DOUBLE PODIUM FOR RIZLA SUZUKI AS JR EXTENDS CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD
04 July 2004 - Rizla-Suzuki

RIZLA SUZUKI rider John Reynolds left a soaking wet eighth round of the THINK! British Superbike Championship at Knockhill in Scotland with a podium and an extended points lead.

His team mate Yukio Kagayama also scored a podium finish and the Steve Hislop award for the fastest lap of the weekend.

Thunder and lightning along with torrential rain played havoc with the race-day schedule but it didn''t dampen the spirits of the Rizla Suzuki racers who both improved their Championship standings. JR increased his lead in the series to 38-points while Yuki reclaimed third place in the Championship and Rizla Suzuki continued its impressive manufacturer''s record of scoring a podium in every Superbike race in 2004.

The first race was declared wet but the track dried as the race went on, making tyre selection critical. Yuki went out on intermediates and JR with an intermediate rear and wet front tyre to finish third and fourth respectively behind winner Scott Smart on a Kawasaki. Yuki''s quickest lap time of 52.867s won him the Flying Haggis Steve Hislop award for the fastest lap of the weekend.

The second race was delayed by a storm and was run in full wet conditions. JR was always in contention for the win but was baulked by back-markers in the final stages of the race and settled for third. Yuki battled gamely through the wet weather to finish fifth.

Scotland''s triple BSB Champion and Rizla Suzuki test rider Niall Mackenzie was joined at trackside by ex-World Rally Car Champion and Playstation 2 computer game hero Colin McRae to cheer on Yuki and JR today.

The next round of the British Superbike Championship takes place at the fast and furious Mallory Park venue in Leicestershire on Sunday, July 18th.

John Reynolds:
''That was a hard day''s work. The first race was run in changing conditions which is always a challenge. The second race was frustrating as I had the pace to win but found it difficult to overtake James because of the treacherous surface water.

''But overall I am happy with an extended Championship points lead and the fact I didn''t fall off in such difficult conditions. Now I have a further two weeks to let my broken collarbone heal up and then it''s back to action at Mallory Park and hopefully the top step of the podium.''

Yukio Kagayama:
''In first race, I think this is maximum result on my intermediate tyres. In second race, I really need to change setting in wrist - I should open throttle more. I would prefer better results, but maybe this is not best track or weather conditions for me. I am happy to win Steve Hislop Flying Haggis award for fastest lap and meet his mother Margaret, this is great honour for me.

''Now I will go home to Bournemouth. On Tuesday evening I lead a ride out from Crescent Performance Centre in Verwood to Poole Quay at 6pm and hope this is dry session on road.''

Paul Denning, team manager:
''Both riders brought their Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000s home in challenging weather conditions and scored sensible points. In JR''s case he beat his nearest rival in both races and has extended his series lead - which is a great result. Yuki reclaimed third place in the Championship and the team kept its fantastic record of scoring a podium in every race of the season so far, so all in all, a good day''s work.

''Thanks to all our sponsors and fans for their support - including Scottish rally heroes Colin and Alistair McRae who joined us today. Even when the thunder was crashing overhead and the rain sheeting down, you could see the Rizla Suzuki blue colours in the stands. That sort of support really lifts the riders and the team so thank you all!''

Race One Results: 1: Scott Smart (Kawasaki) 22:53.543, 2: James Haydon (Yamaha) +18.147, 3: YUKIO KAGAYAMA (RIZLA SUZUKI) +20.532, 4: JOHN REYNOLDS (RIZLA SUZUKI) +34.758, 5: Jon Kirkham (Suzuki) +50.576, 6: Gary Mason (Yamaha) +51.395, 7: James Ellison (Yamaha) +1-lap, 8: Iain MacPherson (Ducati) +1-lap, 9: Michael Rutter (Honda) +1-lap, 10: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +1-lap.

Race Two Results: 1: Haydon 23:42.685, 2: Sean Emmett (Ducati) +0.420, 3: JOHN REYNOLDS (RIZLA SUZUKI) +1.186, 4: Rutter +2.521, 5: YUKIO KAGAYAMA (RIZLA SUZUKI) +11.780, 6: Smart +11.959, 7: John McGuinness (Kawasaki) +30.058, 8: Craig Coxhell (Honda) +32.956, 9: Dean Thomas (Ducati) +34.927, 10: Ellison +39.958.

Championship Positions after eight rounds: 1: JOHN REYNOLDS (RIZLA SUZUKI) 290, 2: Rutter 252, 3: YUKIO KAGAYAMA (RIZLA SUZUKI) 208, 4: Emmett 206, 5: Smart 199, 6: Thomas 108, 7: Kiyonari 95, 8: Tommy Hill (Yamaha) 88, 9: Haydon 87, 10: Glen Richards (Kawasaki) 78.

www.rizla-suzuki.co.uk

More News
  For July 2004
  From Rizla-Suzuki
  For Racing General
  Biker247.com Home Page