FIXI Crescent Suzuki eager for home Superbike race

FIXI Crescent Suzuki is in the UK this week to compete in round 10 of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship at the team's home race at Silverstone in England.

Englishman Leon Camier and Anglo-American John Hopkins are both eager to get back on-track and are looking forward to the team's home race on a track the pair know well and enjoy. Last year Hopkins was a 'wild card' entry for the race with the Crescent Suzuki BSB squad and made the most of it by winning Superpole, much to the surprise of the WSBK regulars. Camier also started from the front row of the grid in 2011, albeit with a different manufacturer, and he and his current team-mate will be aiming to repeat those feats this year.

Silverstone was built on the site of a former RAF airfield after the Second World War and the first car race was held there in 1948. World Superbikes first visited Silverstone in 2002 and this year will be the ninth time the Northamptonshire track has hosted a round of the championship. The 5,902m circuit is generally very flat and features a mixture of fast, slow and technical corners and some long straights, with a few bumps thrown into the equation.

Camier, Hopkins and the rest of the WSB field will first take to the track on Friday morning for the initial practice session, before competing in the opening qualifying practice in the afternoon. Saturday morning will see the second qualifying session to confirm the 16 riders that will progress towards the afternoon Superpole session, which will see them then compete for the best grid positions. Sunday's two races will be held over 18-laps, with the first scheduled for 12.00hrs local time (13.00hrs CEST) and the final race set to get underway at 15.30hrs local time (16.30hrs CEST)

Leon Camier:

"It's always fun to race at home and I'll be doing my best to get good results with my FIXI Crescent Suzuki GSX-R. I qualified on the front row of the grid last year and I will be aiming to do the same again this year, though first I have to have a good Superpole! The bike has definitely improved recently and I'm hoping that it will suit Silverstone and we can all have a good weekend. It would be good to get good results at Silverstone and say thank you to all our fans at home."

John Hopkins:

"To repeat last year's pole position is not going to be easy, but there's no reason why it cannot be done - as long as I have a good Superpole. The competition is very tough, but as long as I get on the front two rows of the grid, I'll be happy - though another pole would be great! I like the track and hope Silverstone will be where I turn around my season and start posting good results again."

Jack Valentine - Team Manager:

"I don't feel any more pressure at Silverstone than any other circuit, but obviously we all want to do well at our home race and make all our fans and sponsors happy. The team has been working its socks off and the recent improvements in the FIXI Crescent Suzuki have made the bike better for Leon and John to ride. Qualifying and doing well in Superpole is our priority and if we can do that, I'm sure good results will follow."


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