BSB heads to Oulton Park
The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship returns to Cheshire this May Bank Holiday weekend (4/5/6) for the biggest motorsport event in the North West. Some of the world’s leading riders will resume their quest for one of most sought-after titles in the sport!
Tens of thousands of spectators will descend on the spectacular Oulton Park circuit near Little Budworth as defending champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne continues his bid for a fourth MCE BSB title. An international grid includes Josh Brookes (Australia), Ryuichi Kiyonari (Japan) and PJ Jacobsen (USA), but the British contingent including Alex Lowes, James Ellison and Chris Walker will also be targeting victory in Cheshire.
Byrne said: “Thruxton ticked some boxes in terms of winning the most races but I can’t rest on my laurels and with the chance of a fourth title we will be aiming for even more wins at Oulton Park!”
The event marks the home round for Ellesmere Port’s Jenny Tinmouth; the fastest female in motorcycle racing is aiming high this weekend with plenty of local support, plus the Todmorden-based MH Kawasaki team with Frodsham-born rider Howie Mainwaring are keen to have a strong pair of finishes to improve in their debut season. In the support classes Steve Brogan (Liverpool) and Joe Francis (Chester) are targeting more podiums in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 and Monster Energy Motostar Championships respectively.
In addition to the two MCE BSB races contested on main raceday (Monday) there will also be racing from the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship, the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 and 600 Championships, the Monster Energy Motostar Championship and the one-make Triumph Triple Challenge.
Fans can meet the riders during a free of charge pit walk on Monday’s raceday and big screens around the circuit mean you won’t miss any of the action. New for 2013 there are also two new grandstands at Old Hall and Lodge which offer stunning views, plus a new pedestrian bridge giving spectators better access around the circuit than ever before.
Championship standings after Thruxton:
1:Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 91
2:Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) 76
3:Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 66
4:James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) 51
5:Jon Kirkham (Buildbase BMW) 42
6:James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) 27
Motorpoint British Supersport Championship standings after Thruxton:
1. Alastair Seeley (Gearlink Kawasaki) 77
2. Stuart Easton (Mar-Train Yamaha) 75
3. Billy McConnell (Smiths Racing Triumph) 66
4. Ben Wilson (Gearlink Kawasaki) 65
5. Graeme Gowland (Seton Tuning Yamaha) 41
