King Kiyo claims honours. Rutter rescues reputatio

HM Plant's Ryuichi Kiyonari took a win and a second place to win the British Superbike championship Ducati Airwave's Leon Haslam at Brands Hatch today. At a crowd packed race, with double points on offer, - 50 points for a win - the pressure fell on the shoulders of Haslam, Kiyonari and Lavilla. Kiyo's results meant he took the title by eight points from Haslam.

Stobart Motorsport rider Michael Rutter ended the season on the podium after a day of drama at the final round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship held at Brands Hatch today.

Rutter put his 'Blade on the front row of the grid after Saturday's rain-shortened qualifying session but in the opening 20 lap race, he blew the start meaning he was languishing down the order when out came the red flags to stop the race because of rain. However, in the restart, the 33 year old opted for slick tyres on a drying track which proved to be an inspired choice as he brought the Paul Bird Motorsport bike home in third place to match his result at the opening round of the season at the Kent track.





But in race two, Rutter couldn't repeat his heroics in leg one and after choosing a harder tyre for the rain-hit second outing and had to settle for eighth at the flag, the race being red flagged for a second time after an accident involving Tommy Hill.

Defending champion and Ducati Airwaves rider Gregorio Lavilla finished in third place in the championship standings - a mid-season run of poor form blotted his chances of taking another title, but a crash in the first race sealed his fate.

Haslam plays bridesmaid to Kiyo, despite a strong season where he only finished off the podium four times.





Superbike Race One Result

1, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 19m45.196s

2, Leon Haslam (Ducati) +0.181s

3, Michael Rutter (Stobart Honda) +16.501s

4, Tommy Hill (Yamaha) +32.561s

5, Glen Richards (Honda) +35.694s



Superbike Race Two Result

1, Leon Haslam (Ducati) 22m02.916s,

2, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +8.772s

3, Jonathan Rea (Honda) +14.698s

4, Karl Harris (Honda) +17.939s

5, Michael Laverty (Stobart Honda) +27.586s



2006 Bennetts British Superbike Championship Final Standings

1, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 466pts

2, Leon Haslam (Ducati) 458pts

3, Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 377pts

4, Jonathan Rea (Honda) 248pts

5, Karl Harris (Honda) 244pts

6, Shane Byrne (Suzuki) 224pts

7, Michael Rutter (Stobart Honda) 206pts

8, Tommy Hill (Yamaha) 187pts

9, Michael Laverty (Stobart Honda) 179pts

10, Glen Richards (Honda) 151pts