In warm conditions, the former RAF airfield once again came alive as the British Superbike paddock arrived for a weekend of racing on the UK’s fastest circuit. The program included three races for the British Sidecar Championship contenders – two on the Saturday with the third on Sunday.

2018 British Superbike Championship, BSB BSB R07 Thruxton, Hampshire, 3rd August 2018.
Ben Birchall and Tom Birchall, Mansfield, Mitchells of Mansfield

During Friday’s single qualifying session, a set-up choice by driver Ben Birchall didn’t perform as expected and left the team with very little time to rectify the issue and post the lap-time they had expected for the conditions on-track. Despite the minor set-back, the brothers qualified in a solid third place for Race One.

The first race went perfectly – fired up and more motivated than ever for a good result, Ben got the 600cc LCR Yamaha outfit off the line well and had soon moved up to second place. Although down on power compared to the larger machines, a pass on the penultimate lap took the Birchall brothers into the lead where they would remain until the flag. The overall win is the first for a 600cc machine and is perhaps even more surprising due to the nature of the high-speed circuit.

Reverse grids for the remaining two races meant it was always going to be hard for the Birchalls to fight through the pack to claim another win. With the Craig Fitzpatrick built Yamaha performing perfectly however, the team were able to finish as runner-up in both races, just behind the overall championship leaders Kershaw and Clark. A great ride in race three did see Birchall Racing momentarily take the lead, but the pair couldn’t quite match the pace of the more powerful 1,000cc machine of the eventual winners and decided to settle for second overall and the class win.

The ability to fight with the larger machines and take a race win is testament to the performance and set-up of the LCR Yamaha and puts the team in a strong position going into round five of the FIM Sidecar World Championship to be held at Assen in The Netherlands on August 18-19.

2018 British Superbike Championship, BSB BSB R07 Thruxton, Hampshire, 4th August 2018.
Ben Birchall and Tom Birchall, Mansfield, Mitchells of Mansfield

Ben Birchall: “I am thrilled to have taken the first 600cc win over the 1,000cc machines, especially on a fantastic, fast track like Thruxton. It really shows how good the bike is now and makes all the hard work the team have put in worthwhile. A big thank you to everyone that has helped and supported us over the last two British races and we’ll now look forward to the next round of the World Championship in Assen.”

Tom Birchall: “That was a really good weekend – I’m so happy that we were able to take an overall win against the bigger bikes. It was perhaps just a little too much to ask for to come from the fifth row in the reverse grid races to take another win, but we had a great time trying. It’s nice to race in England and show the local fans what we can do and what we are capable of. The format made for some thrilling racing and it’s good to see the other 600s up there battling too – we had a good fight with Ricky and Ryan in what overall was an amazing weekend and puts us in good stead for Assen.” 

Birchall Racing’s next outing will be the fifth round of the 2018 FIM Sidecar World Championship held at Assen on the 18-19 August.

Results – 2018 British Sidecar Championship – Round 7, Thruxton

Race One Result
1. Birchall/Birchall – LCR Yamaha, 10:47.666
2. Kershaw/Clark – LCR Kawasaki, 10:48.632
3. Stevens/Charlwood – LCR Kawasaki, 10:48.795
4. Ellis/Richardson – LCR Honda, 10:56.457
5. Lovelock/Lawrence – LCR BMW, 11:01.808

Race Two Result
1. Kershaw/Clark – LCR Kawasaki, 10:48.267
2. Birchall/Birchall – LCR Yamaha, 10:52.234
3. Stevens/Charlwood – LCR Kawasaki, 10:53.604
4. Ellis/Richardson – LCR Honda, 10:59.279
5. Bryan/Hyde – LCR Kawasaki, 11:02.236

Race Three Result
1. Kershaw/Clark – LCR Kawasaki, 10:45.797
2. Birchall/Birchall – LCR Yamaha, 10:51.734
3. Stevens/Charlwood – LCR Kawasaki, 11:03.437
4. Bryan/Hyde – LCR Honda, 11:06.941
5. Gilbert/Tritton – LCR Yamaha, 11:09.817

Photo credit: Tim Keeton – Impact Images

2018 British Superbike Championship, BSB BSB R07 Thruxton, Hampshire, 5th August 2018.
Ben Birchall and Tom Birchall, Mansfield, Mitchells of Mansfield

The post BIRCHALL RACING CLAIM OVERALL RACE ONE WIN AT THRUXTON appeared first on Birchall Racing.

Mansfield brothers Ben and Tom Birchall won all three of their races in the fourth round of the British Sidecar 600 cup at Thruxton over the weekend and now lead the championship by a massive 41 points.

The 600 cup is run within the grid of the British F1 sidecar championship with each set of riders scoring points in their own class. Ben and Tom qualified sixth overall to start the first of three eight lap races from the third row of the mixed grid.

Race One

The Mitchells of Mansfield supported brothers didn’t get away to the best of starts and found themselves down in 10th position on the first lap although they were well ahead of their rivals in their own class. They made steady progress through the field of F1 outfits to complete the race in sixth position, first in class.

Race Two

Once again starting from the third row Ben and Tom got away to a better start, being seventh on the opening lap. They powered the LCR Honda through the pack to finish fifth and again won their own class.

Race Three

In the final race of the weekend the Mansfield pair again began their campaign from a third row grid position and were soon mixing it with the F1 class machines. By lap three they were up to fourth place and reeling in the riders ahead, shaving three seconds from the third placed machine on the final lap. But it was just not quite enough for them to make the pass and they crossed the finish line in fourth place taking their third victory in the 600 Cup class.

Ben commented:

“We had a great weekend of racing at Thruxton and a flawless performance from our point of view.

It was the first time we had been to the Hampshire circuit so we had to learn the circuit before making progress.

We got quicker as our circuit knowledge grew and our lap times were on a par with the F1 class machines plus we were closer to the podium in the F1 class than ever before.

“We would like to thank our sponsors and supporters for their continued input. We are pleased to be leading the championship and looking forward to the next round at Mallory Park this weekend.”

Image Credit: Dave Yeomans

The next round is not with the British Superbike championship but is an extra round at Mallory as part of the Mallory Bike Bonanza over the coming weekend, July 30-31.

Pic credit Dave Yeomans

Words by Helen Pask

The post Ben and Tom Claim Three Wins at Thruxton appeared first on Birchall Racing.

Birchalls searching for Thruxton Success

Fresh from their heroic effort at the Southern 100, Ben and Tom Birchall return to Thruxton to see if they can rack up more points in the 600 Cup.

After a double win at the last round at Snetterton the brothers are eager to put some more distance between themselves and the chasing pack at the top of the leader board.

This weekend is the ideal opportunity to do just that as the boys are facing three 8 lap races this coming weekend with 2 races on the Saturday and a final race, late on sunday morning

Once again the brothers are looking to assert their dominance on the 600cc outfit and we spoke to Ben earlier in the week to get his thoughts on this weekends racing.

Ben Birchall:

“We had a fabulous time at the Southern 100 and we can’t thank everyone enough for all the support they’ve given us but now we’re looking forward to getting amongst it at Thruxton.”

“It’s a very fast track, so we’re at a bit of a disadvantage when were up against the more powerful bikes but we’re feeling good and we’ve had a few days to get everything set up so we’re confident we can put on another good show.”

About Thruxton

Like many race circuits Thruxton was originally a wartime airfield. Commissioned in 1941 the airfield was host to both the RAF and USAF and played a major part in the D-Day landings as a base for troop carrying aircraft and gliders. Declared surplus to requirements in 1946, motorsport started in 1950 with motor bikes on a track comprising both the runways and perimeter roads.

Thruxton’s fame grew from the Easter Monday Formula 2 meetings where Formula 1 drivers of the day battled with up and coming talent. Household names like Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart and Jochen Rindt all thrilled the crowds in the early races. Since then Thruxton has seen all our recent Formula 1 drivers race regularly at the track at some time in their career.

In 1993 Damon Hill, Formula 1 World Champion, drove a demonstration run in the Williams FW15C, recording an incredible 57.6 second lap of the 2.4 mile circuit, an average speed of 147.25mph.

It is now the high speed rounds of the British Touring car championship and British Superbikes that regularly bring in capacity crowds.

Image Credit: JCM Motorsport Photography

Getting to Thruxton

(Sat nav users – use postcode SP11 8PN)

Thruxton is readily accessible from both the M3 and M4 – 1.5 hours from London – 2.5 hours from Birmingham

Once on the A303 follow the signs for Thruxton Circuit ONLY; ignore signs for Thruxton village. Upon leaving the A303 follow signs for Thruxton Circuit.

The karting and 4×4 centre have their own entrance (sign posted) 100 meters before the main cicruit entrance. If you are participating in a driving experience proceed through the main entrance and through the tunnel. On exiting the tunnel turn immediately left and follow the signs towards the car park.

TRAINS AND PLANES TO THRUXTON CIRCUIT

There is a main line train station in Andover (10 minutes away), which runs from Waterloo. Plan your route usingNational Rail Enquiries

Southampton Airport is the closest mainstream airport (45 minutes away).

A dry weekend?

This weekend at Thruxton looks to be warm and dry with only a little chance of a shower on the Friday, having said that, with high temperatures forecast throughout the weekend there’s little chance of it having any impact on the racing.

Weekend temperatures are hovering around the low to mid Twenties Celsius with low average wind speeds so, it’s looking like a great weekends racing for competitors and spectators alike.

Don’t miss any action

Friday

Tean Mansfield first take to the Thruxton track early on Friday afternoon at 12:25 in free practice and follow that up later in the day at 16:30 with the first qualifying session.

Saturday

On Saturday afternoon the Birchalls are out again at 12:55 for the first of the weekends races, it’s an 8 lap affair that promises to be super competitive. The boys are out again at 17:00 for the second time as they line up for the second 8 lap race of the day

Sunday

All eyes will once again be on Ben and Tom as they go into the final day of this pivotal weekend. Unusually, it’s going to be an early finish for the sidecar teams with the third and final 8 lap race of the weekend getting underway at 11:30am.

Live Timing

If you can’t get down to Thruxton, you can watch live timing for all the days racing by clicking this link

TV Schedule

It looks as though the only channel you’ll find the weekends racing on is Eurosport. We’ve check the listing for Quest and nothing is showing for British Superbikes.

Main image Credit: https://www.facebook.com/LAPConcepts/

Words: pronto.website

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