After a six week break due to the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT the British Superbikes return to action this weekend, They do so at the iconic Knockhill race circuit personally speaking one of my favourites on the calendar. Knockhill was first opened in 1974 operating under different owners during 1974 and 1983, Real development of the circuit started in the early 1980’s which allowed the circuit to host most rounds of the major British championships motorbike and car.

Circuit information:

LENGTH: 1.2713M

CORNERS: 6

LEFTHAND: 3

RIGHTHAND: 6

POLE POSITION: RIGHT

MCE BSB LAP RECORD: SHANE BYRNE – KAWASAKI – 48.252 (2015)

Onboard lap:

Last season Leon Haslam took the win in race one he finished ahead of Dan Linfoot and Luke Mossey, Shane Byrne would fail to finish in race one after colliding with the unlucky Jake Dixon. Race two was a different story not only for Byrne but the entire field with it raining heavily leaving the track very wet he was joined by James Ellison and Dan Linfoot on the podium for this race Haslam managed to take a sixth.

If you missed what happened last time out at Oulton Park you can check out my review here ( https://tractioncontrolblog.wordpress.com/2017/05/01/bsb-rd-3-review/ ).

Since Oulton a few BSB riders have had good outings at both WSBK and the international road races:

1.Leon Haslam showed on a wildcard ride for the Petrucci racing team why many believe he should still be in that paddock, The Derby man managed to score a third place in race one before being taken out in race two but even here he was looking strong. After the weekend rumours began circulating about Haslam’s possible return next season so this is something to keep an eye on in the coming months.

2. Jake Dixon also made a wildcard appearance with the Lee Hardy racing squad running his BSB spec bike for the weekend, Dixon even with a lack of power and electronics compared to the WSBK bikes competed well collecting a top 10 finish and putting a few season WSBK riders to shame.

3. Peter Hickman didnt have a great North West 200 struggling with electronics on his Smiths BMW and also other issues with his Trooper Beer Triumph, Despite this and considering this was only his third time competing at the event Hickman finished every single race at the Isle of Man TT on the podium winning the Jory Dunlop award for best overall rider in the process.

4. Josh Brookes made his return to the Isle of Man after a two year absence and the Australian made an impact on his return securing a top 10 finish in the first Superbike race on his Norton and then in race two recording his first ever 130mph lap and beating his more expereinced team mate David Johnson in the process.

5.Glenn Irwin another rider making his road racing return this year and what a return it was, Irwin came to the North West with confidence but also with the knowledge that this was his first year on a Superbike at the circuit and Ducati’s first time at the event in many years, Despite all this Irwin won the big race of the day beating out North West kingpin Alastair Seeley.

News:

Josh Elliott will be re-joining the TYCO team this weekend to deputise for the sadly injured Ian Hutchinson who suffered a broken leg at the TT, In other TYCO news there is still no new on whether Davide Giugliano will make his return from injury this weekend.

Jason O’Halloran lead the way at a recent test held at the Snetterton circuit this was a welcome boost for the Honda factory after a frankly emmbarassing road racing break for the new Fireblade.

http://www.britishsuperbike.com/news/o-halloran-and-honda-racing-top-snetterton-test-ahead-of-knockhill/

I will be attending this round so my review may not be as extensive as usual but follow me on twitter @weephil56 should have pictures and videos going up during the weekend, Also make sure to give @photography_rjd a follow he will have all your photos from the weekend covered.

And if you havent gotten enough of my content here and you are interested in all things Northern Ireland Motorsport go give my friend Andy Gray’s new video a watch he covers everything from BTCC-BSB with yours truly waffling on about Motorbikes.

Link to video ( https://www.facebook.com/andygraymedia/)

Andy’s twitter: @AndyGrayNI

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