RAIN RUINS RUTTER’S RACE
30 August 2004 - Honda Racing

A heavy downpour before the second British Superbike race of the day at Cadwell Park ruined Michael Rutter’s chances of further closing the gap at the top of the championship standings on John Reynolds.

The Leicestershire rider went out on full wet tyres for race two, however with a fast drying track, it proved to be the wrong decision.

Despite taking the holeshot from second on the grid, Rutter went backwards through the field on the opening two laps. He pulled into the pit lane on lap three to change the rear tyre on the HM Plant Honda Racing CBR1000RR Fireblade and rejoined the race in 24th position.

The first leg winner set about finding his way to the front of the field, but more than halfway into the 18-lap race the 31-year-old was still only in 20th place. He retired after being lapped by race leader Yukio Kagayama.

It was an equally frustrating race for team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari, who had also opted for full wet Michelin tyres. He finished just outside the points after passing the chequered flag in 16th position. The Japanese rider had battled at the front of the field in the early stages, but like his HM Plant Honda Racing team-mate, he was unable to maintain his position.

The results highlight the unpredictability of motorcycle racing after the HM Plant Honda Racing duo dominated the first race of the day at the Lincolnshire circuit in dry conditions. Rutter has still closed the overall gap on Reynolds since the last round at Croft. The championship leader only managed an eighth place finish in race two, meaning that his advantage over Rutter has been closed down to 33 points with four races remaining.

Michael Rutter: “It was obvious from the early stages of the race that we had made the wrong choice with the tyres. I tried everything I could under the circumstances but it proved to be a fruitless task. That’s the way it goes sometimes and now we’ve got to pick ourselves up again to renew our challenge at Oulton Park.”

Ryuichi Kiyonari: “Luck was not on our side in race two. The shower of rain made the tyre choice difficult for me in my first visit to the track. However, we made the wrong selection and paid the price over race distance. I gave it 100 per cent and was determined to finish the race despite my situation.”

Race two result: 1. Y. Kagayama (Suzuki) 27:37.598; 2. S. Smart (Kawasaki) +6.592; 3. S. Emmett (Ducati) +27.925; 4. D. Thomas (Ducati) +28.001; 5. G. Richards (Kawasaki) +30.238; 6. J. Haydon (Yamaha) +45.587; 7. K. Clarke (Yamaha) +48.132; 8. J. Reynolds (Suzuki) +52.300; 9. J. McGuinness (Kawasaki) +1:03.422; 10. J. Ellison (Yamaha) +1:07.207; 16. R. Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda Racing) + 1 lap; DNF M. Rutter (HM Plant Honda Racing)

Points after round 11: 1. Reynolds – 370; 2. Rutter – 337; 3. Smart – 296; 4. Kagayama – 290; 5. Emmett – 262; 6. Kiyonari – 170; 7=. Haydon, Thomas – 155; 9. Hill – 116; 10. Mason – 100

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