Interview and Autograph Sessions With The Riders

Thursday 4 September - 2.00p.m. to 5.30p.m. - Donington Park

Here's the chance for everyone to see the inside of the World Superbike session and hear from the riders who will be at the sharp end of the action - join Fred Clarke at the Paddock Show for an afternoon of interviews with the the stars of the championship. And there's the chance for you to obtain autographs and take those special pictures.

Remember, entrance to the Paddock Show is FREE!!

The schedule is:

2.30pm - 2.40pm

(SBK) Robinson Concrete Honda: Gary Johnson

(SBK) Hydrex Bike Animal Honda Team: James Ellison

(WSS) Hannspree Stiggy Motorsport Honda: Joshua Brookes/Robbin Harms

2.45pm - 2.55

(SBK) Hannspree Honda Althea: Roberto Rolfo

(SBK) D.F. Racing: Karl Muggeridge/Luca Morelli

(WSS) Parkalgar Racing Team: Miguel Praia

(WSS) Hannspree Honda Althea: Gianluca Nannelli/Russell Holland

3.00pm - 3.10pm

(SBK) Hannspree Ten Kate Honda: Carlos Checa/Ryuichi Kiyonari

(SBK) Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Jr: Kenan Sofuoglu

(WSS) Hannspree Ten Kate Honda: Andrew Pitt/Jonathan Rea

3.15pm - 3.25pm

(SBK) Alto Evolution Honda Superbike: Jason Pridmore/Shuhei Aoyama

(SBK) Ventaxia VK Honda: Gregorio Lavilla/Chris Walker

(SBK) HM Plant Honda: Cal Crutchlow/Leon Haslam

3.30pm - 3.40pm

(SBK) Team Pedercini: Ayrton Badovini/Vittorio Iannuzzo

(WSS) Kawasaki Gil Motor Sport: Katsuaki Fujiwara/Billy McConnell

3.45pm - 3.50pm

(SBK) Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse: Regis Laconi/Makoto Tamada

3.55pm - 4.05pm

(SBK) Rizla Suzuki: Tom Sykes

(WSS) RES Software Hoegee Suzuki: Barry Veneman/ Didier Van Keymeulen

4.10pm - 4.20pm

(SBK) Team Alstare Suzuki: Max Neukirchner

(SBK) Team Suzuki Alstare: Fonsi Nieto/Yukio Kagayama

4.25pm - 4.35pm

(SBK) Sterilgarda Go Eleven: Max Biaggi/Ruben Xaus

(SBK) R.G. Team: Lorenzo Lanzi

(SBK) Guandalini Racing by Grifo's: Jakub Smrz

4.40pm - 4.50pm

(SBK) Ducati Xerox Team: Troy Bayliss/Michel Fabrizio

4.55pm - 5.05pm

(SBK) Yamaha France Ipone GMT 94: David Checa/Sébastien Gimbert

(SBK) YZF Yamaha: Shinichi Nakatomi

5.10pm - 5.20pm

(SBK) Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team: Troy Corser/Noriyuki Haga

5.25pm - 5.30pm

(WSS) Yamaha World Supersport Team: Broc Parkes/Eugene Laverty

Sykes Ready To Take On The World

Round eleven - 5/6/7 September - Donington Park

Tom Sykes takes a break from his quest for honours in domestic Superbike action to enjoy a ‘wild-card' ticket to race on the International stage in this weekend's eleventh round of the Hannspree World Championship at Donington Park.

The Yorkshireman, currently second in the British rankings with three race victories so far, aims to continue where he left off in last month's world series round at Brands Hatch where he made an impressive debut.

"That was a very good experience," said the Rizla Suzuki rider. "I'm very excited to be back in the World championships and it will be good to carry on where I left off at Brands into the races at Donington.

"I ran strongly and enjoyed mixing it with the world's regulars and hopefully will now be taking it to the next level - I was running up to fourth place in the second race at Brands but lost out in the closing stages to be seventh."

Sykes, in only his second season of Superbike action, has a matured riding style and knows that he is more than capable of being among the front-running pack: "I had some of the big names behind me at Brands - riders like Carlos Checa and Max Biaggi and now I want to be closer to the sharp-end of the action."

Joining Sykes in a strong British contingent in the two Superbike races are HM Plant Honda riders Leon Haslam and Cal Crutchlow; James Ellison aboard the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda; Gary Johnson on the Robinson's Concrete Honda and Chris Walker riding the Vent Axia VK Honda.

They power into the heat of the battle for the World crown, taking on former twice title holder Troy Bayliss who, in his final year of racing in this series, is heading the pack and looking good to be crowned champion for a third time. The Ducati rider will be under fire from the ever exciting Nori Haga, Troy Corser, Max Neukirchner and former twice British Champion Ryuichi Kiyonari who completed a winning double in the previous round.

The two superbike races provide the feature action on Sunday but around them there are races counting to the World Supersport Championship in which Ulsterman Jonathan Rea aims for victory; European Superstock 1000 and 600 series, Suzuki GSXR Cup and the Thundersports GP1. Official practice and qualifying is through Friday and Saturday.

Tickets are available at www.donington-park.co.uk or by ringing the Donington hotline 0871 230 7134.

HANNSPREE WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

Round Eleven - 5/6/7 September - Donington Park

James Ellison returns to the World stage this weekend when he has a ‘wild-card' ticket to ride in the European eleventh round of the Hannspree World Superbike Championship at Donington Park.

The Cumbrian rider has recovered from the wrist injury that prevented him from racing in the Holiday Monday round of the British series at Cadwell Park and is ready for a racing return aboard the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda.

"I'm so looking forward to racing at Donington, it's unreal. I was so frustrated at Cadwell but my wrist is fine and I have no concerns about it at all now. All it needed was a little bit of rest and now I'm raring to go," said Ellison.

"We had a good run in the BSB races at Donington earlier in the year and I'm hopeful we can give a good account of ourselves once again. We know our bike is good, we have got the electronics working a lot better and I'm really up for this one.

"Top ten would be a great result, but I'm hoping for a top six if I'm being honest and despite it being probably the strongest field of the year what with all the British wild cards, I'm feeling very confident."

Together with fellow ‘wild-card' promoters option riders Leon Haslam, Cal Crutchlow and Gary Johnson, 27 year old Ellison goes into the heat into the battle for the World crown, taking on former twice title holder Troy Bayliss who, in his final year of racing in this series, is heading the pack and looking good to be crowned champion for a third time.

Ellison is no stranger to World Superbike community, having won the supporting European Superstock Championship in 2000 and 2001, before graduating into World Supersport in 2002. He took fifth and sixth place finishes at Brands Hatch in World Superbikes in 2004, the same season that he won the British Superbike Cup.

The two superbike races provide the feature action on Sunday but around them there are races counting to the World Supersport Championship, European Superstock 1000 and 600 series, Suzuki GSXR Cup and the Thundersports GP1. Official practice and qualifying is through Friday and Saturday.

Tickets are available at www.donington-park.co.uk or by ringing the Donington hotline 0871 230 7134.

HANNSPREE WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

Round 11 - 5/6/7 September - Donington Park

Troy Bayliss is gearing up for the British finale to his illustrious motorcycle racing career in the eleventh round of the World Superbike Championship at Donington Park over the weekend of 5-6-7 September.

The Ducati race-ace arrives at the Leicestershire grand prix circuit with a commanding 82 points lead as he bids to take the crown for the third time before hanging up his leather but Bayliss knows that nothing comes easy in this hard fought series.

"I'm going to approach this round like I've done every other round this year, the aim is always to get the best possible results and take as many points as possible. Although I'm still in the lead, it is all too easy to lose the advantage, however big, and so you can't get complacent."

Bayliss has yet to take a World Superbike race win at this circuit, something that he is eager to achieve: "I really like racing there but have just never got the results I want! It's another track where I've had mixed fortunes over the years. Last year was memorable of course, with that bad off in race one, which meant I lost part of my little finger - that was the end of that weekend!"

Now he has the opportunity to show what might have been but with Max Neukirchner sensing the opportunity to reel him in together with the ever present threats of Troy Corser and Noriyuki Haga, not forgetting Max Biaggi who has tasted MotoGP glory at the circuit the promise is for a classic showdown.

"The strong riders remain the same - Corser, Nori and Max Biaggi all went well at Donington last year so they'll be the ones to look out for again this year I guess," reflected Bayliss. "The wild-card riders? Well the British guys all know the circuit really well of course and we saw at Brands that that is a big benefit, with Kiyonari's double win and Tom Sykes too who was going well until he fell."

Sykes will be among the Brit pack in the races, aboard the Rizla Suzuki that has powered him into second place in the domestic series, just ahead of local rider Leon Haslam who took a winning double for HM Plant Honda in the Holiday Monday round at Cadwell Park. Cal Crutchlow, James Ellison and Gary Johnson will all be aiming for their slice of the race glory.

Bayliss will be checking their form to ensure that he stays on track for the crown, but also turns on the style for his legions of British fans: "My fans in the UK have always been fantastic, maybe because I've got some history there, having lived there when I raced British Superbikes, so I hope to give something back to them next week with a great weekend of racing.

"It's definitely been a strange year, I guess it's been a bit emotional all year really, knowing that I wont be back at any of the tracks again on a Superbike.

"The important thing is for me to maintain the points lead, and build on it! I'd really like a win, that goes without saying, but we'll have to see what happens," added Bayliss.

The two superbike races provide the feature action on Sunday but around them there are races counting to the World Supersport Championship, European Superstock 1000 and 600 series, Suzuki GSXR Cup and the Thundersports GP1. Official practice and qualifying is through Friday and Saturday.

Tickets are available at www.donington-park.co.uk or by ringing the Donington hotline 0871 230 7134.

 Troy Corser and Noriyuki Haga might be team-mates but once they are on-track it is a case of every man for himself and in Donington Park's eleventh round of the Hannspree World Superbike Championship they are both intent on race wins as they play catch-up in the title stakes.

Heading the pack as it powers into the Leicestershire circuit is the former twice winner of the crown, Troy Bayliss, who is racing in Britain for the final time in this category, prior to hanging up his leathers at the end of the season - the Ducati rider has a comfortable 82 points advantage at the head of the rankings, but the 39 year old Aussie is taking nothing for granted.

He is still aiming for a taste of the Donington winner's champagne in world action and Bayliss is also intent on showing might have been had he not taken a painful tumble at last year's round on the country's grand prix circuit.

Bayliss means business, but the Yamaha team-mates are on form, having taken podium finishes in the previous round at Brands Hatch. Corser, currently third in the rankings, ten points down on Suzuki rider Max Neukirchner, has a good pedigree, twice the title winner and also a double winner at Donington back in 1996.

Haga, meanwhile, returns refreshed from a holiday with his family back home in Japan, and eager to close in the 23 points he has on the second placed German as he chases the runner-up spot for a second time in as many years.

He took a winning double at the circuit in 1998 and last term took the second race victory as he closed within two points of the eventual title winner James Toseland - the Sheffield rider graduated to MotoGP on the strength of that, and is a role model to a number of aspiring young British riders taking to the Superbike stage.

Tom Sykes, the former rider in the domestic series on the Rizla Suzuki, together with HM Plant Honda duo Leon Haslam and Cal Crutchlow; James Ellison on the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda; Gary Johnson riding Robinsons Concrete Honda and series regular Chris Walker on the Vent Axia VK Honda will all be keen to make a big impression on home ground.

That is also the case for Eugene Laverty who will deputise for the injured Fabien Foret in the Yamaha World Supersport Team at Donington and the young Ulsterman finds himself in the midst of a title scrap involving Jonathan Rea and the Aussies Andrew Pitt and Broc Parkes

Laverty, currently riding in 250cc Grand Prix, is no stranger to the Supersport class, having raced successfully in British Supersport, running third overall two years ago, taking four wins in a season spoiled by a hand injury and prior to that he had been runner-up in the British 125cc Championship.

"I'm really excited at the chance to ride a competitive Supersport machine. Two years of riding underpowered bikes has led to two difficult seasons for me. For Yamaha to pick me up and offer this opportunity is fantastic, I'm over the moon! I can't wait to get to Donington and start working with the team to set up and get out on track," enthused Laverty who could well upset the form-book.

Practice and qualifying are on Friday/Saturday 5/6 September with the World Superbike, World Supersport and the European Superstock 600 and 1000 races together with the Thundersports GP1 are on Sunday 7 September.

Tickets are available at www.donington-park.co.uk or by ringing the Donington hotline 0871 230 7134.

Eugene Laverty will deputise for the injured Fabien Foret in the Yamaha World Supersport Team for the next two rounds of the World Supersport Championship starting at Donington Park, over the weekend of 5/6/7 September and then at Vallelunga.

Laverty, currently riding in 250cc Grand Prix, is no stranger to the Supersport class, having raced successfully in British Supersport, running third overall two years ago, taking four wins in a season spoiled by a hand injury and prior to that he had been runner-up in the British 125cc Championship.

"I'm really excited at the chance to ride a competitive Supersport machine. Two years of riding underpowered bikes has led to two difficult seasons for me. For Yamaha to pick me up and offer this opportunity is fantastic, I'm over the moon! I can't wait to get to Donington and start working with the team to set up and get out on track," enthused Laverty.

Foret continues to recover well from the injuries sustained in a crash at Brno and is hoping for a racing return before the end of this season

Troy Bayliss is intent on a winning finale as he races Superbikes for the last time in this country at Donington Park on Sunday 7 September prior to hanging up his leathers at the end of the season, but five ‘wild-card' British riders, among them Tom Sykes, are determined to spoil the party for the Aussie ace.

Sykes, riding Rizla Suzuki, made a big impression on his debut onto the world stage in the previous round at Brands Hatch, and now the 22 year old Yorkshireman is promising bigger and better things as the ‘home-pack' aim for glory at the expense of Bayliss who is hoping to secure the crown for a third time in this his final season in the sport.

"I'm very excited about this opportunity and looking forward to mixing it with the regulars in the World championship again," said Sykes whose entry into the races at the Leicestershire circuit has to be rubber-stamped by the sport's governing body the FIM.

"I will be carrying on from where I left off at Brands Hatch and hopefully taking it to the next level. I want to be racing closer to the sharp-end of pack with more of the big names of the world championship behind me again."

Sykes is the form man of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship having won three of the four races recently at Oulton Park and Knockhill and he reckons he can maintain that rich vein of form, although his rivals from the domestic series will have a big say in that.

Leon Haslam, the winner of the second race at Knockhill, returns to the world stage with the HM Plant Honda team - the 25 year old lives nearby to the  circuit at Smalley and has enjoyed a successful pedigree at Donington Park, something that he will be working hard to continue in his efforts to secure a full time ride in the World Championship next term.

That is also the driving force for his team-mate Cal Crutchlow, another race winner in the British series, and currently placed second in the overall rankings - the Coventry rider will be riding on the world stage for the first time.

James Ellison, a former winner of the British Superbike Cup who has ridden MotoGP and seen American action, will be one to watch aboard the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda, while Lincoln's Gary Johnson, riding the Robinsons Concrete Honda will be hoping to reproduce the form of this year's Isle of Man TT festival in which he took four top six finishes.

Rob Frost, riding the Team Buff Triumph, and Chris Martin, aboard the Gearlink Kawasaki, have ‘wild-card' promoters option tickets to ride in the World Supersport race while Peter Hickman and Derby's Jon Kirkham have entries into the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup. Leon Hunt and Joe Burns have the opportunity to race in the European Superstock 600 Championship race.

Practice and qualifying for all classes are through Friday/Saturday 5/6 September.

Tickets are available now on www.donington-park.co.uk or by ringing the ticket hotline on 0871 230 7134

The world’s elite will be heading for the Red Bull Motocross of Nations at Donington Park over the weekend of 27-28 September.

 Already, Team USA has confirmed a star-studded all-Kawasaki line-up for the event at the Leicestershire circuit.

James Stewart, Ryan Villopoto and Tim Ferry will carry the Stars and Stripes as AMA Team USA goes for its 19th' Nations victory.

Heading the pack will be the reigning AMA Supercross Champion and the current AMA Motocross Championship point’s leader Stewart who is back in the team after missing the 2007 event with a knee injury.

 The British team is ready and raring to go, with Tommy Searle, a winner at Donington’s early season round of the Maxxis British Championship keen to show his speed and style at his local circuit.

Joining him will be Billy Mackenzie and Shaun Simpson as they battle to bring the Chamberlain Trophy back to the UK for the first time in 14 years.

Advance tickets are now available on www.donington-park.co.uk or by calling 0871 230 7134.

Leon Haslam, Cal Crutchlow and James Ellison will be at the sharp-end of the action in what could prove to be the decisive action in this year’s Hannspree World Superbike Championship as Donington Park hosts the eleventh, and European round, over the weekend of 5-6-7 September.

HM Plant Honda riders Haslam and Crutchlow regard the Leicestershire grand prix circuit as ‘home’ ground and will be keen to make their presence felt, while Cumbrian rider Ellison has showed strongly there in previous visits in both Grand Prix action and domestic superbikes.

“It’s my local circuit and I’ve raced there many times so will be looking to make that count,” said Haslam who is currently fourth in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.  “I was second in both of those races earlier in the season and there is no reason which I cannot go better – the bike is good and I am determined to go for strong results.”

Haslam is eager for a big points haul to point his career back towards a regular place on the world stage, the 25 year old Derbyshire rider having raced there in both Grand Prix and Superbikes.

Crutchlow, from nearby Coventry, is equally determined. Currently one of only four riders to taste the victor’s champagne in the domestic series, he is lying in second place in that title chase, but he showed his skills by riding into sixth place in the gruelling, highly prestigious Suzuka Eight Hours race, three positions ahead of Haslam.

Ellison, currently sixth in the British series, has proved to be highly consistent since his move back to domestic action from competition in the American series and is long overdue success aboard his Hydrex Bike Animal Honda.

They face a strong challenge in the two races in which Australian race-ace Troy Bayliss is looking for a winning double to ease his way towards the crown for a third time in what is his final season in the sport.  Adding to that will be the determined challenges of Troy Corser, Noriyuki Haga,Max Biaggi and Max Neukirchner, not forgetting Nottingham’s Chris Walker who has signed a late season deal to ride the Vent Axia VK Honda.

Around the two World Superbike races there is action in the World Supersport Championship, the European Superstock 600 and Superstock 1000 FIM Cup plus the Suzuki Cup and Thundersports GP1.

Advance money saving tickets are now available on www.donington-park.co.uk or by calling 0871 230 7134

Donington Park has been given a prime mid-season date for the 2009 British Motorcycle Grand Prix – in the calendar announced by the FIM, the sport’s worldwide governing body, the Leicestershire circuit will host the tenth round of the premier series over the weekend of 24/25/26 July, a month later than this year’s record breaking event.

Next year’s event will be the 23^rd consecutive running of Britain’s rounds of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix at Donington Park, the first being held on August 2^nd 1987 when Australian Wayne Gardner took the premier honours and the most recent, last month, won by Casey Stoner.

“It’s a prime time of the year to hold Britain’s premier motorcycle race in the UK”, said Donington Park’s Chief Executive Simon Gillett “and we are delighted to be able to have the date  announced so far in advance, that the record crowd that attended this year’s event can plan their arrangements accordingly.”

“We will continue to provide the best possible programme of entertainment for the event, on and off the track,” added Gillett who is delighted that the new date falls at the half-way point of the 18 round championship, immediately ahead of the annual summer break.

Donington Park’s current 5-year MotoGP contract lasts until the 2009 event, and Donington Park are currently in negotiation with MotoGP rights holders Dorna for the continuation of the contract into the next decade.

Officially Truck Racing is a non-contact sport, but once out on the track who takes too much notice of the official rules especially when the TruckAttack giants roll into Donington Park on Sunday July 27.

In a maelstrom of speed and sound there will be enough bumping, scraping and exchanges of paint work to keep everybody on their toes as the Juggernaut giants fight for every inch of tarmac round the Parkland circuit.

Leading the action will be the 2007 Delphi British Truck Racing Champion Stuart Oliver at the wheel of the red, white and blue 16 speed MAN TGA D26 Monster at round ten of this year’s Championship. The North Eastern driver leads this year’s Championship from Chris Levett and Dave Jenkins but it is very close at the top and the sparks are certain to fly at Donington.

Donington Park is the spiritual home of Truck Racing in this country after it staged the first ever International Truck Race in Britain 24 long years ago. The last truck race at Donington was in 2004 and a fantastic programme of events on and off the track have been organised to herald truck racing’s return home.

In addition to the Delphi British Championship races there is something for all the family to enjoy including the Pick-Up Championship, Ferrari Challenge, Legends Championship and BMW Challenge races. Off the track there will be no time for the children to get bored with the BigFoot Monster Truck Display, loads of Custom Trucks and much more.

However, it will be those Juggernauts that will be the stars of an action packed day. The sheer size and weight of these six wheeled monsters will take your breath away. They may be limited to a maximum speed of 100mph but those turbocharged diesel engines with in excess of 1000 horsepower produce awesome acceleration.

Welcome home to Donington, those Giant Juggernauts of the Track.

The future of the British Grand Prix has today been secured in a new 10 year agreement between Donington Ventures Leisure Limited and Formula One Management Limited.

The 2010 F1™ British Grand Prix at Donington Park will see the pinnacle of motor racing return to the iconic East Midlands circuit after a 17-year absence when it last hosted the Grand Prix of Europe in 1993.

Circuit owners and joint CEO’s, Simon Gillett and Lee Gill made the following statement:

“We are naturally delighted and extremely proud to have acquired the rights to bring Formula One back to Donington Park from 2010. At the beginning of last year when we acquired the circuit and its substantial lands, we made clear our commitment towards realising the full potential of the Park by making the necessary investments in current and future events that will see Donington revitalised ensuring its leading position as one of the most iconic racing circuits in the world. To that end, we have now entered a new and exciting chapter in the development of the Park and one that will bring significant investment and regional development while securing the future of one of the most important and significant sporting events in Britain.

Donington Ventures Leisure Limited has worked closely with the local and national authorities in consideration of the planning requirements that are necessary to provide a first class facility for the hosting of F1 in 2010. The details of this and the Donington Park master plan that outlines a 5 year investment programme of some £100m, will be provided at a future date.

The investment will be led by a private investor who is also a large shareholder.

Today’s signing of the contract with Formula One Management Limited brings to an end a period of commercial negotiations, none of which would have been possible without the support of Mr Ecclestone and FOM. However, Donington Ventures are still engaged in negotiations with other important third parties that should be concluded in a matter of days. Only when this is done, will they release further information to the media.

Those Monsters of Speed, the sporting heavyweights in the shape of five and a half ton racing Trucks that can out accelerate a Porsche 911 car, make a welcome return to Donington Park for their own brand of slip-sliding, tyre smokin' action in the TruckAttack Championship meeting on Sunday 27 July.

Big-time Truck racing in England was an instant hit, attracting massive crowds as it made a spectacular debut, some 24 years ago at the Leicestershire parkland circuit attracting then sporting stars among them Barry Sheene and Steve Parrish at the wheel.

The trucks, the race tuned versions of the tractor units to be seen pulling articulated trailers on the motorways, return to Donington Park after a four year break with a fantastic programme of both racing and fun attractions to make this the perfect day out with appeal for all of the family.

On the track the focus of attention will be on the scrap for points in the Delphi British Truck Racing Championship with over 20 of these 1000 horsepower, 100 mph trucks in action, among them one driven by the multi-times champion Stuart Oliver. 

Around them, there is an all action support race programme includes the fast and furious Pick-Up Racing Championship, the exotic and the expensive cars in high-speed Ferrari Challenge action, the Legends Championship and the BMW Challenge.

Away from the track there will plenty to keep all ages happy with a BigFoot Monster Truck display, Children's activities and lots of impressive custom trucks.

Sunday July 27 is the day that Truck Racing comes home.

It may be the longest day of the year but there was no sign of flaming June as heavy rain and cold conditions blighted the qualifying session for the bwin.com British Grand Prix at Donington Park this afternoon.

The wet track and cold conditions resulted in a miserable day for Britain’s great hope James Toseland who crashed twice in the one hour afternoon qualifying and once in the morning practice from his Tech 3 Yamaha.

The 27 year old Yorkshireman finally qualified in 16^th place and will start from the sixth row of the grid for the 30 lap race which will be his first MotoGP appearance in front of the home fans.

“I’m very disappointed with my worst qualifying session of the season in front of my home crowd, “explained a bruised but uninjured Toseland.” I did not make the most of my qualifying tyre and then tried to push too hard on a tyre which was not the right one. It was always going to be difficult but now I’ve made it even harder but I did my best to push really hard in front of those home fans.”

Last year’s winner Australian Casey Stoner will start from pole position for the second race in succession on the Marlboro Ducati. The 22 year old Australian has looked in superb form round the 2.50 miles Parkland circuit both in the wet and dry. He led the way after two dry practice sessions yesterday and then led the wet qualifying with over half a second to spare.

Alongside Stoner of the front row of the grid is Championship leader and seven times Donington winner Valentino Rossi on the Fiat Yamaha. Australian Chris Vermeulen completes the front row despite a big crash from the Rizla Suzuki in the morning practice.

Former  World Champion Nicky Hayden heads the second row from Colin Edwards and Andrea Dovizioso with Barcelona winner Dani Pedrosa starting from the third row in ninth place.

The weather forecaster!  A little uncommitted and who can blame him.

STAY AS YOU ARE GIVES REDDING FRONT ROW START

The heavy rain made the second qualifying sessions for both the 125 and 250 cc riders a practice session with their times from the dry qualifying sessions on Friday determining the grid positions.

The rain handed 15 year old Gloucester-based Scott Redding a brilliant front row start after he was fourth fastest in the dry Friday session riding the Blusens Aprilia. It was not such a good day for Bradley Smith.

The morning 125 cc practice session when the rain was at its heaviest proved a disaster for many riders including Smith. The 17 year old fell twice from the Polaris World Aprilia but despite being battered and bruised still managed to go out in the wet qualifying. There were 23 fallers in that session with Smith and Chinese Grand Prix winner Andrea Iannone falling twice.

Danny Webb also crashed twice in the free practice and qualifying while in the 250 cc class Ulsterman Eugene Laverty crashed in the morning practice but was able to ride in the qualifying session.

The weather forecast is for mixed conditions – Let’s hope we get some sunshine.

James Toseland is confident he can be in the hunt for at least a podium finish after the first day of practice for the bwin.com British Grand Prix at Donington Park. The 27 year old Yorkshireman was eighth fastest after the first day of practice round the 2.5 miles Parkland circuit and less than one second behind World Champion Casey Stoner who led the way on the Marlboro Ducati.

The 30 lap race on Sunday will be Toseland’s eighth MotoGP appearance and his one and only appearance in Britain this year. He will look to improve his pace in practice tomorrow morning and in the vital qualifying session tomorrow afternoon.

“We have been chasing a good setting all day and we found it in the last ten minutes of the second session,” explained Toseland, who is seventh in the World Championship.” I’m pretty pleased with today and I think I can find the pace of the leaders on Sunday and be right up there with them.”

Last year’s winner Stoner, led former World Champion Nicky Hayden riding the new pneumatic valve Repsol Honda, by just over half a second with World Championship leader and seven times Donington winner Valentino Rossi third fastest on the Fiat Yamaha.

Spaniard Dani Pedrosa, who won the last grand prix in Barcelona and trails Rossi by just seven points in the Championship, crashed with injury at Redgate corner and was sixth fastest behind Colin Edwards, Toseland’s Tech 3 Yamaha team-mate and Alex De Angelis riding the Gresini Honda.

REDDING IMPRESSES ON DONINGTON DEBUT

Fifteen years old Scott Redding from Gloucester once again was right on the pace at a circuit he’s never raced on before. The Blusens Aprilia rider was fourth fastest in the first 125 cc qualifying session at the Donington circuit which he raced on for the very first time in the morning practice session.

The first qualifying session was led by Italian Simone Corsi, riding the Jack and Jones WRB Aprilia with the first 13 riders separated by less than one second in a hectic session because of the threat of rain in the second qualifying session tomorrow afternoon.

Seventeen year old Bradley Smith, still recovering from injuries to his left leg sustained in his qualifying crash in Barcelona was twelfth with Kent-based Danny Webb 14^th, riding the DeGraff Aprilia.

“Although my injuries make it painful to walk it’s no great problem actually riding the bike, “said Smith, who scored his very first World Championship points at Donington two years ago.” We are having a few problems with the bike at the moment but to finish just over eight tenths of one second behind Corsi is not so bad. I just hope it does not rain tomorrow.”

In the first 250 cc qualifying session Ulsterman Eugene Laverty was 20^th, riding the Blusens Aprilia with former 125 cc World Champion Alvaro Bautista leading the way.

Donington Park Leisure and the British Automobile Racing Club announce that TruckAttack – Truck Racing Championship will be held as a one day event on 27th July 2008.

Featuring Delphi British Truck Racing Championship races plus a full day of support races including Pick-Up Racing Championship, Ferrari Challenge, Legends Championship and the BMW Challenge.

‘Motor sport fans are in for a real treat as this is a rare opportunity to see some of the smallest four wheel racers and the heaviest all on one day’ says Robert Fearnall of Donington Park Leisure. ‘We’re aiming to make this a great value for money day out for spectators whether sport fans or families wanting a different experience. We’ve got the BigFoot Monster Truck Display, children’s activities and lots of impressive custom trucks.’

The sport of truck racing started at Donington Park in 1984 and has developed into an exciting heavy-weight motor sport with five-and-a-half ton trucks racing at speeds up to 100 miles per hour.

The FIA European Truck Racers will not be part of the programme due to being unable to obtain the financial commitment from interested parties originally wishing to help see a round of the European series return to the UK.

The Delphi British Truck Racing Championship is the most successful national championship in Europe with more than twenty 1000 horsepower race trucks regularly competing.

The sport has enjoyed a recent revival, attracting large crowds to Brands Hatch and Thruxton in the south of England. Enthusiasts in the Midlands and North will welcome truck racing’s return to Donington after a 4 year break.

Tickets are on sale now ………………………..

Donington Park is prepared for the biggest sporting event of the year in the East Midlands, the bwin.com British Motorcycle Grand Prix next week. With practice starting on Friday followed by practice and qualifying on Saturday and race day on Sunday all procedures are in place to cope with the thousands of fans making their way to the East Midlands from all over the World to watch the likes of Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner and James Toseland in action.

Donington has the infrastructure and experience to cope with the size of the crowd expected at the weekend. Tickets are selling fast but are still available via the web-site www.donington-park.co.uk and tickets can also be purchased on arrival at the circuit on any of the three days.

Special traffic and parking arrangements will be implemented over next weekend and please find the basic details listed below:

MOTORCYCLE PARKING will be on the surfaced area to the rear of Redgate Corner - known as the Sunday Market site - the routes to this area are shown by the motorcycle symbols on the directional signs.

CAR PARKING spectators arriving by car will be parked on the various areas of grassland surrounding Donington Park. The designated routes to the circuit are colour coded and are signed well in advance of the actual circuit.

Follow these routes as road closures and one way systems will be implemented to ensure traffic flow is maintained.

PUBLIC SOUTHBOUND (Yellow Route)

Traffic traveling to the event from the north will arrive via the M1 Motorway.

Traffic will be directed to exit the motorway southbound at junction 24A.

Traffic will then be directed onto the A50 westbound. At junction 1 of the A50

Westbound (Castle Donington) traffic will be directed to exit the A50 onto the

B6540 Station Road southbound.

Traffic will continue southbound through the village of Castle Donington until it

reaches the traffic island to the south of the village, by the airport. Traffic will then be directed to turn right to continue on Hill Top towards the event site.

Traffic will then be directed into the relevant car park in and around the Donington Park site.

PUBLIC NORTHBOUND (Blue / Red Routes)

Traffic arriving from the south will access the event via the M1 or the M42 / A42.

Traffic arriving via the M1 northbound will be directed to exit the motorway at

junction 23a. At the junction of the M1 junction 23a northbound slip road, and the A453 Ashby Road, traffic will be directed to take the second exit from the island to enter the A453 Ashby Road westbound.

Traffic will continue on the A453 westbound to the signalised junction of Hill Top. At this point traffic will be directed to the various car parking areas around the site.

Traffic arriving via the M42 / A42 northbound will be directed off at the junction of the A453 Moor Lane. Traffic will then continue northbound on the A453 Moor Lane. At the junction of the A453 Moor Lane and the unnamed road (Breedon on the Hill turn off), traffic will be directed right onto the A453 Walton Hill northbound.

At the junction of the A453 Walton Hill, and the Melbourne turn off, traffic will be directed left onto Melbourne Lane northbound. Traffic will then be directed into the south car parks onsite.

PUBLIC WESTBOUND (Blue Route)

Traffic arriving at the event from the East will travel via the A453 / A6. At the

junction of the A453 / A6, and the M1 junction 24, traffic will be directed to exit the island onto the A453 Ashby Road southbound.

At the junction of the A453 Ashby Road and the M1 junction 23a, traffic will be

directed to take the third exit from the island to continue on the A453 Ashby Road westbound.

Traffic will continue on the A453 westbound to the signalised junction of Hill Top. At this point traffic will be directed to the various car parking areas around the site.

PUBLIC EASTBOUND (Green Route)

Traffic traveling to the event from the west will travel via the A50. At junction 3 of the A50 (Melbourne Junction), traffic will be directed to exit the A50 onto the A514 southbound.

At the junction of the A514 and the A5132 Barrow Lane, traffic will be directed to bear left to continue on the A514 Swarkestone Bridge southbound. At the junction of the A514 and the B587, traffic will be directed to turn left onto the B587 southbound.

At the junction of the B587 and Main Street, Melbourne, traffic will be directed

onto Main Street, Melbourne eastbound. At the junction of Main Street,

Melbourne and Station Road, traffic will be directed to turn left onto Station Road eastbound.

Traffic will then continue along this road to the site whereby they will be directed to their respective car park around the site.

Please find attached a circuit guide to Donington Park which you are welcome to reprint in any form.

Donington Park is prepared for the biggest sporting event of the year in the East Midlands, the bwin.com British Motorcycle Grand Prix next week. With practice starting on Friday followed by practice and qualifying on Saturday and race day on Sunday all procedures are in place to cope with the thousands of fans making their way to the East Midlands from all over the World to watch the likes of Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner and James Toseland in action.

Donington has the infrastructure and experience to cope with the size of the crowd expected at the weekend. Tickets are selling fast but are still available via the web-site www.donington-park.co.uk and tickets can also be purchased on arrival at the circuit on any of the three days.

Special traffic and parking arrangements will be implemented over next weekend and please find the basic details listed below:

MOTORCYCLE PARKING will be on the surfaced area to the rear of Redgate Corner - known as the Sunday Market site - the routes to this area are shown by the motorcycle symbols on the directional signs.

CAR PARKING spectators arriving by car will be parked on the various areas of grassland surrounding Donington Park. The designated routes to the circuit are colour coded and are signed well in advance of the actual circuit.

Follow these routes as road closures and one way systems will be implemented to ensure traffic flow is maintained.

PUBLIC SOUTHBOUND (Yellow Route)

Traffic traveling to the event from the north will arrive via the M1 Motorway.

Traffic will be directed to exit the motorway southbound at junction 24A.

Traffic will then be directed onto the A50 westbound. At junction 1 of the A50

Westbound (Castle Donington) traffic will be directed to exit the A50 onto the

B6540 Station Road southbound.

Traffic will continue southbound through the village of Castle Donington until it

reaches the traffic island to the south of the village, by the airport. Traffic will then be directed to turn right to continue on Hill Top towards the event site.

Traffic will then be directed into the relevant car park in and around the Donington Park site.

PUBLIC NORTHBOUND (Blue / Red Routes)

Traffic arriving from the south will access the event via the M1 or the M42 / A42.

Traffic arriving via the M1 northbound will be directed to exit the motorway at

junction 23a. At the junction of the M1 junction 23a northbound slip road, and the A453 Ashby Road, traffic will be directed to take the second exit from the island to enter the A453 Ashby Road westbound.

Traffic will continue on the A453 westbound to the signalised junction of Hill Top. At this point traffic will be directed to the various car parking areas around the site.

Traffic arriving via the M42 / A42 northbound will be directed off at the junction of the A453 Moor Lane. Traffic will then continue northbound on the A453 Moor Lane. At the junction of the A453 Moor Lane and the unnamed road (Breedon on the Hill turn off), traffic will be directed right onto the A453 Walton Hill northbound.

At the junction of the A453 Walton Hill, and the Melbourne turn off, traffic will be directed left onto Melbourne Lane northbound. Traffic will then be directed into the south car parks onsite.

PUBLIC WESTBOUND (Blue Route)

Traffic arriving at the event from the East will travel via the A453 / A6. At the

junction of the A453 / A6, and the M1 junction 24, traffic will be directed to exit the island onto the A453 Ashby Road southbound.

At the junction of the A453 Ashby Road and the M1 junction 23a, traffic will be

directed to take the third exit from the island to continue on the A453 Ashby Road westbound.

Traffic will continue on the A453 westbound to the signalised junction of Hill Top. At this point traffic will be directed to the various car parking areas around the site.

PUBLIC EASTBOUND (Green Route)

Traffic traveling to the event from the west will travel via the A50. At junction 3 of the A50 (Melbourne Junction), traffic will be directed to exit the A50 onto the A514 southbound.

At the junction of the A514 and the A5132 Barrow Lane, traffic will be directed to bear left to continue on the A514 Swarkestone Bridge southbound. At the junction of the A514 and the B587, traffic will be directed to turn left onto the B587 southbound.

At the junction of the B587 and Main Street, Melbourne, traffic will be directed

onto Main Street, Melbourne eastbound. At the junction of Main Street,

Melbourne and Station Road, traffic will be directed to turn left onto Station Road eastbound.

Traffic will then continue along this road to the site whereby they will be directed to their respective car park around the site.

Please find attached a circuit guide to Donington Park which you are welcome to reprint in any form.

Crash playing Live at Starkeys on Friday Night!

Britain's one and only MotoGP star James Toseland will entertain the crowds at the bwin.com British Grand Prix at Donington Park next week in two very different ways.

On Sunday June 22 the hopes and expectations of all British fans fall on his very capable shoulders in his only home appearance of the season in the 30 lap MotoGP race.

On Friday he swaps the handlebars of his Tech 3 Yamaha to the keyboard of the piano to indulge in his other great passion, playing with his band Crash - live at Starkeys Bar.

Tickets will be available to purchase on the day. £10 for adults, £5 for children under 16. Opens 7:30 until late.

It's an amazing contrast for the 27 year old Yorkshireman who has made such an impression on his first year in one of the fastest and toughest of all sporting arenas, the MotoGP World Championship.

The fans at Donington will relish the opportunity to witness Toseland doing what he does so brilliantly, racing a 200mph motorcycle against the very best in the world and playing the piano either alone or with the band. It's an amazing combination and something that Toseland enjoys so much, although both make him more than a little nervous.

"I played the piano for the guests in the Barcelona paddock on the night before the Grand Prix of Catalunya last week and I was more nervous than before the start of MotoGP qualifying earlier in the afternoon," explained Toseland, who finished sixth the next day in a frantic high speed battle." I was classically trained to play the piano and I still read music which is a great advantage. I still practice as much as I can and really enjoy just playing."

On Sunday there will be no time to read music or practice for Toseland as he returns home to race for the first time as a MotoGP star. It's a day that both the talented musician and his vast army of fans have been waiting for a very long time.

"It's going be a very special weekend for all of us and I can't wait. The last five grands prix have been at circuits I've never raced on before but now I arrive home at Donington which I know so well. I can start setting up the bike from the very first minute of practice and not spend so much time learning the track. A podium finish in front of those fans is my objective."

The last British rider to finish on the podium in the MotoGP class was Ulsterman Jeremy McWilliams eight years ago and he can't play the piano.

To most people he is quite simply the greatest Motorcycle racer of all time and the British public will get their one and only opportunity this year to watch a real sporting genius in action at the bwin.com British Grand Prix at Donington Park on Sunday June 22.

Twenty-nine year old Valentino Rossi has propelled the MotoGP World Championship into the stratosphere of international sport. His seven World titles pay testimony to his superb riding ability and technique but his World wide popularity also has so much do about his personality and obvious sheer enjoyment of both life and racing.

Some people had the stupidity to write Rossi off as a World Championship contender this year after he failed to clinch the title for two barren years. They did so at their peril.

The Italian is back to his very best both on and off the track. He holds a 12 points lead in the MotoGP World Championship going into this weekend's seventh round of the Championship, the Grand Prix of Catalunya in Barcelona.

Rossi brought his native country to a standstill on Sunday afternoon when he won the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello for the seventh successive time. Riding the Fiat Yamaha, he's won three successive grands prix to open up that Championship lead. Ninety six thousand delirious fans including a certain Brad Pitt celebrated at the circuit while millions of Italian television viewers joined in the celebrations at home.

Two weeks after the race in Barcelona Rossi arrives at Donington Park for what he describes as a grand prix only second to Mugello as his home race. No wonder Rossi has so much affection for the 2.5 miles parkland circuit and his vast legion of British fans.

He won his first premier class grand prix at the circuit eight years ago which followed victories in both the 125 and 250 cc classes. Since that first historic premier class win Rossi has won four more times which makes his Donington total and incredible seven grand prix wins for the rider nicknamed ‘The Doctor' by his fans.

Watching Rossi at Donington produces that same joint feeling of awe and inadequacy you get witnessing Federer at Wimbledon or Woods at St Andrews. The greatest sportsman in the world pitting their skills and determination against opponents of equal stature at great British sporting venues - it really does not get any better than that.

James Toseland was checking out the Donington Park Grand Prix circuit this week in preparation for his long awaited appearance at the bwin.com British Grand Prix on Sunday June 22.

The current World Superbike Champion will make his one and only racing appearance in Britain this year at the eighth round of the 18 round MotoGP at the 2.50 mile Parkland circuit. The 27 year old Yorkshireman has made a massive impact in his debut MotoGP season battling with the likes of Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo from the very first grand prior of the season under the floodlights in Qatar.

 His one and only British appearance riding the Tech 3 Yamaha, will be a very special event for both Toseland and success starved British race fans.

 “I can’t wait to get to Donington to race a MotoGP machine for the first time in front of those fantastic home fans,” said Toseland speaking between practice sessions for the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello this weekend. “It’s a great circuit and for once I don’t have to learn it. I know where I’m going right from the start.”

 Toseland was a guest at Donington for the fourth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship on Monday. He told BSB Commentator Larry Carter and the patriotic crowd just how much he was looking forward to taking on the likes of Rossi, Pedrosa, Lorenzo and Stoner in what promises to be an epic 23 lap battle.

 A British rider has never won a Premier class British Grand Prix since it switched to the mainland from the TT Circuit in the Isle of Man in 1977. The last British rider to win a premier class grand prix was the late Barry Sheene and that was 27 years ago in Sweden. The last British rider to finish on a premier class podium was Ulsterman Jeremy McWilliams when he was third at the 2000 British Grand Prix at Donington, riding the Aprilia.

 The time is right for the history books to be re-written on Sunday June 22.

Bright and trendy - open daily

The newly opened Grand Prix Café Bar at Donington Park provides a trendy setting for both visitors to the adjacent Grand Prix Collection and Circuit together with local business people and residents to enjoy quality food and drink.

The original museum cafeteria has been transformed by the forward thinking management to provide a sexy setting, in the shadows of the world famous priceless Donington Collection of racing cars, for a quick snack or a leisurely drink.

Big screen televisions with satellite feeds, music, modern furnishing and comfortable leather seating have created a luxury feel, while for those wishing to enjoy the best of the summer, there is an expansive outdoor seating area adjacent to the Grand Prix Café Bar.

All of that is reinforced by a comprehensive menu which provides anything and everything from the traditional full English breakfast through a lunchtime menu of Paninis, “the Donington Park Big Burger” which is handmade 100% prime beef, assorted sandwiches and baked potatoes not forgetting the Chef’s specials.

The Grand Prix Café Bar, which offers a wide range of beverages including beers, fine wines and champagne is operated by the Leicester based D&J Catering, under the management of John Greaves.

And, there is ample free parking for users of this new facility.

There is a further boost for racegoers with the news that Starkeys Bar has been refurbished and re-opened providing a range of refreshments and also offering a panoramic view of the circuit from Craner Curves to McLeans Corner.

Shane Byrne tightened his grip on the chase for the Bennetts British Superbike title with a second winning double of the season in the fourth round at Donington Park in which the local favourite Leon Haslam had to settle for a second best in each of the races.

Riding the Airwaves Ducati, Byrne started from pole for the third time, but it was James Ellison who made the early running aboard the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda, though by the third lap, he had been taken by the determined Byrne.

He was beginning to pull clear of the pack when the Audi Safety Car was introduced to neutralise the race while marshals dealt with the ensuing fire, following the engine failure, of the Suzuki ridden by Luke Quigley.

“It was difficult, because after making a sensible start, I had just pulled out a bit of a gap when the Safety Car came out, and I had to think about tactics, but then I decided to just go for it,” explained Byrne.

“The wind was a real problem and at Redgate it actually blew the front wheel away and I had to pick the bike up a bit and balance it. It was a fine line between being safe and pushing on but fortunately my gamble paid off.”

Byrne held the upper-hand, crossing the line some 2.47secs up on HM Plant Honda rider Haslam with Tom Sykes third for Rizla Suzuki. Ellison had to settle for fourth place ahead of Leon Camier and Cal Crutchlow.

Karl Harris, suffering from arm-pump, had been running fourth, but dropped back to seventh ahead of Michael Rutter; Michael Laverty who had started from the pit-lane and Simon Andrews.

Haslam, who had blamed himself for a poor-start in the opener, made the perfect get-away next time out to lead, and soon his team-mate Crutchlow was running line adrift while Byrne, who had been sixth on the opening lap, was beginning to make up ground, though not without a scrap with his teamster Camier.

Byrne was running third with four laps remaining, and setting the fastest lap of the race, he closed in on Crutchlow, nosing inside him at the Melbourne Hairpin to go second. Next time round, with an indentical move he had taken Haslam, en route to completing his sixth victory.

“I didn’t make life easy for myself, but then I drifted through, kept it consistent and didn’t make any mistakes,” reflected Byrne, adding, “though that said I nearly fell off at the last corner on one lap.

“But, I got the double, and that is great for me and the team who have given me such a great package to work with – all I have to do is wobble around and win for them.”

Haslam came in second, ahead of Crutchlow, Camier, Ellison and Sykes.

Byrne leads the title chase 190-122 ahead of Crutchlow with Camier third on 107 points, while in the Daily Star Cup Buildbase NW200 Ducati rider John Laverty with a victory, and then a second place adrift of the Quay Garage Honda of Gary Mason extended his advantage to 171-87 ahead of Martin Jessopp.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship – round four

Race one result:

1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) 32:01.058

2. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +2.473

3. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +3.442

4. Jame

s Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +5.856

5. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +6.188

6. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +6.636

7. Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing) +7.464

8. Michael Rutter (NW 200 Ducati) +9.809

9. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +12.627

10. Simon Andrews (Jentin Racing/Lloyds British Yamaha) +16.244

Race two result:

1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) 31:06.337

2. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +0.355s

3. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +1.447s

4. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +1.596s

5. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +4.186s

6. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +7.446s

7. Karl Harris (Team Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) +15.707s

8. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +26.794s

9. Simon Andrews (Lloyds Bitish Jentin Racing) +31.816s

10. Gary Mason (Quay Garage Honda) +32.870s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:

1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati)  190

2. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) 122

3. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) 107

4. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) 96

5. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 88

Next round – Snetterton, 13-15 June

Shane Byrne is the rider in form in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship and he intends to continue his dominant run in the country’s premier series in the fourth round at the Donington Park grand prix circuit on Spring Bank Holiday Monday 26 May.

The Airwaves Ducati rider has won four of the six races so far, finishing second in the other two, as he bids to regain the crown he won some five years ago, but he feels that his record should be better, having missed out on completing a second winning double of the season at Brands Hatch.

“I really wanted to bring the team another another double there, we had the pace, but it wasn’t to be. We secured some good championship points though and I will come back even stronger at Donington,” promised Byrne, a message that will have the alarm bells ringing in the ears of his rivals.

Cal Crutchlow goes into the action at the Leicestershire parkland circuit in second place in the rankings, though 44 points adrift.  The Coventry rider powered through the pain barrier of a dislocated right ankle and ruptured ligaments to take his second victory of the season at the Kent circuit.

“I am here to race and to win races,” said Crutchlow who was the British Supersport title holder in 2006 and who is determined to add to his collection of silverware this time around aboard the HM Plant Honda.

His team-mate, the local race-ace Leon Haslam, is hoping to use his home circuit to good effect as he plays catch-up in the title stakes. He knows that nothing less than an action replay of his winning double of last season will suffice is he is put his challenge firmly back on track.

The Derbyshire rider is currently sixth in the standings, adrift of Leon Camier riding the second Airwaves bike and former Superbike Cup winner and MotoGP rider James Ellison who is impressing aboard the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda.

Michael Rutter cannot be ruled out of a surprise result – he won the first of the modern era Superbike races at the circuit back in 1995 on a Ducati, and now back with that marque in North West 200 colours is riding strongly alongside Relentless Suzuki’s Michael Laverty, Tom Sykes on the Rizla Suzuki and Stuart Easton riding MSS Discovery Kawasaki.

Around the two Superbike races there is action in the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship with Hudson Kennaugh riding Yamaha and Glen Richards on a Triumph scrapping for the crown, while Alfreton’s Craig Fitzpatrick heads the chase for the Supersport Cup.

Steve Brogan and Derby’s Jon Kirkham will continue their duel for the Metzeler Superstock 1000 title, with Kirkham also expected to star in the Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup. Add to that action from the Relentless British 125GP Championship, the KTM SuperDuke Battle and the Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championship and there is full sporting programme.

And, on Bank Holiday Sunday, immediately following the grid deciding session for the Superbikes there is the British round of the World Sidecar Championship in which Tim Reeves and Patrick Farrance need victory to speed their way towards retention of the title.

Let the countdown begin…

Seven times World Champion Valentino Rossi is back to winning ways and can’t wait to return to Donington Park for the bwin.com British Grand Prix on June 22.

The 29 year old Italian secured his first grand prix victory for eight races with a stunning victory in the Pramac Grand Prix of China on Sunday. The Fiat Yamaha rider returns to Donington in four races time for the eighth round of the MotoGP World Championship brimming with confidence about his Championship chances and the race at Donington.

“I love Donington Park and all my British fans make it more like a home grand prix,” said Rossi, who lies third in the World Championship behind Spaniards Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo. “After that first win of the year in China I feel I’m back in Championship contention at last. There have been four separate winners in the opening four races and it’s turning into a fantastic Championship.”

Rossi’s seven grand prix wins have come in the 125, 250, 500 and MotoGP classes, making him the most successful rider at the 2.500 mile Parkland circuit that has hosted the British Grand Prix since 1987.

Leon Haslam powers into his 'home' Spring Bank Holiday Monday round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Donington Park knowing that nothing short of a winning double will suffice if he is to put his title challenge back on course.

The HM Plant Honda rider has still to taste the winner’s champagne and that has left him playing catch-up on former title winner Shane Byrne who has powered his Airwaves Ducati to victory in three of the four races so far.

That puts the pressure on Haslam but he has good memories of his last races at the Leicestershire Grand Prix circuit, having taken a first ever Superbike winning double there.

'It’s my local circuit, just 20 minutes from home, and it is the Grand Prix circuit, so there is always a mega atmosphere there,' said Haslam, adding 'for me it is all the more special after my winning double there last year.'

He knows that strong points are all-important in these races as he battles to overcome a 62 points deficit on the confident Byrne who is using the power and speed of the 1098R Ducati to the full and looking good to regain the crown he last held back in a 2003 season when he won a dozen races.

Adding to the expected front-running duels for supremacy will be Byrne’s team-mate Leon Camier together with James Ellison who is making the most of his return to domestic action with the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda team, having raced in MotoGP and American Superbikes.

Cal Crutchlow faces a race against time to be fit for the races after sustaining ankle injuries during the recent Oulton Park round, with the Coventry rider eager to get back in action to maintain his title challenge, while Tom Sykes riding Rizla Suzuki is long overdue success.

Both Superbike races are on Holiday Monday, but in a big ‘bikers-weekend’ the Swan Combi 50 Roll for Pole grid deciding session is on Sunday afternoon, immediately prior to the British round of the World Sidecar Championship in which Tim Reeves and Patrick Farrance will be gunning for glory in their efforts to retain the crown.

There is free practice throughout Saturday as everyone prepares for the big raceday on Monday, with Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersports; Relentless British 125GP; Metzeler National Superstock 600 and 1000 Championships, Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup and the Focused Events KTM SuperDuke Battle.

Spyder Club opens for business at Donington Park - 'Don’t dream it. Ride it!'

Spyder Club provides a different and exciting concept in motorcycle riding enjoyment by giving members the opportunity to ride the machines of their dreams without the usual hassles and costs of ownership.

Based at Donington Park, the company offers enthusiasts the opportunity to ride the ultimate, most exotic motorcycles, but without the usual financial commitment.

“Membership of the club is open to every motorcycle enthusiast, be they wealthy businessmen who can afford a stable of various top of the range machines, or, the rider who yearns to try something special alongside his everyday machine,” explained Mark Smith-Young of Spyder Club.

“What we offer is a choice of machines, ready to ride, without any worries about maintenance, running costs, insurance and the like – members will simply have to ride the machines that others dream about.”

Spyder Club is a new motorcycle members club based at Donington Park that lets you ride top superbikes without the commitments of ownership. From as little as £950 a year Spyder Club takes care of insurance, tax and running costs and will even deliver the bike to your door, 50 pence per mile return, all you need to do is choose which of the bikes you want to ride and fuel it.

Starting with ten bikes, Spyder Club intends to increase this to thirty through the year. Members will enjoy a ratio of one bike to six members and up to 50 days or 5000 miles a year with the top package £2,600 per annum.

Current bikes include:

• MV F4R312
• Ducati 1098S and Hypermotard S
• Benelli Cafe Racer
• Aprilia Tuono Factory
• Triumph Speed Triple and Daytona 675
• KTM Supermoto 950
• Honda CBR600RR
• Suzuki GSXR1000.

From 10am to 3pm on the 18th April Spyder Club is having an open day at its base at Donington Park. All general enquiries and potential members are welcome to come and see the bikes and chat with the staff about the service Spyder Club can provide.

For more details about Spyder Club please see the website www.spyderclub.co.uk or call on 01332 850344 and your questions will happily be answered.

James Toseland dedicated his brilliant sixth place in the bwin.com Grand Prix of Spain due to a bowl of his Mum’s porridge and the work of the Clinica Mobile at the Jerez circuit. The tough Yorkshire man was suffering from an energy sapping chest infection but fought his way to sixth place on a last bend showdown with three other riders that had the 134,000 crowd on their feet.

“I’ve been really rough all weekend but my Mum prepared me a bowl of porridge this morning that gave me extra strength while the Clinica Mobile have really looked after me,” explained the 27 year old Yorkshire man who now holds sixth place in his debut MotoGP season after finishing sixth at the opening two rounds. “It was a really tough race but somehow I found the energy for that last bend battle with Loris Capirossi, John Hopkins and Andrea Dovizioso.”

It was rough and tough stuff with veteran former World Champion Capirossi grabbing fifth place on the race to the line. The 27 lap race was won by Spaniard Dani Pedrosa who had quite a day riding the Repsol Honda. The 22 year old secured his first MotoGP win at Jerez, took over the lead in the World Championship and received the winner’s trophy from the King Juan Carlos.

He was in a class of his own and was a comfortable winner over the Fiat Yamaha pair of seven times Jerez winner Valentino Rossi and pole setter Jorge Lorenzo with former World Champion Nicky Hayden in fourth place.

It was a disastrous day for World Champion Casey Stoner. The Australian twice ran the Marlboro Ducati off the track at the end of the back straight and finally limped home in 11th and slipped to fourth place in the Championship, 11 points down on Pedrosa.

SMITH TAKES PODIUM FINISH

Seventeen year old Bradley Smith scored his first 125 cc Championship points of the season with a brilliant third place in the 23 lap race round the 2.748 mile Jerez circuit. Fifteen year old Scott Redding continued his sensational form with a seventh place in just his second grand prix but Kent-based Danny Webb crashed out of the race when well placed.

Smith started from pole riding the Polaris World Aprilia and led in the early stages but was having problems and was soon passed by the race winner Italian Simone Corsi and second placed Spanish teenager Nicolas Terol. Smith fought back and held off the considerable challenge of the in-form German teenager Stefan Bradl for a podium finish.

“That was a great result for me and the team because despite starting in pole we’d had our problems during practice,” said Smith after securing his second podium finish. “Once the tyres started going off I had to concentrate to hold onto third place and keep in front of Stefan. After the disappointment in Qatar it’s great to start scoring points and I’m really looking forward to the next round in Portugal.”

Redding fought a tremendous battle with Swiss teenager Dominique Aegerter and his team-mate Frenchman Mike Di Meglio to grab seventh place riding the Blusens Aprilia.

Ulsterman Eugene Laverty’s run of bad luck continued in the 250cc class when he retired from the race won by Mika Kallio with a seized engine.

Race Classification:

1. Dani Pedrosa Honda 45.35.121
2. Valentino Rossi Yamaha 45.38.004
3. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 45.39.460
4. Nicky Hayden Honda 45.45.263
5. Loris Capirossi Suzuki 46.02.645
6. James Toseland Yamaha 46.02.929
7. John Hopkins Kawasaki 46.03.417
8. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 46.03.570
9. Shinya Nakano Honda 46.07.690
10. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki 46.10.212