Starting from sixth on the grid, JR posted the third fastest lap of the opening race. Holding fourth with just a lap to go, he was boosted onto the podium when Honda’s Michael Rutter fell at the chicane. In race two he changed his front tyre to a harder compound and was in fifth place closing down the riders ahead of him when he crashed out at Priory unhurt and disappointed.

Rizla Suzuki racer James Haydon took 10th and eighth place finishes as he struggled to find rear end grip with his GSX-R1000. Ducati’s Gregorio Lavilla took victory in the opening race and Honda’s Ryuichi Kiyonari triumphed in the second.

Rizla Suzuki now travels to Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire for the 10th round of the British Superbike Championship next weekend, with a huge crowd expected at the circuit on race day, Bank Holiday Monday, August 29th.

JR:
“Changing my front tyre to a harder compound for the second race was certainly a move in the right direction. I had a good feeling with my Rizla Suzuki and after a lap or two really thought we could compete for the top honours. I had just passed a rider and was closing up on fourth quickly when I lost the front without any warning going into Priory.

“My Rizla Suzuki felt pin sharp and planted in race two apart from when I crashed. Put that on top of a podium position in the opening race and I am leaving here in a positive frame of mind. I am frustrated but now very much looking forward to Cadwell Park and going for a good result there.”

James:
“All weekend I have struggled to find rear end grip with my Rizla Suzuki. On the fast sections my bike is mint but out of the slower corners I just couldn’t get the power down and was losing time. I will be spending time with my technicians to figure out how to progress before heading to Cadwell Park.

“It’s been a hard weekend of racing with poor results and will do my best to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Dave Marton, Team Technical Consultant:
“Getting a podium with JR in race one was a brilliant result and well deserved but it doesn’t mask a weekend of frustration for us all. JR was much more competitive at the start of the second race and it’s a shame he crashed out. However, he is not hurt and he now has a setting on his bike that he is very happy with and that bodes well for Cadwell Park.

“James battled for grip all weekend and we tried numerous combinations of suspension and chassis settings as well as tyre compounds to fix that for him with no real success. We have a good idea of what needs to be done and will be making some changes to his bike before he races again.”