, a three-way dice for fourth was taking place between Thursday’s winner Paul Jordan, Jamie Coward and Ian Lougher.

Loughlin added a tenth of a second to his lead on the second lap but on the third lap around the 7.4-mile Dundrod circuit, Elkin hit the front at Pullitt’s Gate and he held sway by 0.174s as they headed into the penultimate lap. Johnston remained in third but a charging Coward had left Jordan and Lougher behind as he began to close in on the Northern Irishman.

Elkin lapped at 115.700mph on lap four to extend his advantage to more than half a second but the fifth and final lap saw him and Loughlin exchange the lead on numerous occasions. The latter led going into the hairpin only for Elkin to ride round the outside of him at the Flowbog Crossroads.

A backmarker on the run in to the line gave Loughlin a chance but Elkin grabbed his fourth UGP win by just 0.078s as Loughlin took his second successive runners-up spot. Johnston upped his pace in the closing stages to see off Coward with Jordan just getting the better of veteran Lougher for fifth.

Michael Sweeney, Jonathan Perry, Ryan Gibson and James Chawke completed the top ten.

Maxwell Freight Services Supertwin Race Result

  1. Christian ELKIN Kawasaki 19:21.717
  2. Joseph LOUGHLIN Paton +0.078
  3. Lee JOHNSTON Kawasaki +11.364
  4. Jamie COWARD Kawasaki +11.796
  5. Paul JORDAN Kawasaki +41.036
  6. Ian LOUGHER Paton +41.098
  7. Michael SWEENEY Kawasaki +45.800
  8. Jonathan PERRY Kawasaki +46.083
  9. Ryan GIBSON Kawasaki +55.154
  10. James CHAWKE Paton +55.383

Supersport Race 3

History was made at the Ulster Grand Prix late on Saturday afternoon when Peter Hickman took a thrilling Supersport race win from Lee Johnston to become the first rider to win six races in a single meeting.

Ulster GP Sat First Supersport Race
Peter Hickman took both Supersport wins on Saturday

The pair were never more than inches apart and each led on a number of occasions but it was Hickman who prevailed on the Trooper Beer by Smiths Triumph to get the win at the end of the six laps by 0.145s.

Hickman suffered a bit of drama on the opening lap when the filler cap sprung open on a number of occasions but he still completed the lap in second place, only 0.169s behind Johnston on the Ashcourt Racing Yamaha. Jamie Coward was going great guns in third with the Padgetts Honda pairing of Davey Todd and Conor Cummins close behind.

The second lap saw the gap between the front two come down to 0.088s and they were steadily edging away from the three-rider battle for third with Michael Sweeney circulating in a safe sixth.

Hickman took the lead along the Flying Kilo on the third lap but by Wheeler’s Johnston was back in the lead and the gap at half race distance was even closer than the lap before at 0.066s! Todd had now moved ahead of Coward as Cummins kept a watching brief in fifth.

A lap of 126.007mph on lap four saw Johnston eke out his lead to 0.101s and there was now just three thents of a second between Todd, Coward and Cummins but all eyes were on the battle for the lead as it entered its closing stages.

Hickman again went ahead at Rock Bends on the penultimate lap only for Johnston to regain the lead but on the final lap, the Lincolnshire-based rider made the pass stick and although they were side by side on more than one occasion, he was able to hold on for his sixth victory from his six starts.

The gap at the end was only 0.145s and they were some 16 seconds clear of Cummins, who came through for third, at the chequered flag. Todd had to settle for fourth behind his team-mate with Coward in fifth and Sweeney sixth.

Dominic Herbertson, Xavier Denis, Joseph Loughlin and Tom Weeden rounded out the top ten.

Skegness Raceway Supersport Race Result

  1. Peter HICKMAN Triumph 21:19.582
  2. Lee JOHNSTON Yamaha +0.145
  3. Conor CUMMINS Honda +16.426
  4. Davey TODD Honda +16.435
  5. Jamie COWARD Yamaha +17.220
  6. Michael SWEENEY Yamaha +34.906
  7. Dominic HERBERTSON Kawasaki +55.553
  8. Xavier DENIS Honda +59.849
  9. Joseph LOUGHLIN Kawasaki +1:26.509
  10. Tom WEEDEN Yamaha +1:28.558

Superbike Race 3

Peter Hickman’s phenomenal run of success at this year’s Ulster Grand Prix ended exactly as it had started with the Smiths Racing rider taking Saturday’s second Superbike race to make it seven wins from seven starts.

With conditions the driest they had been all day, Hickman lapped at more than 134mph to win by almost seven seconds from Dean Harrison with Conor Cummins again in third.

The race got underway at 7pm and it was Harrison who got the jump off the line but Hickman soon moved to the front and he led at the end of the first of six laps by just over a second on the BMW S1000RR. Cummins slotted into third ahead of Davey Todd, David Johnson and Derek Sheils.

Second time around and a lap of 133.807mph saw Hickman double his advantage over Harrison with Cummins remaining in third and the trio had broken away from the rest of the field with Todd still at the head of the chasing pack.

He had David Johnson for close company whilst Derek Sheils, Brian McCormack, Jamie Coward and Michael Sweeney were locked in battle for sixth.

Another near 134mph lap on the third lap enabled Hickman to maintain his lead at half race distance but Harrison wasn’t letting him get away and with a lap only marginally slower, he kept the gap down to 2.195s.

However, Hickman put the hammer down on the fourth lap and despite the light beginning to fade, a lap of 134.504mph, the fastest of the race, meant his lead increased to 3.2s with just two laps to go.

Harrison and Cummins were comfortable in second and third but Todd and Johnson were still disputing third before the latter tipped off at the hairpin on the penultimate lap, fortunately without injury.

With spots of rain beginning to fall, Hickman brought the Smiths Racing BMW home to make it an unbelievable seven wins from his seven starts and he crossed the line 6.849s clear of Harrison with Cummins again having to settle for third.

Peter Hickman

“The team has been phenomenal and I can’t thank them enough. They have built me such a beautiful machine. All the bikes have been on point. Massive thanks to the team and to everyone!”

Ulster GP Sat Peter Hickman AJ
Peter Hickman

Todd had a lonely final lap to end his week with a good fourth place but the battle for fifth place went all the way to the end and it was Coward who came out on top from Sheils, Sweeney and McCormack, the quartet covered by just half a second at the chequered flag. Phil Crowe and Michael Booth completed the top ten.

Dave Johnson

“Ulster GP Done! All solid results in each race until the final Superbike Race… Bit of a racing incident went down with another rider on the penultimate lap at the hairpin while in fifth and lining up fourth. And I crashed.. Shit happens. I’m unhurt. Loads of positives to take away from the week. Next stop, Classic TT starting next week.”

Around A Pound Superbike Race Results

  1. Peter HICKMAN BMW 20:01.062
  2. Dean HARRISON Kawasaki +6.849
  3. Conor CUMMINS Honda +21.357
  4. Davey TODD BMW +38.476
  5. Jamie COWARD Yamaha +52.894
  6. Derek SHEILS Suzuki +53.213
  7. Michael SWEENEY BMW +53.281
  8. Brian McCORMACK BMW +53.333
  9. Phillip CROWE BMW +1:19.926
  10. Mike BOOTH Kawasaki +1:21.102

Source: MCNews.com.au

Peter Hickman talks about TT 2019 and his problems

Peter Hickman Interview

Peter Hickman had a stellar 2019 IoM TT, claiming a Supersport win, Superbike win and just when it looked as though he would complete a trifecta in the Senior TT, mechanical gremlins struck the Smiths BMW and forced him to relinquish his lead to Dean Harrison. Hickman masterfully nursed the bike home to second place and MCNews.com.au was there to hear him reflect on TT 2019 immediately after the Senior race on Friday.

IOMTT Senior Peter Hickman
Peter Hickman

Peter, what could have been…

Peter Hickman: “It is what it is, can’t change it now, what is done is done. We had a really good start to the race, I think we did 134mph something on the first lap and on lap two. Slowly ticked away, bike was working really good, handling really good. Unfortunately after the second pit stop this returning issue that we keep having on the full superbike, it just keeps chucking water out, it doesn’t get hot or anything, but just starts throwing water out at anything over 11,000rpm.

“Once I left the pits and went down Grey Hill it was chucking water out, so I just had to kind of manage it, and basically use half throttle and no more than 11,000 rpm. So that’s two laps, at 50 per cent throttle, that was not very fun I can tell you.”

IOMTT Superstock Peter Hickman
Peter Hickman

That had happened on some of the practice runs didn’t it? So you got all the way through the first four laps of racing, you must have thought it was out of the way…

Peter Hickman: “Honestly, no, we all had this inkling that it was possibly going to happen, we’ve had three different engines, four different radiators, numerous caps, bottles, you name it it’s been changed, three or four times.

“For some reason on the superbike it just keeps doing it. Our hands were tied unfortunately, after the Superstock race, with the chief scrutineer we pleaded with them that he could just come and seal the engine and strip it after the Senior, but pretty much told us bollocks, so big shout out to Dave for ruining my Senior.


IOMTT Senior Harrison Hickman
Peter Hickman and Dean Harrison in Parc Ferme – Senior TT 2019

** Dean Harrison interjects to say ‘I like Dave’ to the sound of much laughter, while Hicky laughingly jokes about a conspiracy **


“It is what it is, rules are rules, but I think sometimes a little bit of common sense needs to come into it, but it is what it is. The team did a fantastic job and did everything they could to make the bike right for us. It managed four laps, just couldn’t quite manage six, we are still on the podium, we’ve had an absolute unbelievable TT, to come away with the hat trick for a start, win on the Supersport bike is something I’ve been trying to get for a while now, we’ve done that, and a podium in the Senior so it’s not all bad.”

IOMTT Supersport TT Peter Hickman
Peter Hickman – Trooper Triumph 675 Supersport – Image Pacemaker Press

And you’ll take away the fastest lap of the meeting, the opening lap in 16m51.495s, 143.28mph.

Peter Hickman: “Yea it’s fast isn’t it, especially for the lack of practice it’s quick. But honestly the new S 1000 RR is just so, so good, it’s only just come out of the box. It’s still a new bike, so to do that with no practice really at all…  yeah next year is going to be good.”


You’ve been strong in every class.

Peter Hickman: “It’s my sixth year now I’m getting used to the place now, and learning there I’m going. Looking forward to coming back next year and having another crack. BSB next weekend so not too much rest, we will concentrate back on the BSB for the rest of the year now and of course the Ulster GP in August.”

IOMTT Lightweight TT Peter Hickman Norton Twin
Peter Hickman on the Norton Lightweight TT bike – Image by Richard Sykes

2019 Senior TT Results

  1. Dean Harrison / Kawasaki
  2. Peter Hickman / BMW +53.062
  3. Conor Cummins / Honda  +58.879
  4. Michael Dunlop / BMW +1m26.709
  5. James Hillier / Kawasaki +2m30.352
  6. Davey Todd / BMW +2m32.920
  7. Michael Rutter / Honda +3m03.571
  8. Jamie Coward / Yamaha +3m13.561
  9. Brian McCormack / BMW +3m49.971
  10. Dominic Herbertson / Kawasaki +4m09.262

Source: MCNews.com.au

Peter Hickman wins second Supersport bout at IOMTT

Monster Energy Supersport Race Two


Peter Hickman claimed his fourth TT Race victory at the Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy when he won Thursday’s two-lap Monster Energy Supersport TT Race, his first win in the 600cc category.

The Trooper Beer by Smiths Racing Triumph rider was locked in battle throughout the two laps with Dean Harrison (Silicone Engineering Kawasaki) but with his now customary charge over the Mountain on lap two, the Burton upon Trent rider edged to a win by 3.3s. James Hillier took third on the Quattro Plant Wicked Coatings Kawasaki.

Having originally been scheduled for 10.45am on Wednesday, the race, cut from four laps to two, eventually got underway at 12.55pm on Thursday and with dry conditions all round the Mountain Course, except for some sight damp patches at Laurel Bank, the Black Dub, Glen Helen, Kerromoar and Ramsey Hairpin, it was Hickman who led at Glen Helen on the opening lap.

IOMTT Supersport Race Dean Harrison
Dean Harrison

However, his lead over Hillier was just 0.06s and it was close across the leaderboard with Harrison, Gary Johnson, Lee Johnston and Jamie Coward filling third to sixth place positions as just two and a half seconds covered the top six. Ian Hutchinson was in trouble though with the Honda Racing rider retiring at Quarter Bridge.

It was all change at Ballaugh as Harrison took over the lead from Hillier and Hickman with the trio separated by only half a second but by Ramsey Hickman moved back to the top of the leaderboard. The gap was only 0.038s as Hillier dropped back to third, one and a half seconds adrift of Harrison.

The trio remained close as they went up and over the Mountain for the first time but an opening lap of 127.21mph gave Hickman a 2.3s lead over Harrison with Hillier just under a second further back in third. Conor Cummins and Coward had moved up to fourth and fifth as Johnston slipped back to sixth.

With no pit stop on this occasion, the riders went on to their second and final lap but Harrison’s strength on the opening sector could again be seen as he turned his deficit into a half second advantage as the riders swept round the left hander at Glen Helen. It looked to be a two-horse race as well as Hillier was now three seconds in arrears of Hickman.

By Ballaugh, Hickman had edged ahead again but it remained extremely tight with Harrison only three tenths of a second behind. Hillier dropped another second but stayed in third over six seconds clear of Cummins as Coward and Johnson completed the top six.

IOMTT Supersport Race James Hillier
James Hillier

As they arrived at Ramsey for the final time, the gap, amazingly, was almost exactly the same and, just like last year’s Senior race, it was all going to come down to the final run over the Mountain.

Through the Bungalow, Hickman had added another six tenths of a second to his lead and he’d increased it to 1.9s at Cronk ny Mona. Indeed, with the fastest lap of the race, 128.14mph, Hickman clinched victory by 3.302s for his first Supersport TT win.

IOMTT Supersport Race Peter Hickman
Peter Hickman

Harrison had to settle for second with Hillier taking another 600cc podium in third as Cummins finished in a safe fourth. Coward took his best ever TT result in fifth ahead of Dunlop with Davey Todd also having his best ever TT finish in seventh. Gary Johnson, Lee Johnston and David Johnson rounded out the top ten.

Hickman’s victory saw him extend his lead at the top of the Joey Dunlop TT Championship to 13 points and he now leads the way on 66 from Harrison (53) and Hillier (49).

Coward took his third successive maximum haul of points in the race for the TT Privateers Championship and he’s moved onto 75 points ahead of Derek Sheils (47) and Paul Jordan (45) who took 12th and 11th respectively in today’s race.

Matt Stevenson was reported to be off at Greeba Castle and was treated at the scene for a wrist injury.


2019 IOM TT Supersport Race Two Results

  1. Peter Hickman
  2. Dean Harrison +3.302
  3. James Hillier +7.856
  4. Conor Cummins +16.541
  5. Jamie Coward +20.998
  6. Michael Dunlop +42.628
  7. Davey Todd +43.123
  8. Gary Johnson +44.412
  9. Lee Johnston +47.016
  10. David Johnson +67.350
  11. Paul Jordan +76.646
  12. Derek Sheils +80.563
  13. Sam West +86.107
  14. Dominic Herbertson +90.277
  15. John McGuinness +96.058
  16. Michael Sweeney +113.963
  17. Horst Saiger +115.883
  18. Mike Browne +118.956
  19. Xavier Denis +143.255
  20. James Chawke +149.501

Best Lap – Hickman / 128.14 mph

Source: MCNews.com.au

Hickman declared Superbike TT winner after red flag

RST Superbike Race

After what had been a tumultuous first week of TT 2019, race action finally got underway at 1105 on Monday morning. Even Monday’s schedule had to be amended numerous times from the planned 1045 start. Firstly a medical emergency at Ramsey involving a member of the public put us back ten minutes as an ambulance was on course to attend that person. Then some problems with spectators at some parts of the course, and a motorcycle on fire at Creg Ny Baa added another small delay but Conor Cummins launched out of the hole at 1105 and TT 2019 was finally underway!

IOMTT Superbike Race Start David Johnson
David Johnson was cool as a cucumber ahead of the Superbike TT as his mechanics fuelled his bike only moments before the race start

Preparation for many of the Superbike runners had been problematic with the extremely limited track time. Any motorcycle problems had caused riders to miss an entire session, thus many of the riders participating in this four-lap Superbike TT had hardly completed a lap of the 37.73-mile Mountain Course.

IOMTT Superbike Race Start Conor Cummins
#1 Conor Cummins was the first rider off the start-line for TT 2019

Still, it would be fair to say that the smart money today would be on Peter Hickman or Dean Harrison. That form guide proved true early on with a 132.48mph from a standing start for Dean Harrison saw him take the lead early but Peter Hickman was only 1.088-seconds behind as they crossed the line at the end of that first lap.

Conor Cummins was in third place ahead of James Hillier and Michaell Rutter, while Michael Dunlop was sixth on the Tyco BMW ahead of Gary Johnson and South Australia’s David Johnson.

John McGuinness came in to the pits on the Norton at the end of lap one with an oil pressure light indicating that not all was well with the British machine.

IOMTT Race Superbike Dean Harrison
Dean Harrison

Dean Harrison was on fire and nudging sector record times to extend his lead over Hickman to almost five-seconds at Ballaugh Bridge on lap two. Shortly after that sector he passed Conor Cummins on the road, the Honda man had started first, ten-seconds head of Harrison, but the Kawasaki man had closed him down.

Peter Hickman was now wound up though and he clawed back those five-seconds on Harrison in that latter half of the second lap.

IOMTT Race Superbike Hickman Hutchinson
Peter Hickman

Conor Cummins had also got the better of Harrison between Ramsey and Bungalow, that tussle perhaps a factor in slowing down Harrison a little on that second lap.

Into the pits

Conor Cummins and Dean Harrison the first riders into the pits, but still out on course, after starting from #10, Peter Hickman was the new race leader ahead of his pit-stop. In the final sector before his pit-stop Hickman had extended his buffer out to a 1.78-second lead over Harrison.

David Johnson was up to seventh place on the Honda Racing Fireblade.

The final two laps…

Through the first split after the pit stops Hickman’s advantage had been trimmed to 0.690-seconds over Harrison, but the pit stops had seen the Kawasaki get away in front of Conor Cummins, who while just over ten-seconds behind him on time, was running with him on track, while holding down third place in the race.

IOMTT Race Superbike Cummins
Conor Cummins

Michael Rutter was in fourth place ahead of Michael Dunlop while David Johnson had moved up to sixth place. Lee Johnston then retired from the race.

Red Flag

An incident on the circuit at Snugborough, just before Union Mills, then caused officials to put the red flag out. It was some time before we got an update as to whether the race would be started again, or if it would be declared as results. They were past the halfway mark thus declaration was an option for officials. It was around 45-minutes later that officials finally made the call to declare the race, presumably the incident was very serious and the clean-up time deemed to be lengthy.


Peter Hickman declared winner

Results for the race were declared as at the end of lap two, at which point Hickman had a narrow lead over Dean Harrison.

Conor Cummins takes the final step on the subdued rostrum ahead of James Hillier and Michael Rutter.

Michael Dunlop finishes sixth ahead of David Johnson and Jamie Coward. Gary Johnson ninth and Davey Todd rounded out the top ten.

Peter Hickman also carded the fastest lap of the race at 132.947 mph.

RST Superbike Race Results

  1. Peter Hickman (BMW)
  2. Dean Harrison +1.782 (Kawasaki)
  3. Conor Cummins +9.345 (Honda)
  4. James Hillier +41.719 (Kawasaki)
  5. Michael Rutter +54.610 (Honda)
  6. Michael Dunlop +57.316 (BMW)
  7. David Johnson +70.145 (Honda)
  8. Jamie Coward +71.181 (Yamaha)
  9. Gary Johnson +77.645 (Kawasaki)
  10. Davey Todd +86.634 (BMW)
  11. Brian McCormack +86.983 (BMW)
  12. Sam West +88.818 (BMW)
  13. Ian Hutchinson +99.070 (Honda)
  14. Philip Crowe +110.337 (BMW)
  15. Lee Johnston +112.518 (BMW)

Source: MCNews.com.au

Brookes does the Oulton Park BSB double | O’Halloran 4-7

2019 BSB

Round Two – Oulton Park

Images by David Yeomans Photography

Josh Brookes was on form at Oulton Park BSB, claiming both Superbike race wins on the Be Wiser Ducati, firing himself up into the top six, with 50 championship points to his name, after a tough season opener, just 14-points off the current leaders.

BSB Rnd Oulton Park DY Josh Brookes AUYA
Josh Brookes

Brookes had been strong throughout the weekend as the 2015 champion arrived in Cheshire determined to make amends for a non-point score at the Silverstone season opener. The Be Wiser Ducati ace became the third different rider to claim a victory in 2019 as he held off Tommy Bridewell in the opening race. Ducati also became the third race-winning manufacturer so far this season, marking the first triumph for the new V4R.

Brookes and Bridewell made a breakaway at the front of the pack with the Oxford Racing Ducati rider shadowing the Australian throughout the 17 lap race but he couldn’t find the opportunity to make a pass and, despite piling on the pressure, the Be Wiser Ducati team emerged victorious.

BSB Rnd Oulton Park DY Tommy Bridewell AUYA
Tommy Bridewell

Jason O’Halloran had initially been holding third place over the opening laps but the McAMS Yamaha rider was soon under threat as Danny Buchan carved his way up the order from sixth to close in on the Australian by the tenth lap.

O’Halloran was defending but the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki rider was determined, made his move and gradually edged out an advantage to the finish line. The battle for fifth went down to the wire between Scott Redding and Peter Hickman, with the Bennetts BSB rookie holding off the challenges of the Smiths Racing BMW rider despite his circuit knowledge to claim a hard-fought fifth place.

BSB Rnd Oulton Park DY Jason O Halloran AUYA
Jason O’Halloran

Keith Farmer was the leading Tyco BMW to cross the finish line at the chequered flag, claiming seventh place as teammate Christian Iddon was forced to retire despite battling in the top five during the opening stages of the race.

At the start of the second race Brookes again launched to the front of the pack on the Be Wiser Ducati ahead of O’Halloran and Bridewell, but the Oxford Racing Ducati rider was instantly on the attack and on the second lap and moved ahead of the McAMS Yamaha.

BSB Rnd Oulton Park DY Danny Buchan AROA
Danny Buchan

O’Halloran was fighting hard but he was soon under pressure from Iddon and Buchan. Iddon edged the Tyco BMW down the inside at Old Hall on lap four with Buchan then diving down the inside at Lodge to push O’Halloran back down the order.

Redding was also on the move and he was shadowing O’Halloran for fifth place; which he grabbed on the run into Old Hall at the start of the sixth lap as Mackenzie closed in on the pair. Mackenzie was pushing his teammate and he also made a move as the Australian continued to push on despite still suffering from a shoulder injury from last week’s test.

BSB Rnd Oulton Park DY Scott Redding AROA
Scott Redding

As Brookes held off Bridewell for the win in the closing stages, Buchan celebrated his third consecutive podium finish for FS3-Racing Kawasaki, with Redding holding fourth after fending off the final push from Mackenzie over the closing laps.

BSB Rnd Oulton Park DY Superbike Overall Podium AROA
Josh Brookes claimed top Superbike honours at Oulton Park BSB
Josh Brookes

“It has been a really great weekend and the result that the Be Wiser Ducati team deserved and we can move on from Silverstone. Race one was a really positive start and then before race two I knew Tommy was going to be a big threat. But I was also a bit worried about Danny because I knew he’d come through the pack quite strong in race one, and in that race he was starting a lot further up the grid so I was thinking it could be the three of us battling out at front. I just wanted to try and stay clear of any trouble, and I knew Tommy was right behind me in both races. I just put as many fast laps together as I could, the race pace was a lot quicker in race two than race one, so I just looked at my board and I kept seeing plus zero. I knew that one of us (Bridewell) was going to have to break but finally I was able to get a little buffer and then it kind-of crept out so it made the end of the race a bit easier for me but this was a perfect weekend.”

BSB Rnd Oulton Park DY Josh Brookes AROA
Josh Brookes

Iddon claimed his best result of the season in sixth place for Tyco BMW ahead of O’Halloran and Farmer who battled with his McAMS Yamaha rival until the finish. Andrew Irwin managed to get the better of rookie Ryan Vickers in the closing stages to finish ninth ahead of the Superbike rookie.

Jason O’Halloran

“It’s good to score some points! I was really happy with fourth in race one, but in race two I struggled a bit and ended up seventh. We had to salvage as many points as we could after not scoring at Silverstone, but it wasn’t easy as unfortunately last week at the test I had a small slip off at Hizzy’s and fractured my right humerus just near my shoulder… I haven’t said a lot about it as I wanted to keep my head down and everyone focused on what we were doing, but riding Oulton Park with a slightly broken bone is not ideal. We’ve got a few weeks now before Donington, so I’ll keep on with the therapy, get fit and healthy and hopefully be back to full fitness.”

BSB Rnd Oulton Park DY Jason O Halloran AROA
Jason O’Halloran
Tarran Mackenzie

“It’s been a tricky weekend, race one was difficult as I out braked myself into Lodge on the first lap, making it hard work for myself as I re-joined 17th! I managed to finish eighth which wasn’t too bad and then had a better starting position in race two. I got stuck behind a rider for a bit too long, two or three laps, but once I got past I managed to chase after Jason, Christian and Scott and finally caught Scott, but I was a little bit too late to take fourth! Fifth place doesn’t sound great, but after the weekend I’ve had I’m happy with that. We’ve got a good feeling on the bike and I’m looking forward to my home round in a couple of weeks’ time.”

BSB Rnd Oulton Park DY Tarran Mackenzie AUYA
Tarran Mackenzie

BSB Superbikes Results

Pos Name Gap
1 Josh Brookes 27’07.841
2 Tommy Bridewell 0.204
3 Danny Buchan 3.543
4 Jason O’Halloran 7.307
5 Scott Redding 10.529
6 Peter Hickman 10.648
7 Keith Farmer 15.758
8 Tarran Mackenzie 16.147
9 Ryan Vickers 16.859
10 Josh Elliott 19.364

Pos Name Gap
1 Josh Brookes 28’38.183
2 Tommy Bridewell 2.686
3 Danny Buchan 7.035
4 Scott Redding 9.37
5 Tarran Mackenzie 9.614
6 Christian Iddon 12.572
7 Jason O’Halloran 16.142
8 Keith Farmer 16.171
9 Andrew Irwin 20.801
10 Ryan Vickers 21.027

  1. Tarran MACKENZIE (Yamaha) 64
  2. Tommy BRIDEWELL (Ducati) 64
  3. Danny BUCHAN (Kawasaki) 55
  4. Josh ELLIOTT (Suzuki) 52
  5. Josh BROOKES (Ducati) 50
  6. Scott REDDING (Ducati) 40
  7. Andrew IRWIN (Honda) 31
  8. Luke MOSSEY (Suzuki) 25
  9. Jason O’HALLORAN (Yamaha) 22
  10. Keith FARMER (BMW) 22
  11. Luke STAPLEFORD (Suzuki) 20
  12. Peter HICKMAN (BMW) 19
  13. Ryan VICKERS (Kawasaki) 18
  14. Dan LINFOOT (Yamaha) 16
  15. Christian IDDON (BMW) 15


Pirelli Superstock 1000

Richard Cooper took his third Pirelli National Superstock 1000 victory of the season with a last lap, last corner move on Taylor Mackenzie. Mackenzie launched off the line to be the early race leader but the Buildbase Suzuki of Cooper had found a way past by lap three and set about building a small lead over the pursuing pack.

BSB Rnd Oulton Park DY Billy McConnell AROA
Billy McConnell had to settle for fifth

A string of fast laps from Mackenzie however saw the Bathams BMW rider close up, re-taking the lead on lap ten before Cooper took it back just two laps later. Coming down to the final lap, Mackenzie was back into the lead but a move into the final corner saw Cooper take the victory by just 0.148s. Alex Olsen was able to secure third place ahead of Lee Jackson and Billy McConnell.

BSB Rnd Oulton Park DY Pirelli National Superstock Championship Podium AROA
Pirelli National Superstock 1000 podium – Oulton Park

Aussies Levi Day claimed 21st, with Brayden Elliott 27th.

Levi Day

“Wasn’t our race today! Damp but drying track with everyone on wets. A rider infront of me spun out on the grid and I had to take avoiding action, just clipping him but fortunately missing big impact. I lost a heap of positions and dropped down to 29th. Managed to fight back to 21st, not how we had hoped the race would go but did my best after the start drama! Big thanks to my team at IN Competition Aprilia and all my sponsors, AJN Steelstock and everyone in my corner! We will continue working hard for round 3 at Donington in three weeks time!”

BSB Rnd Oulton Park DY Levi Day AROA
Levi Day
Brayden Elliott

“Difficult weekend from start to finish. Letting myself down with poor qualifying making for such hard work to push forward during the race. With the help of my team I’m confident we can pin point a few areas to focus on and improve at Round 3!”

BSB Rnd Oulton Park DY Brayden Elliott AUYA
Brayden Elliott

Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Results

  1. Richard COOPER GBR Suzuki 24:29.311
  2. Taylor MACKENZIE GBR BMW +0.148
  3. Alex OLSEN GBR BMW +0.683
  4. Lee JACKSON GBR Kawasaki +4.309
  5. Billy McCONNELL AUS Suzuki +15.042
  6. Luke HEDGER GBR Kawasaki +24.909
  7. Lewis ROLLO GBR Aprilia +25.420
  8. Tom NEAVE GBR Honda +27.602
  9. Andrew REID GBR BMW +31.173
  10. Joe COLLIER GBR Kawasaki +31.395
    …21. Levi DAY AUS Aprilia +1:03.053
    …27. Brayden ELLIOTT AUS Suzuki +1:19.010

  1. Richard COOPER 71
  2. Taylor MACKENZIE 63
  3. Alex OLSEN 58
  4. Lee JACKSON 39
  5. Eemeli LAHTI 26.5
  6. Tom NEAVE 26
  7. Lewis ROLLO 25
  8. Luke HEDGER 24.5
  9. Billy McCONNELL 21.5
  10. Leon JEACOCK 12
    …14. Levi DAY 8


British Supersport

Jack Kennedy cemented a perfect weekend at Oulton Park, completing the double in the Dickies British Supersport Championship; his fourth win from four races. In a carbon copy of yesterday’s Sprint race, the Appleyard Macadam Integro Yamaha rider controlled the race from the opening lap, steadily pulling away to take victory by 2.387s and extend his lead at the top of the standings to 20 points.

BSB Rnd Oulton Park DY SSP Jack Kennedy AUYA
Jack Kennedy leads the Dickies Supersport

It was an action-packed battle for the final podium slots behind him though as Alastair Seeley and Brad Jones swapped paint every lap as they vied for second place whilst Kyle Ryde was in close contention in fourth. A red flag on lap 11 prevented a last lap showdown, leaving Seeley to take second, Jones third whilst Ryde was again the leading GP2 machine.

BSB Rnd Oulton Park DY SSP Alastair Seeley AUYA
Alastair Seeley

Jamie Perrin was the second of the GP2 machines in fifth overall, ahead of Harry Truelove, Lee Johnston and the third GP2 bike of Sam Wilford.

BSB Rnd Oulton Park DY SSP Podium AUYA
Dickies Supersport Podium Oulton Park

Dickies British Supersport Results

  1. Jack KENNEDY IRL Yamaha 19:40.668
  2. Alastair SEELEY GBR Yamaha +3.601
  3. Brad JONES GBR Yamaha +3.682
  4. Kyle RYDE GBR Kalex +18.658
  5. Harry TRUELOVE GBR Yamaha +24.965
  6. Jamie PERRIN GBR Chassis Factory +25.752
  7. Josh OWENS GBR ABM Triumph +27.241
  8. Kurt WIGLEY GBR Yamaha +29.757
  9. Bradley PERIE GBR Yamaha +30.198
  10. Charlie NESBITT GBR Yamaha +30.263

  1. Jack KENNEDY IRL Yamaha 16:25.641
  2. Alastair SEELEY GBR Yamaha +2.387
  3. Brad JONES GBR Yamaha +2.578
  4. Kyle RYDE GBR Kalex +3.269
  5. Jamie PERRIN GBR Chassis Factory +16.259
  6. Harry TRUELOVE GBR Yamaha +16.989
  7. Lee JOHNSTON GBR Yamaha +17.656
  8. Sam WILFORD GBR Honda +26.171
  9. Bradley PERIE GBR Yamaha +26.854
  10. Richard KERR IRL Triumph +27.546

  1. Jack KENNEDY 100
  2. Alastair SEELEY 80
  3. Brad JONES 64
  4. Harry TRUELOVE 45
  5. Lee JOHNSTON 37
  6. Richard KERR 34
  7. Bradley PERIE 29
  8. Kurt WIGLEY 28
  9. Ben WILSON 23
  10. Tom OLIVER 21

Source: MCNews.com.au

Josh Brookes tops FP at Oulton Park | O’Halloran P7

2019 BSB

Round Two – Oulton Park – Free Practice

Images by David Yeomans Photography

Josh Brookes topped free practice at Oulton Park, with the 2015 champion claiming the fastest times at each of the opening two Bennetts British Superbike Championship free practice sessions at the Cheshire circuit, upping his pace in the afternoon to end the day with the edge over Danny Buchan by 0.723.

BSB Rnd Oulton Park FP Josh Brookes AROA
Josh Brookes – Oulton Park BSB 2019

The opening session had been interrupted with red flags, but Brookes was unfazed and continued to improve his pace, despite Danny Buchan moving ahead several times during the opening free practice before the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki rider ended the session third fastest.

BSB Rnd Oulton Park FP Danny Buchan AROA
Danny Buchan – Oulton Park BSB 2019

The 45 minute afternoon session saw all the positions change in the closing minutes with Brookes heading back to the top, positing a time on his final one that would cement his position at the top as he became the only rider to lap in the 1m:34s barrier, 0.723s ahead of Buchan.

Josh Brookes – P1

“It has been a good day. I am not surprised with the lap time because I’ve been there before, or close to that. The fastest I’ve been here before was actually in a race and I did 34.4, which is a lap record, so to do 34.3 is a PB, which is great. But Jake Dixon did 33.7 last year so there’s still areas to gain and still room to improve. Without Jake being here on his bike from last year and showing what the gauge is, I don’t know if that’s even achievable. Maybe a 33.8 is possible, a 33.7 isn’t, I don’t know. At the moment I know that the bike’s not perfect, there’s definitely more edge grip to be found because I had it in this morning but we’ve gained a load of drive grip so I’ve got to decide which way is better – to go in search of more edge grip or ride with the bike as it is and work on other little details and see if that helps, so that’s where we’re at.”

BSB Rnd Oulton Park FP Josh Brookes AROA
Josh Brookes – Oulton Park BSB 2019

It has been a strong session for the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki team with Buchan building on his experience at the recent test to maintain his position inside the top five with Peter Hickman again repeating his impressive performance on the Smiths Racing BMW to hold third place, having also had a stint at the top of the times in the earlier stages of the session.

Luke Mossey was again the fastest of the OMG Racing Suzuki riders, holding off Tommy Bridewell and Christian Iddon in the closing stages as he improved his pace on the final run of the second free practice session.

BSB Rnd Oulton Park FP Peter Hickman AROA
Peter Hickman – Oulton Park BSB 2019

Earlier in the day Jason O’Halloran bounced back from his crash at last week’s test to finish fourth fastest in the opening session for McAMS Yamaha, holding off Tommy Bridewell who continued to move up the order for the Oxford Racing Ducati team.

Jason O’Halloran had to settle for seventh fastest in FP2 however, as the leading McAMS Yamaha as he bids to make amends this weekend after a double non-points score last time out at Silverstone, while Ryan Vickers continued to build momentum in his rookie campaign with the RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki team in eighth place.

Jason O’Halloran – P7

“It was nice to get back on the bike after the test last week. I feel good and my body is good. We’re just working through chassis settings and trying different things with the bike as I’m still learning about the Yamaha and looking to find the sweet spot around here. We learned a lot today and I expect to make a step forward in the morning, so I’m not too stressed.”

BSB Rnd Oulton Park FP Jason OHalloran AROA
Jason O’Halloran – Oulton Park BSB 2019

Tarran Mackenzie was back inside the top ten in this afternoon’s session holding off Keith Farmer who completed the top ten, edging out joint championship leader Josh Elliott, Bradley Ray on the leading Buildbase Suzuki and Scott Redding on the second Be Wiser Ducatis.

Ben Currie took P13 in FP1 , but while having a good session crashed at Shell and sustained a fracture to his left leg, and is currently undergoing checks on his leg and foot in Stoke Hospital.

BSB Rnd Ben Currie watching the timing ImageDaveYeomans
Ben Currie fractured his leg, ending his weekend at Oulton Park

Fraser Rogers also crashed during the opening session at Water Tower, sustaining a fracture to his right arm.

BSB Superbikes FP1/FP2 Results

Source: MCNews.com.au