Rizla Suzuki racers - Suzuki Marine

VALUABLE START FOR RIZLA SUZUKI
Mar 26, 2006
Team Suzuki Press Office – March 26, 2006.
Rizla Suzuki racers James Haydon and Shane ‘Shakey’
Byrne scored valuable points in both races at the opening
round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at
Brands Hatch Indy circuit.
In the first dry race, Byrne battled to sixth while Haydon
recovered from a poor start to claim 10th. The race was
cut short after 20-laps when Ducati rider Leon Haslam
suffered a spectacular crash going into Paddock Hill bend.
He was unhurt and his Ducati team mate Gregorio Lavilla
won the race.
The second race started in damp conditions and the
weather played havoc with tyre choice for all teams. Both
Rizla Suzuki racers started with intermediate front and
slick rear tyres anticipating the weather to improve but the rain continued to fall throughout the 30-lap race. Both riders
showed immense control and maturity with Haydon coming home in seventh and Shakey in 11th as Honda’s Ryuichi
Kiyonari won the race.
Defending Champion Lavilla heads the Championship table and the Rizla Suzuki racers are equal seventh.
Rizla Suzuki races at Donington Park in Derbyshire at the second round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship on
April 9th.
James Haydon:
“In the opening race on the second lap I went into the left hander at Surtees too fast when my tyre wasn’t up to full
temperature and ended up grass tracking. I lost six or seven places and then spent the rest of the race fighting back. I got
to 10th before the race was cut short and I’m frustrated because I think I could have got another couple of positions if it
had gone full distance.
“Race two was hideous because of the damp conditions. Like most of the rest of the field, I picked the wrong tyres and
ended up riding a restrained and controlled race to score points in seventh. My confidence is building and I’m keen to get
back on the bike as soon as possible.”
Rizla Suzuki racers
James Haydon and
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne
scored valuable points
in both races at the
opening round of the
Bennetts British
Superbike
Championship at
Brands Hatch Indy
circuit.
Rizla Suzuki’s Shane
‘Shakey’ Byrne will
start from eighth on
the second row of the
grid for tomorrow’s
opening two races of
the Bennetts British
Superbike
Championship at
Brands Hatch Indy
circuit in Kent.
Rizla Suzuki’s James
Haydon was ninth and
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne
10th after the opening
day of practice for the
2006 British Superbike
season, held in variable
weather conditions at
Brands Hatch Indy
circuit in Kent.
Shane Byrne:
“The first race was very positive and gives us an indication of where we are in relation to the rest of the field. The second
race was hard because of the conditions and I also got a terrible start.
“I learnt a lot by following other riders and I am comfortable on the Rizla Suzuki, so today has been good from that
perspective. I am now desperate to test before we go to Donington so I can find out more about my bike and what
changes we need to make to go faster. I need and want to be challenging at the front to win races.”
Robert Wicks -Team Manager:
“The weather conditions were difficult and we are pleased we are leaving here with some solid points in the bag for both
riders. James and Shakey both rode with controlled aggression and have given excellent feedback to their crews which will
improve the bikes for the next round.
“This weekend has proved we have a very fast motorcycle that has lots of potential and two riders champing at the bit to
win races. We will now do everything we can to unlock that potential.”
Race One Result: 1: Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 15:28.510, 2: Karl Harris (Honda) +4.222, 3: Michael Rutter (Honda)
+8.758, 4: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +8.891, 5: Jonathan Rea (Honda) +12.363, 6: Shane Byrne (Rizla Suzuki)
+18.556, 7: Michael Laverty (Honda) +18.793, 8: Dean Thomas (Kawasaki) +19.171, 9: Glen Richards (Honda) +19.285,
10: James Haydon (Rizla Suzuki) +20.402.
Race Two Result: 1: Kiyonari 25:39.805, 2: Leon Haslam (Ducati) +10.069, 3: Lavilla +19.240, 4: Craig Coxhell
(Kawasaki) +21.922, 5: Harris +23.918, 6: Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +25.842, 7: James Haydon (Rizla Suzuki) +48.840,
8: Thomas +53.371, 9: Richards +1 lap, 10: Ollie Bridewell (Suzuki) +1 lap, 11: Shane Byrne (Rizla Suzuki) +1 lap.
Championship Positions (after 1 round): 1: Lavilla 41, 2: Kiyonari 38, 3: Harris 31, 4: Haslam 20, 5=: Rutter, Thomas
16, 7 = Shane Byrne (Rizla Suzuki) and James Haydon (Rizla Suzuki) 15, 9: Richards 14, 10: Coxhell 13.
For more stories about Shane Byrne, click here. For photos, click here
For more stories about James Haydon, click here. For photos, click here

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