Ryuichi Kiyonari answered the hurry-up call from his HM Plant Honda team by taking a winning double in the seventh round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship to move into close contention for the title.

The Japanese rider was hard pressed to hold off the close attention of Leon Haslam, who might have snatched the opening race had there been a further lap, and then profited from the stoppage in the second race as officials dealt with the heavy crash involving James Haydon and Dean Thomas.

Haslam had to settle for second best on the re-start, but, as his Airwaves Ducati team-mate, the defending champion, and series leader Gregorio Lavilla crashed out took some consolation as he moved within 38 points of the championship lead.

The young Derbyshire rider had shattered the Norfolk circuit records as he claimed his third pole start of the season, at an average speed of 108.95mph, but it was Kiyonari who made the perfect get-away in the opener, with his team-mate Karl Harris running close behind.

But, the Sheffield rider came to grief on the fourth lap, taking a battering that would keep him out of the second race. Lavilla moved second, but only briefly as Haslam charged ahead, and then in a close and frantic duel held him off and then eased some five seconds clear.

Jonathan Rea took fourth place on the Red Bull Honda, ahead of the Stobart Hondas of Michael Laverty and Michael Rutter who had Tommy Hill sandwiched in between them, while James Haydon, Rizla Suzuki, Billy McConnell, Virgin Mobile Yamaha and the Vivaldi Suzuki of Ben Wilson completed the top ten.

Kiyonari again made the break at the start of the second race, but Haslam was upping his game and the power, hounding the Honda rider, swapping the lead before the Ducati man made the telling move, inching clear.

The race was on. Kiyonari bettered the lap record but Haslam held the advantage, just, while behind them Lavilla was having a tough time to take first Hill and then Rea, but, as the action was racing was reaching boiling point the red-flags came out as Haydon and Thomas tangled at the Esses – both needed hospital treatment.

On the re-start, Kiyonari grabbed the initiative, with Lavilla taking Haslam, and Rea running fourth ahead of Laverty and Rutter but next time around, the Spaniard, suffering nothing more than dented pride, crashed for a second time over the weekend.

The Audi Safety Car was brought out while the bike was moved, and then Rea tumbled out. Haslam was able to close in on Kiyonari, but the Japanese rider held him off as the action resumed for real and after eight hard fought laps he was enjoying his fourth success of the campaign.

“Bike very fast, very happy with win,” he smiled as he moved within two points of Haslam, who was both pleased and disappointed with his results. “It is frustrating to finish second twice again – it is time that I was winning races, but at least I have pulled back points on Greg.

“Kiyo rode very well and did me again in these races, but I am happy with my riding and had some good battles, so, all in all I am feeling good.”

Hill took his first podium finish of the season, third, ahead of Laverty, Craig Coxhell who finally had the better of British Superbike Cup rider Chris Martin who took sixth place aboard his PR Branson Honda, just ahead of Scott Smart, Vivaldi Suzuki, Glen Richards with Jon Kirkham ninth aboard the Rizla Suzuki.

The Derby rider had been given the chance to ride the factory bike – Shane Byrne’s spare machine – after the former champion had suffered concussion in a heavy, high-speed in the opening minutes of Friday’s free practice.

Martin, who had completed a daily double, now leads the British Superbike Cup points 232-186 over James Buckingham, who crashed out of the opening race at Coram, but bounced back to take second place next time out.

Suzuki Report

Rizla Suzuki's James Haydon is in hospital undergoing medical examination after a high speed crash during today’s second race at the seventh round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Snetterton in Norfolk.

James’s injuries followed Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne’s high speed crash on Friday, which left him unconscious and unable to take part in the racing. Suzuki privateer Superbike racer Jon Kirkham stood in for Shakey at short notice.

In the opening race James, riding with an injured left shoulder sustained at Mallory Park two weeks previously, brought his Rizla Suzuki home in a fighting eighth place while Jon crashed out unhurt at the fast Coram Corner mid-race.

Jon finished 9th in a shortened restarted second race while James collided with Kawasaki’s Dean Thomas and crashed heavily. At time of going to press James was being transferred to Norwich and Norfolk hospital for further examination. Honda’s Ryuichi Kiyonari won both races.

Shakey attended the races today to support the team. He is still stiff and sore after the crash during first practice on Friday that knocked him out and caused him to miss the races but should be fully fit for the next round of the Championship.

There is now a four week gap in the British Superbike racing calendar with the next round being held at Knockhill in Scotland on July 17th. Rizla Suzuki will test at Croft early in July.

Jon Kirkham:
“In the first race I had passed a couple of riders and was ninth when I lost the front going into Coram. It was completely unexpected and another rider crashed immediately after me, so it may have been something on the track.

“In the second race restart I thought my bike had jumped out of gear on the start line and looked down to my dash. I was in gear but by the time I looked up the race had started and everyone else was moving. I struggled to find my rhythm after that and to end up ninth is okay. It’s my best result of the season but was assisted by a lot of riders falling.

“Thank you to Rizla Suzuki for this opportunity to race on its GSX-R1000. I’ve really enjoyed working with the team, learnt a great deal and the bike is extremely fast so it’s been a good experience for me.”

Robert Wicks, Team Manager:
“This has been one of Rizla Suzuki’s toughest weekends. Shakey’s crash on Friday was unfortunate as he was knocked out and therefore excluded from the races on medical grounds. However, he was also very lucky to come through a 187mph crash with no more damage than a couple of bruises and mild concussion.

“James rode all weekend with a painful left shoulder injury and showed great courage to qualify seventh and then take eighth in race one. In race two he crashed heavily at the Esses and was transferred to hospital for further examination. The doctors will be examining him thoroughly, particularly his left shoulder and left ankle for injury. Our thoughts are also with Dean Thomas who was admitted to hospital following the crash.

“The Rizla Suzuki racers have been through the mill this weekend at a round where we expected to be competing for top honours. The team will be giving every support possible to both riders as they recover from their injuries.

“Thanks to Jon Kirkham for standing in for Shakey at short notice this weekend and doing a professional job. The team is pleased he managed to score his best result of the season to date and will be following his progress for the rest of the year with interest.

“I’d like to thank the loyal Rizla Suzuki fans who attended the racing this weekend for their support. It’s during tough times like these that the support of the fans really counts.”