LEADING CONTENDERS AFFECTED BY CONDITIONS
20 June 2004 - Honda Racing

The result of the second Superbike leg at Brands Hatch was determined by variable weather conditions over the demanding 2.6-mile Grand Prix circuit.

Despite a good start to the 20-lap race, Rutter struggled to keep pace with the leaders on his HM Plant Honda. The 31-year-old Leicestershire rider revealed after the race that his factory CBR1000RR Fireblade had suffered from an electrical problem from the second lap onwards.

The race was won in style by wild card rider Leon Haslam – who normally competes in the Superbike World Championship – after earlier pace setter and championship leader John Reynolds’ progress had been halted by a tyre problem in the closing stages. That result minimised the damage inflicted to Rutter’s title challenge to a 29-point deficit in the overall championship standings with six rounds remaining.

Rutter’s team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari completed his first event at Brands Hatch by recording a second non-points-scoring position in the wet weather conditions. The 21-year-old Japanese rider brought his HM Plant Honda Racing Fireblade home in 20th position.

Michael Rutter: “It’s not been a good day at the office for me. I was aware of the problem from the second lap and just kept plugging away in the hope that I could bring home the HM Plant Honda Racing Fireblade in the points. It may have occurred because of the rain, but it’s hard to say because we have had so little test time with the CBR1000RR in these conditions. Things just didn’t go our way today, but we’ll hopefully bounce back at the next round at Knockhill.”

Ryuichi Kiyonari: “It was a similar story for me again in the second race. I’m really disappointed with my overall performance. I must improve at the next round. I am determined to do so and I’m sure that I can with the help of the HM Plant Honda Racing team. I appreciate the support that I have received from everyone in the team and I would like to repay them for their kindness.”

Race two result: 1. L. Haslam (Ducati) 32:19.096; 2. S. Emmett (Ducati) +5.576; 3. Y. Kagayama (Suzuki) +7.274; 4. J. Haydon (Yamaha) +8.810; 5. S. Smart (Kawasaki) +9.638; 6. J. McGuinness (Kawasaki) +10.474; 7. J. Reynolds (Suzuki) +17.478; 8. T. Hill (Yamaha) +18.122; 9. C. Coxhell (Honda) +22.165; 10. G. Mason (Yamaha) + 27.601; 14. M. Rutter (HM Plant Honda Racing) +42.648; 20. R. Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda Racing) +1:13.174

Points after round seven: 1. Reynolds – 261; 2. Rutter – 232; 3. Emmett – 186; 4. Kagayama – 181; 5. Smart – 164; 6. Thomas – 101; 7. Hill – 88; 8. Kiyonari – 87; 9. Richards – 78; 10. Mason – 64;

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