With only six days to go until the first race of the season, this morning saw the launch of the 2007 Bennetts British Superbikes season kick off with an open air bus tour around London’s West End for this year’s racers. The Audi Forum in Piccadilly was the meeting place, with the entire superbike cast and crew in attendance, Foxy and Jay were also there to bring you some exclusive pictures and a few words from this year’s hottest contenders.
With the success and the excitement of the 2006 season behind us, there was definitely an electric atmosphere this morning with the anticipation of the first round being held at Kent’s Brands Hatch GP Circuit this Easter Bank Holiday weekend. First up on the stage to introduce the media presentation was TV presenter Janie Omorogbe, who introduced a short video with some brilliant clips from last year’s season, and then Stuart Higgs the Bennetts BSB Championship Race and Series Director. Stuart spoke about his excitement of the up-coming season; a third year with sponsorship from Bennetts Insurance, the different series that are going to be taking part in the 13 rounds this year, the continued TV coverage from ITV, and about what makes BSB so very special - the fans and supporters.
Next up was Janie talking to each of the teams, starting first with last year’s champion Ryuichi Kiyonari who had very little to say and is once again riding for HM Plant Honda next to Irish team mate Jonathan Rea. Airwaves Ducati’s Leon Haslam and Gregorio Lavilla were both feeling very competitive and looking forward to the challenge ahead. Rizla Suzuki’s Chris ‘Stalker’ Walker was happy to be back in BSB and riding for his old team again, and last year’s Supersport winner Cal Crutchlow could hardly contain his enthusiasm for his up-coming season with Rizla.
Riding again for Virgin Mobile Optoma Loans Yamaha is the lovely Tommy Hill, who has made a full recovery (all except for two very strange lumps on his chest), after last year’s spectacular end of season crash at Brands Hatch, he told Foxy that he was, “Feeling top banana and ready for the season”, of which we’re all very glad to hear. Also racing for Virgin this year is James Hayden, who explained to Foxy, that he was really happy to get a ride this year after not having a very good 2006 season with Rizla.
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne is riding with the Stobart Vent-Axia M’sport Honda team, and is very happy with the way that the pre-testing at Snetterton went a couple of weeks back, and his rookie team mate Tom Sykes can’t wait for the first race at the weekend.
Another BSB rookie and former Supersport champ we got to have a word with was Kent born Leon Camier who is riding with Bike Animal Honda Racing. Leon is marked as one of the ones to watch this year and said, “I’m really excited about this season and I’m feeling on top form.” We’ll have to watch this space then.
After another short video and a short break the riders were taken on a tour of London in a big red tour bus, for a short drive around the West End. All returned with smiles ready for this weekend’s races.
If you fancy spending this bank-holiday weekend at the opening round of the series at Kent's Brands Hatch circuit just off the A20/M20 come along. We'll be there covering the weekend, and hope to see you out and about there as well! Check the forums for details of ride-outs happening to the circuit to see this amazing race series.
Related Linkswww.britishsuperbikes.comRelated GalleriesBennetts British Superbikes 2007 Audi Forum Gallery
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