RUTTER AIMS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD
16 June 2004 - Honda Racing

Michael Rutter is only eight points behind series leader John Reynolds after the first six rounds of the British Superbike Championship. A run of 11 podium finishes – including three race wins – from 12 starts has seen Rutter close the gap as the 13-round series reaches the halfway point of what has already been a spectacular season.

The Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit is the setting for round seven in what should be two closely fought Superbike encounters. The last event at Thruxton saw some of the most exhilarating action of the year, so far, with Rutter using the power of the HM Plant Honda Racing Fireblade to take a hard-earned victory and a second place. A huge crowd witnessed some breathtaking slipstreaming and overtaking manoeuvres as the world class field swapped positions on every lap.

Rutter took two second-place finishes on the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit at round two in April, but the 31-year-old Leicestershire rider is determined to go one better. HM Plant Honda Racing anticipates that the factory CBR1000RR Fireblade will be better suited to the longer, faster Grand Prix circuit than the Indy layout.

Ryuichi Kiyonari has also rejoined the British Superbike Championship after missing rounds four and five at Oulton Park and Mondello Park with a broken collarbone. The 21-year-old rookie, who has fully recovered after an operation and period of convalescence in Japan, was able to participate successfully at Thruxton.

Despite a lack of circuit knowledge, Kiyonari scored enough points to move up to seventh in the championship standings. After a pair of sixth place finishes at Brands Hatch earlier in the season, he is eagerly anticipating his first opportunity of returning to a circuit where he has already competed in 2004.

Michael Rutter: “There should be some good racing this weekend and although I’ve heard conflicting reports about John Reynolds’ fitness, I’m definitely not thinking that he won’t be there. Sean Emmett is also very good in front of his home crowd, so I’m expecting some solid opposition.

“We’ve been testing at Croft earlier this week and learned a bit more about the bike. We got some good settings that should work well at Brands, so I’m feeling really positive about the how the weekend will go. The GP circuit is fast and flowing and one of my favourites. It should also suit the HM Plant Honda Racing Fireblade, which worked really well on the short circuit earlier in the season.”

Ryuichi Kiyonari: “I am very much looking forward to racing at Brands Hatch again. It was difficult on the Indy circuit, but the Grand Prix circuit is much faster and should suit my riding style. I now have more knowledge of the HM Plant Honda Racing Fireblade and my shoulder is also much better, so I am hoping to be fast and make two good races. My aim is to join my team-mate on the podium, like at Silverstone.”

www.honda-racing.co.uk

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