MAGIC MICHAEL SIZZLES AT SNETTERTON
10 July 2005 - Paul Bird Motorsport

Stobart Honda rider Michael Laverty followed up a superb third place at Knockhill with a scintillating second place at round eight of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship held at a hot and sunny Snetterton in Norfolk today.

Following on a career best front row starting position, the 23 year old from Toomebridge endured disappointment in race one when he was forced to retire when circulating with the leaders following a rear wheel bearing failure but bounced back in the best possible fashion in race two and even led the race in the early stages.

Battling with race winners so far this season – Michael Rutter, Ryuichi Kiyonari and Gregorio Lavilla, Laverty proved more than a match for them and ended up in a superb second place after twenty five tortuous laps.

“I was disappointed in the first race but made amends in the second one and I just pushed the whole race. I had a bit of a problem with the clutch and made a mistake but managed to catch it back, then Lavilla joined us and passed me and then I got caught up with some backmarkers and I just couldn’t get close enough to make a pass. We’ve made another step forward and hopefully I will get it on the top of the rostrum before long” said a delighted Laverty.

Meanwhile Gary Mason could not quite emulate Laverty’s success but recorded two eighth positions on the second of the VK, The Mob and Vent Axia backed Stobart Honda machines.

The 25 year old from Lichfield commented: “I just got boxed in and I had a few stability problems with the bike. I could push really hard half way through the race but I couldn’t catch back up with the others. I got caught up in the battle for fifth place in the first race but then I ran out of laps and places to pass. The bike feels good and it’s just frustrating where I have ended up because I want to be higher.”

Team owner Paul Bird was once again delighted with his young protégé’s performances: “A good day, but it could have been a brilliant day. It was a fantastic performance again from Michael and a shame in the first race as he could have had two rostrums. He had a problem with the rear wheel centre breaking up which caused him to stop in the first race. The main thing is that we are leaving Snetterton with both bikes and riders intact.”

The series now endures a five week break before the next round at Silverstone on 20th and 21st August whereby Laverty and the team will be looking for more success.

Bennetts British Superbike Race One Result

1, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 27m34.719s, 2, Leon Haslam (Ducati) +8.280s, 3, John Reynolds (Suzuki) +12.002s, 4, James Haydon (Suzuki) +13.263s, 5, Michael Rutter (Honda) +19.725s, 6, Karl Harris (Honda) +28.409s, 7, Steve Plater (Honda) +28.723s, 8, Gary Mason (Stobart Honda) +29.066s, 9, Ben Wilson (Kawasaki) +30.246s, 10, Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +31.866s.

Bennetts British Superbike Race Two Result

1, Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 27m39.538s, 2, Michael Laverty (Stobart Honda) +1.768s, 3, Michael Rutter (Honda) +5.982s, 4, John Reynolds (Suzuki) +10.080s, 5, Steve Plater (Honda) +21.383s, 6, Ben Wilson (Kawasaki) +21.666s, 7, Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +21.755s, 8, Gary Mason (Stobart Honda) +22.234s, 9, Dean Thomas (Kawasaki) +22.716s, 10, Chris Burns (Yamaha) +39.160s.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship Standings (after Round 16)

1, Michael Rutter (Honda) 302pts

2, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 257pts

3, Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 241pts

4, Leon Haslam (Ducati) 172pts

5, Glen Richards (Kawasaki) 160pts

6, Karl Harris (Honda) 125pts

7, Michael Laverty (Stobart Honda) 113pts

8, Dean Thomas (Kawasaki) 109pts

9, Gary Mason (Stobart Honda) 98pts

10, Sean Emmett (Yamaha) 79pts

2005 Bennetts British Superbike Race Dates

R1: 26–28 March, Brands Hatch, Kent (Indy) www.motorsportvision.co.uk

R2: 8–10 April, Thruxton, Hants www.barc.net

R3: 22–24 April, Mallory Park, Leics www.mallorypark.co.uk

R4: 30 April–2 May, Oulton Park, Cheshire www.motorsportvision.co.uk

R5: 13–15 May, Mondello Park, Co Kildare www.mondellopark.ie

R6: 3–5 June, Croft, N Yorks www.croftcircuit.co.uk

R7: 24–26 June, Knockhill, Fife www.knockhill.co.uk

R8: 8–10 July, Snetterton, Norfolk www.motorsportvision.co.uk

R9: 19-21 August, Silverstone, Northants www.silverstone-circuit.co.uk

R10: 27-29 August, Cadwell Park, Lincs www.motorsportvision.co.uk

R11: 9–11 September, Oulton Park, Cheshire www.motorsportvision.co.uk

R12: 23–25 September, Donington Park, Leics www.donington-park.co.uk

R13: 7–9 October, Brands Hatch, Kent (GP) www.motorsportvision.co.uk

www.paulbirdmotorsport.co.uk

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