Croft; Stobart Honda Report
Added on Sunday, August 12th, 2007 by Carole Nash Editor
Croft; Stobart Honda Report
Impressive Performance by Stobart Honda at Croft
Stobart Honda riders Michael Laverty and Gary Mason took a fourth and fifth place respectively in round six of the British Superbike Championship held at a weather affected Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire today.
Having qualified in eighth position, 23 year old Laverty celebrated his birthday in style with a fourth place finish in the opening race whilst Mason from Lichfield took his best result of the season with a fifth place in a rain interrupted race two.
Mason also ended up ninth in race one whilst sadly for Laverty race two ended in retirement when a fuelling problem stopped The Mob and VK Vodka Kick backed machine in the early stages.
“The fuel map caused the exhaust to pop off,” said Laverty, ” and its just so frustrating as I know I would have been up there and on for my first podium, but that’s the way its goes sometimes. At least I know I am on the pace now and I can look forward to some good results in the next few races” added Laverty who repeated his result of Mondello in the previous round.
Meanwhile Mason commented “We altered the bike around and played around with the settings and it’s a lot better for me. Michael and I are different in how we ride so we can’t use the same settings. I can push and I can ride it now and I feel really comfortable. I’m peaking and looking forward to Knockhill” said Mason.
Team owner Paul Bird had the following comments: “We are getting there and it’s just disappointing that Michael had a problem in the second race but we tried something different and it didn’t work out. It’s been a good day and I’m happy enough with that. We’re improving every weekend now and I think a rostrum is looming.”
The next round is at the Knockhill circuit in Scotland in three weeks’ time.
British Superbike Race One Result;
1, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 29m58.160s, 2, Michael Rutter (Honda) +5.382s, 3, Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) +17.352s, 4, Michael Laverty (Stobart Honda) +24.018s, 5, Glen Richards (Kawasaki) +26.001s, 6, Leon Haslam (Ducati) +26.474s, 7, Jonathan Rea (Honda) +29.683s, 8, James Haydon (Yamaha) +35.204s, 9, Gary Mason (Stobart Honda) +35.477s, 10, Dean Thomas (Kawasaki) +36.541s.
British Superbike Race Two Result
1, Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 20m10.015s, 2, Michael Rutter (Honda) +0.775s, 3, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +0.984s, 4, Glen Richards (Kawasaki) +2.132s, 5, Gary Mason (Stobart Honda) +2.902s, 6, Dean Thomas (Kawasaki) +7.024s, 7, Steve Plater (Kawasaki) +21.153s, 8, Kieran Clarke (Honda) +21.670s, 9, Steve Brogan (Honda) +21.845s, 10, John Laverty (Honda) +32.538s.
British Superbike Championship Standings (after Round 12)
1, Michael Rutter (Honda) 235pts
2, Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 190pts
3, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 182pts
4, Glen Richards (Kawasaki) 138pts
5, Leon Haslam (Ducati) 130pts
6, Karl Harris (Honda) 102pts
7, Dean Thomas (Kawasaki) 85pts
8, Sean Emmett (Yamaha) 79pts
9, Gary Mason (Stobart Honda) 72pts
10, Scott Smart (Suzuki) 68pts
11, Michael Laverty (Stobart Honda) 64pts
16, Jeremy McWilliams (Stobart Honda) 29pts
