The Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki squad enjoyed a successful weekend with a decent haul of silverware at round two of the MCE British Superbike Championship at Thruxton this weekend.

Following on from the difficult conditions at Brands Hatch last week, double British champion Shane Byrne added a podium and a fifth place finish to his score as team-mate Stuart Easton bounced back to form to record a fourth and fifth place finish on Paul Bird's Kawasaki ZX-10R.

Had it not been for a dislodged brake lever in the opening race, Byrne could have been challenging for victory while Easton was also battling in the leading bunch as they finished in fourth and fifth places but it was in the second race where they showed true championship potential.

Londoner Byrne led for much of the race with Scotsman Easton holding third but after the 20 lapper, Shakey eventually claimed third with Easton an impressive fourth.

As a result Byrne holds fifth in the standings, one place ahead of Easton going into the next round at Oulton Park in three weeks time.

Continuing his fantastic form was the team's Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship rider Keith Farmer who claimed a second successive victory for the Penrith-based Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team.
The young Ulsterman followed up his win in the wet at Brands Hatch with a scintillating ride in the dry to head the series by 18 points going into the next round.

Shane Byrne:

"It's frustrating to lead for much of the race and not to win but I'm reasonably happy with the results. We have made great improvements and have proved we are capable of running at the front so hope we can get a winning run underway at Oulton Park."


Stuart Easton:

"I'm pleased with how this weekend has gone and we have learned a lot, not least I can mix it with the leaders so despite feeling a bit stiff, I'm happy with a fourth and fifth place. We'll be stronger at Oulton and so will the bike."

Keith Farmer:

"After Brands Hatch people were saying I could only ride in the wet so I was determined to come here and prove to everyone that I could do it in the dry as well and that's what I did! We've been making improvements to the bike all the time and moving forward and it was faultless throughout. There was a bit of drama on the last lap at the chicane when Brogan ran into the back of me but I just lifted the bike up a wee bit and got to the flag for a great win."

Paul Bird:

"A good weekend for the team and all three riders have done well. Although we're disappointed not to win, both Shakey and Stuart proved they are major championship contenders and Keith is showing the class we know he has and continued to impress me. We have made huge strides so roll on Oulton for our local round and hopefully we can continue our good start to the season."

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship Race 1 (20 laps)

1 Ian Lowry (Honda)
2 Tommy Hill (Yamaha)
3 Josh Brookes (Suzuki)
4 Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)
5 Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)
6 Michael Laverty (Honda)

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship Race 2 (20 laps)

1 Josh Brookes (Suzuki)
2 Tommy Hill (Yamaha)
3 Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)
4 Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)
5 Ian Lowry (Honda)
6 Luca Scassa (Honda)

Championship standings (after two rounds)

1 Lowry 49
2 Brookes 47
3 Kirkham 43
4 Hill 40
5 Byrne 38
6 Easton 24

Metzeler National Superstock 1000cc Championship race (15 laps)

1 Keith Farmer (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)
2 Howie Mainwaring (BMW)
3 Jason O'Halloran (Honda)
4 Victor Cox (Kawasaki)
5 Jonathan Railton (Kawasaki)
6 David Johnson (BMW)

Championship standings (after two rounds)

1 Farmer 50pts
2 O'Halloran 32
3 Mainwaring 24
4 Jenkinson 22
5 Brogan 20
6 Cox 20

.