Varey kicks-off 2025 ROKiT OFF BMW F 900 R Cup season with the win
ROBERT Varey pipped Barry Burrell to the opening ROKiT OFF BMW F 900 R Cup Main Event win on Bank Holiday Monday, as the 2025 series got off to a flying start at Oulton Park.
As the third season of the highly-competitive single-make series got underway as part of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship support programme, the youngster claimed the first victory after three days of battling on track.
The long-awaited season began on Saturday morning and it was Burrell who took early charge, powering his Halliwell Jones Motorrad machine to the top of both free practice timesheets. He continued to lead into Qualifying, clocking the fastest lap of 1min 44.252s to take pole for Heat One, with Stanford Racing’s Varey second quickest to head the grid for Heat Two.
Burrell was quick off the line in Heat One, hitting the front and leading all the way, beating James Bull by 1.318s as LDC BMW by FPF Racing’s Nikki Coates was third, series newcomer Kalvin Kelly fourth and Christian Smith fifth.
And it was a similar story in Heat Two, as Varey took control, hitting the front and building a solid gap at the front, crossing the line 3.905s ahead of BRP Racing’s James O’Mara. Third was Josh Corner, with Kieran Smith fourth and James Ellison fifth aboard his HSO Powered by DHV Solutions machine.
Bank Holiday Monday delivered the first Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) of the season and it was very much a one-man show, as Joe Walton, who had started strong but was forced to retire from his Heat, made up for it in style, powering his KBP Racing machine to the win, 19.123secs clear of True Heroes Racing’s Kenny McLeod, with 72 Race Life’s Gary Ford third.
A packed grid of 40 BMW F 900 Rs lined up for the big one, the Main Event, held just before 2pm that afternoon. Chasin the Racin’s Josh Corner lined up from pole, with Burrell second and Varey third on the grid and the green light, Varey shot off the line, squeezing up the inside of Corner into Turn One and into the lead.
Burrell hadn’t got away well and lost out, dropping down to sixth in the opening lap as Varey took command. James Bull had charged off the line and was soon pestering Varey for the lead, giving Burrell an opportunity to catch back up. By Lap Three, Burrell was running third and the top three stuck close together, separated by less than a second for a number of laps.
Burrell finally found a way past the James Bull Racing machine at Shell Oils on Lap Eight and wasted no time reeling in Varey – but he found passing his younger rival wasn’t so easy. As the final laps ticked by, the pair swapped the lead a handful of times but it was Varey who was able to hold it, keeping Burrell at bay to take the win by 0.829secs.
Bull crossed the line third, 1.6secs adrift of Varey, with BRP Racing’s James O’Mara fourth, Corner fifth and ROKiT Rookies rider Kelly sixth in his debut race.
Main Event Top 10:
1. Robert Varey (Stanford Racing)
2. Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jons Motorrad) +0.829s
3. James Bull (James Bull Racing) +1.600s
4. James O’Mara (BRP Racing) +10.582s
5. Josh Corner (Chasin the Racin) +12.100s
6. Kalvin Kelly (ROKiT Rookies) +21.045s
7. Christian Smith SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing) +21.146s
8. Dale Thomas (DT Racing) +21.202s
9. Nikki Coates (LDC BMW by FPF Racing) +21.407s
10. Kieran Smith (Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing) +21.887s
COATES WINS DRAMATIC ROUND TWO AT SNETTERTON
NIKKI Coates powered to victory in the second round of the 2025 ROKiT OFF BMW F 900 R Cup at Snetterton, in a drama-filled race where early leader Barry Burrell was taken out.
As Round Two roared into action on Friday morning at the Norfolk track, Coates led the way aboard the LDC BMW by FPF Racing machine, setting the pace with a 2min 0.443sec lap with James Bull second and Richard Cooper third.
Cooper, who was the series’ first champion in 2023, entered the Snetterton round as a one-off, riding alongside best mate Burrell for the Halliwell Jones Motorrad squad for fun. But his weekend ended after practice, following a crash where he injured his foot, ruling him out of the rest of the event.
The riders were back out for qualifying on Saturday morning and it was Burrell who took charge, clocking a best lap of 1min 59.689s to secure pole for Heat One, with Coates second quickest, 0.147s adrift, to head the grid for Heat Two. Points leader after Round One, Robert Varey, was third with James Bull fourth and Kieran Smith fifth.
The Heats were held on Saturday afternoon in the hot Norfolk sunshine and both Burrell and Coates continued to dominate, taking a win apiece in their respective races.
Burrell beat Stanford Racing’s Varey by 0.781secs, as Kieran Smith’s Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing machine took third place, with rookie Kalvin Kelly fourth, James Cleary fifth and Rob McNealey sixth.
In Heat Two, Coates beat Bull by 0.515secs, with podcaster Josh Corner third, Christian Smith fourth on the SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing machine, BRP Racing’s James O’Mara fifth and Team Cryosol’s Scott Carson sixth.
With no LCQ needed at Snetterton, the next action was the big race, the Main Event on Sunday. Under the pole position ballot system, Chasin the Racin’s Josh Corner picked the lucky number one, to line up ahead of Kieran Smith, with Varey rounding out the front row.
At the green light, Burrell’s number 37 machine stormed off the grid to hit the front, but the James Bull Racing bike was on his tail, hitting the front moments later. Burrell was quickly back ahead and led the opening few laps from Bull, with Coates making up a handful of places in the second lap to move to third, while Corner dropped back to fifth.
But disaster struck the frontrunners on Lap Three, as Bull appeared to run into the back of Burrell, wiping them both out. With both their races over, race control later ruled the crash had been Bull’s fault, handing him three penalty points and a three place grid position penalty for the next round.
Leaders out, this gave Coates the perfect opportunity to capitalise and he swiftly took charge, building a solid lead of a couple of seconds behind him and was never challenged. This meant the big fight became for the runner-up spot, as Varey and Kieran Smith fought hard over the coming laps.
Behind, ROKiT Rookie Kalvin Kelly was enjoying a strong and solid second race in the series, the reigning Superteen champion staying in touch with Varey and Smith all race.
But there was still more action to go before the top 10 was decided, as Rob McNealey crashed from seventh on Lap Eight. Two laps later, a flying James O’Mara looked to upset Kelly’s race as he sneaked a move past the youngster to move into fourth – before crashing out at the final corner.
Coates took the flag 3.781secs clear of Varey, as Kieran Smith took third, a further 1.054secs adrift. Kelly took a well-deserved fourth place, as polesitter Corner enjoyed a strong end to the race to hold off Christian Smith for fifth by a mere 0.022secs.
Scott Carson celebrated a strong seventh position after keeping Joe Walton at bay, while behind, James Cleary managed to keep Dave Grace behind him as the pair rounded out the top 10.
The result keeps Varey at the top of the points standings, 15 clear of Coates as Corner remains in close contact, just three points behind in third. It all looks good for another big showdown next time out, when the class of 2025 hit the track at Donington Park as part of the World Superbike event in July.
ROKiT OFF BMW F 900 R Cup, Main Event result:
1. Nikki Coates (LDC BMW by FPF Racing)
2. Robert Varey (Stanford Racing) +3.781s
3. Kieran Smith (Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing) +4.835s
4. Kalvin Kelly (ROKiT Rookies) +6.565s
5. Josh Corner (Chasin the Racin) +10.856s
6. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing) +10.878s
7. Scott Carson (Team Cryosol) +23.002s
8. Joe Walton (KBP Racing) +23.221s
9. James Cleary (JCR Motorsport) +25.702s
10. Dave Grace (Dave Grace) +26.554
For full results click here: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2025/252504rc3bmw.pdf
Championship positions after Round Two:
1. Robert Varey 70
2. Nikki Coates 55
3. Josh Corner 52
4. Kalvin Kelly 50
5. Barry Burrell 46
6. Kieran Smith 45
7. Christian Smith 43
8. James Bull 42
9. James O’Mara 37
10. Scott Carson 23
For full championship positions click here: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2025/252504ptsbmw.pdf
WILDCARD RYDE WINS AS COATES TAKES POINTS LEAD AT DONINGTON PARK
KYLE Ryde beat Storm Stacey in a battle of the BSB boys at Round Three of the 2025 ROKiT Off F 900 R Cup as the series joined the World Superbike support programme at Donington Park.
The excitement for the championship’s biggest round of the year began to build ahead of the weekend, as reigning Bennetts British Superbike champion Ryde announced he would be piloting an OMG Nitrous Competitions Racing machine as a wildcard, as fellow BSB contender, Storm Stacey also joined the fray.
However, it was a baptism of fire for Ryde, who crashed during first practice, leaving Stacey and the Bathams/BMW UK team to coast to the best lap of the session, as he beat the LDC BMW by FPF Racing machine of Nikki Coates by 0.579secs, with Halliwell Jones Motorrad’s Barry Burrell third.
However, Ryde soon bounced back in Qualifying, as he laid down a blistering lap of 1min 35.935secs, an impressive 0.925secs quicker than Stacey as the pair secured a pole each for Saturday’s Heats. Burrell proved to be the best of the regular runners as he clocked the third best time, just ahead of Coates. Kieran Smith was fifth quickest to line up third on the grid for Heat One, while points leader Bobby Varey rounded out the front row for Heat Two.
The BSB boys continued to stay in control as the two Heats roared into action on Saturday morning. Ryde powered off the line and disappeared into the sunset, taking the win 10.477secs clear of Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing rider Kieran Smith, who managed to hold off Burrell by just 0.249secs. Christian Smith was fourth, some 6.295secs adrift of Burrell aboard the SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing machine as ROKiT Rookie Kalvin Kelly was fifth.
But it was a closer battle in Heat Two, as Stacey came under intense pressure throughout the whole race from a charging Coates, the pair battling all the way to the flag as Stacey eventually took victory just 0.300s clear, as BRP Racing’s James O’Mara was third, Chasin the Racin’s Josh Corner fourth and Joe Walton fifth for the KBP team.
However, the big story from Heat Two was Varey crashing out after just one lap, forcing him into Saturday afternoon’s Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) race. As expected, he made light work of the eight-lap scrap, storming through from the back of the grid to win by 14.436secs on the Stanford Racing machine, with Jordan Warren-Goode second for the Army Motorcycle Road Race Team and the second LDC BMW by FPF Racing bike of Rhys Coates third.
All that remained was Sunday’s Main Event, held just after the World Superbike stars had taken to the track for the Superpole scrap. Kieran Smith lined up on pole, just ahead of Ryde with O’Mara third. Coates led Row Two, with Coates starting fifth and Burrell sixth.
Ryde wasted no time as the lights changed and hit the front, leading into Redgate and setting the tone for the race as Coates tucked into second. As Lap Two began, Ryde already had a second between himself and Coates as behind, Stacey battled with Burrell for third. Varey, who had started back in 27th position, was charging through the field and was already up to 18th.
On Lap Three, Stacey forced his way past Coates who moments later was handed a double long lap penalty for a jump start. He took his first long lap on Lap Five, dropping from third to sixth and then his second on Lap Seven, rejoining in fifth.
Out at the front, Ryde was on a lonely charge to the flag, never coming under any pressure at all to eventually take victory by 7.180secs from Stacey. Burrell – himself a former BSB rider – stayed right behind Stacey all the way, finishing just 0.212secs adrift to secure third. Coates, meanwhile, managed to make a move on Kieran Smith on the final lap to steal fourth position, as Kelly took sixth.
Varey eventually crossed the line 11th to salvage five points, but had to watch his championship lead disappear, as Coates moved to the top of the standings, eight points clear of Burrell. Varey is now third, one point behind Burrell.
The series will resume for Round Four at Brands Hatch in Kent over the weekend July 25-27.
BMW F 900 R Cup, Round Three result:
For full results click here: https://livedatasbk.perugiatiming.com/Pdf/1/2025/2c781ae2-58aa-48cd-bd3c-216ea4bc6050/21/004
Championship positions after Round Three:
1. Nikki Coates 84
2. Barry Burrell 76
3. Bobby Varey 75
4. Kieran Smith 72
5. Kalvin Kelly 72
6. Josh Corner 71
7. James O’Mara 59
8. Christian Smith 52
9. James Bull 42
10. Kyle Ryde 37
COATES PIPS BURRELL TO BRANDS HATCH WIN
NIKKI Coates beat championship rival Barry Burrell by the tiniest of margins in Sunday’s ROKiT Off BMW F 900 R Cup race to bolster his championship lead at Brands Hatch.
After a busy Donington Park World Superbike event round a fortnight ago where BSB riders Kyle Ryde and Storm Stacey joined the fray, it was business as usual this weekend for the championship’s regular riders.
Halliwell Jones Motorrad’s Burrell led the way as the action began on Friday morning, storming to the top of the free practice timesheets with a best lap of 1min 34.934s, just edging out points leader Coates by 0.118s as James Bull completed the top three.
The pack headed back onto the iconic Kent circuit later on Friday afternoon for qualifying and once again, Burrell quickly took charge. His fastest lap of 1min 34.232s kept him 0.439secs clear of Coates, giving the pair a pole position each for the Heats.
Richard Cooper was third, to line up second alongside team-mate Burrell in Heat One, with Kieran Smith securing second for Heat Two aboard his Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing machine. Bull, fifth quickest, secured third on the grid for Heat One with Chasin the Racin’s Josh Corner rounding out the front row for Heat Two.
The opening Heat quickly became the Halliwell Jones Motorrad show, as Burrell and his team-mate Richard Cooper – the 2023 champion back in the championship for this round on Burrell’s 2024 bike – took charge, quickly gapping the rest of the field. The pair swapped the lead a few times before Burrell moved ahead on the final lap to take victory by 0.022s. Bull was third, more than four seconds behind on his James Bull Racing machine.
Heat Two belonged to Coates, the LDC BMW by FPF Racing rider hitting the front straight away and controlling the full six laps as behind, Corner battled with Kieran Smith as the pair finished second and third respectively, separated at the flag by 0.047secs.
The final grid spots for the Main Event were decided by Saturday evening’s Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) race, which was dominated by James Clearly. The JCR Motorsport rider had crashed out of Heat One on the final lap while running sixth but made amends as he powered from last on the grid to the win, beating LDC BMW by FPF Racing’s Aaron Spence by 4.910secs as Jorge Halliday was third aboard the Stanford Racing machine.
A full grid of 40 bikes lined up for Sunday’s Main Event, with Burrell pulling pole position in the pre-race draw. Kieran Smith started second, with Cooper third as Coates led Bull and Corner on the second row.
Burrell was quickest off the line as Bull charged through into second position ahead of Cooper. Coates dropped briefly to fifth but soon began to fight back, passing Cooper for third on Lap Three and then searing past Bull moments later.
Now closing in on Burrell, it took just two more laps to reel him in and he made his move on Lap Six. Burrell wasn’t about to let his rival get away and stuck with him, staying right on his rear wheel all the way.
He tried a move on the penultimate lap but Coates came straight back and then gave it a final go on the last lap, scything up the inside at Sheene Curve. It looked as if Burrell had it in the bag but Coates wasn’t giving up and made a final push as they headed to the line, out-dragging his rival to edge ahead and steal the win by just 0.062secs.
Behind, the battle for third was just as fierce. Cooper had spent the whole race dicing with Bull and Corner, the trio swapping places all the way. But with two laps to go, Cooper picked up the pace and passed them both to move third, holding it to the line to secure the final podium spot.
Bull was fourth, just 0.066secs behind Cooper with Corner fifth, a mere 0.059secs adrift of Bull as BRP Racing’s James O’Mara took sixth. Kieran Smith crossed the line in seventh position, with Team Cryosol’s Scott Carson eighth and SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing’s Christian Smith ninth. The top 10 was completed by series newcomer Alex Olsen, the former Supersport Evo champion joining the grid on his own Alex Olsen Racing machine.
Sunday’s result means Coates now has 11 points over Burrell in the championship chase, as Corner moves to third, Kieran Smith fourth, James O’Mara fifth and Bobby Varey – who was missing from the grid this weekend but hopes to be back soon – in sixth.
ROKiT Off F 900 R Cup, Main Event result:
1. Nikki Coates (LDC BMW by FPF Racing)
2. Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones Motorrad) +0.062s
3. Richard Cooper (Halliwell Jones Motorrad) +2.205s
4. James Bull (James Bull Racing) +2.271s
5. Josh Corner (Chasin the Racin) +2.330s
6. James O’Mara (BRP Racing) +9.125s
7. Kieran Smith (Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing) +9.130s
8. Scott Carson (Team Cryosol) +9.816s
9. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing) +14.234s
10. Alex Olsen (Alex Olsen Racing) +15.524s
For full results available here: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2025/253004rc4bmw.pdf
Championship positions after Round Four:
1. Nikki Coates 121
2. Barry Burrell 110
3. Josh Corner 98
4. Kieran Smith 94
5. James O’Mara 82
6. Robert Varey 75
7. Kalvin Kelly 72
8. James Bull 70
9. Christian Smith 68
10. Scott Carson 55
Full standings available here: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2025/253004ptsbmw.pdf
BURRELL CLAIMS THRUXTON WIN TO CLOSE IN ON POINTS LEADER COATES
BARRY Burrell stormed to his first ROKiT OFF F 900 R Cup Main Event win of the year at Thruxton to close the points gap to championship leader Nikki Coates.
Just a fortnight on since Brands Hatch, the class of 2025 headed to the Hampshire track, famed as the fastest circuit in the UK, to tackle the fifth round of the popular one-make series.
It was points leader Coates aboard the LDC BMW by FPF Racing machine who led the way as the riders hit the track for first practice on Friday morning, clocking a 1min 21.653sec lap to end the session 0.807secs clear of Burrell, with Christian Smith finishing third, 0.243secs ahead of twin brother Kieran.
And it seemed Coates had it all under control when he backed it up with the best time in Friday afternoon’s second practice, this time seeing off a charge from Halliwell Jones Motorrad’s Burrell by 0.519s as Christian Smith once again rounded out the top three on his SCS Motoprep/Bathams Racing machine, just 0.040s behind Burrell on the timesheets.
However, it was a change at the top when qualifying got underway on Saturday morning, as Burrell began Day Two by storming to the best lap of 1min 21.698s, with Coates only able to end the session as runner-up, 0.152secs behind, with Josh Corner setting the third best time on his Chasin the Racin machine.
The result meant Burrell took pole position for the opening Heat, with Corner starting second on the grid and James Bull of James Bull Racing third. Coates would lead the grid for Heat Two, with Smith twins Kieran and Christian starting second and third, respectively.
Burrell was quick out of the blocks as Heat One roared into action, getting the better of Bull, who also started well, to hit the front on the opening lap. It took just over a lap to build a buffer of around half a second up front, which he was able to steadily build over the race to take the win by a clear 2.794secs.
The big battle of the race was for runner-up honours, as Bull and Corner fought it out over the full eight laps, swapping positions lap after lap until it finally went Bull’s way with one final move on the last lap and he crossed the line second, just 0.158s clear of Corner. Harley Prebble rode perhaps the best race of his series career so far as he brought his LDC Contracts/2 Strokes Racing machine home fourth with JCR Motorsport’s James Clearly fifth and Andrew Williams sixth.
As Heat Two began, polesitter Coates lost out at the start as both Smith twins leapfrogged him – but it took less than a lap for Coates to get to the front. As he managed to build a bit of a gap between himself and his rivals, the Smith boys went into battle for the runner-up spot, with Kieran coming out ahead as he took second, 1.497s behind Coates. Christian was third, as Joe Walton was fourth, Scott Carson fifth and Simon Bastable sixth.
With a big entry list at Thruxton, the final grid positions were decided by a Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) race at the end of Saturday. Shaun Woods lined up on pole but was unable to hold off Luke Foreman and Harry Gower, who came through to the front and took turns to lead.
Foreman, aboard his Foreman Taxis Racing machine, eventually got the better of HCL Car Sale Ltd’s Harry Gower to take the win as Woods was third on his SW Motorservices machine, HelloDave Racing’s David Glossop was third, the OWR Racing machine of Jim Lee fifth and Rhys Coates sixth on the second LDC BMW by FPF Racing.
A full grid of 40 machines lined up for Sunday’s Main Event, with Bull starting from pole ahead of Corner and Christian Smith. Burrell headed Row Two, with Coates alongside in fifth and Kieran Smith starting sixth.
It was Bull who grabbed the holeshot to lead into Turn One but moments later Burrell powered around the outside to hit the front as the pack headed into Turn Three. Corner dropped back to sixth in the opening melee but quickly made up some ground, while Coates spent the first few laps getting through traffic, passing Corner on the second lap to move into third and then making a move on Bull for second.
On Lap Three, Coates had an impressive run through Church and squeezed past leader Burrell into the chicane but Burrell wasn’t having any of it and was back ahead by the end of the fourth lap.
Now ahead, Burrell put his head down and capitalised as Coates, Corner and Bull found themselves in their own race, giving the leader a little breathing space at the front which allowed him to build enough of a lead to relax a little.
The battle for second raged all the way to the final lap. Burrell was more than two seconds ahead as Bull and Corner continued to swap position, Bull moving into P2 on the penultimate lap.
But Kieran Smith was just behind and caught the pair on the final lap, as Coates passed Bull at Goodwood to move into second with Corner also looking for a way through. Sadly, Bull’s hopes of a podium finish ended in the gravel just metres from the line, as he crashed out at the chicane, unsighting Coates briefly.
With Burrell already over the line and celebrating his first Main Event win of the season, Corner was second rider home ahead of Smith as Coates managed to salvage fourth. Christian Smith took fifth place with Joe Walton sixth.
The result was just what Burrell needed to close in on Coates in the title fight, as he moves to just four points behind his rival. Corner now sits third, 21 points adrift of leader Coates with Kieran Smith five points behind Corner in fourth.
ROKiT OFF BMW F 900 R Cup, Thruxton, Main Event result:
1. Barry Burrel (Halliwell Jones Motorrad)
2. Josh Corner (Chasin the Racin) +2.961s
3. Kieran Smith (Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing) +3.598s
4. Nikki Coates (LDC BMW by FPF Racing) +3.654s
5. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing) +13.546s
6. Joe Walton (KBP Racing) +21.407s
7. Arnie Shelton (Shelton Racing) +26.665s
8. James Cleary (JCR Motorsport) +26.837s
9. Rob McNealey (McNealey Brown Ltd) +27.451
10. Simon Bastable (WSC Performance BMW) +27.691s
For full results click here: https://www.tsltiming.com/file/?f=BSB/2025/253204rc4bmw.pdf
Championship positions after Round Five:
1. Nikki Coates 151
2. Barry Burrell 147
3. Josh Corner 130
4. Kieran Smith 125
5. Christian Smith 94
6. James O’Mara 82
7. James Bull 81
8. Robert Varey 75
9. Kalvin Kelly 72
10. Joe Walton 69
For full standings click here: https://www.tsltiming.com/file/?f=BSB/2025/253204ptsbmw.pdf
BURRELL CLOSES IN ON COATES WITH CADWELL PARK VICTORY
BARRY Burrell closed in on championship leader Nikki Coates as he stormed to his second ROKiT OFF BMW F 900 R Cup race win in a row at Cadwell Park on Bank Holiday Monday.
Fresh from his win at Thruxton a fortnight earlier, Halliwell Jones Motorrad’s Burrell picked straight up from where he left off as he charged to the top of the FP1 timing sheets, his best lap of 1min 34.202s enough to keep him 1.352secs clear of Coates, as Christian Smith rounded out the top three ahead of Josh Corner and James Bull.
But it was a lot closer in Saturday afternoon’s Qualifying session, as LDC BMW by FPF Racing’s Coates fought back. Burrell’s 1min 34.635s proved to be the quickest of the session, but he was just 0.009s clear of the points leader – and it meant once again, Burrell and Coates each took a pole position for Sunday’s Heats.
Smith twins Christian and Kieran were the next quickest, with SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing rider Christian clocking the third best lap to start second on the grid for the first battle ahead of James Bull, and Kieran starting Heat Two from second position, with Corner rounding out the front row.
As Heat One got underway on Sunday afternoon it was the James Bull Racing machine which got the best start and led into Turn One. However, it took just a few seconds for Burrell to dive down the inside and into the lead. By the start of Lap Three he had a two second lead which continued to grow, crossing the line 6.012s clear of Bull with Scott Carson’s Team Cryosol machine third.
Coates, meanwhile, was fastest off the line in Heat Two but found himself under pressure from the Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing bike of Kieran Smith, who moved ahead on the opening lap. Coates fought back and was soon back ahead, getting himself more than a second clear of the scrap for the runner-up spot between Smith and Chasin the Racin’s Corner, which eventually went Corner’s way at the flag as Smith finished third.
With no need for a Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) race this weekend, all that was left was the Main Event, held late on Monday afternoon after the final British Superbike Championship race. Bull had picked pole position out of the draw to line up ahead of Kieran Smith with Burrell third. Coates led the second row ahead of Carson and Corner.
It was Kieran Smith who got his machine off the line first ahead of Carson and Bull, as Burrell and Coates found themselves side by side in the battle for fourth. They both found their way past Bull before Coates passed Carson to move into second place.
Smith led for the first couple of laps before Coates hit the front on Lap Three with Burrell close behind – and it took the former BSB rider just another two laps to catch and pass his championship rival with a clean dive up the inside at the hairpin on Lap Six.
Now ahead, Burrell pulled the pin and quickly put a gap between himself and Coates which continued to grow as the race wore on. Even a backmarker coming into play on Lap Nine did little to halt his charge and he stretched his lead to 5.016s on the way to taking the chequered flag and his second Main Event victory in a row.
Behind, there was three-way fight for the runner-up spot between Coates, Smith and Bull which ran all the way to the flag, Coates managing to hold-off Smith to claim second by a mere 0.106s as Smith took third by 0.125s ahead of Bull.
Josh Corner was fifth, less than half a second behind Bull as Christian Smith crossed the line sixth with Carson seventh. Dave Grace was eighth after a race-long battle with Joe Walton on the KBP Racing machine as Shelton Racing’s Arnie Shelton rounded out the top 10.
Burrell’s victory has brought him to within one point of Coates in the championship chase, with three rounds to go. The battle will resume at Donington Park over the weekend September 5-7.
Cadwell Park Main Event result:
1. Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones Motorrad)
2. Nikki Coates (LDC BMW by FPF Racing) +5.016s
3. Kieran Smith (Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing) +5.122s
4. James Bull (James Bull Racing) +5.247s
5. Josh Corner (Chasin the Racin) +5.691s
6. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing) +7.110s
7. Scott Carson (Team Cryosol) +8.715s
8. Dave Grace (Dave Grace Racing) +18.176s
9. Joe Walton (KBP Racing) +19.543s
10. Arnie Shelton (Shelton Racing) +27.274s
Click here for full results: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2025/253404rc3bmw.pdf
Championship positions after Round Six:
1. Nikki Coates 185
2. Barry Burrell 184
3. Josh Corner 157
4. Kieran Smith 155
5. Christian Smith 117
6. James Bull 110
7. Scott Carson 86
8. Joe Walton 86
9. James O’Mara 82
10. Robert Varey 75
Click here for full standings: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2025/253404ptsbmw.pdf
COATES TAKES VICTORY TO BOOST POINTS LEAD AT DONINGTON
NIKKI Coates extended his ROKiT OFF BMW F 900 R Cup championship lead as he stormed to his third victory of the season at Donington Park.
As the series returned to the iconic track for the second time this season for Round Seven, LDC BMW by FPF Racing’s Coates arrived with a single point lead over Barry Burrell, who had closed in after a win at Cadwell Park a fortnight ago.
When the action began on Friday afternoon, it was Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing rider Kieran Smith who shot to the top of the free practice timesheets, setting a best lap of 1min 36.983secs to go 0.275s clear of Coates as Burrell was third quickest ahead of Christian Smith.
But Coates was back on top in Qualifying on Friday afternoon, as he clocked a 1min 36.461s lap, almost half a second clear of Smith, while Halliwell Jones Motorrad’s Burrell had to make do with the third best time. With Coates claiming pole for Heat One and Smith securing the spot for Heat Two, it meant Coates and Burrell would line up in the same Heat for the first time this season.
Adding a bit more interest was the return of reigning champion Thomas Strudwick, who wheeled out the same Case Moto BMW machine he powered to victory last season and hinted he also hoped to contest the final two rounds. Strudwick was fourth quickest to line up second alongside Smith in Heat Two, while Joe Walton and Josh Corner were fifth and sixth quickest respectively to round out both front rows.
As Heat One got underway, Burrell launched himself into the lead but Coates was right there with him and the pair began swapping places at the front. The battle raged throughout the full eight laps, with Coates emerging victorious by 0.208s at the flag. Christian Smith was third on the SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing machine, with KBP Racing’s Walton fourth and Scott Carson fifth for Team Cryosol.
Heat Two proved to be just as close, as Strudwick charged off the line and into the lead, closely followed by Smith and Corner who both passed him before the end of Lap One. A lap later, Chasin the Racin’s Corner hit the front and despite pressure from Smith throughout the whole race, was able to hold him off to take the win. Strudwick was third with DWM Racing’s Andrew Williams fourth and James Bull fifth.
Next up was the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) to finalise the grid for Sunday’s race and one rider keen to amends was True Heroes Racing’s Kenny McLeod, who had highsided out of Heat Two at the final corner while running in fourth position.
Luke Foreman hit the front on his Foreman Taxis Racing machine on Lap One, as behind, McLeod made up seven places. Brandon Petty was right on Foreman’s tail and took the lead on the second lap – but McLeod was catching them, moving into third place a lap later. With just two laps to go, McLeod hit the front and quickly edged enough of a lead to bring his home first.
But behind, Petty and Foreman were locked in battle and on the final lap had a coming together. Foreman crashed out while petty was able to limp across the line in ninth position. However, he was later disqualified for causing a crash. Alex Vella took second on the B15 MOT/Club 62 Racing machine, with OWR Racing’s Jim Lee third.
All that was left was the Main Event, which kicked off Sunday’s action at the track. Kieran Smith had pulled pole position in the draw as Christian made it a Smith twins one-two on the grid with Strudwick third and Corner, Coates and Burrell starting from Row Two.
Kieran flew off the line to lead the pack into Redgate for the first time while behind, Burrell charged through from sixth on the grid to end Lap One third behind Strudwick. Strudwick hit the front a lap later, closely followed by Burrell as Coates and Corner slotted into third and fourth and Burrell passed Strudwick for the lead.
On Lap Four, Coates found a way past Burrell to hit the front and the pair began swapping places, allowing Corner to catch up and make it a three-way scrap. Corner eventually got the better of Burrell on the seventh lap and before Burrell had a chance to fight back, Kieran Smith crashed out from fifth place.
He walked away unhurt but he had spread gravel across the track, forcing the race to be stopped early and a result called – denying Burrell the chance to progress further.
Coates won by 0.727s over Corner, with Burrell crossing the line 0.302s later in third. Strudwick was fourth ahead of James Bull Racing as Scott Carson took sixth. Christian Smith was seventh, with Joe Walton eighth, Dave Grace ninth and Andrew Williams rounded out the top 10.
The result gave Coates the chance to extend his points lead over Burrell to seven, as Corner sits third, a further 24 points adrift, ahead of the penultimate round which will be held at Assen in The Netherlands later this month.
Donington Park Round Seven Main Event Result:
1. Nikki Coates (LDC BMW by FPF Racing)
2. Josh Corner (Chasin the Racin) +0.727s
3. Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones Motorrad) +1.029s
4. Thomas Strudwick (Case Moto BMW) +1.771s
5. James Bull (James Bull Racing) +2.971s
6. Scott Carson (Team Cryosol) +9.974s
7. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing) +10.464s
8. Joe Walton (KBP Racing) +10.671s
9. Dave Grace (Dave Grace) +15.215s
10. Andrew Williams (DWM Racing) +18.585s
Click here for full results: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2025/253604rc4bmw.pdf
Championship positions after Round Seven:
1. Nikki Coates 222
2. Barry Burrell 215
3. Josh Corner 191
4. Kieran Smith 166
5. Christian Smith 139
6. James Bull 134
7. Scott Carson 108
8. Joe Walton 105
9. James O’Mara 82
10. Robert Varey 75
For full standings click here: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2025/253604ptsbmw.pdf
CORNER TAKES MAIDEN WIN AS DRAMATIC ASSEN WEEKEND BLOWS TITLE FIGHT WIDE OPEN
JOSH Corner celebrated his maiden ROKiT OFF BMW F 900 R Cup Main Event win at the end of a dramatic weekend for the series at Assen in the Netherlands.
Not only did the race welcome a whole new set of riders on the podium, but the championship has been turned on its head following a tough weekend for the main challengers.
LDC BMW by FPF Racing’s Nikki Coates arrived at the famous Dutch track with a seven-point lead over Barry Burrell, with Corner sitting third, a further 24 points adrift.
Also adding a touch of spice to the weekend was wildcard entries from Bennetts British Superbike team bosses Paul Curran and Darren Fry, both former racers, who were looking to have a bit of fun and of course, battle for bragging rights between them.
Halliwell Jones Motorrad’s Burrell led the way in free practice, clocking a 1min 46.525s lap to go 1.122s clear of Coates, as the returning James Ellison was third quickest on his HSO Powered by DHV Solutions machine.
Qualifying was next and it was business as usual, as Coates and Burrell locked out the top two places to secure poles for Saturday’s Heat races. Coates, just 0.085s quicker than his rival, took pole for Heat One, with Ellison second and Team Cryosol’s Scott Carson – fifth fastest – rounding out the front row. Burrell, meanwhile, had fourth quickest rider Corner starting alongside him on the Chasin the Racin machine, with Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing’s Kieran Smith third.
Heat One brought the first big shock of the weekend as Carson claimed victory. Ellison had taken the lead from Coates early in the race but on the final lap, Coates fought back and as the pair battled, Carson powered past the pair of them and was able to out-drag Coates to the flag, taking the win by 0.019s as Ellison was third.
Heat Two was a two-man scrap between Burrell and Corner who fought throughout the full race. Burrell hit the front at the start and led every lap, but Corner kept him honest the whole way and despite several challenges, couldn’t find a way past and had to settle for second, with Smith third.
In the battle of the BSB bosses, Nitrous Competitions Racing’s Curran drew first blood as he crossed the line 10th in his Heat, as FS-3 Racing’s Fry was 14th after being handed a 25-second penalty for failing to complete a long lap penalty during the race.
For this round, the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) race was replaced with a Sprint on Sunday morning to decide the grid for the Main Event – and this was where it all began to change.
The Dutch weather had already played a hand in scheduling thanks to its on and off heavy rain but it looked like the riders would have an easier run as they headed out onto a dry track for the eight-lap dash.
Heat One winner Carson hit the front early on but was soon passed by Coates, Burrell and Corner, who began swapping the lead among them. On Lap Four, Coates and Burrell had just passed Corner when Coates ran into the back of Burrell and crashed out heavily, his bike performing several somersaults in the gravel as he escaped unharmed. Corner was now ahead and the race stopped shortly after, giving him the win with Burrell second and Carson third.
All that was left was the Main Event, with Corner starting from pole, Burrell second and James Bull Racing’s James Bull third. Carson lined up fourth ahead of Smith. Coates, remarkably got himself onto the grid using another machine but almost didn’t make it, getting out late and as a result had to start from the back.
Burrell, keen to take advantage of Coates’ issues, rocketed off the line into the lead with Carson second and Corner third. Coates, meanwhile, powered through and was up to P14 by the end of the opening lap.
On Lap Three, Corner passed Carson to move into second and started to chase down Burrell who was starting to look like he was losing time and potentially struggling. On Lap Four, Corner shot past Burrell into the lead, as Carson also swept past the former BSB rider to move into second place.
Once ahead, Corner used his previous knowledge and experience of racing at Assen in his Supersport Evo days to quickly put almost two seconds between himself and Carson as a struggling Burrell dropped to fourth behind Jordan McCord on the second LDC BMW by FPF Racing machine.
On Lap Seven, Carson suddenly upped his pace and got a little closer to the leader but Corner couldn’t be caught, riding a solid race to cross the line first and take his first Main Event win.
Carson finished his strongest round in the series to date in second place, just 1.675secs behind Corner as McCord, in just his second time on the bike, took third. Burrell managed to salvage fourth place ahead of James Bull as James Higginson rounded out the top six.
Curran took a very respectable eighth place, just ahead of Coates, who had found his way up to ninth while Fry was 14th.
The result means Burrell has now leapfrogged Coates in the championship and takes a 15-point lead into the final round. Corner, meanwhile, is also now a strong contender, sitting third and just 1.5points behind Coates.
The ROKiT OFF BMW F 900 R Cup has a few weeks off before the final battle of the year at Brands Hatch over the weekend October 17-19.
Assen Main Event result:
1. Josh Corner (Chasin the Racin)
2. Scott Carson (Team Cryosol) +1.675s
3. Jordan McCord (LDC BMW by FPF Racing) +5.693s
4. Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones Motorrad) +12.779s
5. James Bull (James Bull Racing) +12.861s
6. James Higginson (LDC BMW by FPF Racing) +14.502s
7. Arnie Shelton (Shelton Racing) +16.198s
8. Paul Curran (Nitrous Competitions Racing) +16.345s
9. Nikki Coates (LDC BMW by FPF Racing) +17.689s
10. Harley Prebble (LDH Contracts/2 Strokes Racing) +19.524s
For full results click here: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2025/253804rc4bmw.pdf
Championship positions after Round Eight:
1. Barry Burrell 256
2. Nikki Coates 241
3. Josh Corner 239.5
4. Kieran Smith 187
5. James Bull 168
6. Scott Carson 152
7. Christian Smith 149
8. Joe Walton 105
9. Arnie Shelton 87
10. James O’Mara 82
For full standings click here: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2025/253804ptsbmw.pdf
BURRELL CROWNED 2025 CHAMPION AS TITLE FIGHT GOES TO THE WIRE
BARRY Burrell emerged victorious in a three-rider battle to be crowned the 2025 ROKiT OFF BMW F 900 R Champion at Brands Hatch.
The Halliwell Jones Motorrad rider becomes the third champion since the series launched in 2023 – and his win follows the closest and most dramatic season yet, as three leading riders entered the final round all with a chance of taking title glory.
Burrell arrived at the iconic Kent track with a 15-point lead over LDC BMW by FPF Racing’s Nikki Coates with Chasin the Racin’s Josh Corner – who had been a late charger in the season, coming seriously into play after victory at Assen in September – 1.5points behind Coates and still in the mix for title glory.
It was Coates who kicked off the weekend on top as he set the pace in Friday’s free practice, leading Burrell by 0.213secs as Corner banked the third best time, albeit more than a second adrift of Coates’ 1min 33.716sec lap.
The pack were back out later that afternoon for Qualifying and once again, the session was dominated by the leading duo. This time, it was Burrell who was fastest, clocking a 1min 33.830sec lap to go 0.180secs clear of Coates. As a result, the pair secured a pole position each for Saturday’s two Heat races.
Corner was third quickest, 0.444secs behind Burrell to line up second alongside the points leader in the opening Heat, as outgoing champion Thomas Strudwick – back once again on the Case Moto BMW he won on in 2024 – was fourth to take second on the grid for Heat Two. Smith Twins Kieran and Christian were fifth and sixth to each secure a front row spot in their respective Heats.
As Heat One began, Burrell stormed into the lead as Scott Carson powered through from Row Two to move into second position. Corner got away in third but was past Carson before the end of the first lap and seconds later passed Burrell for the lead. Burrell scythed down the inside at Paddock Hill Bend at the start of Lap Three and from there, the pair were locked in battle for the full race.
Carson was running confidently in third until Lap Six when he crashed out, promoting James Ellison – back for the final round on his HSO Powered by DHV Solutions machine – to third, but he was unable to hold off Kieran Smith, who moved up to P3 on the final lap. Up front, Burrell and Corner fought for the full race, with Corner pulling some daring moves in the closing laps, eventually making the final one stick to take victory by just 0.058secs.
Heat Two was far more sedate as Coates took charge early on. It was Strudwick who got the best start and led into Turn One but Coates was quickly past and led over the line at he end of the first lap. From there, he was able to build enough of a buffer behind him to stay safe, eventually coasting to the line 3.976secs clear of Strudwick. James Bull was third, 0.410secs behind.
Saturday’s action was completed with the final Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) race of the year, with 17 bikes lining up on the grid, headed by Jim Lee ahead of Harry Gower and James Seath. At the back was Carson who knew he had to get through the pack quickly and he did so at an incredible pace, moving into the lead before the end of the opening lap.
Once ahead, he continued his charge to eventually take victory by 19.031secs while the big fight was for the remaining podium spots. James Seath had been running in second place since Lap Two but it all changed on the final lap as Alex Vella passed him, followed by Jordan Ashington. Another four riders were also battling for position and Seath ended up coming off worst, dropping to eighth at the flag as Vella took second for the B15 MOT/Club 62 Racing outfit with Jordz Racing’s Ashington third.
All that remained was the final battle of the year, the Main Event, which kicked off Sunday’s race action at 11.30am. Corner had pulled out the lucky pole position spot in the draw to line up ahead of Coates, with Burrell rounding out the front row. Burrell went into the 10-lapper with a 13-point advantage over Coates and 14.5 ahead of Corner, which meant he had to finish fourth or higher to lift the crown while both Coates and Corner needed a win to stand a chance.
Coates was the quickest off the line to hit the front but Burrell was keen to get ahead, riding around the outside as the pack rounded Druids for the first time to hit the front. But Coates was quickly back ahead, bringing Corner with him, to lead at the end of the opening lap.
With Burrell sitting in a safe third, Coates and Corner went into battle, swapping the lead numerous times lap after lap. Burrell was keeping a watching brief but his place wasn’t safe as behind, James Ellison was on a charge, creeping up and passing Strudwick for fourth on the third lap. On Lap Four he made a move for third at Paddock Hill Bend but ran wide and Burrell quickly took the spot back.
The battle continued up front for the next few laps until the Safety Car was deployed on Lap Six after wildcard entry Kylan Shuttlewood crashed. Ellison had just found a way past Burrell and now the points leader was in a much more dangerous position and knew he had to make a move when the race got back underway.
Coates was ahead when the Safety Car pulled in at the start of Lap Eight and Ellison saw a chance to pass Corner but ran wide again, dropping back to fourth. Burrell was now safe but could see the chance of victory and he too decided to push for the front in the closing laps.
Corner was leading as the final lap began and Burrell pulled a move for second, before Coates stole it back. With Corner just ahead, Coates pushed hard to reach and catch him but just ran out of laps as Corner took victory by 0.004secs.
Coates was second as Burrell crossed the line third, just 0.153secs behind Corner and lifted the crown. Ellison ended the final race of the year in fourth spot just ahead of Strudwick.
“After the Safety Car, in the last two laps I thought ‘let’s try and win it’ and I made a couple of moves,” said Burrell. “If the championship wasn’t at stake I’d have been up for the win…but at the end of the day we did what we came to do.
“A massive shout out to everyone who have supported me, thank you so much, what a year, what more could I ask for?”
Corner’s victory secured him the runner-up spot in the championship, as Coates had to settle for third place ahead of Kieran Smith, with James Bull ending the year fifth and Christian Smith sixth.
Brands Hatch Main Event Top 10:
1. Josh Corner (Chasin the Racin)
2. Nikki Coates (LDC BMW by FPF Racing) +0.004s
3. Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones Motorrad) +0.153s
4. James Ellison (HSO Powered by DHV Solutions) +0.194s
5. Thomas Strudwick (Case Moto BMW) +1.468s
6. James Bull (James Bull Racing) +1.746s
7. Mason Johnson (Johnson Racing) +1.817s
8. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing) +2.812s
9. Joe Walton (KBP Racing) +2.812s
10. Arnie Shelton (Shelton Racing) +6.668s
For full results: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2025/254204rc4bmw.pdf
Final Championship Top 10:
1. Barry Burrell 298 (Champion)
2. Josh Corner 291
3. Nikki Coates 288
4. Kieran Smith 210
5. James Bull 201
6. Christian Smith 176
7. Scott Carson 158
8. Joe Walton 129
9. Arnie Shelton 107
10. Dave Grace 86
For full results: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2025/254204ptsbmw.pdf
NIKKI COATES TAKES OPENING ABK BEER 0% BMW MOTORRAD F 900 R CUP VICTORY
NIKKI Coates got his 2024 ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F 900 R Cup challenge off to a flying start as he pipped Mason Johnson to the opening win of the year in Spain.
As the second season of the competitive one-make series got underway at Circuito de Navarra, Coates became just the second rider in history to win a Main race, following Richard Cooper’s domination in last year’s championship.
With a new track for most of the pack to get to grips with, SCH Motoprep/Batham’s Racing’s Christian Smith led free practice, before Johnson took control in qualifying, beating Coates to the top spot by just 0.056secs with a best lap of 1min 47.054secs.
As Heat One got underway on Saturday afternoon, it was the Johnson Racing machine which crossed the line first following a race-long battle with Smith but race chiefs ruled he had exceeded track limits on his final lap and forced him to drop a place, giving Smith the first win of the year while Robert Varey took third on the Stanford Fastline BMW.
In Heat Two, 2023 championship runner-up Thomas Strudwick – this year running under the Case Moto BMW banner – got the better of Coates after taking an early lead to win by just over a second as Kieran Smith, on the Bowker Motorrad/Batham’s Racing bike finished third, 1.490secs behind Coates.
This year, the series has welcomed a string of new guest and permanent riders and among them is Australian Paul Young, who was forced to join the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) grid after tipping off in his heat.
Starting 16th, he scythed through the pack, and by the end of lap four was in third position, before hitting the front with a move on Kate Walker a lap later and building a hefty lead, eventually taking victory by more than six seconds on his R&G machine. Walker was second on the FHO Racing BMW Motorrad machine with Army Motorcycle Road Race Team pilot Tyler Viveiros third.
For the Main Event, Team Art of Racing/Ernie Coates Trackdays’ Coates lined up on pole, with Johnson alongside him and Kieran Smith rounding out the front row. Strudwick was fastest out of the blocks, charging through from the second row but a costly mistake dropped him a place as Johnson stormed through, followed by Coates a lap later.
Coates took the lead on Lap Two but Johnson was soon back ahead and controlled the race until the penultimate lap when he too made a small error. Coates managed to avoid colliding with him and capitalised, hitting the front.
Despite Johnson’s best attempts to get back ahead, it wasn’t enough. Johnson finished a mere 0.002secs behind Coates in second place with Strudwick third, Christian Smith fourth, Barry Burrell fifth and Young sixth – having fought through from 27th on the grid.
It was bad news for FHO Racing girls Walker and Jamie Hanks-Elliott who both crashed out of the race, Hanks-Elliott on lap two while Walker dropped her machine at the final corner of the last lap.
Another disappointed rider was former MotoGP and BSB favourite James Ellison, who had found his way up to fourth on the Back on Track powered by HSO machine, only to crash on lap six.
Former British Superstock champion Steve Brogan also had a tough debut in the series, retiring on lap two while road racers Derek Sheils and Sam West finished well in ninth and 11th spots respectively.
The next round of the 2024 ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F 900 R Cup takes place at Oulton Park in Cheshire over the Bank Holiday weekend May 4-6, 2024.
ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F 900 R Cup, Main Race top six:
1. Nikki Coates (Team Art of Racing/Ernie Coates Trackdays)
2. Mason Johnson (Johnson Racing) +0.002s
3. Thomas Strudwick (Case Moto BMW) +0.891s
4. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing) +6.743s
5. Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones Motorrad) +16.011s
6. Paul Young (R&G) +21.480s
For full results and points please visit: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/241604
STRUDWHICH PIPS COATES TO TAKE SNETTERTON WIN BY A WHISKER
THOMAS Strudwick beat Nikki Coates by a mere 0.011seconds in a hard-fought race at Snetterton to move to the top of the ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F 900 R Cup championship standings.
After Round Two was postponed back in May, it had been almost three months since the riders had lined up for a Main Race event – and it proved to be a close one.
It was Team Art of Racing/ Ernie Coates Trackdays’ Coates who led the way in Friday’s free practice as he kept Strudwick and Stanford Fastline rider Robert Varey at bay.
But when it came to Qualifying on a damp track later in the day, Mason Johnson came into his own aboard his Johnson Racing machine and set the fastest lap of all to take pole for Heat One, as BMW Dubai’s Dijon Compton secured the Heat Two pole.
But on Saturday, the weather played its hand and as a huge downpour hit the Norfolk track, race chiefs were forced to postpone the two Heats until Sunday morning, reducing both from seven to five laps.
Neither polesitter was able to capitalise on their position, as Varey took an early lead in Heat One but was soon passed by Barry Burrell, who hit the front on Lap Three on his Halliwell Jones Motorrad bike. The race was stopped a lap early after RD Racing’s Maximus Hardy crashed, giving Burrell the win, with Varey second and James Bull third for the Ready4Racing Vision Team.
Heat Two was much more straightforward, as Strudwick got a flyer off the line and led for the full race, beating Coates by 5.662secs with James Ellison finishing third on his Team SBR Belgrave Motors machine.
With no Last Chance Qualifier at Snetterton due to the delays, the Main Race was up next, with Coates on pole ahead of Burrell, as Bull rounded out the front row.
At the green light, both Burrell and Bull made good starts but Strudwick’s was even better as his Case Moto BMW shot to the front of the pack to lead into Turn One. Coates quickly slotted himself into second position, as behind, Burrell settled into third.
At the start of Lap Two, Coates moved into the lead but before the end of lap Strudwick was back ahead and the pair stuck close together for the remainder of the eight-lap race as they rapidly left their rivals behind.
Ellison had quickly found a way past Bull on the opening lap and was running fourth behind Burrell, with Varey and Bull in hot pursuit.
The order remained the same for much of the race. Up front, Coates was leading on Strudwick as Varey managed to find a way past Ellison on Lap Six. A lap later, Bull crashed out having dropped a place to Christian Smith, who was on a late charge.
It all came down to the final lap. Coates had never let Strudwick out of his sight and finally made his move in the closing moments. Making a move up the inside, he ran a little too deep allowing Strudwick to hold his line and keep the place. Coates quickly regrouped and tried to match his rival as the pair powered to the line but it was Strudwick who won the drag race by a fraction.
Behind, Burrell took a lonely third, 14.435secs behind Coates and 3.586s ahead of Christian Smith, who had passed both Ellison and Varey in the final laps on his SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing machine.
Varey managed to hold-off Ellison by a mere 0.013secs to secure fifth, as Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing’s Kieron Smith was seventh, Mason Johnson eighth and Team Art of Racing duo James Kelly and Derek Sheils ninth and tenth, respectively.
Strudwick now has a slim, three-point lead at the top of the standings over Coates, with Burrell third, Christian Smith fourth and Mason Johnson fifth.
The ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F 900 R Cup riders now have a very quick turnaround time as they prepare to hit the track for the next round in just a matter of days, as part of the support race programme for the World Superbike Championship at Donington Park this weekend.
ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F 900 R Cup Round Three result:
1. Thomas Strudwick (Case Moto BMW)
2. Nikki Coates (Team Art of Racing/Ernie Coates Trackdays) +0.011s
3. Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones Motorrad) +14.453s
4. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing) +18.021s
5. Robert Varey (Stanford Fastline) +18.708s
6. James Ellison (Team SBR Belgrave Motors) +18.721s
7. Kieran Smith (Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing) +18.771s
8. Mason Johnson (Johnson Racing) +18.802s
9. James Kelly (Team Art of Racing) +19.078s
10. Derek Sheils (Team Art of Racing) +26.227s
For full results click here: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2024/242704rc3bmw.pdf
Championship top six:
1. Thomas Strudwick 81
2. Nikki Coates 78
3. Barry Burrell 68
4. Christian Smith 67
5. Mason Johnson 61
6. Robert Varey 49
STRUDWICK AND COATES SHARE WINS AT DONINGTON PARK
THOMAS Strudwick and Nikki Coates took a win each in Sunday’s ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F 900 R Cup races at Donington Park.
But despite getting the chance to be tied at the top of the championship for a brief few hours after Race One, Team Art of Racing/Ernie Coates Track Days rider Coates was left counting the cost of a crash in the second as Strudwick reigned.
Just five days after the riders packed up and left Donington Park, they were back out in action as part of the World Superbike support race programme at Donington Park. And with two races to fit in, it was a busy three days.
Friday began with free practice as Case Moto BMW’s Strudwick shot to the top of the timesheets, ahead of Halliwell Jones Motorrad’s Barry Burrell and Coates.
Strudwick stayed on top during qualifying later that afternoon, setting a 1min 37.125sec lap to go 0.303secs clear of Coates, the pair taking pole for a Heat apiece on Saturday morning, Strudwick heading the Heat One grid ahead of Bowker Motorrad/Batham’s Racing rider Kieran Smith and Stanford Fastline’s Robert Varey, with Coates leading Johnson Racing’s Mason Johnson and Michael Rutter on the Batham’s Racing machine.
It was a simple and straightforward Heat win for Strudwick, who led from lights to flag as behind, Varey passed Smith to move into second but dropped to third on the final lap as SBR/Belgrave Motors’ James Ellison made a move to secure second,
And Heat Two was a similar story, as Coates got a flying start and made a bit of a break at the front, to cross the line just over two seconds ahead of Johnson, as Rutter took third.
Saturday’s action continued with the return of the Last Chance Qualifier. Art of Racing’s Lee Devenport started from pole ahead of Liam Vella and Mark Evans and got a clean start before edging a comfortable gap at the front.
As Devenport took victory by a commanding 9.699secs, 2 Strokes Racing’s Vella battled with Titan Beds Racing’s Evans, managing to keep him behind to take second with Evans third.
Sunday delivered not one but two Main Races, one in the morning and one just before 5pm. In the opening battle, Ellison started from pole ahead of Rutter and Strudwick, but Coates shot through from the second row and managed to overcome Strudwick after a race-long battle to take the win by 0.212secs.
Burrell claimed third, almost seven seconds behind the leaders as he just held off James Ellison with Kieran Smith fourth ahead of Mason Johnson.
The result meant Coates and Strudwick were now tied on points at the top of the leaderboard ahead of the final race of the weekend, with Coates starting from pole ahead of his rival and Ellison joining them on the front row.
Strudwick was quick off the mark to pass polesitter Coates into the lead at the start, as Coates dropped to third behind Ellison. It took until lap three for him to make a move stick on the former MotoGP rider and by now, Strudwick already had more than half a second in hand at the front.
Both Varey and Ellison were within 0.3s of Coates and it all went wrong for the Northern Irishman when he crashed out on lap four, ending his race.
This left Varey and Ellison, who battled and swapped positions for the rest of the race and as Strudwick coasted to a win a clear 3.137s ahead, Varey got the better of Ellison on the final lap as the pair crossed the line second and third, respectively.
James O’Mara managed to hold off Kieran Smith by a mere 0.189secs to take fourth with Mason Johnson sixth.
A special guest rider this weekend was Niall Mackenzie, who found himself well and truly in the mix of things. After a steady start aboard another Bathams Racing machine, he crossed the line in 22nd position in the first Main Race but didn’t ride in the second.
And another rider making his debut was Robert Smith – dad of twins Kieran and Christian, who lined up on the grid for the first time with his sons and finished 27th in both races.
Donington Park may be over but there’s still no rest for the riders, who get a couple of days at home before heading to Brands Hatch for Round Five next weekend.
Main Race One result:
1. Nikki Coates (Art of Racing/Ernie Coates Track Days)
2. Thomas Strudwick (Case Moto BMW) +0.212s
3. Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones Motorrad) +6.992s
4. James Ellison (Team SBR/Bathams Racing) +7.294s
5. Kieran Smith (Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing) +10.556s
6. Mason Johnson (Johnson Racing) +11.289s
7. Robert Varey (Stanford Fastline) +11.407s
8. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing) +12.564s
9. Michael Rutter (Bathams Racing) +12.935s
10. Derek Sheils (Art of Racing) +16.393s
Main Race Two result:
1. Thomas Strudwick (Case Moto BMW)
2. Robert Varey (Stanford Fastline) +3.127s
3. James Ellison (Team SBR/Bathams Racing) +3.383s
4. James O’Mara (BRP Racing/Alton Compressors) +5.496s
5. Kieran Smith (Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing) +5.685s
6. Mason Johnson (Johnson Racing) +6.057s
7. Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones Motorrad) +8.273s
8. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing) +8.404s
9. Michael Rutter (Bathams Racing) +8.687s
10. Derek Sheils (Team Art of Racing) +18.802s
For full race results from the Donington Park World Superbike race weekend, click here: https://livedatasbk.perugiatiming.com/Sessioni/653fc412-7e6b-40f5-a2dd-b675358830f8/21
COATES BEATS VAREY TO BRANDS HATCH WIN
NIKKI Coates powered to victory in Sunday’s ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F 900 R Cup Main Event race at Brands Hatch, beating Robert Varey and Thomas Strudwick – and taking a bit of a chunk out of Strudwick’s championship lead.
In the third weekend of action in succession, it was Johnson Racing’s Mason Johnson who set the early pace, heading Friday’s free practice session ahead of James Ellison on the Team SBR Belgrave Motors machine.
But normality resumed later in the day as the pack headed out for qualifying and Strudwick and Coates shot straight to the top of the timesheets.
Strudwick’s 1min 35.299s lap was fastest of all and gave him pole for Heat One, ahead of Ellison and Halliwell Jones Motorrad’s Barry Burrell, as Coates, second fastest in qualifying, secured the Heat Two pole, ahead of Robert Varey and Johnson.
In Heat One, Case Moto BMW’s Strudwick had to fend off a charging Burrell to seal the win, as Ellison was third, SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing’s Christian Smith was fourth and James Kelly fifth for Team Art of Racing.
Heat Two came down to a last lap battle between Team Art of Racing/Ernie Coates Trackdays rider Coates and Johnson, the lead swapping between them several times and resulted in a drag to the line and a photo finish, which ruled Johnson winner by 0.021s. BRP Racing/Alton Compressors rider James O’Mara was third, Stanford Fastline’s Varey fourth and Ready4Racing Vision Team pilot James Bull fifth.
More action followed in Sunday morning’s LCQ race, with 15 riders battling it out for 14 grid spots for the Main Event. Mike Smith took charge to power his Smiffs Garage machine to the win, 6.450secs clear of 72 Racelife rider Gary Ford, with John Dudman third for Dudman Racing.
In the battle for the final place on the grid, Giovanni Beliossi pulled an impressive final lap out of the bag to move into 14th place, sending Andy Booth home early.
All that was left was Sunday afternoon’s Main Event, as Ellison started from pole ahead of Burrell and Johnson, with Coates and Strudwick on the second row.
Burrell got a flying start to pass Ellison on the opening lap for the lead, but it was all change on lap three when Strudwick hit the front, followed by Coates a lap later. Strudwick was back ahead by the fifth lap but with it all very close at the front, Coates was soon back in the lead and the pair continued to trade places over the next few laps until Coates made a pass stick on lap eight.
On the penultimate lap, Varey found a way past Strudwick to move second and started having a look at Coates but was unable to make a pass. At the end of 10 laps, Coates crossed the line 0.176secs clear of Varey, who managed to keep Strudwick 0.320secs behind him as Johnson took fourth and O’Mara fifth.
Ellison was sixth with fellow former BSB rider Burrell seventh as Bull took eighth, Christian Smith ninth and Kieran Smith rounded out the top 10 on the Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing machine.
Brands Hatch Top 10 results:
1. Nikki Coates (Team Art of Racing/Ernie Coates Trackdays)
2. Robert Varey (Stanford Fastline) +0.176s
3. Thomas Strudwick (Case Moto BMW) +0.496s
4. Mason Johnson (Johnson Racing) +0.763s
5. James O’Mara (BRP Racing/Alton Compressors) +2.554s
6. James Ellison (Team SBR Belgrave Motors) +2.719s
7. Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones Motorrad) +2.773s
8. James Bull (Ready4Racing Vision Team) +3.738s
9. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing) +6.527s
10. Kieran Smith (Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing) +11.135s
For full results click here: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2024/242904rc4bmw.pdf
Championship top six after Round Five:
1. Thomas Strudwick 172
2. Nikki Coates 151
3. Barry Burrell 132
4. Mason Johnson 130
5. Robert Varey 124
6. James Ellison 115
For full points click here: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2024/242904ptsbmw.pdf
STRUDWICK BEATS COATES IN CLOSE ENCOUNTER AT THRUXTON
THOMAS Strudwick extended his points lead in the ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F 900 R Cup at Thruxton, as he beat main rival Nikki Coates by just 0.067secs.
As the leading one-make series headed to the UK’s fastest circuit, it proved to be a dramatic and drama-filled weekend.
Johnson Racing’s Mason Johnson set the pace as the pack headed out for first practice on Friday morning, as Case Moto’s Strudwick was second ahead of Coates in third.
But in the second session, Coates was the man to beat aboard his Team Art of Racing/Ernie Coates Trackdays machine, as he led Smith twins Christian and Kieran.
Coates continued his strong run as he clocked a best lap of 1min 21.238secs in Saturday morning’s Qualifying to claim pole position for Heat One, lining up ahead of Halliwell Jones Motorrad’s Barry Burrel and Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing’s Kieran Smith.
Strudwick, meanwhile, posted the second best time to head the grid for Heat Two, lining up alongside Johnson with Robert Varey rounding out the front row for the Stanford Fastline team.
Heat One brought plenty of action at the front, as the lead swapped several times between a number of riders and it all came down to a last lap scrap as Burrell, Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing’s Kieran Smith and Coates fought it out.
With Christian Smith on the SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing machine also in the mix, the win eventually went to Burrell, with Christian second, Kieran third and Coates fourth.
In contrast, Heat Two was far more straightforward, as points leader Strudwick enjoyed a lights-to-flag win, beating BRP Racing/Alton Compressors rider James O’Mara, as newcomer Illiam Quaye from the Isle of Man finished third.
However, it wasn’t a race without some drama as Johnson crashed on lap three and collected both James Bull and Robert Varey, while David Carson and Harley Prebble had their own crashes, forcing them all into the later Last Chance Qualifier.
Sixteen riders lined up for the final chance to make the Main Event and it looked like the usual suspects had it in the bag, as Varey took the lead early on. However, with just one lap remaining, he crashed at the chicane, ending his weekend, as Ready4Racing Vision Team’s James Bull powered to the win ahead of LDH Contracts/2 Strokes Racing’s Prebble with Team Cryosol’s Carson third.
All that remained was the Main Event, held over 10 laps with Quayle starting from pole ahead of Strudwick and Burrell.
And it quickly became a three-man race as both Smith twins crashed out on the opening lap and Strudwick took the lead ahead of Burrell, while Coates passed O’Mara on Lap Two to move into third.
The Safety Car was deployed on the second lap and when it went in at the end of Lap Four, the top three went into battle, the lead swapping several times. Polesitter Quayle crashed out on the eighth lap but wasn’t in contention for the win, as the top three gapped the rest of the field.
Eventually, it all came down to the final laps. Coates led Burrell into Lap Nine but Strudwick managed to scythe past both in one move as the three started the final lap all together on track. Burrell put a move on Coates to go second but Coates immediately stole it back while Strudwick managed to keep his cool long enough to just cross the line first, a mere 0.067secs ahead of Coates as Burrell was third.
Team Art of Racing’s James Kelly was fourth rider home as LCQ winner Bull finished in an impressive fifth place following a heroic ride from fight through the pack from starting 27th on the grid.
Strudwick has now extended his points lead to 27 over Coates with three rounds still to run. The action continues in a fortnight at Cadwell Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Thruxton result, Top 10:
1. Thomas Strudwick (Case Moto BMW)
2. Nikki Coates (Team Art of Racing/Ernie Coates Trackdays) +0.067s
3. Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones Motorrad) +0.259s
4. James Kelly (Team Art of Racing) +5.162s
5. James Bull (Ready4Racing Vison Team) +5.204s
6. James O’Mara (BRP Racing/Alton Compressors) +9.939s
7. Josh Wainwright (Josh Wainwright) +10.025s
8. Derek Sheils (Team Art of Racing) +10.354s
9. James Ellison (Team SBR Belgrave Motors) +10.818s
10. Mike Smith (Smiffs Garage) +12.643s
For full results click here: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2024/243204rc4bmw.pdf
Championship top six after Round Six:
1. Thomas Strudwick 209
2. Nikki Coates 182
3. Barry Burrell 164
4. Mason Johnson 130
5. James Ellison 126
6. Robert Varey 124
For full points click here: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2024/243204ptsbmw.pdf
STRUDWICK BOOSTS TITLE BID WITH CADWELL PARK VICTORY
THOMAS Strudwick celebrated another ABK Beer 0% BMW F900 R Cup Main Event win at Cadwell Park – as main rival Nikki Coates crashed out on the final corner.
The class of 2024 were back on track at the iconic Lincolnshire circuit over the August Bank Holiday weekend for Round Seven of nine this season.
As the action got underway on Saturday, former British Superbike riders Barry Burrell and James Ellison quickly hit the top of the timesheets, with Halliwell Hones Motorrad’s Burrell ending the session on top, with Ellison second on the Team SBR Belgrave Motors machine as Johnson Racing’s Mason Johnson was third.
From there, the pack headed into Qualifying later in the day and this time Team Art of Racing/Ernie Coates Trackdays rider Coates was on form, clocking the fastest lap of 1min 36.559sec to secure pole for Heat One.
Ellison finished the session second and 0.949secs adrift to claim pole for Heat Two, as series newcomer Jamie Dexter for Team Art of Racing banked the third best time to start second to Coates with Smiffs Garage’s Mike Smith third.
James Kelly put a third Team Art of Racing bike on a front row for Heat Two alongside Ellison, as SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing’s Christian Smith qualified third.
The Heats roared into action on Sunday afternoon, and the first went the way of Coates after a race-long scrap with Burrell. Coates took it by 0.238secs after a last lap battle to the line as Stanford Fastline’s Robert Varey took third.
In Heat Two, Strudwick was quick off the line and took the lead from Ellison with ease as he set the pace and built an advantage of more than a second.
Any hopes Ellison may have had of getting the place back were dashed when rain began to fall and the race was stopped three laps early and he had to settle for second behind Strudwick as Kelly took third.
All that was left to determine the final grid spots for Bank Holiday Monday’s race was the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) on Sunday evening. As expected, this was won with ease by Mason Johnson who had been forced to go through the LCQ following a retirement from Heat One. Tech 5 Racing’s Tom Stevens finished second as Team Art of Racing’s Peter Hasler was third.
After changeable weather throughout Saturday and Sunday, race day was thankfully dry – if not a little windy – which meant a much more straight forward race, at least as far as the conditions were concerned.
Varey headed the grid on pole but it was Strudwick who got the best start followed by Coates. Varey slipped to third and did try to fight back with a move on Coates in the opening lap but couldn’t find a way past the experienced rider and then found himself fourth on Lap Four as BRP Racing/Alton Compressors’ James O’Mara moved ahead.
Coates was breathing down Strudwick’s neck as the pair racked up the race laps as Burrell also tried to make his way to the front, passing Varey for fourth on Lap Six and then moving ahead of O’Mara two laps later.
On Lap Nine, Coates made his first big move for the front but was unable to make it stick and didn’t get another try until the penultimate lap, when Strudwick ran wide into Coppice.
Coates pounced and hit the front but it was to be short-lived as Strudwick quickly stole it back and it seemed it was all going to come down to a last lap scrap.
However, it didn’t go quite as planned for either as they caught a pack of backmarkers heading into the Mountain who were having their own race. Strudwick managed to get through them but Coates got caught out in the melee and as he rounded the final corner, slid off into the barriers.
Strudwick celebrated his fourth win of the year to extend his points lead over Coates as O’Mara took second, Burrell third and Varey fourth, as Christian Smith was fifth, just ahead of twin brother Kieran on the Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing machine.
ABK Beer 0% BMW F900 R Cup, Main Event top 10:
1. Thomas Strudwick (Case Moto BMW)
2. James O’Mara (BRP Racing/Alton Compressors) +4.396s
3. Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones Motorrad) +4.767
4. Robert Varey (Stanford Fastline) +5.279s
5. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing) +15.384s
6. Kieran Smith (Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing) +18.377s
7. James Bull (Ready4Racing Vision Team) +18.434s
8. James Kelly (Team Art of Racing) +18.870s
9. Mason Johnson (Johnson Racing) +18.961s
10. Josh Wainwright (Josh Wainwright) +19.546s
*For full race results, please click here: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2024/243404rc4bmw.pdf
VAREY POWERS TO MAIDEN WIN AT DONINGTON PARK
ROBERT Varey celebrated his first ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F 900 R Cup Main Race victory on Sunday, at the end of a strong weekend at Donington Park.
The championship headed to the iconic track for its penultimate round of the year – and it was all change at the sharp end as Varey hit the ground running when action began on Friday.
The Stanford Fastline rider had already started making waves towards the front in recent rounds but quickly established himself as the rider to beat when he emerged fastest in free practice, beating BRP Racing/Alton Compressors’ James O’Mara by 0.332secs as Mason Johnson on his Johnson Racing machine finished the session third.
The pack was back out later that afternoon for Qualifying, and it was points leader Thomas Strudwick who set the pace, the Case Moto BMW rider banking the best lap of min 37.132secs to secure the Heat One pole, closely followed by Varey, who was just 0.242secs behind so seal the top spot for Heat Two.
Halliwell Jones Motorrad’s Barry Burrell lined up second on the grid in the opening heat, with Christian Smith third on the SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing machine and once again, it proved an easy ride for Strudwick, who beat Burrell by 1.875secs as Johnson took third.
For Heat Two, Varey was joined on the front row by Team Art of Racing/Ernie Coates Trackdays rider Nikki Coates and BRP Racing/Alton Compressors’ James O’Mara, but it was James Ellison – this weekend running under the ROKiT Racing banner – who got the best start from fourth on the grid.
However, he was unable to keep Varey behind him for too long and eventually dropped back to third after a strong battle, as Coates came through to steal second.
More action followed later on Saturday afternoon in the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) race. Tech 5 Racing’s Matt Stevens led the opening lap but Alex Pearson on his Pearson Racing machine found a way past on the second lap and took control of the race, holding off Team Art of Racing’s Lee Devonport to take the win by 0.433secs at the end of eight laps as Charlie Hopkins took third on his www.TheMotorbikeBuyers.co.uk machine.
All that remained was the Main Race on Sunday morning and it was Coates who started from pole ahead of Johnson with Ellison third, Varey fourth, Strudwick fifth and Ellison sixth.
Strudwick got a flying start to lead into Redgate for the first time, but Johnson made a move to hit the front seconds later. But as the opening lap continued it was Ellison who took charge, hitting the front for a lap before Strudwick took the spot back.
The race became a battle of five as Ellison sat behind Strudwick with Varey, Coates and Johnson in close pursuit, Strudwick and Ellison swapping places several times over the opening laps.
By Lap Seven it was too close to call with the top four bunched together and although Strudwick looked to be in control, he couldn’t pull any gap at the front and on Lap Nine he couldn’t hold off a charging Varey who had just passed Ellison.
As the final lap began, Coates could see a potential win and the chance to claw back some points in the title fight and after diving past Ellison, put a move on Strudwick to move second.
However, it was too late to stop Varey, who now, with a clear track ahead of him, wasted no time edging enough of a gap to carry him to the flag unchallenged to take his first series win.
Coates was second with Strudwick third, Ellison fourth, Johnson fifth and Burrell sixth.
With one round left of the 2024 season, Strudwick remains at the top of the points table, 49 clear of Coates with Burrell third, Varey fourth and Christian Smith fifth.
ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F 900 R Cup, Donington Park top six:
1. Robert Varey (Stanford Fastline)
2. Nikki Coates (Art of Racing/Ernie Coates Trackdays) +0.452s
3. Thomas Strudwick (Case Moto BMW) +0.816s
4. James Ellison (ROKiT Racing) +1.343s
5. Mason Johnson (Johnson Racing) +1.902s
6. Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones Motorrad) +5.849s
For full results please visit: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2024/243904rc4bmw.pdf
Championship top six after Donington Park:
1. Thomas Strudwick 276
2. Nikki Coates 227
3. Barry Burrell 220
4. Robert Varey 189
5. Christian Smith 171
6. James Ellison 165
For full standings please visit: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2024/243904ptsbmw.pdf
NEW CHAMPION STRUDWICK SIGNS OFF WITH A WIN
THOMAS Strudwick was crowned the 2024 ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F 900 R Cup champion a day early – and then signed-off the season in style with the final Main Event race win of the year.
Strudwick, who finished runner-up in last year’s title fight, has never been far away from the front all year and as the season drew to a close at Brands Hatch over the weekend, he once again found himself in a two-man battle for title honours, this time with Nikki Coates.
The action got underway on Friday morning, with ROKiT Racing’s James Ellison leading the way in free practice ahead of Johnson Racing’s Mason Johnson. This weekend’s big wildcard, Jeremy McWilliams immediately showed his potential in the class as he finished the session third for Team SBR/Belgrave Motors.
Barry Burrell and Christian Smith were fourth and fifth respectively – but then both came to the fore during qualifying a few hours later.
SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing’s Smith clocked the best lap of the day of 1min 34. 842secs to top the timesheets and secure the Heat One pole, while
Burrell finished just 0.016secs behind on his Halliwell Jones Motorrad machine to claim pole for Heat Two.
Coates was fourth quickest to line up second on the Heat Two grid behind Burrell, but Strudwick had taken it a little more easy, banking just the seventh fastest lap and as a result, started Heat Two from the second row.
Strudwick had arrived at Brands Hatch 49 points ahead of Coates and it was always clear that he could take the title in his Heat race, although it hadn’t necessarily been expected by anyone.
But after the disappointment of losing out on last year’s crown, the Case Moto BMW rider wasn’t prepared to hang about this time and was determined to seal the deal as early as possible.
Moving up to second position in the opening lap of Heat One, Strudwick slotted in behind leader Ellison and stuck to his rear wheel for the full eight laps. Ellison wasn’t about to give up position easily and defended hard and despite Strudwick’s best efforts managed to hold him off.
Ellison took the win by just 0.010secs from Strudwick but second was all he’d needed and it was enough to secure the 2024 crown. Christian Smith took third ahead of Robert Varey.
Title won early, it meant Coates had to go through the painful process of the rest of the weekend but the Art of Racing/Ernie Coates Trackdays rider once again showed he was champion material as he rode around the outside of Burrell on the opening lap to hit the front.
From there he came under no pressure as he cleared-off at the front, eventually winning the race by 2.870secs ahead of Ready4Racing Vision’s James Bull, as Johnson was third.
All that was left was Sunday’s final Main Race. With the championship won the outcome wasn’t to have any affect as Coates lined up on pole ahead of Strudwick with Johnson rounding out the front row.
Despite his fifth place finish in Heat Two, McWilliams didn’t make the grid for the final race and it was drama from the outset for Coates, who suffered mechanical issues on the opening lap and pulled into the pits.
After work from the team, Coates did make it out eventually but wasn’t in any position to fight for a win or podium.
Strudwick hit the front at the start but it wasn’t to be an easy final ride, as Johnson kept him honest throughout, sticking close behind him. In fact, the top six kept close together for the whole race, with Strudwick just managing to pull a gap of almost a second towards the end, eventually crossing the line for the final time this season 0.904secs clear of Johnson.
Burrell took third, ahead of James Bull and with it secured second in the championship, with James Ellison fifth, Christian Smith sixth, James Kelly seventh for Art of Racing, Josh Corner eighth in his second ride for the ROKiT Racing squad, Kieran Smith ninth on the Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing machine as Herbertson Racing’s Dom Herbertson rounded out the top 10.
ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F 900 R Cup, Main Race result:
1. Thomas Strudwick (Case Moto BMW)
2. Mason Johnson (Johnson Racing) +0.904s
3. Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones Motorrad) +0.953s
4. James Bull (Ready4Racing Vision Team) +1.009s
5. James Ellison (ROKiT Racing) +1.199s
6. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing) +1.298s
7. James Kelly (Art of Racing) +14.459s
8. Josh Corner (ROKiT Racing) +14.518s
9. Kieran Smith (Bowker Motorrad/Bathams Racing) +14.748s
10. Dom Herbertson (Herbertson Racing) +14.898s
For full results click here: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2024/244104rc3bmw.pdf
Final Championship points:
1. Thomas Strudwick 326
2. Barry Burrell 258
3. Nikki Coates 244
4. Mason Johnson 207
5. James Ellison 204
6. Christian Smith 204
7. Robert Varey 200
8. Kieran Smith 157
9. James O’Mara 151
10. James Kelly 143
For full points click here: https://www.tsl-timing.com/file/?f=BSB/2024/244104ptsbmw.pdf
Richard Cooper takes victory in ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F 900 R Cup season-opener
RICHARD Cooper took the win in round one of the ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup at Silverstone on Easter Sunday.
The FHO Racing BMW Motorrad rider leads the championship after beating Thomas Strudwick by 3.084secs in the 20-lap race.
The brand new series - which runs as part of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship support programme – brought hard-fought action across the field, with four races in total over two days.
Cooper led the way in Good Friday’s practice and qualifying and was the winner of Saturday’s opening Heat, beating Bathams Racing rider Michael Rutter by 0.656secs as Nikki Coates finished third.
Heat two delivered an intense battle between Art of Racing’s Strudwick and Smith twins Christian and Kieran. All three took turns to lead but at the end, Christian got the better of his brother as Strudwick took third.
Sunday morning began with the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) race, giving riders the chance to secure one of the final grid spots for the main race. This was won by Peter Hasler who stole victory from Glynn Davies on the final lap with Oliver Lacey third.
Michael Rutter started from the coveted pole position for the Main Event on Sunday afternoon, ahead of Coates and Cooper.
Strudwick led the opening laps but was soon passed by a charging Coates – but Coates’ race came to an early end when he was black-flagged due to failing to make a ride-through penalty for a jump start.
Strudwick was still ahead but soon came under pressure from Cooper, who took the lead on lap 13 as Rutter stuck close behind. From there Cooper was able to slowly build a lead which grew to 3.084secs by the flag, as Strudwick was second and Rutter third.
Main Event Race top six finishers:
Championship positions after round one:
Cooper dominates ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup with Oulton win
FHO Racing BMW Motorrad’s Richard Cooper extended his lead in the ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup with a strong win at Oulton Park on Bank Holiday Monday.
Cooper, who took victory in the season-opener at Silverstone last month, took command once again as he stalked to a win of almost 10 seconds over Art of Racing rider Thomas Strudwick in the 12-lap race.
It was another action-packed weekend for the new series – which runs as part of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship support programme – with close, hard-fought battles in all four races.
After leading practice and qualifying, Cooper took the Heat One win by 10.742secs over Christian Smith on the SCH Motoprep/Smith Twins Racing machine, as third place went to Rob McNealy.
Heat Two was a much closer fight, as early leader Strudwick came under intense pressure from Nikki Coates in the closing laps, eventually taking the flag just 0.104secs ahead, as James O’Mara took third.
Monday morning’s Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) race was led initially by polesitter Matt Stevens, but Van Glass’ Adrian Teasdale was on a charge, storming through from the fifth row to take the lead on lap two, eventually winning by 1.379secs over Marcus Tatchell with Stevens third.
For the Main Event, Cooper started from pole and converted it to the win, hitting the front at the start and controlling the race to the flag, eventually beating Strudwick by 9.895secs.
But the battle for third was much closer as Smith passed Coates on lap five but soon came under pressure from a charging Barry Burrell, who moved into third position on lap nine.
However, the former BSB rider’s hopes of a podium on his return to the paddock were dashed when he crashed on the penultimate lap, handing the final rostrum spot to Coates.
Further back, the LCQ runners were making big moves and charging through the order.
Fresh from his earlier win, Teasdale was filled with confidence and fought his way through to 20th place after starting 27th.
But the best progression came from Silverstone LCQ winner Glynn Davies, who started back in 32nd place and stormed through the pack to eventually cross the line 16th, while LCQ runner-up Marcus Tatchell also ran well, starting 28th and making up 10 places to finish 18th.
Main Event Race top six finishers:
Championship positions after Round Two:
Cooper makes it an ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup hat-trick at Donington Park
RICHARD Cooper continued his winning ways as the ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup action resumed at Donington Park.
The series made its debut on the international stage as it joined the World Superbike Championship for the UK round at the iconic track over the weekend – and as ever, the racing was close and action-packed all the way through the field.
FHO Racing BMW’s Cooper topped the practice timesheets before clocking the best lap in qualifying to take pole for Heat One, as Nikki Coates, second quickest on the Ernie Coates Trackdays/AOR Racing machine, led the grid for Heat Two.
Cooper didn’t have an easy run as Art of Racing’s Thomas Strudwick fought him all the way, the pair swapping places throughout the race until Cooper took control on the last lap to cross the line 1.989secs ahead, as Mallory Performance Racing’s Barry Burrell was third.
Coates also struggled in his heat, dropping back to seventh after a bad start as Michael Rutter hit the front. But Coates quickly regrouped and fought his way back through the order and passed Batham Racing’s Rutter to win by 0.292secs with Christian Smith third on the SCH Motoprep/Smith Twins Racing machine.
The Last Chance Qualifier kicked-off Sunday’s race action, with polesitter Tom Stevens getting a good start to lead the opening laps. Behind, Lavante Racing’s Andre Compton was flying and quickly caught the Tech 5 Racing rider and battle commenced as the pair swapped the lead between them several times on the way to the flag.
Stevens got the win, as Churchill/Roy Pidock BMW Racing Team’s Oliver Lacey came through to steal second and Compton had to settle for third.
All that remained was the main race, held shortly before the WSB Superpole race and in front of thousands of race fans – and once again Cooper proved to be unbeatable.
This time it was Smith who started from pole, but Coates hit the front at the start as Cooper shot through from the second row to move up to second and had passed Coates for the lead by the end of the lap.
Coates crashed on lap two ending his charge as Cooper began to build a comfortable lead over Strudwick, which he stretched to 6.248secs by the chequered flag.
As Strudwick took second, Rutter held off Burrell for third as BRP Racing – Alton Compressors rider James O’Mara took fifth ahead of Bowker Motorrad’s Kieran Smith.
Further back, LCQ winner Stevens finished 27th, but it was a much stronger run for Compton, who was determined to make up for missing out on the earlier win and fought his way through from 29th on the grid to finish an impressive 14th while Lacey took 20th.
Main Event Race Top Six:
1. Richard Cooper (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad)
2. Thomas Strudwick (Art of Racing) +6.248s
3. Michael Rutter (Batham’s Racing) +15.996s
4. Barry Burrell (Mallory Performance Racing) +16.542s
5. James O’Mara (BRP Racing – Alton Compressors) +16.960s
6. Kieran Smith (Bowker Motorrad) +19.782s
Cooper continues ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup winning run at Snetterton
RICHARD Cooper took his ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup Main Event race win tally to four and extended his points lead as he beat Thomas Strudwick at Snetterton.
But the former BSB rider and multiple National Superstock champion didn’t have it all his own way at Round Four as Strudwick kept him honest all the way to the final chequered flag.
Just five days after the flag fell on Round Three at Donington Park as part of the World Superbike Championship support programme, the action resumed at the Norfolk track and once again, the FHO Racing BMW Motorrad rider led the way.
Topping the free practice timesheets, he set the best lap in qualifying to take pole for Heat One, as Art of Racing’s Thomas Strudwick was second fastest to head the grid for Heat Two.
Cooper’s Heat brought a race-long battle with close friend and former team-mate, Mallory Performance Racing’s Barry Burrell, Cooper eventually beating him by 1.465secs as James O’Mara on the BRP Racing-Alton Compressors machine was third.
Strudwick, meanwhile, manged to hold off Ernie Coates Track Days/AOR Racing rival Nikki Coates to win his Heat by 1.555secs with Bowker Motorrad’s Kieran Smith third.
Saturday evening’s Last Chance Qualifier delivered two stunning charges through the field for SCH Motoprep/Smith Twins Racing rider Christian Smith and Lavante Racing’s Andre Compton who both stormed through from the back of the grid to be running second and third by the end of lap one.
Smith went on to take the win by 6.390secs over Compton as polesitter Matt Stevens held on to third.
All that was left was the Main Event, held straight after the first Bennetts British Superbike race on Sunday afternoon, with O’Mara heading the grid ahead of Kristian Smith and Coates.
O’Mara led into Turn One but was quickly passed by Strudwick and Burrell who shot through from the second row and before the end of the lap, Cooper was past Burrell and chasing down Strudwick.
Coates also passed Burrell and held position until he crashed out on lap four and as Burrell settled back into third, Strudwick and Cooper were soon five seconds clear at the front and spent the whole race locked together.
Both took their turn leading, Cooper hitting the front again on the penultimate lap and the pair headed into the last lap both determined to come out on top. However, they both had to lap two other riders on the final lap which held Strudwick up very slightly, giving Cooper the chance power to the line 0.548secs ahead for the win.
Burrell finished third, almost 12 seconds behind Strudwick as the series’ youngest competitor, teenager Mason Johnson, took fourth on his Johnson Racing machine ahead of O’Mara in fifth.
Kristian Smith was sixth, just one place ahead of twin brother Christian. Following his LCQ success, Christian made an another incredible charge through the field, this time making up 20 positions after starting 27th.
LCQ runner-up Compton also made big strides in the main race, coming through from 28th to finish 15th as Matt Stevens fought back from 29th on the grid to finish 20th.
ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup Snetterton, Main Event Top Six:
1. Richard Cooper (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad)
2. Thomas Strudwick (Art of Racing) +0.548s
3. Barry Burrell (Mallory Performance Racing) +12.239s
4. Mason Johnson (Johnson Racing) +16.907s
5. James O’Mara (BRP Racing – Alton Compressors) +16.985s
6. Kieran Smith (Bowker Motorrad) +19.235s
Championship top six after Round Four:
1. Richard Cooper 100
2. Thomas Strudwick 88
3. James O’Mara 58
4. Michael Rutter 56
5. James Kelly 52
6. Mason Johnson 50
Five out of five as Cooper beats Strudwick in hard-fought Brands Hatch battle
RICHARD Cooper remains unbeaten after Round Five of the inaugural ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup at Brands Hatch after scoring another win from Thomas Strudwick.
However, it wasn’t an easy battle for FHO Racing BMW Motorrad rider, as Strudwick put up a tough fight at the iconic Kent track.
A fortnight after Round Four at Snetterton, it was business as usual as the F900 R machines hit the famous circuit for the first time, Cooper topping the timesheets in practice before clocking the best qualifying lap to head the grid for Heat One as Strudwick was second quickest to claim pole position for Heat Two.
As heavy rain hit most of the country on Saturday afternoon, both Heats were held in the wet, Cooper wasting no time in building a big gap behind him as he hit the front, eventually winning the race 7.093secs ahead of James O’Mara on the BRP Racing-Alton Compressors machine as Ernie Coates Track Days/AOR Racing rider Nikki Coates was third.
But Heat Two brought a new winner, as Nagy Racing’s James Nagy made a flying start, powering through from the third row to take the lead on the opening lap. Art of Racing’s James Kelly passed him on the final lap but Nagy wasn’t giving up and fought back, taking the win in a drag to the line. Mallory Performance Racing’s Barry Burrell took third as Strudwick had to settle for fifth.
Sunday morning’s Last Chance Qualifier went the way of Andre Compton, as the Lavante Racing rider converted pole position into a lights-to-flag win. Mason Johnson stormed through from 19th on the grid to finish second on his Johnson Racing machine, making up for a bad race on Saturday as PH Europe/Mymedic MT14 Racing’s Marcus Tatchell took his first podium in third.
Coates lined up on pole for Sunday afternoon’s Main Event but by turn two, Cooper had powered through from fourth on the grid to lead. Behind, Strudwick had started 10th but after a storming start was running second behind Cooper by the end of the first lap.
It quickly became a two rider battle as the pair swapped the lead several times over the 10 lap race while Burrell kept a watching brief from third. Refusing to give up, Strudwick continued to harass Cooper and despite making a move that looked like it would stick on the penultimate lap, he was powerless to stop his rival sneaking straight back past.
Any hopes Strudwick had of catching Cooper on the final lap were dashed after he accidentally hit the kill switch, losing just enough time to give Cooper a second advantage as he crossed the line to bank win number five, as Burrell held onto third ahead of Coates.
Behind, there were two brilliant results for series newcomers Levi Day and Bjorn Estment who were both making their debut at Brands Hatch. Australia’s Day, aboard the Quickfabs Racing machine finished fifth, some 13 seconds behind Coates as Estment followed him home sixth for the BMW by Catfoss squad.
LCQ winner Andre Compton was flying once again, storming through from 27th on the grid to cross the line 16th, as Johnson managed to climb up to 10th and Tatchell was 19th.
Charlie King, also making his series debut this weekend after several years without any racing at all, took 21st.
ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup Brands Hatch Main Event Top Six:
1. Richard Cooper (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad)
2. Thomas Strudwick (Art of Racing) +1.086s
3. Barry Burrell (Mallory Performance Racing) +2.809s
4. Nikki Coates (Ernie Coates Track Days/AOR Racing) +5.825s
5. Levi Day (Quickfabs Racing) +18.879s
6. Bjorn Estment (BMW by Catfoss) +20.895s
Championship top six after Round Five:
1. Richard Cooper 125
2. Thomas Strudwick 110
3. James O’Mara 58
4. Barry Burrell 58
5. Michael Rutter 56
6. Mason Johnson 56
Cooper’s perfect run continues with win number six at Thruxton
RICHARD Cooper continued his unbeaten run as he stormed to his sixth win from six races as the ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup made its Thruxton debut.
The FHO Racing BMW Motorrad rider beat Barry Burrell by just under half a second as the series tackled the UK’s fastest circuit, to go 20 points clear at the top of the points table.
With both free practice sessions taking place on Friday morning at the Hampshire circuit, Cooper took early control, topping the timesheets in each before clocking the best lap in Saturday morning’s qualifying session to secure pole for Heat One, with Bowker Motorrad/Smith Twins Racing’s Kieran Smith heading the grid for the second.
For a few laps it looked like Cooper’s winning run could be over as he dropped to fourth on lap two, but it took just two more laps to hit the front before storming to victory 1.364secs ahead of Art of Racing’s Thomas Strudwick as Johnson Racing pilot Mason Johnson finished third.
Heat Two went the way of Nikki Coates aboard his distinctive Ernie Coates Track Days/AOR Racing machine, who managed to hold-off polesitter Smith to win by just 0.162 secs, as Burrell, now running under his own banner after securing the budget to complete the season, was third.
One rider left frustrated after the Heat races was Nagy Racing’s James Nagy – a Heat winner last time out – who crashed on the last lap after a technical problem.
However, he was back out for Saturday evening’s Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) and made up for the earlier disappointment by beating Matt Stevens on the Tech 5 Racing machine by 0.637secs with WSC Performance BMW’s Simon Bastable a close third.
Coates was the lucky rider selected for pole in the championship’s ball draw and lined up alongside Kieran Smith with Mason Johnson on the front row for Sunday afternoon’s Main Event.
Smith got the best start and led briefly but was passed seconds later by Burrell who charged through from the second row.
But Coates was right with them and moved back ahead in the opening lap as further back, SCH Motoprep/Smith Twins Racing’s Christian Smith tangled with Mason Johnson who crashed out. Cooper was caught up in the incident and ran wide, dropping several places but quickly regrouped and set about chasing the leaders.
Burrell took the lead on lap three as behind, Cooper moved from fifth to second in just two corners as he passed Smith, Coates and Strudwick before taking the lead a lap later.
He dropped to fourth on lap four after a move by Strudwick forced him wide, but he was soon back ahead and defending his lead as the top four stayed close. With a lap to go, Burrell was second and looked to be catching his old friend, but Cooper had enough of a gap to bring his machine home 0.483secs clear, as Strudwick secured third with a last lap pass on Smith.
But perhaps the ride of the day came from LCQ winner Nagy, who made up an astonishing 18 places during the race, starting 27th and crossing the line in ninth place.
Mike Booth was once again racing the Pyramid Racing by 44Teeth machine usually piloted by Alastair Fagan, taking a solid 16th while fellow motorsport journalist Adam Child finished 25th in his series debut.
ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup Thruxton Main Event Top Six:
1. Richard Cooper (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad)
2. Barry Burrell (Barry Burrell) +0.453s
3. Thomas Strudwick (Art of Racing) +2.511s
4. Nikki Coates (Ernie Coates Track Days/AOR Racing) +2.623s
5. Kieran Smith (Bowker Motorrad/Smith Twins Racing) +3.008s
6. Dom Herbertson (Belgrave Motors Racing) +11.995s
Championship top six after Round Six:
1. Richard Cooper 150
2. Thomas Strudwick 130
3. Barry Burrell 80
4. James O’Mara 68
5. James Kelly 58
6. Michael Rutter 56
Seventh Heaven as Cooper Takes Cadwell Win
Richard Cooper added to his perfect score in the augural ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup as he stormed to his seventh win of the season at Cadwell Park.
The FHO Racing BMW rider beat championship rival Thomas Strudwick by 4.299secs as the series visited the iconic Lincolnshire track for the first time – and now leads by 23 points with just two rounds to go.
It was a damp start to the traditional Bank Holiday weekend event, with Cooper leading free practice from Christian Smith before the pack headed out to a damp but drying track for qualifying later in the day.
Cooper was again quickest to secure pole for Heat One, as his old friend Barry Burrell, once again riding under his own ‘Barry Burrell’ banner was second to lead the grid for Heat Two.
A clean start gave Cooper an early lead which was never challenged as he slowly built a gap to Art of Racing’s Strudwick behind, beating him by 6.409secs as Christian Smith took third on his SCH Motoprep/Smith Twins Racing machine.
Heat Two went the way of the other Smith twin, Kieran, on the Bowker Motorrad/Smith Twins Racing bike who was delighted to pick up his first victory of the year as he held off Nikki Coates to win by 6.819secs with Mike Smith third.
With no LCQ race at Cadwell Park, the pack enjoyed a 10-minute warm-up session on Bank Holiday Monday morning, led by Cooper from Burrell as Christian Smith was third just ahead of Kieran.
The Main Event was the last race of the day, firing up at 5.15pm with Cooper on pole ahead of Ernie Coates Track Days/AOR Racing’s Coates and Strudwick, with an all-Smith second row of Christian, Kieran and the non-related Mike.
Coates was quickest off the line to lead into turn one as Strudwick slotted into second and Cooper third – but by the end of the lap, Cooper had squeezed past both and was in the lead.
On lap two, Strudwick dived past and into the lead as Coates’ race came to an early and disappointing end as he crashed from third place. A lap later, Cooper was back ahead but his young rival wasn’t giving up, stealing it back for a few corners before Cooper moved back in front.
This time, Cooper wasn’t messing about and quickly edged a small gap and by lap seven had two seconds in hand, which grew as the laps went by, eventually taking the win 4.299secs ahead to celebrate his seventh win from seven races.
Christian Smith had a solid race in third place, holding off Barry Burrell who somehow overcame a last lap tangle with a back marker which sent him running over the grass to take fourth. Kieran Smith took fifth, with Johnson Racing’s Mason Johnson sixth.
James O’Mara secured seventh place on his BRP-Alton Compressors machine as Charlie King, in just his second race, got the better of Harley Prebble for eighth and Art of Racing’s James Kelly rounded out the top 10.
Cooper has now stretched his lead over Strudwick to 23 points, as the series takes a five week break ahead of the penultimate round at Donington Park over the weekend September 29-October 1.
ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup, Cadwell Park result:
1. Richard Cooper (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad)
2. Thomas Strudwick (Art of Racing) +4.299s
3. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep/Smith Twins Racing) +10.218s
4. Barry Burrell (Barry Burrell) +11.824s
5. Kieran Smith (Bowker Motorrad/Smith Twins Racing) +16.035s
6. Mason Johnson (Johnson Racing) +19.158s
Super Cooper Storms to Win Number Eight
Richard Cooper continued his unbeatable run as he held off main points rival Thomas Strudwick to take his eighth consecutive ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup race win at Donington Park.
But it was a much closer call as the championship headed to its penultimate round at the iconic track, as FHO Racing BMW Motorrad’s Cooper beat Art of Racing’s Strudwick by less than a second.
Topping the free practice timesheets as action got underway on Friday, Cooper then set the quickest time in qualifying to secure pole for Heat One, as Bowker Motorrad/Smith Twins Racing’s Kieran Smith was second fastest to take pole for Heat Two.
Leading off the line, Cooper came under immediate pressure from a determined Strudwick, the pair swapping the lead several times in the early laps before the points leader broke clear to eventually win by 1.4secs as Christian Smith was third on his SCH Motoprep/Smith Twins Racing machine.
In Heat Two, Ernie Coates Track Days/AOR Racing rider Nikki Coates got a flying start from second on the grid and took early charge, beating Kieran Smith by 4.688secs.
However, the star of the heats was Michael Rutter, making a wildcard comeback with the Bathams Racing team, who stormed all the way from the back of the grid to take an impressive third.
And it was another wildcard who impressed in Saturday afternoon’s Last Chance Qualifier, as roads specialist Brian McCormack took the spoils.
Benji Compton started from pole on his Quickfabs Racing machine and took an early lead but McCormack was flying and soon found his way past, the Roadhouse Macau Racing rider eventually beating Jordz Racing’s Jordan Ashington by 1.411secs.
Behind, James O’Mara redeemed himself after crashing out of Heat Two and after piecing his BRP Racing–Alton Compressors bike back together, he crossed the line third with Compton fourth.
Strudwick started Sunday morning’s Main Event from pole with Cooper beside him but there was drama even before the lights changed as Rutter, due to start fifth on the grid, pulled in to retire at the end of the warm up lap while Coates was also missing from the second row as he started from the pit lane.
Strudwick got the perfect start and launched himself into the lead with Cooper tucked in behind, making a pass on lap two. But Strudwick was in fighting mood and struck back, the pair battling hard in the opening laps until Cooper got ahead on lap five and appeared to take control.
Strudwick stuck close to his back wheel while behind, Coates was carving his way through the field, reaching fourth place by lap seven. But a lap later he went to take a long lap penalty and accidentally ran into the gravel, dropping a handful of places and rejoining 11th.
Cooper finally found a bit of breathing space on the penultimate lap and stormed to the line 0.763secs clear of Strudwick as Christian Smith fought off a hard-charging Mason Johnson to take third, the Johnson Racing machine ending the race in a Smith twin sandwich, with Kieran fifth as Barry Burrell took sixth.
Coates, meanwhile, fought his way back up to finish eighth as O’Mara was the best of the LCQ finishers, taking 19th at the flag as wildcard McCormack was 28th.
There is now just one remaining round of the inaugural ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup, which will be held at Brands Hatch over the weekend October 13-15.
ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup, Donington Park result:
1. Richard Cooper (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad)
2. Thomas Strudwick (Art of Racing) +0.763secs
3. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep/Smith Twins Racing) +16.824s
4. Mason Johnson (Johnson Racing) +16.979s
5. Kieran Smith (Bowker Motorrad/Smith Twins Racing) +17.164s
6. Barry Burrell (Barry Burrell) +17.394s
Championship positions after Round Eight:
1. Richard Cooper 200
2. Thomas Strudwick 174
3. Barry Burrell 112
4. Mason Johnson 88
5. Kieran Smith 87
6. Christian Smith 82
RICHARD Cooper was crowned ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup Champion after storming to his ninth win from nine races at Brands Hatch yesterday.
After dominating the season and winning all Main Event races, FHO Racing BMW Motorrad’s Cooper lifted the inaugural title after beating his season-long rival Thomas Strudwick in the final battle of the year.
Cooper, who even delayed travelling to his own wedding in Turkey earlier this month so he could compete at the penultimate round, was determined to seal the deal with a win as the series concluded at the iconic Kent track, as part of the prestigious Bennetts British Superbike Championship season finale.
The final weekend got underway in damp conditions and with both Cooper and Art of Racing rider Strudwick opting to sit out of the session, it was Nikki Coates who topped the timesheets.
But it was business as usual in qualifying as Cooper stormed to the fastest lap to secure pole for Heat One, while Coates’s form continued aboard his Ernie Coates Track Days/AOR machine to seal pole for the second.
Cooper got the best start and led into turn one, but by the end of the first lap it was Michael Rutter – back in action on the Bathams Racing machine – who led the pack across the line. However, Cooper was back ahead moments later and took charge, stretching a lead to take the win by 2.067secs over Rutter with SCH Motoprep/Smith Twins Racing’s Christian Smith third.
Heat Two brought drama, as Coates, who had led most of the seven-lap race, appeared to lose the front on the final lap, collecting James Kelly who was behind and the pair crashed out. Strudwick, who was running third, picked up the win, 1.526secs clear of Glynn Davies of Epic Racing as McNealy Brown’s Rob McNealy was third.
Coates and Kelly were among the riders forced to fight it out for a final time in Sunday morning’s Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ), starting back on row six as Scott Carson headed the grid.
Coates was on a mission, storming through from 18th to third by the second lap and seconds later passed polesitter Scott Carson and then leader Andre Compton to hit the front. He stayed ahead to take the chequered flag 2.563secs clear of Lavante Racing’s Compton, as Harley Prebble took third. Carson, on his Venture Healthcare Ltd machine held on for fourth as Kelly took fifth.
With McNealy lining up in pole position, the stage was set for the final showdown, with Strudwick second on the grid beside Davies, as Cooper headed row two.
Strudwick was fastest off the line to lead into turn one, as Cooper shot up to second and within three corners had stuck a move on his rival and taken the lead. Strudwick, however, was in fighting mood and quickly hit back and the battle began, the lead swapping four times in the opening lap alone.
Strudwick started lap two ahead but Cooper soon was back in front, the pair jostling for position until Cooper got ahead at the end of lap two and took charge. Strudwick stayed on his back wheel as the laps counted down, having a couple of glances but never trying another move.
By lap nine, Cooper had a visible gap between himself and Strudwick and the pair had dropped the rest of the field. The gap proved too large to bridge for Strudwick and he was unable to get close enough for a further challenge, Cooper eventually winning by 3.469secs.
As Johnson Racing’s Mason Johnson held off Christian Smith for third, LCQ winner Nikki Coates stormed through from 27th on the grid to take a strong fifth, just ahead of Belgrave Motors Racing’s Dominic Herbertson.
Adding an extra touch of excitement to the season finale was two-time World Superbike champion and former MotoGP pilot Troy Corser, who joined the pack as a wildcard entry on the number 111 machine.
Spending the first two sessions getting accustomed to the bike, he pulled in a top five result in Heat Two before enjoying an exciting battle with Rutter in the Main Event, crossing the line eighth.
ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F900 R Cup, Brands Hatch result:
1. Richard Cooper (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad)
2. Thomas Strudwick (Art of Racing) +3.469s
3. Mason Johnson (Johnson Racing) +10.990s
4. Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep/Smith Twins Racing) +11.017s
5. Nikki Coates (Ernie Coates Track Days/AOR Racing) +18.961s
6. Dominic Herbertson (Belgrave Motors Racing) +19.100s
ABK Beer 0% BMW F900 R Cup, championship points after final round:
1. Richard Cooper 235 (champion)
2. Thomas Strudwick 204
3. Mason Johnson 115
4. Barry Burrell 112
5. Christian Smith 106
6. Nikki Coates 88
7. Kieran Smith 87
8. Dominic Herbertson 83
9. James O’Mara 80
10. Michael Rutter 70
Link to full/all results: https://www.tsl-timing.com/event/234104
Take a look at the full BSB Standings here.