By blue2bikes
March 19 2005

Although the GSE Racing and Virgin Yamaha teams were not at the first official British Superbike test session, at Donington Park, it was practically a re-run of how the season ended in 2004.

The weather was dry with sunshine breaking through, but with a cold wind it was perfect for the teams to put their machines through some very thorough testing - and Honda’s Ryuichi Kiyonari, along with team-mate Michael Rutter, were to prove all-conquering, leaving others in their wake as they put in consistent laps throughout the day. Ryuichi and Michael led from the off, and finished in first and second positions respectively, in what was an almost re-run of how they ended the last race at Donington last year, with the only difference being Scott Smart holding the third position.

Ryuichi Kiyonari - photo © Raceline Photography

John Reynolds was in attendance, but on crutches after his pre-season testing fall, breaking his right leg in two places. John said, “It’s not good standing here. I want to be out doing my job and testing in readiness for the first race next week. This is what I am paid to do.” He was not looking happy, although he was looking very fit, and hopefully if his new made to measure boot for his right leg can give him the support required, he may well be on the start line on Easter Monday. Suzuki have again called on the services of Gregorio Lavilla to take John’s place at Brands Hatch, and rumour has it that Suzuki may well field a three bike team this year.

Dean Thomas - photo © Raceline Photography

New man to the premier event, Karl Harris was looking comfortable and well up for racing. I feel sure that Karl will be up with the top riders come race day, as will Scott Smart who is still working on the best settings for his big Suzuki. Glen Richards and Kawasaki team-mate Dean Thomas were also looking good, and a few dices with Michael, and each other, made the day as they battled to gain position at the hairpin and backing in their machines as they were all around the circuit.

Glen Richards - photo © Raceline Photography

Jeremy McWilliams was out on his own for most of the day, and put in a respectable fifth position overall, gaining a much needed three place position over his team-mate Gary Mason who is more familiar with the new surface at Donington. Overall a good day for those who wanted to test their bikes on a British track, and to find out how they compared to other riders.

Here are the overall test times for Donington Park:
1 Ryuichi Kiyonari JAP, HM Plant Honda, 1:32.774s
2 Michael Rutter ENG, HM Plant Honda, 1:33.175s
3 Scott Smart ENG, Rizla Suzuki, 1:34.242s
4 Karl Harris ENG, Honda UK Racing, 1:34.484s
5 Jeremy McWilliams NIR, Stobart Honda, 1:34.856s
6 Glen Richards AUS, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:35.001s
7 Dean Thomas AUS, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:35.246s
8 Gary Mason ENG, Stobart Honda, 1:35.882s
9 Michael Laverty NIR, Stobart Honda, 1:36.047s
10 Jonathon Rea NIR, Red Bull Honda, 1:36.072s
11 Ben Wilson ENG, Vivaldi Racing Kawasaki, 1:36.47s
12 John Laverty NIR, Vitrans Ten Kate Honda, 1:36.623s
13 Tristan Palmer ENG, Vivaldi Racing Kawasaki, 1:36.963s
14 Marty Nutt NIR, Nutttravel.com Racing Honda, 1:37.397s C*
15 Dennis Hobbs ENG, Nvidia GR Motorsport Yamaha, 1:38.058s
16 Nick Medd ENG, ARCO Medd Racing Kawasaki, 1:38.413s
17 Michael Pensavalle GBR, MP Racing Kawasaki, 1:38.672s C*
18 James Buckingham GBR, Quay Racing Suzuki, 1:39.498s C*
19 Malcolm Ashley GBR, MAR Kawasaki, 1:40.539s C*
* privateer Superbike Cup runner

The teams moved on to Brands Hatch for a test session, which was to include local favourite Sean Emmett riding the all new Virgin Yamaha, and reports have it that Yamaha are running their ‘Big Bang’ engine, which would normally fire the two outer cylinders together, and then the two inner cylinders together - but this puts a very large strain on the crank, and they have mastered this by off-setting the firing orders. More to come on this in a later review.

Ryuichi Kiyonari was to lead the test times once again, showing that this year he means business - never being challenged for the top spot throughout testing at Donington or Brands. Could we have a Japanese rider win this series for the first time? Ryuichi went on to break last year’s lap record by 0.2 seconds.

Sean Emmett was the closest to Ryuichi, by 0.2 seconds, with Gregorio aboard JR’s Suzuki in third position, with Michael Rutter in fourth position, and with Karl Harris gaining a very good fifth position finish. With Yamaha now running the ‘Big Bang’ engine, and having done extensive testing to ensure reliability, and with one of the most experienced riders aboard - namely Sean Emmett - will this year be a Yamaha year?

Michael Rutter - photo © Raceline Photography

You can be sure of one thing - this year’s BSB Championship is without doubt fielding the strongest line-up ever seen in a British series. Michael Rutter has said from the start of this year that he wants that number 1 plate, and what a year to pick to try and win this accolade. With a field as good as this, and with his team-mate leading the time tables, his job is going to be that much harder, as anyone of the top twelve riders can take the series.

Scott Smart - photo © Raceline Photography

Here are the top ten riders at Brands Hatch:
1 Ryuichi Kiyonari JAP
2 Sean Emmett ENG
3 Gregorio Lavilla ESP
4 Michael Rutter ENG
5 Karl Harris ENG
6 Scott Smart ENG
7 Gary Mason ENG
8 Jeremy McWilliams NIR
9 Tommy Hill ENG
10 Michael Laverty NIR

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To buy the photographs shown above, visit Raceline Photography