The Showdown’s on the road – well track. Donington hosts race number one
The 2016 BSB Showdown is underway… With Haslam running on a four-win high, now top of the tables, will his confidence sustain him through Donington Park? Will Shane Byrne use his one-place drop down the table as fire to boost him back up? A newbie to BSB, Mossey, is also strong in contention, his happiness at recently becoming a Dad could excite him into a winning performance. Maybe beginner’s luck is going to dictate O’Halloran‘s ride? With no race wins in the 2016 BSB are the final three races is it Linfoot‘s time to shine? Ellison sits in joint fourth, 33 points from the top, maybe he’ll bag first and a push nearer to the top. The Donington times will tell.
How did the 2016 BSB Showdown open for the riders?
Although the showdown is all to compete for from the top six riders, the remaining racers still race. So how about if the free practice race title is claimed by a non-contender for the showdown? How about when out of the top six riders, only Ellison and O’Halloran form part of the showdown? (Though it’s important to note Mossey wasn’t riding this practice). With an unexpected twist of finishes Iddon finished in first and Kiyonari snuck into fourth, RAF Reserves BMW Alastair Seeley came in fifth and Shakey Byrne, following a mini crash, sat in eighth. The practice finished unexpectedly, with a second to follow that afternoon.
Iddon was consistent with a second first place, Hopkins snook into third and Byrne came back from his crash to a fourth place – half of that in practice one. Despite two crashes O’Halloran still managed to place in fifth.
In practice three, Hopkins beat himself, not only by moving from third to first, but also by achieving a fastest lap of the track – 0.166 seconds ahead of speed machine Shakey Byrne. This stopped Iddon from a hat trick, a crash held him back at eighth. O’Halloran’s luck wasn’t in yet as although with 20 minutes to go he was in fifth, he finished ninth. Linfoot came ahead in sixth. Ellison flagged out completely with a crash, unrepairable in the remaining 30 minutes.
Warm-up, ready, race
With the practice runs not reflecting the showdown rider’s status, did the races show more? The warm-up top six saw all but O’Halloran – Hopkins in his place – finish in the top six. Things were back on (race) track.
Once the tyres were warm, the first 2016 BSB Showdown race began. Ellison started with the advantage, Haslam, Byrne and Iddon followed. A lap later Byrne managed to secure first whilst Mossey was out of the race, retiring to the pits with unfit brakes. Byrne brought his fighting spirit and beat his practice positions by finishing first. Haslam ended back in second – both in the race and championship tables. O’Halloran banished Ellison to fourth, coming in third. Linfoot landed just outside of the top six, finishing in seventh.
Race two, the competition felt higher, perhaps this added pressure became too much for second place Haslam who crashed out. O’Halloran’s beginners luck didn’t hold in the first race as he crashed out early on but one podium win is still a strong success! Haslam and Byrne tackled and danced for the front, swapping in and out, whilst Ellison left them both in the dust with a spectacular overtake.
This followed up with O’Halloran experiencing a second crash-out. Then Ellison overtook Haslam before Haslam did the same back. Byrne sat in second before Linfoot came into third. Haslam and Byrne continued to fight at the front, until Haslam’s race ended early. He crashed out. This left Linfoot, and Iddon in second and third of the podium. All this whilst Haslam not only came out of the race, but lost out on any race points, 27 behind Byrne. Other showdown contenders Mossey and Ellison came in eighth and seventh respectively.
What’s next on for the 2016 BSB Showdown?
With Byrne firmly back at the top he’s sitting comfortably for the penultimate 2016 BSB round on international ground. The TT Circuit in Assen hosts the next round on 30th September through to the 1st and 2nd October. Haslam is still secure in second, 26 points ahead of third place Linfoot. Ellison, O’Halloran and Mossey complete the top six.
Round two of the 2016 BSB Showdown, will you be watching? Check back here for our post-race round-up.
