Oulton Park BSB: Who rides into the 2016 Showdown?

Oulton Park Hosted The Final Pre-showdown Race, Who Raced Well Enough For the Final Six?

With the final race came the final opportunity to finish in the top six for the 2016 MCE Insurance BSB showdown. As confirmed after the August bank holiday Cadwell Park weekend Byrne, Haslam and O’Halloran were already sure riders. The final three, however, were all to ride for at the Little Budworth, Oulton Park track.

Pre-Oulton Park, Who Feels Positive About Winning into the Showdown?

Optimism emanated from some riders as they looked ahead to the weekend. “This time last year I was actually in a similar position but I was further behind sixth place, but this season I have every chance of making it in. I feel that myself and the team deserve it after the results we have delivered so far this season.” Shared Buildbase BMW Richard Cooper on the weekend.

Iddon-quest-to-win-bsb-Oulton-Park

Another close contender, Mossey, looked ahead to the possibility of this final non-showdown ride. “We are definitely in a stronger position this year than we were last year, but there are a few events where it hasn’t quite gone according to plan. I have to keep reminding myself that this is only my second season in the Superbike class, so to be in the position we are is fantastic.” Even with his limited experience Mossey is ambitious and pushing himself for the showdown opportunity. “I feel that I am ready to attack this weekend, especially after we struggled a bit at Cadwell Park at the last round.”

Seven points set Mossey back whilst Iddon sat 20 points trailing. This setback wasn’t interfering in his quest for a showdown place. “My aim remains to be in the Showdown and I will be devastated if I don’t get in; we have had some mixed results from missed opportunities and misfortune too, so this weekend I will do what I always do. I am going to give it my all, because there are so many permutations that you just can’t think of all of them.”

The top three places secured, the remainder highly sought after, how did the preliminaries rev off?

The free practice finished. Iddon, along with Mossey, finished in the top six – a strong start for the races to come. Mossey in third followed by Iddon in sixth.

Haslam - Oulton - Park

Shane Shakey Byrne, top of the championship tables, finished down in fourth. Fellow, confirmed, showdown contender, Haslam, finished on top. Irwin and Hickman also followed in good form, finishing in the top ten.

Practice practiced. Onto qualifying, where Shakey Byrne fired up the crowd. He shot around the track, the fastest anyone ever has, setting the quickest lap of the track. Leaving Bridewell and Haslam slower in times, but second and third respectively to start. O’Halloran, Mossey and Ellison start in the row behind.

Riders Qualified, How Did They Race?

JG Speedfit Kawasaki brought the speed and dominated the podium for the first race of Oulton Park. In usual grace Shakey Byrne flew to the front, riding ahead until Clay Hill where Ellison swooped in.

While Ellison lead at the front, the other riders were hot on his rear wheel. Byrne, Haslam and Bridewell were warmest, Mossey, Hickman, Laverty and Cooper, cooler. Bridewell’s passionate move to break ahead wasn’t so successful. He crashed out of the race. His health was in-check but unfortunately that checked him out of the showdown running.

Haslam Elison Oulton Park 2016

Haslam, Ellison and Byrne then rode at the front. Byrne bursting to break to the front made an effort on the exit of Hislop Chicane. His burst took him to the gravel before rejoining in ninth. Another accident involved Iddon – misfortune once again striking. The showdown becoming a more distant dream, 35 points necessary distant.

Shakey Byrne didn’t find his way back to the top once he’d rejoined and remained in ninth. Haslam held his place in first without Byrne to shake things up. Ellison and Hickman filled in the remainder of the podium – repping JG Speedfit Kawasaki. O’Halloran, Linfoot and Cooper completed the top six. Eager to enter the showdown Mossey came in at seventh, just a place off the top.

Round two, Here We Go Oulton Park

bsb-haslam-2016-podium-picture-oulton-park

Already confirmed as showdown contenders, Shakey Byrne came off the top spot in race two. Haslam won the second round and crept up ahead of his fellow showdown contender. Well done JG Speedfit Kawasaki. Byrne didn’t finish the end of the race as he crashed out on the fifth lap.

O’Halloran and Mossey strengthened their contention for the showdown. The pair finished in fourth and fifth respectively. Tommy Bridewell fought back after his crash in race one. He knocked Hickman back down to seventh and finished sixth. Jake Dixon hadn’t seen much in the top ten for a while, after his glorious sixth finish a few rounds ago, who came in eighth. Linfoot secured his showdown spot but who’ll make the final two riders? Hickman, Mossey and Cooper are roaring and ready to fight for the final spot..

Hickman, Mossey or Cooper? The Final Race Decides

A hat trick for Haslam was a highlight for the Oulton Park weekend. A career highlight for the Speedfit Kawasaki rider too! Jake Dixon’s success was short-lived as he crashed-out at Hizzys. Mossey placed in sixth and made it to the showdown. Linfoot, Byrne, Haslam and O’Halloran part of the racing mix, who completed the line-up? Did Laverty hold onto his spot? Not so lucky.

Three More Races To Go

We hope you’re all as excited as us for the final rides of the season as the top six battle it out for the tough trophy. Shakey Byrne has dominated the BSB tables this year, will he reclaim his position as King of the 2016 BSB? Or will Haslam have it his way? Read back here to find out!

BSB Title Fighters 2016


Thanks to BSB for their photos of the event last weekend!

Laura McLoughlin

Laura is a seasoned blogger and excited to put her writing skills to the test at Two Wheel. She’s ridden a scooter in South Korea and India and is keen to test her mettle with a full license one day. When not dreaming of her next big travel adventure she’s usually out running or snapping away on her DSLR.

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