“I’m looking forward to the opportunity and want to give it 110%. I’m well up for this challenge and I intend to give it my all! I’ve won two championships in a row with Superstock and now Supersport, so to make it three-in-a-row is the aim and to add a Superbike title would be awesome,” said Richards

“I’ve never had a ‘factory’ ride as such in the BSB series, so I do feel I have unfinished business in the championship and something to prove. Modern Superbikes are smaller now, much like the 600-class machines I’ve been riding. I’ve also been used to big power before, I know the tracks and I’m used to the control tyre, so I’m looking forward to 2009!”

The battle for first was fierce between Steve and Glen, with Josh Brookes in the first part of the race closely on their tales.  The lead swapped about in this exciting race, each time Glen regained his lead and ultimately bringing it home for the final time aboard Map Embassy Triumph.

When asked “Any news on 2009″ Glen responded saying, “All would be revealed in the next day or so.  I’m really pleased with what has been achieved this year.  The team have been brilliant.  The boys, this weekend came along and worked for free - big thanks must go to them for their massive support.”  He also wished his team mate Youngy a speedy recovery after crashing out and breaking his arm near the end of Sunday’s warm-up.  

Glen finished by saying “I’m very excited about 2009, so watch this space.”

A great race ensued as Glen rounded Kennaugh to give the team a Map Embassy 1, 2. As the race unfolded Kennaugh regained 2nd before slipping past Youngy to take the lead, once he did he put some real distance between himself and the pack. The race for the last two podium places was far more interesting however.

Glen let Plater past to take 3rd but wasn’t too concerned, happy to consolidate a championship with 4th.

Glen spoke of the feat immediately after the race

“You’d think I would be ecstatic, but at the moment I am just relieved. It has been a long old season and I am so glad I could put it to bed here and not have it go to the wire. Of course, I’m thrilled to have won the championship and to do it on a British built bike is fantastic! We have made history today.

During the race I thought once or twice about trying to pass Steve (Plater) but couldn’t risk it for the sake of a podium. I can’t thank the team enough for what they have done this year and I’m so glad to reward them with a championship win.”

Although it is mathematically possible for Glen to win the Championship this weekend with a race to spare, the entire team has refused to talk to about the prospect of winning it a Silverstone - until it is won.

Glen said; “I am treating this as just another race. Of course I know in the back of my mind that it is possible to tie it up this weekend and I will be keeping a close eye on Kennaugh but all I have to do is make sure I finish in a strong position, hopefully with a podium and if other results or events mean that we take it at Silverstone then so be it. My preparation doesn’t change.”

Meanwhile Team manger Myles Schofield politley refused to be drawn on the subject “We have a race at Silverstone this weekend which, as like every other round this year, we will be trying to finish as high as possible in. It’s that simple.”

Following a comment about the high performance of Glen’s bike (rather than the rider) from Hudson Kennaugh on Eurosport 2 Glen had this to say

“Hudson is definitely the best rider on a slow bike. I’m thrilled with the win”.

At the start of the first race both Glen and Paul Young had a great start with Glen flying into the lead from is pole position and Paul sneaking into 3^rd from his 6^th placed grid position. The perfect start for Map Embassy was soon spoiled when it emerged that three riders had clashed at the first turn with one of them coming down nastily. The race was immediately stopped and would have to re-start over an hour later as the fallen rider waited to be airlifted to hospital.

When the race eventually did restart it was Hudson Kennaugh of Raceways Yamaha who went into the lead, closely followed by Steve Plater on the AIM Yamaha with Glen having to settle for third - for the time being. Over the next 14 laps the race had three race leaders.

Kennaugh lost his lead to Plater on lap 5 and Glen then passed the South African three laps later to move into 2^nd. With 9 laps left to go a great battle commenced between Glen and Plater as Hudson Kennaugh slowly dropped off the pace eventually finishing in 4^th. Glen tried endlessly to catch and then pass Steve plater which he eventually did on lap 8 to lead the race for the first time. The experienced Aussie rider held the lead for the next 6 laps with Plater trying to pass him at every opportunity, then on the last lap the former superbike rider eventually succeeded in his quest as he rounded the Map Embassy 45 rider at Park.

It was disappointing for Glen considering his position on the last lap but once again he finished on the podium and extended his lead at the top of the championship.

Richards said:

“I felt I was in a little bit of trouble but I thought I had the pace to hold off Steve but he just got me on that last lap. I wanted to beat him but at the same time I am happy with second as I didn’t want to crash and not score any points”.

Paul Young meanwhile also rode a great race with his best ever finish on a Map Embassy bike, finishing in 6^th. Paul had another great start in the second race going into 4^th before slipping into 6^th.

1. Steve Plater - AIM Yamaha

2. Glen Richards - MAP Embassy Racing

3. James Webb - Padgetts Motorcycles

4. Hudson Kennaugh - Raceways Yamaha

5. James Westmoreland - Centurion Racing

6. Paul Young - MAP Embassy Racing

Mr Knockhill, Paul Young that is, kept up his impressive form here with a great race. From 20th on the grid Youngy also got a great start and went straight into 12th. He held that position for three laps before squeezing his way up to 10th. Paul exchanged places with Steve Brogan and the two Gearlink Kawasaki’s of Chris Martin and Steven Neate before he eventually took the later to take 9th when the race was called. It is a great result for Youngy who has picked up his first points in three rounds.

British Supersport - Knockhill race result

1. Ian Lowry – Relentless Suzuki by TAS

2. James Westmoreland – Centurion Racing

3. Glen Richards – MAP Embassy Racing

4. James Webb – Padgetts Motorcycles

5. Hudson Kennaugh – Raceways Yamaha

9. Paul Young – MAP Embassy Racing

The race had eerie similarities to the battle between Glen and Hudson Kennaugh of Raceways Yamaha in the first Oulton Park race and the win further extends Glen’s lead at the top of the championship to a useful 25 points.

Getting away brilliantly from fourth on the grid, Glen had a wonderful start and rode straight into the lead on the first turn but Kennaugh passed immediately and led going into Cascades. Glen sat right behind the number 3 bike of Yamaha Raceways for the next 8 laps, lulling Kennaugh into a false sense of security before he seized his chance at Old Hall, outclassing Kennaugh on the brakes and easing into the lead where he stayed for the rest of the race. There was a nervy moment on the last lap where we thought Kennaugh might try to take Glen on the last corner at Lodge, in what would have been a reverse of the events in the earlier round, but sadly for Kennaugh it wasn’t to be and Glen took the win.

Protest
There was more drama to follow after the race when it emerged that Raceways had lodged an immediate protest against the winning Map Embassy 45 Supersport machine, believing it to be operating outside the specified race regulations. So, with the drinks on ice for the time being, the MSVR technical engineers watched as our mechanics, who should have been celebrating, removed and completely stripped the engine from Glen’s 675. After 90 minutes the scrutineers found Map Embassy’s engine to be as homologated and conformed to the regulations as outlined in the rules.

The outcome must have felt like a double blow for Hudson Kennaugh who was the driving force behind the protest. And although the sidetrack was a major inconvenience to the teams operations and celebrations Map Embassy’s chief engine builder, John Trigger, spoke of his delight at the outcome. “I’m disappointed that Raceways felt they had to go down this path but myself and the team are choosing not to be bitter and take it as a massive compliment. We are building Triumph engines that are out performing every bike on the Supersport grid and the fact that Raceways feel we shouldn’t be up there is testament to the hard work we are doing here at Map Embassy.”

Team Manager Myles Schofield summed up the day nicley
“We have great engineers, a great bike and a great rider and that is why we are winning. I’m totally delighted with the outcome of the race and the protest, the fact that everything is legitimate makes the win even sweeter.”

1. Glen Richards – Map Embassy Racing
2. Hudson Kennaugh – Raceways Yamaha
3. Ian Lowry – Relentless Suzuki by TAS
4. Chris Martin – Gearlink Kawasaki
5. James Webb – Padgetts of Batley

In a delayed race due to a sudden weather change, Paul Young failed to finish and Glen missed out on a podium for the first time this year finishing in 5th. It was a disappointing result considering it was the rider’s home circuit.

There was confusion on the grid whilst officials delayed the race, with Glen going out on full wet tyres and Paul starting on full dry’s. Glen managed to hold first place for 3 laps before Hudson Kennaugh pipped him to P1 and then rode his best race of the season so far, claiming the victory by a clear 20 seconds. Glen never gave up but suddenly found himself back in 5th with it all to do, probably a little too much and had to settle for 5th.

Paul meanwhile got off to a reasonable start but slowly started slipping down the pack unable to keep up with his tyre settings and decided to call it a day on lap 8 after dropping to 27th.

Later in the day all attention turned to the two Supersport riders Glen and Paul. Glen who had a great start on the Triumph 675 from pole position held 1st for the first few laps before Steve Plater managed to take him after the straight. The two traded places continuously for the next 3 laps but when the race was red flagged after a rider came down on approach to the pit straight the race was called and Glen had to settle for his current position of 2nd.

Youngy meanwhile, who’s luck seems to be a million miles away this year, high sided at the end of the first lap which put a premature end to his race. In an additional setback for Paul there are fears he has broken his ankle.

Bar Youngy’s accident it was a good day for Map Embassy Racing with Glen further extending his lead at the top of the Supersport Championship.

Check the website tomorrow for further updates on Paul Young’s injury status and all the fallout from Snetterton.

British Supersport Results

1. Steve Plater - AIM Racing
2. Glen Richards - MAP Embassy Racing
3. James Westmoreland - Centurion Racing
4. Hudson Kennaugh - Raceways Yamaha
5. Ian Lowry - Relentless Suzuki by TAS