F 900 R Cup Race Reports
2024
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
2023
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:
- Richard Cooper (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad)
- Thomas Strudwick (Art of Racing) +3.084s
- Michael Rutter (Bathams Racing) +3.400
- Dom Herbertson (Belgrave Motors Racing) +16.107s
- James Kelly (Art of Racing) +24.413s
- James O’Mara (BRP Racing – Alton Compressions) +24.860s
Championship positions after round one:
- Richard Cooper 25
- Thomas Strudwick 22
- Michael Rutter 20
- Dominic Herbertson 18
- James Kelly 16
- James O’Mara 14
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:
- Richard Cooper (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad)
- Thomas Strudwick (Art of Racing) +9.895s
- Nikki Coates (Ernie Coates Track Days/AOR Racing) +18.807s
- Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep/Smith Twins Racing) +19.052s
- Michael Rutter (Bathams Racing) +19.993s
- James Kelly (Art of Racing) +26.660s
Championship positions after Round Two:
- Richard Cooper 50
- Thomas Strudwick 44
- Michael Rutter 36
- James Kelly 30
- James O’Mara 26
- Mason Johnson 22
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.
