Be Wiser Kawasaki Brands Indy Round 2

The Be Wiser Kawasaki had a positive weekend at round two of the MCE British Superbike Championship at the Brands Hatch Indy circuit. Local rider Danny Buchan secured a 14^th and eighth places and his team-mate Chris Walker was 10^th and 13^th.

19-year-old Danny Buchan was once again pushing hard all weekend and showing his potential and form. However a big crash in free practice three saw him make a trip to the medical centre after taking a big impact to his arm/elbow, he was declared fit to compete in the qualifying session where he finished 12^th.

A problem on the start saw Danny struggle to get off the line and he was down in 26^th place after the opening lap, the safety car was sent out after an accident and was on track for four laps. Once the race re-started, he got his head down and worked his way up through the closely fought Superbike class. The safety car was once again sent out in the later stages in the race, causing the pack to bunch up and three extra laps added. Danny soon worked his way into a points scoring position and finished in 14^th place after a tough race.

In the second race he decided to make a last minute decision to change from the medium tyre to the soft tyre. He started from 10^th position on the grid, this time he got a good start off the line and was seventh after lap one. He dropped one place to eighth and held this position for the entire 25-lap race, battling Howie Mainwaring and Billy McConnell.

Chris Walker once again made good steady progress throughout the weekend making changes during each session he found a set-up which he was happy with for the race. Despite a quick time in the qualifying session he ended up in 17^th place on the grid, this is the time he set during the race last year when he was battling for the win!

Chris got one of his brilliant starts in the first race and after the safety car returned into the pit lane he was sitting in 12^th position. He was stuck in a four bike battle with two new faces into the Championship Billy McConnell and Luke Mossey with Richard Cooper in the mix also, Chris finished in 10^th place.

Chris dropped back on the grid for race two to 19^th place; he got blocked on the opening lap and was only able to gain one place to 18^th. Chris worked hard to push his way through the pack and was soon up to 15^th place, this time he was locked in a battle with Christian Iddon and Peter Hickman, eventually finishing in 13^th position.

Danny Buchan - "Well that was another pretty tough weekend for me, I felt really good on the bike on Friday and was keen for a good result this weekend but knew how important it was to finish both races.

I was pushing pretty hard in the morning practice and the track temperatures were slightly cooler and it just caught me out on the exit of Graham Hill Bend, spitting me over the bars. I landed pretty heavily and it knocked the wind out of me, I took a bash to my elbow and had to go to the med centre to be assessed before qualifying. They passed me fit to ride and despite being a bit sore I got through qualifying and was fairly happy with my grid position.

I was feeling good for the race and once again the Be Wiser Kawasaki team worked so hard for me to fix the bike before qualifying and overnight to make sure everything was perfect. I had a big problem off the start in race one and I couldn't get the bike to go, I hooked up into second and I was away but I'd dropped several places and knew it was going to be tough. I worked hard and made some passes on each lap, to finish was progress and I got a couple of Championship points also.

I got a much better start in race two and I was pushing but just wanted to ensure I brought the bike home in one piece and get some points on the table to kick start my season. I'm happy with the second race and the progress we have made and look forward to a more consistent weekend at Oulton Park."

Chris Walker - "It was frustrating getting the results I did when the pace was there in the races but it's tough to come from a long way back on the grid.

The Be Wiser Kawasaki is more than capable and all the ingredients are there to be running at the front, we just need to get the recipe right earlier in the weekend to allow us to qualify better.

Both here at Brands and at Donington we've left ourselves too much to do from way back on the grid and did our fastest lap of the whole weekend on lap 20 of race two. A lap time that last year was good enough for a podium starting from the second row on the grid, this year put me back in 17^th today for race one!

The field is stronger than ever this year too but it's coming, the team are working great and it's only a matter of time now."

Tommy Hill - Team Manager - "I'm really happy with how the weekend has gone here at Brands Hatch. We have managed to get points in the bag with both riders in both races.

We all know Danny is fast and has the talent and we have had to sit with him and just calm him down a little as he is so eager to do well. I was exactly the same at 19 and just wanted to win races, which we know this is what Danny wants. He has made a lot of progress this weekend and learnt a lot. We are fully behind him and we know in time he is capable of some very good results, we just want him to take his time to get there.

Chris is working really hard in a seriously tough field of riders this year, there are a lot of new names and teams and everyone has upped their game. The top three or four are in a league of their own at the minute but the rest of the pack is a mine field and all want the same end goal.

The team have once again worked really hard and well together this weekend and I think for only our second race in the Championship we have done a good job. We have a good package and we are confident we can continue to move forwards as the Championship progresses."

Alan Greig - Team Owner - "The main role in the team this year has been taken by Tommy Hill who has taken on being team manager, having done this job for several seasons I know what it takes and what a big task it is. He is doing a great job and has certainly given the Be Wiser Team a fantastic first image and impression in the MCE British Superbike Championship. He's had the bikes built in time, the riders ready and all the aspects of the garage sorted for the opening round at Donington and it's a credit to him what he has managed to achieve.

Whilst Tommy is concentrating on that side of the team I have pushed to ensure we have a good presence on the hospitality side of the racing. It is a very important part of the team and entertains the guests and sponsors at the races, whilst feeding and looking after the team from the start of the weekend. The hospitality continues the theme and look of the entire Be Wiser Team and this gives us the image we need, this is our first year and we will be looking to grow in future years to allow guests and racing supporters a chance to enjoy a good weekend away."