SEVENTH HEAVEN FOR MASON AT SILVERSTONE
21 August 2005 - Stobart Honda

Stobart Honda rider Gary Mason upheld the team’s honour with a pair of battling seventh place finishes at a warm and sunny Silverstone today for round nine of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

The 26 year old from Lichfield battled through from a lowly row three start to claim the pair of seventh place finishes in difficult conditions following a number of race stoppages today.

The results left Mason in eighth position in the Championship and all things considered he was reasonably happy with his performance.

“I’m very pleased. We made a few little modifications for the second race which made a big difference. I wanted another 2 to 3/10ths out of the bike and it worked. It’s just a shame I got held up at the beginning but once I got past I could chase Haydon and the other leading bunch. If I’d have been up there from the start I could have run with them, but that’s racing. I’m looking forward to Cadwell Park next weekend” said Mason.

It wasn’t such good news for the second of the VK, The Mob and Vent Axia backed Stobart Honda machines for Michael Laverty when he crashed out of race one injuring his back in the process.

Laverty, who finished on the podium in the previous two rounds, slid off on coolant and was hit by a wayward machine, but fortunately his injuries were not as bad as first feared and he was able to watch the second race from the Stobart Honda pit.

“I’m feeling very battered and bruised but I will be going to seek some professional therapy this week and should know in the next day or two whether I will be fit for Cadwell Park, but I’ll be doing my best that’s for sure” said Laverty.

Team boss Paul Bird commented: “Not a great weekend. Hopefully Michael isn’t too seriously injured and we hope he can make it out for next weekend. Gary rode well in the second race, it was just a shame he got held up in the early stages.”

The team is next in action at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire on Bank Holiday Monday.

Bennetts British Superbike Race One Result

1, Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 27m50.122s, 2, Leon Haslam (Ducati) +3.160s, 3, John Reynolds (Suzuki) +10.104s, 4, Karl Haris (Honda) +11.904s, 5, Glen Richards (Kawasaki) +11.935s, 6, Dean Thomas (Kawasaki) +12.079s, 7, Gary Mason (Stobart Honda) +16.233s, 8, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +18.762s, 9, Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +20.570s, 10, James Haydon (Suzuki) +23.524s.

Bennetts British Superbike Race Two Result

1, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 23m15.938s, 2, Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) +1.490s, 3, Leon Haslam (Ducati) +7.420s, 4, Michael Rutter (Honda) +8.139s, 5, Glen Richards (Kawasaki) +15.189s, 6, Dean Thomas (Kawasaki) +15.342s, 7, Gary Mason (Stobart Honda) +16.070s, 8, James Haydon (Suzuki) +17.949s, 9, Karl Harris (Honda) +17.968s, 10, Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +28.067s.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship Standings (after Round 18)

1, Michael Rutter (Honda) 316pts

2, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 290pts

3, Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 286pts

4, Leon Haslam (Ducati) 208pts

5, Glen Richards (Kawasaki) 182pts

6, Karl Harris (Honda) 145pts

7, Dean Thomas (Kawasaki) 129pts

8, Gary Mason (Stobart Honda) 116pts

9, Michael Laverty (Stobart Honda) 113pts

10, John Reynolds (Suzuki) 84pts

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.honda-racing.co.uk

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