Suzuki Cal Crutchlow Races to Brands Podium
Cal Crutchlow scored his first ever British Superbike Championship podium finish with third place in the very final race of the 2007 season at the Brands Hatch Indy circuit in Kent today.The Rizla Suzuki racer, starting from sixth on the grid, took fifth place in the opening race before raising his game for the 26th and final race of the year in the afternoon and coming home third to stand on the podium for the first time.
After a heavy crash in practice yesterday, Chris Walker showed immense courage to take to the track with massive bruising and in considerable pain. Heroically, from 11th on the grid, he finished in seventh and sixth places in front of the huge crowd that basked in glorious October sunshine.'Stalker' finished seventh and Crutchlow ninth in the 2007 British Superbike Championship.
Ducati's Gregorio Lavilla won both races today while Honda's Ryuichi Kiyonari won his second consecutive British Superbike title.
Rizla Suzuki is in action again next Sunday, October 21st, at the Race of the Year at Mallory Park in Leicestershire. Crutchlow will be joined by Rizla Suzuki guest rider Jenny Tinmouth on the super-fast GSX-R1000 race bikes.Cal Crutchlow, "At the start of the season I would have settled for a learning year and a couple of top-six finishes but half-way through I had to have a rethink. My Rizla Suzuki has been greased lightning and the podium was my target - and one that I hit this afternoon in the very last race of the season. I cannot explain how happy I am.
"The truth is that the podium and my fantastic run of results are down to Rizla Suzuki and my team of technicians - thanks to all of my crew, the team sponsors and all the fans for their support. I'll be raising a glass of champagne to you all this evening and hope to see you again next year."
Chris Walker, "I am pleased with fifth and seventh today as my physical condition is less than ideal after my big crash yesterday. Every time I ran into Paddock Hill bend the change in elevation and suspension felt as though I was being kicked in the stomach and I couldn't get my breath back for half a lap. It's a shame because I am sure a completely fit Stalker could have fought at the sharp end today.
"Thank you to Rizla Suzuki, my crew and all the Stalker fans for their support this year on my return to British Superbikes. It has been a roller-coaster ride and a lot of fun and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself - thanks to everyone!"
