September 29, 2022

Brookes And Sykes Focus On Donington Park

The penultimate round of the 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Championship takes place at Donington Park this weekend with MCE Ducati riders aiming to continue their good form from Oulton Park.

After a challenging season for Paul Bird’s eight times BSB champions, both Midlands-based Aussie Brookes and Yorkshire’s ex-World Superbike champion Sykes, are hoping to atone for not making the championship-deciding Showdown with another good performance on their respective MCE Insurance-sponsored and factory supported Ducati Panigale V4Rs.

 

In a dramatic round at Oulton Park last weekend, both Brookes and Sykes weighed in with some positive results which saw Sykes claim his best result of the season in sixth place and double BSB champion Brookes record a pair of top eight finishes.

That late season form, combined with the pair’s record around the Donington Park Grand Prix circuit in the past, give optimism that the Lake District-based team from Penrith can challenge for that elusive podium.

 

Sykes won nine consecutive World Superbike Championship races around Donington Park between 2013 and 2017 and can claim another six podiums and eight pole positions which earned him the nickname ‘Mr Donington Park’. Brookes, meanwhile, took victory on a Stiggy Honda in the World Supersport Championship race at Donington Park in 2008 and has three BSB wins around the GP configuration also. 

 

Josh Brookes: “I’m actually optimistic going into Donington as we were within touching distance of the lead group at Oulton which was a big confidence boost. The full GP track at Donington is more suitable as our bike is strong on the brakes and the power is a strong point too so that should make us more competitive. I’m quietly confident that we can get a set-up to suit us, and the nature of the track will help us. It's a smooth surface too so maybe we can use it to our advantage with a harder setting and get the grip we need. The weather is changeable at this time of year which may be a factor also, but I’ll keep pushing on until the end of the season like I always do.” 

 

Tom Sykes: “If there’s been one track I’ve been looking forward to racing at this year, it’s the Donington Park GP track which has been so kind to me in the past. I’ve enjoyed much success in World Superbikes there so after a relatively good meeting at Oulton Park last weekend, I’m hopeful we can get some good results. It snowed when we were due to test here earlier in the year but hopefully it won’t do that again, but the weather could play a part. We still need to work hard to release the potential but there were encouraging signs at Oulton so let’s see what we can do this weekend.”

 

Pictures courtesy of Double Red: Josh Brookes (25) and Tom Sykes (66).

IRWIN AND HAGER PBM DUCATI END SUCCESSFUL SECOND TEST ON TOP

April 19, 2025
THE Hager PBM Ducati team continued its strong testing form at Donington Park as rider Glenn Irwin once again ended the two days fastest overall. Although the team is still not concentrating on lap times, Irwin picked up where he left off at Circuito de Navarra earlier this month as he led the way on Friday before going even quicker on Day Two with an impressive fastest lap of 1min 27.015s in the final session. After a strong first test where he topped the timesheets at Navarra, the team headed to the second R&G Official test at Donington Park looking to work on a number of different things. Irwin was consistently quick across the opening day, ending Friday fastest overall with a 1:27.022sec lap in the final session to end the day at the top of the timesheets with what was the fastest ever BSB lap of the iconic track. Along with most of the pack, he opted to sit out of Saturday morning’s first session due to track conditions, heading out for the second to work through a few more things. He again shot to the top of the timesheets with a lap of 1:27.468, before later going one better in the final session to clock his new fastest ever lap. Glenn Irwin: “It’s been really good, like Navarra, we’ve continued with a plan. Yesterday we had a really, really strong bike here and conditions were a little better. Today conditions were tougher with the wind but everyone still finds a way to go fast. “We probably persevered with a bike which is suited to the final sector, perhaps Turn One as well. As the day went on I realised we were losing a bit in some places but we stuck with it. “It’s pleasing because I would say that isn’t the bike of choice for here, perhaps maybe yesterday's bike was better, but to top today feeling like that, to do a lot of laps in the 27s with improved pace on old tyres is good. The test has definitely been a success.” John Mowatt, Team Co-ordinator: “I think it’s been a positive test where we’ve confirmed a number of test items over the two days. We had slightly better conditions yesterday than today but I think we’ve ticked a lot of boxes, gone fairly quick so it’s all positive – roll on Oulton Park. “The plan there is more of the same, just keep trying to understand the new tyre, try and work with it. I think longevity is going to be the key now for Oulton Park, we’ll do a couple of race runs, see how the tyre lasts and then get ready for Round One.” The team will now prepare for the final test at Oulton Park next Wednesday and Thursday, April 23 and 24 which will be the last chance to get everything ready ahead of the first round of the 2025 season at Oulton Park over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

IRWIN AND HAGER PBM DUCATI READY FOR DONINGTON PARK TEST

April 17, 2025
THE Hager PBM Ducati team and rider Glenn Irwin head to Donington Park this week for the second Bennetts British Superbike Championship R&G Official Test. After a strong run at Circuito de Navarra earlier this month, the team is looking forward to getting back on track in the UK, as the countdown to the start the 2025 season continues.  The iconic Donington Park will play host to the second pre-season test on Good Friday and Saturday, before the class of 2025 heads to Oulton Park next Wednesday and Thursday, April 23 and 24, for the final test before the season begins over the May Bank Holiday weekend. The team is looking to build on the success of the Navarra test, where Irwin was consistently quick, setting the pace on the first day before topping the timesheets at the end of the event with a best lap of 1min 44:527s. But keen not to get caught up focusing on lap times yet, Irwin is more concerned about getting through as much work as possible during the two days and making sure the important boxes are ticked. Glenn Irwin: “We’re all looking forward to it. At Navarra, it was important we worked through a number of things which are different this year and it was a great test – but it’s important that we don’t get complacent. “At Donington we’ve more new items to try and we’ve got a list of work to get through, which will be our priority. Once we’ve done all that and have a good feeling, I think we can show up well on the timesheets, but more so in race rhythm than in one-off fast laps. “At Navarra, we found areas where I was weak last year but not this year so we were able to use this as a reference. At Donington, we know the track well and have an idea of where we need to be but for me it’s about continuing to evaluate what we have and understanding the feeling of everything rather than get too hung up on what the timesheet says. If it feels good and we’re good, we’re happy!” Jordan Bird, Team Co-owner: The whole Hager PBM Ducati team is looking forward to being back on home soil for the first time this year. Navarra was a really productive test for us so the team and Glenn are heading into our UK testing program in great spirits! “We are looking forward to seeing plenty of BSB fans trackside at Donington Park. Let’s hope the sun is shining for us!”
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