DOUBLE SECOND FOR RUTTER
12 September 2004 - Honda Racing

The tense battle for the British Superbike Championship will continue at the final round at Donington Park next weekend after Michael Rutter claimed second place to remain in contention for the coveted title.

The HM Plant Honda Racing rider finished behind race winner and championship leader Reynolds for the second time at the Cheshire circuit to allow his adversary to extend his advantage at the top of the points table.

However, the difference overall between the two is 43 points, and with 50 still up for grabs, the final round of the season will decide the outcome. Rutter had a good start after powering the factory CBR1000RR Fireblade away from pole position into an early race lead. The 31-year-old Leicestershire rider maintained his advantage until Reynolds passed him under braking at Hizzy’s chicane on lap five.

Just two laps later, Yukio Kagayama passed the HM Plant Honda rider at the same point on the track. A close battle ensued between the top three with 31-year-old Rutter eventually seizing the opportunity to regain second position on the final lap. Kagayama tried in vain to regain his advantage but had to settle for third place – passing the chequered flag only 0.311 seconds behind the HM Plant Honda.

Ryuichi Kiyonari made good progress from 15th position at the end of the first lap. The 21-year-old Japanese rider battled through the field and by the halfway point had forced his way up to eighth place. He continued to chase the leading group before crossing the line in sixth for a strong points-scoring finish on the second HM Plant Honda Racing Fireblade.

Michael Rutter: “There was nothing that I could do under the circumstances to catch John [Reynolds]. I tried everything I could, but I really just had to hang in there. Kagayama was holding me up a bit and by the time I got past him the race was over. To be honest, I don’t think that I could have done anything more to take the win anyway. I’ll need a minor miracle now to win the championship, but you never know what could happen and I’ll be back at Donington Park to give it 100 per cent as always.”

Ryuichi Kiyonari: “I made another poor start which once again left me with a lot of work to do. This is a difficult place to pass slower riders. However, I tried hard and this helped me to pull away from them in the end with a clear track ahead. While this is not my favourite circuit, I am happy with the progress that I have made over the weekend on the HM Plant Honda Racing Fireblade.”

Race two result: 1. J. Reynolds (Suzuki) 29:33.529; 2. M. Rutter (HM Plant Honda Racing) +2.873; 3. Y. Kagayama (Suzuki) +3.184; 4. S. Emmett (Ducati) +10.163; 5. D. Thomas (Ducati) +10.180; 6. R. Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda Racing +19.951; 7. S. Plater (Yamaha) +31.243; 8. J. Haydon (Yamaha) +31.288; 9. G. Richards (Kawasaki) +31.856; 10. T. Hill (Yamaha) +37.095

Points after round 12: 1. Reynolds – 420; 2. Rutter – 377; 3. Kagayama – 322; 4. Smart – 304; 5. Emmett – 288; 6. Kiyonari – 184; 7. Thomas – 175; 8. Haydon – 165; 9. Hill – 129; 10. Richards – 115

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