Raceline Photography

The first ever heat race win was by Davide Tardozzi, aboard a Bimota, with Marco Lucchinelli, aboard a Ducati, winning the second heat and the race overall. Englishman Roger Burnett was the first WSBK pole qualifier, for Honda. Roger manages the present series leader James Toseland. (1988 entries)

The last World Superbike races held at Donington Park were in 2001, the first won by Neil Hodgson, aboard a Ducati 996 RS, with the second race going to Pier-Francesco Chili, aboard a Suzuki GSX-R750.

The return to the circuit will be one filled with emotion - not only for those who will be taking part in the racing, but for those who have won there in the distant past. Marking the 20th year celebrations, there will be a Superbike Show rivalled by none other to-date, as past stars will be there in a special paddock and on track show, along with their machines.

The series holds some very special memories for those who took part, consisting of riders whom names are still very prominent in the sports arena today. They will also appear on track with their machines during the race weekend of 31st March-1st April 2007. Saturday 31st March will see the first parade starting 12:55 to 13:25, with the second parade on Sunday 1st April, 14:30 to 15:00.

The following is a list of past masters and machines expected to be there for both days, and looking more like a who’s who in the WSBK series:
Scott Russell (1993 WSBK Champion) - Yamaha
Fred Merkel (1988 and 1989 WSBK Champion) - Honda
Aaron Slight (13-times race winner) - Honda
Piergiorgio Bontempi (WSS race winner/WSBK podium finisher) - Kawasaki
Peter Goddard (two-time WSBK race winner) - Aprilia
Marco Lucchinelli (two-time WSBK race winner and 500cc GP champion) - Ducati
Davide Tardozzi (five-time WSBK race winner) - Ducati
Fabrizio Pirovano (ten-time WSBK race winner, 1998 WSS Champion) - Yamaha
Roger Burnett (first ever WSBK pole qualifier) - Honda
James Whitham (WSBK race winner, four-time WSS race winner) - Suzuki
John Reynolds (WSBK race winner) - Suzuki
Pier-Francesco Chili (17-time WSBK race winner)

The 2007 season so far:

It has certainly been exciting, starting as fast and furious as it ended last year. As predicted in February, it was Max Biaggi who was to come out onto the start line and take everyone by surprise, proving in his rookie year that he is a rider not to be taken lightly - and I feel sure he will be there at the end of play. Max has stated that he wishes he had found WSBK years ago. Obviously happy with his team and machine, he will surely go on to even more bike-to-bike clashes with the top riders.

James Toseland, having secured his first ever win at Phillip Island, and the current leader in the series, wowed the crowds with his band Crash two weeks ago. He will certainly be on fire when the lights turn green, but James will not be attending the next practice sessions, taking place at Valencia.

Troy Bayliss: Coming more to the fore during his outing on his home circuit, and surprising the present series leader James Toseland, Troy is determined as ever to keep his title. Troy previously stated that, although he was topping the time sheets during the testing sessions, it was not going to be so easy during the racing this year.

Troy Corser, taking his first podium at Qatar aboard a Yamaha, will be wanting better results; and the determined Noriyuki Haga, also taking his first podium of the year at Phillip Island, will certainly want more of the same. Lorenzo Lanzi, another improving rider, is attaining some good results, as is Rubén Xaus. Yukio Kagayama, another favourite of the British fans, and suffering from injuries, will certainly want to improve on his results - and hopefully will when he returns to our shores.

Preview:
Donington Park has been altered since the series was last here, with the surfacing being changed - and it can be slippery especially when wet. It will require full concentration to maintain a good advantage. It’s certainly a track for dramatic finishes, and throws up some surprising results. Set in the Derbyshire countryside, and easy to get to, it will I feel be packed with race fans during the whole of race weekend.

James has ridden Donington many times during his career, and this will stand him in good stead come race day. Well liked by young and old alike, the crowds will certainly cheer him on for double home wins. Max Biaggi last rode this flowing circuit during the MotoGP series in 2005, and will have good knowledge of the hidden rises and dips, which will certainly stand him in good stead.

Noriyuki Haga knows Donington well, having ridden here during his British Superbike campaign, as a wildcard alongside present BSB contender Leon Haslam - as well as in WSBK and the 2001 GP. ‘Nitro Nori’, as he is known here by his British fans, will be going all out to capitalise on his knowledge.

Tory Bayliss and Troy Corser are no strangers to Donington Park, and will be up there challenging come race day. Dean Ellison who made the change from the British Superbike series to the WSBK series, has ridden the track since those changes and should be able capitalise on this and add to his points tally. It will certainly be a great homecoming for the British riders, and hopefully the weather will be just as welcoming come race day.

Valencia test:
During the latest official Valencia tests, Troy Bayliss topped the time sheets once again on his way to breaking the lap record, previously held by Briton Neil Hodgson in 2003, with Xaus and fellow team-mate of Troy Bayliss in third position.

Although James Toseland was not at the Valencia tests, this will certainly give Troy Bayliss a boost for the first of the three rounds being held in the UK - Donington Park, followed by Silverstone, and then the last round in the UK at Brands Hatch.

Overall test times, Valencia:
1 Bayliss 1:34.102
2 Xaus 1:34.565
3 Lanzi 1:34.584
4 Biaggi 1:34.708
5 Corser 1:34.851
6 Haga 1:35.029
7 Nieto 1:35.410
8 Muggeridge 1:35.470
9 Neukirchner 1:35.532
10 Laconi 1:35.639
11 Kagayama 1:35.785

Rain or shine you can be sure that the racing will be close, and as exciting as it has ever been, with James determined to keep his lead and even extend it. Will Max pull out a win again? Will Troy Bayliss take the top spot? Can Troy Corser take a win? Can Noriyuki Haga take a deserved win? Will James do the double? And let’s not forget Xaus and Lanzi in the mix.

One of the best line-ups ever for the WSBK Championships, and any one of the above mentioned are in with a chance of taking a win - and in fact winning the championship. With race day on the 1st of April, you would be a fool not to bet on James to keep his title lead - but with many others capable of winning you can be sure it will be a day to remember. With close bike to bike action, this is one round that should not be missed...

STOP PRESS:
Donington Park will be open to the public this Thursday, the 29th of March 2007, totally free of charge for those who would like to see the WSBK stars. Although at the moment there is not any planned on track action, the whole of the paddock will be open, where you can meet your favourite rider(s). This has not been done before, so if you want a great day out get yourself along to Donington Park and meet the riders who are making this series what it is today - a great opportunity to see your favourite(s) in a relaxed atmosphere, and TOTALLY FREE.

WSBK latest news:
Neil Hodgson, rumoured to have been offered a ride at Donington, will be appearing alongside the aforementioned riders in the 20th year celebrations.
Steve Martin has been dropped by the DFX Corse Honda team, after they announced they no longer had enough funds to keep his machine running. Hopefully Steve will be back in the not too distant future.

Points after two rounds:
Toseland 90; Biaggi 74; Bayliss 64; Haga 50; Corser 45; Lanzi 44; Xaus and Neukirchner 32; Kagayama 23; Nieto and Rolfo 20; Fabrizio, Martin and Brookes 11; Nakatomi 10; Smrz 9; Polita 6; Laconi 5; Muggeridge 2; Ellison 1

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