Leon Camier today broke the record for the most number of wins in a British Superbike season, completing the first ever ‘triple’ race win at Brands Hatch. Victory number 14 for Leon also enters the record book as Team Manager Colin Wright’s 100th British Superbike win. Leon now sits 113.5 points ahead of his teammate James Ellison in the Championship, who finished 5th and 3rd.
Leon led from the start of Race Two, managing to build a small gap until the Safety Car was deployed at the end of lap 4. The race resumed on lap 9 and Leon had to immediately fend off a challenge from the World Superbike Wild Card Rider, Broc Parkes. Leon responded with a fastest lap of 1:26.524, eventually crossing the line 4.5 seconds ahead. James, who had dropped to 9th at the start, worked hard to make his way through the field. After a couple of tough battles with Steve Brogan on the Honda and the Yamaha of Chris Walker, James secured 5th on lap 18 of 20.
At the start of Race Three James jumped to 3rd whilst Leon dropped to 8th. Some exciting overtaking saw Leon make his way up to 2nd by lap 4. He pushed to close a 3.474 second gap to the rider in front, taking the lead for the eventual win on lap 15. After being pushed down to 5th in the early stages, James fought his way into 3rd on lap 12 to join his teammate on the podium.
After scoring his third win of the weekend, Leon commented, “I’m over the moon to secure Colin Wright’s 100th BSB victory. To win the first ever triple, and beat Niall Mackenzie’s record for race wins at my home round is really special. Both races today were difficult. I had possibly my best ever start in Race Two. We don’t have launch control on the Airwaves Yamaha, but I managed to get away at the front anyway. Then in the third race, I had my usual bad start and fell right back. I knew I had to get up to the front quickly else there’d be too much of a gap to make up. Once I was in the lead, I just had to get my head down and pull away. The crowd at Brands Hatch has been amazing, so thank you to everyone for their support.”
Recording a 9th podium finish of the season, James said, “My start in Race One wasn’t too bad, but I struggled behind a couple of riders who were blocking me everywhere. I was trying every chance I could to get by. But once I’d passed them, I managed to pull a gap. We didn’t make any changes to the Airwaves Yamaha in between races. I just needed to get a better start, which I did! In the third race the package felt a lot better. Every session we’ve managed to improve our times. I even broke into the 1 minute 26 second barrier in Race Two. It’s such a relief to get on to the podium and be a part of Colin’s celebrations.”
On securing his 100th British Superbike victory, Team Manager Colin Wright said, “I’m over the moon but feeling old! The credit I have received is humbling but none of it could have been achieved without the total commitment and dedication of the people who I have worked with since 1988. Thank you to everyone who has made this milestone possible.”
Race Two Results:
1 Leon Camier - Airwaves Yamaha
2 Broc Parkes - Kawasaki
3 Stuart Easton - Hydrex Honda
4 Tommy Hill - Worx Crescent Suzuki
5 James Ellison - Airwaves Yamaha
Race Three Results:
1 Leon Camier - Airwaves Yamaha
2 Broc Parkes - Kawasaki
3 James Ellison - Airwaves Yamaha
Championship Standings:
1 Leon Camier Airwaves Yamaha 374.5pts
2 James Ellison Airwaves Yamaha 261pts
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