Sunday Sun Blog

Business as usual for Camier at Knockhill

2009-07-05T12:31:36Z

LEON Camier scored GSE Racing's first ever Knockhill win as he crossed the line first in today's first British Superbike Championship race.

The championship leader made it look easy as he strolled to an easy victory ahead of Howick's Stuart Easton and Aussie Josh Brookes.

In what was to be quite an uneventful race at the Scottish track, it was Easton who got the best getaway, and made it into the first corner first.

But it was a short-lived dream, as Camier made it through just a lap later, and held the place right up until the chequered flag.

The top three of Camier, Easton and polesitter Brookes remained in the same order for the remainder of the race, and Camier's lead only looked under threat when the safety car came out on Lap 23 to deal with a track clean-up after a crash involving leading privateer Gary Mason and Tristan Palmer.

Burns takes maiden Superstock 600 win

2009-07-05T11:36:45Z

JOE Burns has taken his first Metzeler National Superstock 600 win at Knockhill this morning.

The 17-year-old Geordie led from lights to flag in the first of today's two races at the mountain-top Scottish track.

And now he is hoping for more of the same in this afternoon's second race.

Burns had qualified second on the grid in Saturday's first qualifying session, and when drizzle started to fall just minutes before the second session was due to get underway, no-one was able to better their earlier times.

At the green light this morning, Burns got the holeshot from championship leader and polesitter Jamie Hamilton, and was first into the first corner with his distinctive blue and white Splitlath Motorsport Yamaha R6.

Although there were times when Hamilton seemed to be closing in, he was never close enought to make a serious challenge.

The 20-lap race also saw it's fair share of crashes, and the safety car was deployed on Lap Three, and again on Seven while marshals cleared up debris of fallen bikes.

But Burns managed to get a strong getaway when the safety car went in both times, and towards the end of the race the pressure on him eased when Luke Mossey made a pass on Hamilton, the pair holding each other up enough to give Joe a solid lead.

Burns' first win has bolstered his championship hopes.

From lying fourth in the title scrap this morning, just 14 points shy of leader Hamilton, he is now third on 78 points, one behind second placed Luke Jones and just five adrift of Hamilton's 83.

Hazza needs YOUR support!

2009-07-03T15:19:55Z

GEORDIE BTCC ace Harry Vaulkhard is calling on Burning Rubber readers to help in his bid to raise a Chevy-load of charity cash.

The 23-year-old Tempus Sport driver is making the most of the British Touring Car Championship 'summer break' by embarking on the Three-Peaks Challenge this weekend.

But he is still desperately looking for more sponsors, as he bids to raise as much money as possible for the Royal British Legion.

"Basically, me and six mates are doing the Three Peaks Challenge which consists of climbing Nevis, Snowdon and Scafel Pikes in under 24 hours," he told me this week.

"There's 1000 miles of driving to be done and 15 hours of climbing so its a close call wether we do it in the 24hrs although thats the aim.

"Were doing it for the British Legion charity and were doing mini video blogs throughout which will be posted on our Facebook group....but at the moment I seem to be lagging behind my mates in the sponsorship gathering stakes, so I need some help!"

The challenge will kick off on Saturday and will end 24-hours later on Sunday.

For more information, and news as it happens, check-out the dedicated Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=86976120815&ref=mf

Or to sponsor Harry log-on to: http://www.snhnet.com/events/three-peaks/

Carole: A shadow of her former self

2009-07-01T09:52:41Z

It's always been fun to follow the career of Carole Malone.

Journalist, den mother in Celebrity Big Brother, graduate of Celebrity Fit Club, and now one of the celebs in ITV's The World's Best Diet.

Let's get the gags out of the way first. Big talent, bigger heart, heavyweight columnist etc etc.

Ever since we worked together on the Shields Weekly News (deceased) and the Sunday Sun (still thriving, thank you very much) North-East born Carole has always been one the profession's best. She was even, if I remember correctly, the subject of a spoof article in Viz and you can't get better than that.

Carole has always struggled with her weight so it was great to see her in ITV1s Best Diet In The World getting to grips with her long-running battle of the bulge.

She was one of four celebrities sent to different parts of the globe to try diets. She lost an impressive 19lbs following a low carb diet in Los Angeles.

Pretty impressive, I thought, all the more so because it meant no bread, no wine, little meat, and an exercise regime that involved running up and down stairs.

Shows what I know. All the experts agreed that Carole did well but the diet itself was a quick-fix that could not be sustained over long periods of time.

The idea was for the celebs to keep up their diets once they returned home and, it has to be said, Carole gamely did her best despite being a teeny weeny bit grumpy with no carbs in her diet.

A visit to the pub after work - a time-honoured traditional among journos - saw Carole order a glass of water instead of her usual wine.
"A unique event" said a rather unsupportive pal as the screen flashed up some helpful nutritional information: a glass of water has 0 calories while wine has 140 calories.

Back home Carole's man was feeling the heat as her body called out for some decent grub. He was heard to say: "My life's hell. Can we please give her some carbs?"

Maybe some of us are just meant to be cuddly.

Finally, did you catch that shot of Carole's shoe cupboard. Wow, the Imelda Marcos of journalism, that's our Carole.

+ The best diet in the world? Even though Carole lost most weight, it turned out to be a Med diet with lots of oily fish, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Spies does the double as Haga falls

2009-06-28T15:41:53Z

BEN Spies strolled to victory in the second World Superbike race at Donington Park - while some of the championship's biggest names crashed out.

The 'Texas Terror' made it look easy, as he crossed the line some seven seconds ahead of second placed Leon Haslam.

And as Haslam's result gave the thousands of UK fans at the Derbyshire track something to cheer about, a high spirited Michel Fabrizio brought his Ducati Xerox machine home third.

But it was a bad day at the office for Max Biaggi, Noriyuki Haga, Shinya Nakano, Jonny Rea, Jakub Smrz, Carlos and David Checa, who all crashed out.

Haga suffered a massive highside, as did Nakano, while Biaggi and Rea were both able to pick their machines up and rejoin - although Max ended the race in last place.

But it was a great day for the Brits, who were split only by Fabrizio and Riyuichi Kiyonari.

As Spies cleared-off up front, Haslam spent most of the race battling with Fabrizio and Shane Byrne. Byrne finished fourth with Tom Sykes fifth, Leon Camier sixth, Kiyonari seventh and Camier's Airwaves Yamaha team-mate James Ellison in eighth. Wildcard Simon Andrews was 10th.

Spies, now with his 10th win of the season under his belt, said he'd enjoyed the race. "It was a very good race, but a pity that Haga and Biaggi had big offs. I have to admit it got quite lonely out there after a while.

"Towards the end as I was coming out of the Melbourne Loop I could see Leon and Michel battling and I was thinking 'ooh that looks like fun'. Still, I've got to be pleased with the result.

"We're now much closer in the championship, although it was very unfortunate for Nori today. From here we have a couple of weeks rest and then onto Brno, to see if we can get a jump on him in the points."

Haslam was understandably delighted. "These last few races have been difficult, but I've been looking forward to getting back home and racing here.

"I was struggling a bit with the bike in both races, so to get second, well I'm just over the moon. It was a hard fight, I wasn't concentrating on trying catch Ben, I was concerned with holding off Michel because I knew Shakey was there as well. It was a tough one but a fantastic result."

And Fabrizio, who seemed in joker mood throughout the press conference, was delighted with third. "It was a difficult race, I got a bad start but managed to recover - but not enough to beat Leon," he said.

"I was fighting hard with Leon and Shakey, it was diffifcult as both of these guys are very fast, and were riding hard, but I am very happy to finish third here today."

The result has left the championship wide open. Haga still leads with 308 points, but Spies is now sitting pretty on 294 with Fabrizio third with 257.

WSB Race Two results:

1 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 35'14.788 (157,512 kph)
2 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 6.622
3 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 6.816
4 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 7.349
5 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 8.145
6 22 Camier L. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 13.463
7 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 15.751
8 27 Ellison J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 16.837
9 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 22.891
10 117 Andrews S. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 30.347
11 57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 30.622
12 14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Honda CBR1000RR 31.562
13 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 32.148
14 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 32.607
15 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 32.806
16 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 34.269
17 79 Young B. (USA) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 40.644
18 36 Lavilla G. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 40.956
19 25 Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 41.302
20 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 42.856
21 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 47.769
RET 77 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR
RET 88 Resch R. (AUT) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9
RET 53 Polita A. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9
RET 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR
RET 94 Checa D. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R1
RET 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R
RET 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R
RET 56 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 Factory
RET 2 Hacking J. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R

*Images by Mic Archbold...not for reproduction without permission

Fourth win for Crutchlow at Donington

2009-06-28T13:42:51Z

CAL Crutchlow boosted his championship lead with a solid win at Donington Park - while main rival Eugene Laverty bounced back from an early crash to finish fifth.

Crutchlow dominated the 22-Lap race, taking an easy victory over Spaniard Joan Lascorz on the Kawasaki Motocard.com machine.

Third place was taken by popular Aussie Garry McCoy, on his ParkinGo Triumph BE1 Racing Daytona.

At the start, it was Lascorz who made it into Redgate first, with Crutchlow and Laverty close behind.

And although it looked like it would turn into another Cal versus Eugene scrap, the Durham-based Irishman's hopes of a home win went up in smoke on Lap Three when he crashed coming out of the Melbourne Hairpin on Lap Three.

With Laverty out of the way, it was easy pickings for Crutchlow, who soon capitalised and took the lead on Lap Six, and there he remained all the way to the chequered flag. The only change in the top three was McCoy, who passed the HANNSpree Ten Kate Honda of Kenan Sofuoglu into third on 12.

"It was nice to come here and take a win in front of home fans," said Crutchlow. "It was unfortunate that Eugene fell off, but all credit to him for getting back up to fifth.

"It was a hard race for me, very mentally challenging because it's difficult being out in front on your own. I kept thinking about the win and crossing the line, and I just wanted to get to the end."

Laverty, who had managed to get back on and rejoin the race, enjoyed a mammoth battle back through the field, coming through from 21st at one point, to finally cross the line fifth.

WSS Results:

1 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 34'15.876 (154,981 kph)
2 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 5.391
3 24 McCoy G. (AUS) Triumph Daytona 675 14.918
4 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 22.248
5 50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 37.054
6 77 Veneman B. (NED) Honda CBR600RR 39.079
7 105 Vizziello G. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 39.978
8 69 Nannelli G. (ITA) Triumph Daytona 675 42.733
9 9 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 43.030
10 1 Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 47.422
11 4 Westmorland J. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 50.207
12 7 Vostárek P. (CZE) Honda CBR600RR 50.474
13 101 Coghlan K. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 50.763
14 6 Kennaugh H. (RSA) Yamaha YZF R6 58.147
15 51 Pirro M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 59.756
16 28 Vos A. (NED) Honda CBR600RR 1'16.315
17 40 Gentile F. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'26.650
18 96 Smrz M. (CZE) Triumph Daytona 675 1'27.976
19 88 Guerra Y. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R6
20 25 Laverty M. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR
RET 99 Foret F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6
RET 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR
RET 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR
RET 22 Muresan R. (ROU) Triumph Daytona 675
RET 13 West A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR
RET 30 Günther J. (GER) Honda CBR600RR
RET 8 Aitchison M. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR
RET 21 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R
RET 55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR

Spies wins Race One at Donington

2009-06-28T12:04:41Z

BEN Spies led from lights to flag to take the win in Race One at Donington Park.

And after a close battle at the front, Aprilia's Max Biaggi overcame an engine cut-out in the last lap to still cross the line in second place.

Championship leader, Noriyuki Haga was third, ahead of the dicing duo of Brits Leon Haslam and Shane Byrne, who finished fourth and fifth respectively.

At the green light, it looked like Biaggi had grabbed the holeshot, but it was the distinctive Yamaha of Spies which led into the first corner, Redgate, with Biaggi close behind, and Haga third.

And the trio were to keep these positions all the way to the chequered flag, in a race which was unusually tame and uneventful.

Byrne's Sterilgarda Ducati had been running fourth for most of the early part of the race, but Haslam - who had already made up a few spots on his Stiggy Motorsport Honda - made the pass as the pair crossed the line into the start of Lap 17.

The other Brits didn't fai quite so well, with Tom Sykes crashing his Yamaha on Lap Eight and wildcard James Ellison - who had been running in a solid 10th position - crashed his Airwaves Yamaha on Lap 14.

Both Spies and Biaggi complimented each other's riding after the race. Spies said: "He rode a good one, we didn't have anything left so if he had made a move on the last lap, I'm unsure if I could've kept him behind.

"It was a good race, he was there all of the time and I hope he was sliding around as much as I was back there!

"Now we've just got to put another one together later on, and see what we can do. I guess it will depend on what the weather is going to do, but we'll see."

Roman Emperor Biaggi was naturally relieved to cross the line. "First I must congratulate Ben on a fantastic race. He was pushing hard and I was able to follow him. I did my best, we were both pushing hard.

"In the last two laps I was getting a bit closer and I thought I may have a chance, but then I tapped some kerbs I think, and then the engine seemed to stop. I tried to bring it back and it managed to get going again so I was able to finish the race. I was very relieved!"

World Superbike Race One Result:

1 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 34'57.230 (158,831 kph)
2 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 7.156
3 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 10.968
4 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 18.843
5 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 19.125
6 56 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 21.286
7 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 23.644
8 121 Hopkins J. (USA) Honda CBR1000RR 32.849
9 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 32.904
10 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 33.192
11 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 34.535
12 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 35.093
13 22 Camier L. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 35.441
14 57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 39.034
15 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 41.067
16 14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Honda CBR1000RR 46.452
17 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 47.924
18 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 48.246
19 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 50.932
20 117 Andrews S. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 55.032
21 2 Hacking J. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 55.216
22 53 Polita A. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'02.758
23 25 Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'02.977
24 94 Checa D. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R1 1'12.255
25 79 Young B. (USA) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'12.531
RET 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR
RET 27 Ellison J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1
RET 88 Resch R. (AUT) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9
RET 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1
RET 36 Lavilla G. (ESP) Ducati 1098R
RET 77 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR

Spies does it again as rain falls at Donington

2009-06-27T14:35:22Z

BEN Spies proved to be back on form as he took Pole in a rain-hit Superpole ahead of tomorrow's two World Superbike races at Donington Park.

The Texan Terror set a fast lap early on in a session which was already subject to some light rain in certain parts of the track, although it wasn't damp enough to be declared a wet session.

And his early dash was the right way to go, as the rain got heavier, forcing everyone to abandon their laps three minutes before the chequered flag was due to fall.

But the shock of the session was the Aprilia duo of Max Biaggi and Shinya Nakano, who will line up on the grid in second and fourth places respectively, while Shane 'Shakey' Byrne will start from third.

Byrne was the only Brit to make it through to Superpole Three, after Stiggy Motorsport's Leon Haslam was knocked out of the top eight in the dying seconds by Ducati Xerox rider Michel Fabrizio.

Fellow Brits Tom Sykes, Jonny Rea and James Ellison also departed in Superpole Two, while Ellison's team-mate and BSB championship leader Leon Camier was knocked out in the first session.

Spies remained his usual calm self, setting just a couple of laps in each session and going straight to the top of the timesheets before heading back to the pits to keep tabs on what his rivals were up to.

"It was a good qualifying session for us, we set a good one before the rain came bad...which was lucky for us.

"I'm happy with this result because of the weather, but we are aware of what may happen tomorrow...we have a good dry set-up but it will all depend on what the weather does tomorrow...I guess we need to wait and see."

Biaggi, meanwhile, was back to 'happy Max'. "We make very good progress over this weekend. We were pleased to be in the top eight and then to get second, it was very good.

"I think we can go well in the races. I like Donington, it's a good circuit, a track I like very much so I am looking forward to starting here on the front row."

Shakey, a man who knows the UK weather conditions only too well, admitted it could play a major part tomorrow. "Ideally, I'm hoping for a dry day, but this is the UK afterall," he joked.

"I have no idea what the forecast actually is, but no doubt it will be sunny intervals and showers just to cover everything and make everyone's job harder!

"I'm pleased with my position. We've got a tough job tomorrow, as we need to capitalise on third so I'm looking forward to getting out there and doing the best job we can."

Nakano was thrilled with his best qualifying position to date since joining the championship. "Everyone has worked really hard and the bike is getting better and better everytime we go out.

"I know this track well so am looking forward to tomorrow's races to see if we can get on the podium."

Full World Superbike Qualifying times:

1 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 1'29.846
2 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'30.080
3 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'30.535
4 56 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'30.671
5 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'30.734
6 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'31.023
7 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1'31.342
8 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'34.797
9 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'30.159
10 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'30.229
11 121 Hopkins J. (USA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'30.272
12 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'30.387
13 36 Lavilla G. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1'30.612
14 27 Ellison J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'30.816
15 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'30.916
16 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'31.120
17 22 Camier L. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'31.176
18 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'31.215
19 57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'31.217
20 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1'31.260
21 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'31.874
22 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'31.887
23 25 Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'32.183
24 14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.243
25 2 Hacking J. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'32.245
26 117 Andrews S. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'32.343
27 53 Polita A. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'32.584
28 79 Young B. (USA) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'32.735
29 94 Checa D. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R1 1'32.811
30 88 Resch R. (AUT) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'33.374
31 77 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'33.408

*Images by Mic Archbold...No reproduction without permission.

What injury? Crutchlow steals pole by almost half second

2009-06-27T12:53:00Z

CAL Crutchlow pipped Eugene Laverty to pole with a banzai lap in the dying seconds of today's qualifying session for tomorrow's World Supersport Championship race Donington Park.

The championship leader shrugged off a chipped ankle bone injury sustained in a crash on Friday morning to take the top spot from Laverty.

The Yamaha Racing star yesterday vowed to carry on regardless after a highside in his opening lap of the weekend at the famous Derbyshire circuit.

And in true Crutchlow style, he wasn't about to let the injury get in the way - particularly when his nearest rival, Durham-based Irishman Laverty, shot to the top of the timesheets with two minutes remaining.

Starting a hot lap and then abandoning it, Crutchlow looked like he was going to have to settle for second, but still had enough time to start one last charge before the chequered flag fell.

Up on Laverty's time in both the first and second sectors, things looked to go wrong when he got slightly out of shape coming into the Melbourne Hairpin, and he ran wide around the famous loop.

But the firey Brit wasn't finished yet, and as he rounded Goddards and headed to the finish line it was touch and go if he could make it.

And make it he did, with a time of 1:31.701 - more than half a second up on Laverty's Parkalgar Honda.

Joan Lascorz - a rider who tends to be stronger in qualifying than in race conditions - will line up third on the grid on the Kawasaki Motocard.com machine, while the final spot on the front row was taken by HANNSpree Ten Kate's Kenan Sofuoglu.

Full World Supersport Qualifying times:

1 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 1'31.701
2 50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 1'32.222
3 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'32.481
4 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1'32.818
5 8 Aitchison M. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'32.846
6 24 McCoy G. (AUS) Triumph Daytona 675 1'32.879
7 55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'33.062
8 21 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'33.120
9 13 West A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'33.143
10 99 Foret F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'33.182
11 51 Pirro M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'33.283
12 69 Nannelli G. (ITA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'33.365
13 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 1'33.455
14 9 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'33.476
15 1 Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'33.544
16 6 Kennaugh H. (RSA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'33.590
17 77 Veneman B. (NED) Honda CBR600RR 1'33.833
18 25 Laverty M. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 1'34.009
19 28 Vos A. (NED) Honda CBR600RR 1'34.020
20 4 Westmorland J. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 1'34.102
21 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 1'34.220
22 105 Vizziello G. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'34.301
23 101 Coghlan K. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 1'34.489
24 96 Smrz M. (CZE) Triumph Daytona 675 1'34.659
25 30 Günther J. (GER) Honda CBR600RR 1'34.851
26 22 Muresan R. (ROU) Triumph Daytona 675 1'35.051
27 7 Vostárek P. (CZE) Honda CBR600RR 1'35.609
28 40 Gentile F. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'36.155
29 88 Guerra Y. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R6 1'36.273

HOME: We only have one planet - time to start looking after it

2009-06-25T12:33:59Z

You don't have to be in the waste and recycling industry for long before you become interested in the issue of sustainability and climate change.

I end my waste and recycling presentation to school kids with a picture of the Earth from space and they immediately grasp the significance. Once something is used up, it is gone. Use up the Earth and we have nowhere else to go.

Home is a film by renowned photo-journalist Yann Arthus-Bertrand that uses stunning aerial shots of the Earth's landscapes, natural phenomena, animals and human industry to show the impact we are having on the planet.

You can see the film for free on YouTube.

Taking the viewer from the origins of life on the planet to the present day it shows that we are living in changing times and that our way of living is unsustainable. The depletion of natural resources and the catastrophic evolution of the Earth's climate can lead us into forbidding territory. HOME is a message of mobilization out to every human being.

Rea of Sunshine...Johnny wins Race Two.

2009-06-21T15:16:41Z

JOHNNY Rea stole his maiden World Superbike win in Race Two at Misano.

The HANNSpree Ten Kate rider emerged victorious after a battle royale with the Ducati Xerox duo of Michel Fabrizio and Noriyuki Haga.

The pair finished the 24-lap race second and third respectively.

At the green light, it was points leader Haga who got the best start, launching into P1 with Rea and Fabrizio following close behind.

Race One winner Ben Spies had a difficult start, crossing the line fifth at the end of the first lap, but things went from bad to worse a lap later when he appeared to suffer mechanical problems, putting his hand up and dropping back to 15th.

On Lap Four, Rea made the move on Haga to take the lead, as Fabrizio closed in on his team-mate, passing him a lap later.

The pair continued to swap positions for a handful of laps, before Fabrizio made a pass stick and set off after Rea, passing him on Lap 17.

The closing laps became a battle of attrition between the duo, with Haga remaining close enough to keep them both honest, and although Fabrizio started the final lap in front, Rea soon passed him and was able to keep him behind him all the way to the chequered flag.

Haga, still injured from his crash in America earlier this month, finished third, to give his championship lead a boost.

Spies managed to bounce back, and finally crossed the line in a respectable ninth.

Shane Byrne was second Brit across the line in sixth, leading a UK trio with Tom Sykes and Leon Haslam in seventh and eighth.

The result looks to be bad news for Spies' championship chase...Haga now sits at the top of the points table on 292, while Spies is on 244 and Fabrizio closes the gap considerably on 237.

WSB Race Two Result:

1 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 39'11.204 (155,293 kph)
2 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 0.063
3 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 0.457
4 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 3.635
5 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 4.460
6 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 4.538
7 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 12.679
8 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 12.763
9 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 13.237
10 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 14.412
11 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 20.073
12 10 Nieto F. (ESP) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 20.239
13 56 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 22.351
14 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 24.547
15 36 Lavilla G. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 24.696
16 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 25.615
17 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 31.887
18 57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 34.751
19 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 38.061
20 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 47.717
21 14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Honda CBR1000RR 48.973
22 2 Hacking J. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 51.027
23 53 Polita A. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 52.526
24 77 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 57.589
25 88 Resch R. (AUT) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'36.359
RET 25 Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R
RET 94 Checa D. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R1
RET 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R

Burns Second at Sachsenring

2009-06-21T14:07:56Z

CHRIS Burns finished second in Race Two of the IDM German Superbike Championship at Sachsenring.

The former MotoGP rider crossed the line P2 onboard the Holzhauer Honda, despite having led for several laps earlier on.

The result marks the Geordie's first podium in just his third race in the competitive German Superbike series, which he joined four weeks ago as a replacement to the injured reigning champ Martin Bauer.

After finishing fourth in this morning's first race, Burns had hoped to go one better and reach the podium in the second.

And for a while it looked as though he would be standing on the top step, after he took the lead on Lap 11.

But in the closing laps he lost out to Gabor Rizmayer's Suzuki, and was forced to settle for second.

More to follow....

Crutchlow win boosts championship chase

2009-06-21T13:30:14Z

CAL Crutchlow extended his championship lead with a close win over Eugene Laverty in the restarted World Supersport race at Misano.

The Brit took the victory by a fraction on his Yamaha Racing R1, after a race which was ultimately decided on aggregate following a red flag.

He now sits 14 points clear of Laverty in the title chase.

The race was initially stopped when HANNSpree Ten Kate's Kenan Sofuoglu crashed out, with polesitter Michele Pirro and Gianluca Nannelli seemingly going down on spilled oil.

At the restart, Crutchlow got the jump and led for much of the early part of the 14 lap sprint, before Laverty made a move past on Lap 11 after a couple of close looks up the inside.

But Cal wasn't going to let him get away, and kept the hammer down, passing him again two laps later on the penultimate lap.

And although Laverty had a fraction of a second advantage on aggregate, it wasn't enough to keep the lead, as Cal crossed the line with hundredths of a second to spare.

"It looks like its all going well," he said. "We're leading the championship still, I've managed to get a few more points back - all credit to Yamaha for the hard work everyone has put in.

"I came here not knowing the circuit, and coming to a new track is always difficult so we knew it wasn't going to be easy here today. But I'm happy with the win, for me and for the whole team."

Laverty, who had a close call on the cool-down lap when he congratulated Cal, then banged into his bike sending his flying over and himself off, admitted he was beaten fair and square.

"I had a few laps to go and I didn't particularly want to go past him, but I was thinking I was faster and knew we had a little bit of time to spare on aggregate.

"I really didn't want him to get the drive on the last lap so made the move, but he passed me again. I didn't leave myself enough time to get past on the last lap...I'd already gone for Plan B, but unfortunately there was no Plan C!"

Full results:

1 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 36'51.032 (151,377 kph)
2 50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 0.263
3 55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 16.289
4 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 20.894
5 8 Aitchison M. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 21.615
6 21 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 22.272
7 13 West A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 25.099
8 99 Foret F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 26.374
9 69 Nannelli G. (ITA) Triumph Daytona 675 34.558
10 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 49.578
11 105 Vizziello G. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 51.446
12 40 Gentile F. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 54.391
13 9 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'00.324
14 28 Vos A. (NED) Honda CBR600RR 1'11.594
15 88 Guerra Y. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R6 1'43.088
16 22 Muresan R. (ROU) Triumph Daytona 675
RET 51 Pirro M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6
RET 24 McCoy G. (AUS) Triumph Daytona 675
RET 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR
RET 77 Veneman B. (NED) Honda CBR600RR
RET 5 Pradita T. (INA) Yamaha YZF R6
RET 25 Laverty M. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR
RET 96 Smrz M. (CZE) Triumph Daytona 675
RET 7 Vostárek P. (CZE) Honda CBR600RR
RET 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR
RET 101 Coghlan K. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6
RET 30 Günther J. (GER) Honda CBR600RR
RET 44 Brannetti A. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6
RET 1 Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600R

Burns pipped to podium but takes fourth

2009-06-21T11:52:11Z

CHRIS Burns narrowly missed out on a podium in Race One of the IDM German Superbike Championship at Sachsenring.

The Newcastle rider was beaten across the line into fourth place by Gunther Knobloch, having come through the pack from 10th on the grid.

But the Holzhauer Honda Racing rider was still able to set the fastest time on the last lap, and hopes he can go one better in this afternoon's second race.

Burns had made a good start, making his way up to fifth by the end of the fourth lap, and kept pushing to make it up to third as the final lap got underway.

And although he was third coming out of the final corner, he was unable to keep the momentum needed to keep Knobloch - who had led the earlier part of the race - at bay.

"I was third out of the last corner but I just couldn't match him coming over the line," the Geordie revealed to Burning Rubber this afternoon.

"I'm pleased with the result, although I really would've loved that podium. I also got the fastest lap there at the end, so this has been a real boost to my confidence as we go into Race Two later."

The race was won by the Honda of Arne Death, with Jorg Teuchert second and Knobloch third.

Spies wins eventful Race One

2009-06-21T10:51:30Z

BEN Spies took an impressive victory in Race One of the World Superbike Championship at Misano - while Brit Shane Byrne celebrates a well-deserved second place.

In a race which was dictated by the weather, it was Texas Terror Spies who made all the right choices to take the win.

Ducati Xerox rider Michel Fabrizio took the final podium spot, just beating polesitter Jakub Smrz across the line at the chequered flag.

The race start was deemed a wet one, after downpours throughout the morning at the Italian resort, forcing all riders to begin the 24-Lap battle on wet tyres.

And it was reigning British Superbike Champ Shakey Byrne who headed the pack as the first lap got underway, as he began to eke out a massive lead - which would reach 15 seconds at one point - ahead of Smrz and the battling duo of Spies and Fabrizio.

But as the track began to dry, it soon became clear that slick tyres were the best way to go, and on Lap 10, Aprilia's Shinya Nakano became the first rider to change bikes and tyres, with Haga following a lap later.

On Lap 13, Spies became the first of the big hitters to change, and as soon as he got back out on track, he began to reel in the rest.

Shakey meanwhile chose to stay out in front as long as he could, finally making the change on Lap 16, while Ruben Xaus who then inherited the lead, decided to push his BMW Motorrad machine to the limit on his clearly degrading tyres.

With Xaus leading the pack but getting ever slower, all eyes were on Spies as his tyres became the first to reach optimum temperature, and he began slicing through the pack, despatching with everyone - including Xaus - to take the lead by Lap 18.

With Xaus facing no option but to head to the pits for slicks at lap later, Shakey slid into second with Fabrizio third, and this was to be the order in which they would remain until the chequered flag five laps later.

"That was a hard one, we knew it was going to be tricky once we saw the weather this morning," said a clearly relieved Spies. "Hat's off to Shakey for that, he rode a great one and we just couldn't match him on the wets.

"We pushed as hard as we could and made the tyre call at the right time. I had the chance to get them up to temperature and once they were there we were able to get away and pull it off.

"That was a tricky one - perhaps there wasn't as much racing as normal but it was a hard race with tough decisions and I'm thrilled we've been able to catch Nori - although I've got to keep half an eye on Michel because he seems to be always there with me at the moment!"

The final battles involved Fabrizio and Smrz, who had a close fight all the way to the line, with the Italian taking the final podium spot just ahead of Smrz.

Meanwhile behind, Championship leader Noriyuki Haga edged out pal Yukio Kagayama for fifth - the latter still riding with a broken foot following a crash at the last round at Salt Lake City.

But while Shakey was the man to fly the flag for the UK, Jonathan Rea was perhaps the unluckiest man on the grid.

Forced to start from Pit Lane, he had made it up to P8 by the end of Lap Three, but was then called in for a drive through penalty, believed to be a result of Pit Lane speeding.

After taking the penalty, he rejoined in 18th and started to move through the pack, before making his tyre change on Lap 13, and stalling his HANNSpree Ten Kate Honda in the pits.

The team managed to get the machine going again, and Rea got back out and made possibly the greatest comeback of his career to cross the line seventh. Team-mate Carlos Checa also suffered a similar fate, when his bike also stalled in Pit Lane after the change.

Haga still leads the championship on 276 points, but his lead has been cut to just 29 over Spies, who has shot up to 237, with Fabrizio on 217.

Full Race Result

1 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 45'02.773 (135,093 kph)
2 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 7.931
3 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 11.836
4 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 11.886
5 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 31.670
6 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 33.241
7 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 35.772
8 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 41.931
9 56 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 51.507
10 14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Honda CBR1000RR 59.921
11 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1'04.285
12 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'04.313
13 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'19.822
14 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'22.412
15 53 Polita A. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'31.635
16 2 Hacking J. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'39.830
17 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'42.964
18 10 Nieto F. (ESP) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'43.303
19 57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R
20 77 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR
21 94 Checa D. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R1
22 36 Lavilla G. (ESP) Ducati 1098R
23 25 Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R
NC 88 Resch R. (AUT) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9
RET 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R
RET 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R
RET 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR
RET 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR
NP 121 Hopkins J. (USA) Honda CBR1000RR