BSB heads to Scotland The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship arrives in Scotland for the annual event this weekend (14/15/16 June) as Knockhill (Fife) gears up for the biggest event of the racing season. The opening three rounds have produced three different race winners and Samsung Honda’s Alex Lowes leads the standings ahead of this weekend by just a single point after his Oulton Park victory. The Lincolnshire young gun is the only rider to have finished each race on the podium so far and is aiming for his first Superbike win at the Knockhill circuit. Lowes said: “I can’t wait to race the Samsung Honda again. It has been nice to have the break and I am ready to come back strong at Knockhill. The team have been working hard and we want to try and keep scoring podiums consistently as that is what we will need when it comes to the Showdown. We are in a good position and I am focused on having fun and getting some good results.” Defending champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne for the first time this season is in the chasing pack, but the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider knows the 1.27-mile circuit has been one he has celebrated success in the past. “Knockhill I am sure will produce some good battles and we will be trying to get some more wins for the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team as we want to be back on the top of the podium,” said Byrne. Tyco Suzuki’s Josh Brookes will be pushing for his first win of the season as the Australian returns to MCE British Superbike Championship action, whilst Brands Hatch race winner James Ellison onboard the Milwaukee Yamaha is also sure to be a contender for the victories. Buildbase BMW’s Jon Kirkham and James Westmoreland have both come close to scoring the manufacturer their first podium finish in MCE BSB and Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s Chris Walker could spring a surprise on his title rivals. MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings: 1. Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) 117 2. Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 116 3. Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 96 4. James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) 71 5. Jon Kirkham (Buildbase BMW) 68 6. Chris Walker (Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki) 43 — Knockhill round to celebrate BSB legend Steve Hislop The late Steve Hislop will be celebrated at Knockhill as the event will carry his name and commemorate his racing achievements on the 10th anniversary of the year of his passing. Hislop was renowned for his extraordinary riding talent and remains one of the most successful riders in BSB history. To celebrate his life and accomplishments there will be a special ride around during the weekend featuring his iconic Cadbury’s Boost Yamaha. Former on track rival and team-mate Niall Mackenzie and former protégé Stuart Easton on a replica Monstermob Ducati will take part in the lap. — Motorpoint Glasgow preview Knockhill event Ahead of this weekend, Motorpoint, the UK’s leading car supermarket, will be giving fans the chance to join racing stars and their racing machines at a preview evening on Thursday 13 June. Motorpoint Glasgow will host an exclusive preview where fans can meet the riders for autographs and photos including Easton, the Lloyds British GBmoto Honda team of Dan Linfoot and Peter Hickman plus the Niall Mackenzie and racing sons Taylor and Tarran. The free event is open to all, getting underway from 17:30 – 19:00. — British Supersport Preview Just two points separate Stuart Easton from Motorpoint British Supersport Championship leader Alastair Seeley as the fight for the title reaches Knockhill this weekend (14/15/16 June) and the Martrain Yamaha rider is hoping he can turn the standings around at his home round. Hawick’s Easton returned to the Supersport class this season and has scored four wins and a second place in the six races so far, but Gearlink Kawasaki’s Alastair Seeley has a second title in his sights and won’t give an inch in his quest to maintain his record of podium finishes in each of the opening six races. Easton said: “I am really looking forward to Knockhill as it is my home round and that one is always pretty special as I get a lot of local support. We have started the season well and we obviously want to continue that; it has been nice for me to adapt so quickly back to Supersport and I think that is a testament to the Martrain Yamaha team with all their hard work. The last two rounds have been really hard fought and after we had a good test last week I think we can only move forward.” Gearlink Kawasaki’s Ben Wilson and Smiths Racing Triumph’s Billy McConnell both will be targeting their first wins having scored podium finishes already this season, but defending champion Glen Richards knows that he has to push hard at Knockhill to close the points’ deficit to his rivals. Samsung Honda’s Jason O’Halloran and Graeme Gowland on the Seton Tuning Yamaha will also be pushing for podium finishes after missing out at the opening three rounds. Taylor Mackenzie will also be hoping that the home crowd will give him the boost he needs for Tyco Suzuk. Motorpoint British Supersport Championship standings: 1. Alastair Seeley (Gearlink Kawasaki) 122 2. Stuart Easton (Martrain Yamaha) 120 3. Billy McConnell (Smiths Racing Triumph) 98 4. Ben Wilson (Gearlink Kawasaki) 74 5. Graeme Gowland (Seton Tuning Yamaha) 62 — Milwaukee Yamaha Preview The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship resumes this weekend as the Milwaukee Yamaha team head north to Knockhill in Scotland for the fourth round of the season with both James Ellison and Josh Waters aiming high after the recent break. Ellison arrives at the event fourth in the standings and eager to add to his podium finishes so far this season. The Kendal rider has celebrated a top three finish at each of the opening three rounds and is determined to close in on his title rivals in the two races this weekend. Waters heads to Knockhill aiming to improve on his top ten finishes so far this season at a track he was fortunate enough to ride during the break between rounds. The reigning Australian Superbike champion is feeling positive after completing some laps at the circuit on a road bike and is keen to score highly in his quest to move up the order in the overall standings. Ellison said: “I have spent some time back in Texas during the break and I am ready to come back focused for Knockhill. I have had a mixed start to the season with three podiums at the first three rounds, but also some bad luck which hopefully is over now. I know we have the package and when it all comes together we will really be able to show our true potential. I can’t wait to get back out on track now and try to get good, solid results in both races for the Milwaukee Yamaha team this weekend.” Waters said: “I feel good about the next round as I have missed riding. I was lucky enough to be able to ride Knockhill during the break on a Yamaha R6 with Niall Mackenzie so at least I know where I am going! The Superbike will obviously be different, but I am really looking forward to getting back out on the Milwaukee Yamaha. I think Knockhill has some similar characteristics to the tracks back home so hopefully we can improve on what we have done so far this season.” — Samsung Honda Preview After a five week break away from racing, Samsung Honda heads to Scotland this weekend for the fourth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship as Alex Lowes leads the overall standings by a single point and team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari aims for improvement. After a positive test at Knockhill prior to the Oulton Park round last month, the team is feeling confident as it heads to the Fife Circuit. Lowes arrives in Scotland intent on maintaining his recent form having celebrated podium finishes in each of the six races so far, including his first win for Samsung Honda at Oulton. Team-mate Kiyonari is hoping that the Knockhill round – where he has previously scored podium finishes – will mark the turning point in his season. In the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship Jason O’Halloran is aiming to build on his best result of a fourth place at Oulton Park and score some all-important the points to elevate himself higher in the standings. Havier Beltran – Team Manager – “Samsung Honda is feeling ready for the Knockhill round after a few weeks off. At Oulton Park, Alex was on fire and we obviously want to carry that momentum into this weekend and continue to make progress throughout the weekend. For Kiyo there have been some big changes and this will hopefully give him what he needs to return in a better position at this round. The team had a test at the circuit last month so we hope to arrive in a stronger position. In the Supersport class Jason completed around 150 laps at the test, so like Alex and Kiyo, we hope that this means the areas we have needed to work on will have improved ready for this weekend.” Alex Lowes – “I can’t wait to ride the Samsung Honda again as it feels like ages since Oulton Park and I have really missed it! It has been nice to have the break and I have been training hard so that I am ready to come back strong at Knockhill. The team has been working hard and we want to try and keep scoring podiums consistently as that is what we will need when it comes to the Showdown. We are in a good position and I am focused on having fun and getting some good results at Knockhill.” Ryuichi Kiyonari – “It has not been easy so far but I never give up and I want to have better results at Knockhill. We had a test there before Oulton Park and we made more changes. I want to come back faster and get good results for Samsung Honda.” Jason O’Halloran – “It will be good to get racing again as it feels like we can start the season again after a tough first few rounds. At Oulton Park we were able to get the best result of the season with a fourth and be fighting for the podium and that was much closer to where we need to be. We have been playing around and making me more comfortable on the bike and that gave me real confidence at the last round and that showed with the result. We had a good test at Knockhill and that should put us in a good position ready for the weekend.” — Mutton signs on with Seton Tuning Yamaha Seton Tuning Yamaha is pleased to announce the signing of James Mutton ahead of the fourth round of the 2013 MCE British Superbike Championship at Knockhill this weekend (14-16 June). The 22-year old former Australian 125GP champion from Brisbane in Queensland, Australia will make his debut at Knockhill for the team on board the Yamaha YZF-R6 in the Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championship. Phil Seton, Team Principal: “We are very pleased to welcome James onboard. This is his first season competing in the British Championships, so there is no pressure on him to bring in the results. I hope that he will be able to learn the circuits during the remainder of this season in order to post a serious challenge on the 600 Superstock crown next year.” James Mutton: “I really can’t thank the Seton Tuning Yamaha Team enough for helping me out and getting me on one of their bikes for the remainder of the season. After a really difficult start to my year I can’t wait to get to Knockhill, meet all of the team members, and get back on track with a bike and team that are proven race winners. It will be a case of steady away for Knockhill with limited time on the Yamaha. However, I’m hoping for a solid result that I can build on for the rest of the season. I would also like to thank my personal sponsors; Dixon Homes, Brisbane Motorcycles, Moto National, and Ice Decoding for their continued support with myself and now the Seton Tuning Yamaha Team.” James Mutton Rider Profile Age: 22 DOB: 24-7-1992 Hometown: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Occupation: Motorcycle Racer Hobbies: Cycling, Mountain Biking, Motocross, Training and keeping fit in general. Racing Career 2012: Australian 600 Superstock Championship (10th) 2011: Australian 600 Superstock Championship (7th) 2010: Australian 125GP Championship (1st) 2009: Australian 125GP Championship (5th) 2008: Australian 250/4-stroke Championship (3rd) 2007: Australian Junior Road Race Championship (2nd)