British SBK: Camier at the double extends lead in title stakes

British Superbike
Press Release

Leon Camier extended his lead in the ViSK British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli as he completed a third daily winning double of the campaign in the fifth round at Snetterton.
 
“I had expected these races to be a lot harder here for us,” said Airwaves Yamaha rider Camier who know leads his team-mate James Ellison, fourth and second in these races, by 55 points in the title chase. “This is mega for me and the team,” added Camier. 

The pole starter for the fourth consecutive round, Camier had made life difficult for himself in the opening race at the Norfolk circuit, re-started after a two bike tangle at Sear.  

He was running eighth on the opening lap as Hydrex Honda rider Stuart Easton set the pace ahead of Ellison and Josh Brookes riding HM Plant Honda.
 
Camier was soon on the charge picking off places to be running second at half distance and then swooping into the lead with four laps to go: “It made the race all the more fun and enjoyable, as I had to pick them off and work hard at the corners.
 
“I managed to get in amongst them and get the result,” added Camier. “That was one of the best races of the season so far and it was a real fight for me.”
 
Easton took second place ahead of Brookes and Ellison with Ian Lowry heading off Chris Walker, Michael Rutter, Karl Harris and Julien da Costa as Simon Andrew completed the top ten finishers.
 
Easton and Brookes were again to the fore in the early stages of the second race but Camier was attacking and moved into the lead on the fifth lap, and then powered clear, taking his eighth victory of the season by three seconds from Ellison with Brookes third from Easton, while John Laverty grabbed fifth from da Costa.
 
Tommy Bridewell made an emotional winning return to the series, riding the Team NB Suzuki in the Mirror.co.uk Cup almost two years on from the death of his brother Ollie in a racing accident at Mallory Park.
 
“I’m just so glad to be here and thank everyone in BSB for the warm welcome they’ve given to us – that ride and victory is dedicated to my brother,” said the 20 year old Wiltshire rider who was riding the Suzuki that Ollie had raced.
 
Bridewell finished 15th overall to take the class victory in the opening race and he added: “I have to thank my family and friends for me being here – it was a good ride, hard fought and it didn’t come easily.”
 
Gary Mason, the previously unbeaten leader of the Cup, had been sidelined in that race by a mechanical problem, but he was back to form next time out, taking the victory on his Quay Garage Honda ahead of Ultimate Racing Yamaha’s Peter Hickman, Tom Tunstall on the Hardinge Doodson Honda and Bridewell.

June 21, 2009