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One week on from the most exhilarating of British Superbike weekends that I have
ever experienced and I am still trying to comprehend what transpired. Three
title were decided; seeing Tommy Hill, Alastair Seeley and Kyle Ryde all come
out on top of their respective battles. Those three championships not only went
down to the final race but were decided by a combined total of just five points.
First the low point of the weekend, when two horrendous crashes brought the
Superstock race to an after just one lap. Marshall Neill and John Crockford were
both seriously hurt in completely separate incidents and both were flown to
hospital for treatment. I would like to send my best wishes to both and
sincerely hope that they are able to make full recoveries from their injuries.
The first of the three titles was decided in the 125GP. Kyle Ryde led Wayne Ryan
by eleven points going into the final race. Ryan did what he needed to do,
storming clear to take an impressive victory ahead of Rob Guiver. However, Ryde
showed his composure and brought the RS Racing Honda home in third place and
seal overall glory. The 14-year-old Ryde took the crown by just 2 points in his
first full year competing at British Championship level.
The Supersport conclusion was never going to be that simple, as Alastair Seeley
and Ben Wilson concluded their epic contest. The first race of the triple-header
saw Seeley inexplicably throw his short-lived championship lead into the gravel
at Graham Hill bend. The Ulsterman made a great start and got away into the lead
before binning the Relentless Suzuki. Wilson kindly accepted the gift-wrapped
victory, and with it; the lead of the series once more.
Overnight rain added some extra spice to the first of Sunday's races, as the
track was still very damp off line. Alastair Seeley made up for his crash on
Saturday with a sensible ride, following Jack Kennedy home and taking advantage
of a struggling Wilson's 4th. With Seeley back to within 4 points of Wilson, it
was all set up for a winner-takes-all decider.
Wilson took the lead on the opening lap of the finale, with Seeley hot on his
tail. At one-third distance Seeley made his move. From then on Seeley took
charge of the race and demonstrated his absolute raw pace to accelerate clear of
Wilson, to take the race win and the title by just 1 point.
Mathematically, the Superbike Showdown
was still a five-horse race before the weekend began, but realistically it was a
straight duel between John Hopkins and Tommy Hill. The first race saw Hopkins
hold off Hill to take the last podium step and extend his lead to 11points.
The American suffered a cruel blow on the opening lap of the penultimate race
however, when his Samsung Crescent suffered a technical problem. Hopkins did get
the machine restarted but was dead last. Riding back through the field, Hopkins
scored a hard fought 12th and looked to have gotten away with it when James
Ellison took third place off Hill in the closing stages. Hopkins maintained a
slender two point lead.
Then came the race of the season, if not the greatest race in BSB history.
Hopkins ran 3rd from the early stages, seemingly unable to find a way past
Ellison. Hill stalked in 4th. With four laps to go, Hill pounced; taking Hopkins
and then Ellison. Hopkins then followed Hill past Ellison. With Bryne running
away with the race, all eyes were on the Hill/Hopkins battle for 2nd, with
whoever crossed the line first taking the title.
Hill lead as they started the final lap. Hopkins went through into Surtees,
before Hill got a better run down the straight and went back ahead at Hawthorn.
Not to be deterred, Hopkins squeezed by at Westfield before Hill retaliated at
Sheene. The advantage was Hill's on the run down towards Clearways, but Hopkins
wasn't about to give in. He made one last pass but ran wide allowing Hill to
cross the line half a wheel ahead.
The atmosphere around the circuit during that last lap was nothing short of
electric. The battle between Hill and Hopkins seemed to epitomise the
competition and spirit seen across the whole paddock this season. It was the
most fitting of final acts to bring down the curtain on an enthralling show.
Bring on 2012.... |
