DUNLOP DOMINATION
05 April 2007 - Dunlop

The British Superbike Championship is the world''s leading domestic road racing series.

It has attracted some of the most talented riders on the planet over the past decade. Niall Mackenzie, Neil Hodgson, John Reynolds, Steve Hislop, Shane Byrne, Troy Bayliss and Gregorio Lavilla have all won the series aboard Dunlop-shod machinery over the past ten years.

Dunlop helped Ducati to win the 2006 manufacturers title, and Dunlop-shod riders including Leon Haslam, Lavilla, Jonathan Rea, Michael Rutter and Byrne dominated the podium throughout the 12-round series. This year Dunlop is aiming for the double - the manufacturer and rider titles.

Dunlop remains the leading tyre supplier to the British Superbike Championship in 2007 with 23 out of 31 contenders using its rubber. The British manufacturer returns to the series armed with masses of race data, pre-season testing and new product development, and is determined to claim back the British Superbike title this year.

Success breeds success
The British Supersport Championship is a breeding ground for motorcycle racing stars of the future. The middleweight class has been a springboard in the careers of many world-class riders, including James Toseland, Leon Haslam and Jonathan Rea.

Dunlop-supported riders to impress in the 2006 series included Eugene Laverty (third) and Pete Spalding, who claimed victory in the ultra-competitive Supersport Cup for privateers. Many of last year''s successful riders have now progressed to other classes, leaving the middleweight series open to a host of fresh competition.

The Supersport series welcomes some new as well as familiar faces this season. Dunlop riders to watch out for include road racing specialists John McGuinness and Ian Hutchinson, former World Supersport contender Stuart Easton and 2006 British 125GP Champion Daniel Cooper.

New stars are born
Despite being the smallest capacity support class, the British 125GP series is by no means inferior in terms of track action. The series is traditionally one of the most competitive and is often the launch pad for many of Britain''s top motorcycle racers, such as Neil Hodgson and Eugene Laverty.

Dunlop is heavily involved in this year''s 125GP class with more than 80 per cent of riders competing on the manufacturer''s tyres.

A Dunlop 1-2-3 in 2006 has set the manufacturer''s expectations high for the first 2007 event. New talent including Dean Brown, Kev Coghlan and Jamie Mossey will be eager to follow in overall champion Daniel Cooper''s footsteps from the outset.

2006 standings

British Superbike Championship
1. Ryuichi KIYONARI (Honda) 466; 2. Leon HASLAM (Ducati) 458; 3. Gregorio LAVILLA (Ducati) 377; 4. Jonathan REA (Honda) 248; 5. Karl HARRIS (Honda) 244; 6. Shane BYRNE (Suzuki) 224; 7. Michael RUTTER (Honda) 206; 8. Tommy HILL (Yamaha) 187; 9. Michael LAVERTY (Honda) 179; 10. Glen RICHARDS (Honda) 151

British Supersport Championship
1. Cal CRUTCHLOW 242; 2. Tom SYKES 172; 3. Eugene LAVERTY 152; 4. Leon CAMIER 112; 5. Dennis HOBBS 105; 6. Stuart EASTON 84; 7. Pere RIBA 73; 8. Jamie ROBINSON 71; 9=. Ian LOWRY 59; 9=. Kieran MURPHY 59

British 125GP Championship
1. Daniel COOPER 207; 2. J WESTMORELAND 148; 3. Michael WILCOX 142; 4. Brian CLARK 117; 5. Tom HAYWARD 110; 6. Sam LOWES 104; 7. Luke JONES 100; 8. Robbie STEWART 98; 9. Alex LOWES 91; 10. Anthony ROGERS 79

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