AIRWAVES YAMAHA BREAK KNOCKHILL DUCK

Sunday, 5 July 2009

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AIRWAVES YAMAHA BREAK KNOCKHILL DUCK

Leon Camier today secured his 10th win of the season in Round 6 of the British Superbike Championship. James Ellison followed 5th in Race One with 3rd in Race Two. Leon's 4th double-win gave GSE Racing, the team behind Airwaves Yamaha, their first ever victory at Knockhill since they joined the Championship in 1996.

 

The Airwaves Yamaha riders lost a place apiece at the start of Race One. From the front row, Leon slipped down to 3rd. One row back, James slotted in to 7th. At the end of lap 1, as Leon moved up to 2nd, James had to stop at the Hairpin to avoid a fallen rider. James eventually rejoined the race in 18th. Up at the front, Leon took the lead at the Hairpin on lap 2. He set the fastest lap of the race, 48.884s on lap 13, helping him to a lead of over 3 seconds before the Safety Car was deployed on lap 23. When racing resumed, James, who had made his way up to 6th, immediately challenged Ian Lowry on the Suzuki. After a number of attempts, James took 5th on the line, as Leon secured win number 9.

 

After losing a place once again at the start of Race Two, Leon quickly made his way up to 2nd and caught Josh Brookes ahead of him. Some close racing saw Leon take the lead on lap 8 and from there remain unchallenged. James had a better start to the second race, making up a position from the second row. After passing Michael Rutter for 4th, James took the final podium spot on lap 20.

 

Now leading the Championship by 78 points, Leon commented, "My start in Race One was miles better than any other I've had this season. I wanted to get past Josh Brookes straight away. I then followed Stuart Easton for a little bit, and made a pass as soon as I could. Once I was in the lead, I just got my head down. I managed to go quicker than my qualifying time. When I saw the safety car being deployed I thought ‘that's just what I need'. All my work to build a gap meant nothing. In the laps behind the Safety Car I was thinking through a plan for the re-start. I decided to gas it but wheelied so had to back off, before gassing it again."

 

"I got another good start to Race Two, only losing one place. I saw Josh Brookes start to make a break at the front so I passed Stuart Easton the first chance I got. I had a good fight with Josh for the lead. I really enjoyed battling him for a couple of laps. Once in front, it was a case of keeping focused until the flag. It felt awesome to get the first ever win for Airwaves Yamaha at Knockhill. To get a double is something else!"

 

On the days races James said, "My start in Race One wasn't great. The front wheel lifted and I entered the first corner pretty far down the order. I gave myself a bit of work to do but I knew our race pace was good. I could chip away at the guys in front. When Karl Harris crashed in front of me, I had to come to a complete stop. I couldn't believe it. I fought constantly to make the places back up. I passed at nearly every corner of the circuit. I had to. The race was fun and I was pleased to be able to get back up to 5th, but the 1st lap incident was frustrating."

 

"Race Two really made up for Race One. I had a few tactics for the start and they paid off. Colin Wright thought I'd actually jumped the start my reactions were that much quicker. It was a tough race. It took me a while to pass Michael Rutter. He made himself very wide! Once I'd passed Stuart Easton I was feeling really comfortable on the Airwaves Yamaha. If only we'd had a few more laps I think I could have made it to 2nd." 

 

Race One Results:

 

1. Leon Camier Airwaves Yamaha

 

2. Stuart Easton Hydrex Honda

 

3. Josh Brookes HM Plant Honda

 

4. Simon Andrews MSS Colchester Kawasaki

 

5. James Ellison Airwaves Yamaha

 

Race Two Results:

 

1. Leon Camier Airwaves Yamaha

 

2. Josh Brookes HM Plant Honda

 

3. James Ellison Airwaves Yamaha

 

Championship Standings:

 

1. Leon Camier Airwaves Yamaha 267pts

 

2. James Ellison Airwaves Yamaha 189pts