MCCONNELL TAKES FINAL MAXXIS BRITISH SUPERSPORT WIN OF 2007
15 October 2007 - Maxxis

Virgin Media Yamaha star Billy McConnell took his second MAXXIS British Supersport championship victory in sunny Autumnal conditions at Brands Hatch yesterday.

The Australian held off pole-man Dennis Hobbs and newly-crowned champion Michael Laverty to cross the line with a slim 0.266 second advantage.

Padgetts Honda’s Dennis Hobbs took the holeshot from his pole position by plunging into Paddock Hill Bend first, closely followed by team-mate John McGuinness, McConnell''s team-mate Tom Grant and Trucklinks Racing’s Joe Dickinson.

Paul Young''s race came to a premature end as he crashed as he exited Graham Hill Bend onto the Cooper Straight on the opening lap. His flying Triumph sent many riders onto the grass, including ISILON MSS Discovery Kawasaki’s James Webb. Dickinson also crashed spectacularly out of third position at Clearways just a lap later. Meanwhile ‘Skippy’ McConnell made a move on John McGuinness at Paddock Hill and began to reel-in Hobbs ahead of him. His moment came a lap later, again at Paddock, where he slipped underneath Hobbs to take the lead.

McGuinness was soon out of the reckoning when he was given a ride-through penalty for a jump-start. Pulling back onto the track at the back of the pack, the Lancastrian soon decided his race was effectively over and retired to the pits. There was a fierce fight for the final podium position between Grant and champion Laverty, with the Ulsterman getting in front on lap nine. Just behind, Bikeanimal’s Steve Brogan and TJW’s Aaron Walker were battling for fifth.

Towards the end of the race, Hobbs and Laverty began to reel in McConnell who had to up his pace to keep the gap constant. On lap 23 of the scheduled 28 the race was red-flagged when Walker crashed heavily at Paddock Hill from fourth place, handing McConnell a well-deserved win.

Tom Grant held onto fourth, ahead of Brogan, Ian Lowry, Sam Owens and Jamie Robinson. Meanwhile James Westmoreland got the better of Martin Jessopp for ninth place.

Don McMartin, Director of Maxxis International (UK) PLC said “Brands Hatch has delivered the goods again; with some great racing and huge crowds this weekend, Billy had a brilliant battle to hold the lead and take a much deserved second victory”.

After his win McConnell said: “It’s great to win and pay-back people who’ve helped me a lot, like Rob Mac, Tamworth Yamaha and so many others. We’ve shown we can win, even though it’s taken us a while to get here. Hopefully next year we can be consistent and winning races from the start of the year.”

(ENDS)

MAXXIS British Supersport race – Brands Hatch

1) Billy McConnell, Virgin Media Yamaha: 17m .33.977s
2) Dennis Hobbs, Padgetts Honda: 17m 34.263s

3) Michael Laverty, Relentless TAS Suzuki: 17m 34.368s
4 ) Tom Grant, Virgin Media Yamaha: 17m 34.876s
5) Steve Brogan, Bikeanimal Honda:17m 36.773s
6 ) Ian Lowry, Relentless TAS Suzuki: 17m 36.826s
7 ) Sam Owens, Premier Motorsport Honda: 17m 42.150s
8) Jamie Robinson, Margal Bykerbabe Honda: 17m 43.187s
9 ) James Westmoreland, Centurion Racing Honda: 17m 43.403s
10) Martin Jessop, Riders Racing Ducati: 17m 45.155s
11) Daniel Cooper, Centurion Racing Honda 17m 45.666s
12) Steven Neate, AIM Racing Yamaha: 17m 49.489s
13) James Webb, ISILON MSS Discovery Kawasaki: 17m 50.210s
14) Sam Lowes, Double Vision Racing Honda: 17m 51.130s
15) Steve Allan, AIM Racing Yamaha:17m 51.611s

Championship positions after thirteen rounds:

1) Michael Laverty – 231 CHAMPION!

2) Ian Lowry – 179

3) Dennis Hobbs – 173

4) Billy McConnell – 161

5) Jamie Robinson – 128

6) John McGuinness – 117

7) Tom Grant – 103

8) Ian Hutchinson – 96

9) James Westmoreland – 69

10) Stuart Easton – 66

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