Sofuoglu and Laverty in three-way fight for the Supersport World Championship title

The Silverstone circuit, in Northamptonshire, has been heavily modified since it last featured on the WSBK calendar in 2007. It has recaptured some of its original spirit as a fast and flowing track, and also features an extensive infield section that brings the lap length up to 5.902 kilometres. MotoGP machines have already raced on the new layout and they proved the theory that the track will be one of the fastest on the WSBK calendar.

Two Honda riders are in a three-way fight for the Supersport World Championship title, championship leader Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and former leader Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda). The first DNF of the season for Laverty and a brilliant win for Sofuoglu at the previous round (despite carrying a deep laceration to his left elbow) put Kenan on 183 points. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki) ended Brno with 168 points and Laverty has an unchanged 161 points.

WSS competitor Gino Rea (Intermoto Czech Honda) had a career best fourth place finish at Brno in early July, his rookie season highpoint proving his talents and determination to succeed. He is keen to get back into action after a quiet time since his last race, and sees Silverstone as a good opportunity to go for his first podium finish. Gino is seventh in the points standings.

Michele Pirro has been forced to miss the Silverstone round for his Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team after suffering facial bruising and a dislocated wrist at the Brno race. South African rider, Ronan Quarmby, will replace him.

Parkalgar Honda rider Miguel Praia posted a career best seventh at Brno last time out, a result he now hopes to improve on at his crew’s home circuit in England. Like his team-mate Laverty, he has tested at Silverstone recently.

Massimo Roccoli from the Intermoto Czech Honda team is another rider hoping to turn his season around at this race, after suffering some bad luck at key times this year. In 13th place overall, one place behind Praia, Roccoli is only 11 points from a top ten spot, with four points scoring rounds to go, including Silverstone.

The long summer break in August starts as the action at Silverstone ebbs away, with the 11th round of 13 taking place at the Nürburgring, Germany, between September 3 and September 5.


WSS Rider Comments

Kenan Sofuoglu, Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR:
“Since the tough Brno weekend I have been relaxing at home to give my arm a chance to heal. It’s almost ready for Silverstone, where I really want to win again and continue the push over the last four races of the season. The circuit is not a favourite of mine and in the really bad conditions three years ago I crashed at the first corner. The circuit looked really nice when I watched the MotoGP race and it looks like it might suit the CBR600RR so I will try to get the maximum points that I can. We will see how it goes at the weekend, but I am really looking forward to it.”

Eugene Laverty, Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR:
“We had a really good Silverstone test despite it being part of a trackday and it was beneficial to learn the new track layout. Even the lap times were down where we wanted them to be. We have now started the Silverstone weekend a step ahead and it is a tricky enough new layout that does take a bit of learning. It’s quite fast, more third and fourth gear corners than second and third gear corners. It is pretty bumpy in some places but not the worst one on our calendar. I lost a lot of points in Brno but I am just looking ahead and I am capable of winning a lot of races. I am all out for the championship itself now. I have already been runner-up last year, so it’s just about going for the title itself in the final few races.”

Ronan Quarmby, Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR:
“Since coming over from South Africa I have managed to spend a few days with the Ten Kate team in Holland, and spent a really nice weekend with Gerrit and Ronald and their family. They have made me feel really welcome  - and looking round the workshop just blew my mind! I’ve been to Silverstone before, when I was racing in the UK, but our race was cancelled because of the weather. I’ve been watching the MotoGP race online and the new layout looks awesome. Now I can’t wait to get going and I think I can do well – I’m just not sure yet how well. We’ll know more after practice and qualifying.”

Gino Rea, Intermoto Czech Honda CBR600RR:
“Been a long time off the bike and I am glad to be able to get back onto the bike on home ground. It will be weird to ride in England again but I am really looking forward to it, the whole atmosphere of the weekend as well.”

Miguel Praia, Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR:
“We did a small test at Silverstone during a trackday last week so I think we may have a small advantage this time, if only on the first day at least. The team is based in the UK so I have one British bone in my body I suppose! Silverstone will be like a second home race for me, after Portimao back in March.”

Massimo Roccoli, Intermoto Czech Honda CBR600RR:
“Silverstone is a special track, and you got a special feeling when you rode there. I always seemed to get good results. The track is new this time but I love England and English tracks, so I hope to get a good result again.”