Camier: Silverstone dream race; review

British Superbike Press Release

Leon Camier sealed his maiden MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli crown at Silverstone, with the emotions flowing for the Airwaves Yamaha team Sunday.

Camier was made to fight for the race one win, with the record-breaker knowing he only had to finish ahead of his team-mate to secure the title. Ellison wasn't giving up without a fight and the tussle went all the way to the final lap. Camier was victorious and the celebrations kicked off when he crossed the line with the new champion doing burnouts for the crowd before being joined on track by former champion Niall Mackenzie.

In race two, Camier made a similar mistake at Abbey as he had done in race one, running wide off the track and rejoining in ninth. He fought his way through to second after some spectacular passes on the riders ahead of him to reward the Airwaves Yamaha team with another double podium finish.

Camier said: "The whole Silverstone weekend was just amazing for me from start to finish. I was trying not to think about the championship too much and tried to keep it at the back of my mind. I didn't want to mess everything up by doing something silly.

"The first race was awesome for me; I really didn't think I was going to be able to get that win as James was riding so well and I made a mistake at Abbey and lost time; I really didn't think I would have been able to drag myself back to him. I was actually struggling in places to overtake and it was tough getting passed James but I did it, to be honest I am not sure how!

"In the second race I had an ok start by my standards and I was just forcing too hard everywhere again but I really wanted the win. I think I might have learnt my lesson now as I made the same mistake more than once at Abbey! It was an awesome result for the Airwaves Yamaha team and for me to win the BSB title is a dream come true.

"I have been waiting so long to win the BSB title and it has been a long time coming and without doubt it is the best title I have ever won. I need to remain consistent though as now I have won I just want more. I am going to celebrate, make the most of it and look to carry the momentum and not get complacent.

"The GSE Racing team have produced so many BSB and WSB champions over the years and without doubt I put the success down not only to my riding but also to Colin Wright, the technicians and all of the support we have from our sponsors. They have helped me come on so much and they understand the process that is needed to win. I certainly haven't now lost my drive to win; if anything it has made me want it even more."

Race Two Review

Ellison wins race two thriller in round 11 of 12

James Ellison took his fourth win of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli, after a thrilling second race at Silverstone this afternoon.

Ellison said: "It is nice for me to beat Leon fair and square on the track and that was a really good race for me but I was definitely pushing hard out there. We have done a good job this weekend and I think I have found something extra in me and the bike which worked here and hopefully at Oulton Park."

Hydrex Honda's Stuart Easton had taken the hole shot off the line from Josh Brookes and James Ellison with Leon Camier running fourth. Camier was instantly on the attack passing Ellison into Priory by forcing the Airwaves Yamaha down the inside. Ellison though was immediately on the fight back and forced his way past at the Chicane.

Ellison was pushing Brookes for second, with the Airwaves Yamaha barging past at Abbey on the second lap, meanwhile Camier was also on the move passing Brookes at the same spot as his team-mate just a lap later. The new champion then passed his team-mate on the same lap at Luffield with a move down the inside.

Camier then looked like he was set to take the lead from Easton on the run down to Abbey but as he went in hard on the brakes he was carrying too much speed and almost reached the gravel. He rejoined the circuit but he was down in ninth behind the battle for sixth between John Laverty, Julien Da Costa and Chris Walker.

The next lap round Camier passed Walker and Da Costa, and then made the move on Laverty at the Chicane. It wasn't until two laps later that he had been able to get ahead of Simon Andrews and Tommy Hill to move to fourth, there was then just air between himself and Brookes in third.

Ellison had taken the lead at the front from Easton after a forceful run down into Priory to put an Airwaves Yamaha back at the front and he started to edge away. Camier closed down the gap on Brookes and by lap 13 the pair were almost banging fairings from Bridge down the Chicane; Camier went round the outside of the HM Plant Honda and despite Brookes trying to hold him off at Luffield Camier held third on the exit of the corner.

Easton, Camier and Brookes were all tied together for the final two podium places with Camier then pushing pass Easton at Priory with three laps to go to move second. The battle was then for third with Brookes targeting his second podium of the day. It looked like Easton had the edge, but as the pair approached the Chicane for the final time Brookes hadn't given up and took him down the inside to take third.

Hill was able to hold fifth, with Da Costa finishing ahead of his MSS Colchester Kawasaki team-mate Andrews in sixth, with Sylvain Guintoli eighth after John Laverty crashed his Buildbase Kawasaki at Priory with a few laps remaining.

Alastair Seeley finished inside the top ten in only his second BSB race on the Evo specification Relentless Suzuki by TAS.