Rea hoping to win big in Japan

The East Antrim man will ride on a Honda CB1000RR Fireblade as part of one private team from a squad of four groups. In what is arguably the world’s most important motorcycle race, Honda decided not to run a factory team at the Coca-Cola Zero-backed event.

Rea will be leading the charge in a team alongside Kosuke Akiyoshi and Yuki Takahashi. “I can’t wait for the race. I am looking forward to a bit of a new challenge, especially racing with Akiyoshi because I saw him at the 8 Hours a few years ago.

Suzuka is a circuit I really enjoy riding. Iit’s a shame we can’t use it as a World Superbike circuit. I am going there to win; it’s not one of these things where I want to just take part.

“I travelled to Japan immediately after the Brno WSBK race to test at Suzuka. I know Honda is expecting victory and I that is what I am willing to do. It’s an unbelievable event and it’s always great how passionate people are about it.”

Seeley on the

podium again

THE HM Plant Honda team took a clean sweep of wins in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Snetterton at the weekend as Josh Brookes and Ryuichi Kiyonari took a victory apiece in the final two races of the weekend after Brookes won Saturday’s race.

Snetterton’s triple header produced podiums seven and eight of the season for Relentless by TAS Suzuki, with Carrick’s Alastair Seeley taking third place in Sunday’s opening race and Michael Laverty repeating his team-mate’s success in race two.

Both riders also gave a solid account of themselves in Saturday’s re-scheduled Knockhill race two with Seeley fifth and Laverty sixth. Seeley is now only one point outside the magical top six in the series with his team mate Laverty fourth.

In Sunday’s opening race Seeley didn’t let his slow start down in eighth place hinder his progress, and once the BSB rookie settled into his rhythm he forced his way past Chris Walker, closing in on the back of James Ellison and team-mate Michael Laverty. By lap eight he was up to third place and on lap 14 he moved up to second, just over a second behind Josh Brookes.

Ellison and Hill became his main podium threats in the closing laps, and although fellow Suzuki rider Hill came through to take second place at the flag, Seeley defended third place valiantly on the final lap to take his second podium of the season. Michael Laverty finished fourth.

In race two it was Laverty’s turn to show some Relentless Suzuki determination, and after completing the opening lap in third place, just behind Brookes and Ellison, the hard-charging Toomebridge man slotted his GSX-R1000 Superbike into second place at half distance. When the safety car came out late in the race it bunched the pack together, offering Laverty the perfect opportunity to have another go at race leader Ryuichi Kiyonari. He did take the lead on two occassions, but over the final three laps he lost out narrowly to the Japanese rider with Tommy Hill stealing in for second. Third place gave Laverty his sixth podium of the season, maintaining his fourth place in the overall BSB standings. Alastair Seeley crashed out while disputing fifth place with James Ellison on lap 14 of 24.

“It was disappointing to see a red flag after getting the holeshoton Saturday as I was starting to pull a gap,” said Seeley. “I got beaten up a bit in the early laps of the re-start. Once I settled in and found my rhythm I could see Michael in front of me; that was the carrot I needed. When I got on to the back of him I could see where he was faster then me and vice-versa – thankfully I was able to nip past to take fifth place right at the end. I always said I was looking forward to Snetterton. In that last race on Sunday, Ellison left the door open and as I was catching Michael Laverty and Michael Rutter I had to have a go. Ellison looked like he was dropping off the pace after Rutter passed him. I just grabbed a little too much front brake and lost the front, or I’d have been through. My bike just tagged the back of him and he went down but that’s racing – it wasn’t intentional and thankfully he’s not injured.

“In race one I struggled to get off the line but once I got into third place I was determined to hold on. Ellison did have a sniff and nudged me into the Esses, so it was nice to get another podium. We are back at the sharp end now and I’m really looking forward to Brands Hatch.”

Coates’ weekend ends

in disappointment

IN the 600 supperstock race Ballyrobert rider Nikki Coates thought he had finally turned the corner in the series. After more than his share of missfortune during the 2010 season Coates took fifth in the rescheduled race from Knockhill on Saturday.

In Sunday’s race he crossed the line in 13th place but was later disqualified losing all his points from both races. Nikki told the Times: “The engine went for a refresh before Knockhill and everything seemed better. A bit more power but not that much.

“On the dyno it was slightly up on the other Yamahas but still behind the rest. Unbeknown to myself and the team a modification had been done and when the organisers stripped the engine after Sunday’s race it was found to be illegal.

“It was nothing to do with me and I was really gutted as I had began to make some progress with the bike.”

He added: “You always think that things can’t get any worse, then this happens. We have a test scheduled before the Silverstone race in a couple of weeks and hopefully we will have the bike sorted. I am looking forward to Silverstone as at the same venue last season I was on the podium.”

Pedrosa wins while Lorenzo

keeps podium record intact

THE German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring on Sunday provided a thrilling afternoon's racing, with Jorge Lorenzo, starting from pole for the rourth time in a row, finishing second and his resurgent Fiat Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi rounding off a remarkable return from injury to finish fourth by a mere whisker. A red flag after nine laps meant the race was restarted, with Dani Pedrosa eventually taking the win after a 21-lap ‘second' race.

Lorenzo's championship lead now stands at 47 points from Pedrosa, whilst Rossi moves up one place to sixth. The paddock now heads directly to Laguna Seca in California for the US Grand Prix. Rossi returned to racing just six weeks after breaking his leg.

Tragedy at Kells road races

STEPHEN Larkin died in a tragic accident during the practice session for the 401-750cc Support Race at Kells, Co Meath, on Saturday. The 27-year-old father-of-three from Gilford was making a name for himself on the roads, winning at the recent Bush road races in June in the 750cc support race. It is another big loss for motorcycling, but a greater loss for his family and friends.

Reid in the top

ten at Snetterton

Andy Reid from Jordanstown was in action at Snetterton in the 125 race and after qualifying was down in 22nd on the grid. He only got one session as the organisers were doing track modifications and cancelled the second session. It was a tough call for the local teenager but he rode well and brought the Aztec Honda home in ninth place.

“It was a hard race and I was happy to get a top ten finish,” he said. “I would like to thank the team for all their hard work over the weekend. Also a big thank you to Newtownabbey Borough Council and Manse Trees for their help.”

Ulster Grand Prix revs

up support for charity

THE Ulster Grand Prix has announced that the Down’s Syndrome Association is their nominated charity for 2010.

The charity, which is based on the Lisburn Road in Belfast is the main point of contact for anyone in Northern Ireland who requires information and support on all aspects of living with Down’s Syndrome.

Noel Johnston, Clerk of the Course at the Dundrod & District Motorcycle Club said: “A close family member of mine has Down’s Syndrome and recently reached the incredible age of 62, after being told it was unlikely he would reach his teens.

“He has brought so much joy and happiness into our lives and it’s because of him that we are only to happy to support the Down’s Syndrome Association and the terrific work they do here in Northern Ireland.” Funds will be raised for the charity during Bike Week (8-14 August).