Ducati Dominate At Snetterton
Added on Monday, June 16th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Ducati Dominate At Snetterton
Shane Byrne’s lead at the top of the British Superbike championship was extended further as Ducati dominated at a rain-swept Snetterton.
The Airwaves Ducati team scored maximum points on what is traditionally a happy hunting ground for rival manufacturer Honda as Byrne and teammate Leon Carnier both secured a victory and a second-place.
Carnier was involved in a thrilling battle with his Ducati teammate in race one after dropping down to fifth with just four laps remaining as Byrne, Cal Crutchlow, Tom Sykes and Leon Haslam all fought for the lead.
But it was the Ducati pair who were leading on the last lap and on the final bend, Carnier just had the edge to finish just 0.092seconds ahead of the championship leader.
“That race was unbelievable and it is awesome to take my first race win,” said Carnier after his maiden BSB victory.
“I didn’t know how far ahead I was and when I looked at my pit board I eased off a bit with the time I had. Leon (Haslam) was then able to pass me but I was able to make it back to the front and put my head down and keep ahead of Shane. The Airwaves Ducati team have been working hard on set-up and everything is now coming together. I just need to thank the team for their hard work.”
Byrne got the upper hand in race two however, despite torrential rain hitting the Norfolk circuit.
Race one winner Leon Camier took the lead from the start of the delayed and shortened second race and Byrne was lucky not to be taken out of the race after Karl Harris high-sided out of second place just in front of Byrne.
Byrne had to come to almost a complete stop to avoid being hit by Harris and his Yamaha, dropping him back to 13th place.
But a superb performance by the Ducati rider saw him back at the front by lap 14 to take victory by a margin of 2.433secs.
Byrne later hailed the “unbelievable” victory which increased his championship lead to 83 points.
“I couldn’t believe it when I won,” said the 31-year-old. “I had a sensible start and had Leon (Camier) and Karl (Harris) in front of me, which was good because I hate seeing Tom Sykes ahead of me as he is so quick and difficult to pass!
“Then Karl high-sided and I had nowhere to go but to stop otherwise I would have hit him or the bike. I then got my head down and I kept looking at my pit board and saw I was moving up and it was then I thought ‘blimey I could win this!’”
British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, Race One result:
1. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati)
2. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) +0.092s
3. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +0.597s
4. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +1.026s
5. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +2.311s
6. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +2.872s
7. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +6.050s
8. Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) +6.437s
9. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +16.842s
10. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Jentin Racing) +19.540s
British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, Race Two result:
1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati)
2. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +2.433s
3. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +6.012s
4. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +11.875s
5. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +14.527s
6. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +19.957s
7. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +21.123s
8. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Jentin Racing Yamaha) +21.162s
9. Tristan Palmer (Tena for Men Honda) +25.262s
10. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +27.488s
British Superbike Championship Standings
1. S. Byrne, Airwaves Ducati, 235
2. L. Camier, Airwaves Ducati, 152
3. C. Crutchlow, HM Plant Honda, 151
4. L. Haslam, HM Plant Honda, 118
5. J. Ellison, Hydrex-Bike Animal Honda, 103
6. M. Rutter, North West 200 Ducati, 102
7. T. Sykes, Rizla Suzuki, 100
8. M. Laverty, Relentless Suzuki by TAS, 79
9. S. Easton, MSS-Discovery Kawasaki, 62
10. S. Andrews, Lloyds British Jentin Yamaha, 51
