British Superbike Championship - Final - Donington Preview
| Donington Park plays host to the final two rounds of this year’s
British Superbike Championship with Neil Hodgson and Niall Mackenzie aiming
to finish the 2000 series on a high note.
The INS Ducati riders have both been hitting the headlines for different reasons this week. Neil Hodgson has just signed a new contract to ride for GSE Racing next year, as the team has confirmed its permanent entry to the 2001 Superbike World Championship, while Niall Mackenzie announced that he will be retiring from motorcycle racing after Sunday’s two 22-lap races at the Leicestershire circuit. “There’s been a lot of reaction to my decision to call it a day,” said Mackenzie, “but the time is right and it will be great to finish my racing career at Donington Park. A lot of people have asked me what will be going through my mind before the races on Sunday, but I’m just going to go out there and enjoy myself, and hopefully finish on a high note for the team. I’ve had tons of success at Donington in the past, it’s one of my favourite circuits and I’m still really looking forward to racing there this weekend. It’ll be business as usual though, and I’m going all out to get the best result I can, as well as help Neil if necessary.” Neil Hodgson is still in with a chance of taking his first British Superbike
title, despite a crash in the previous round at Brands Hatch, which leaves
him trailing championship leader Chris Walker by 21 points, with a possible
50 still remaining. The 26-year-old has been offered full factory machinery “I’ve got nothing to lose at Donington Park,” said the Burnley rider, “and I won’t be giving up while there are still points up for grabs. All I can do is try to win both races and leave the rest down to fate. It’s great that the final round is taking place at Donington because it’s one of my best tracks and I secured the National Circuit lap record last year. I also tested the factory Ducati there last Friday, which went very well and I’ll be doing my very best to give the team the results it deserves.” Suzuki's Chris Walker will be out to stop the Ducati rider from getting the better of him. Anthony Gobert now has a better handle on the Virgin Yamaha and should be recovered from the disappointment of falling on oil when leading the last race at Brands Hatch. There are currently 4 Australians in the top 6 of the British SuperSport Championship and if Jim Moodie has a very bad weekend while McCarthy has a very good weekend then there is still a chance the Australian can take the SuperSport Title. In SuperStock it is a similar story with 2 Aussies in the top 4. Glen Richards needs the Yamaha men (Jefferies/Llewellyn) to have a bad weekend and himself to have a good one if he is to take that title. SuperBike Championship positions after 11 rounds (22 races) SuperSport
Championship Points |