Team HANNspree Stiggy Motorsport Honda news
2008 Supersport World Championship
Round 8, Brno, Czech Republic
Race, 20th July
Conditions: Dry, Air: 25 C
Track length: 5.403 kms
Mixed fortunes for team HANNspree Stiggy Motorsport Honda at Brno
Both Stiggy riders managed to put in great race performances today at Brno, although unfortunately only one of them made it past the finish line. Robbin Harms had started from 14th place on the grid but then put in an incredible effort, lap by lap, to work his way up through the field to take the lead on lap 15. He was in third place on the last lap and was just about to make his move on the leaders when his bike began to have a fuel starvation problem. He tried to nurse it home, but it was not possible and he had to pull the bike off to the side of the track instead.
His team mate Joshua also rode superbly today. He took the lead at the start off the race, but dropped back to 7th position, before recovering strongly as the race entered its final stages. On the last lap, he charged through to third place and his fourth podium of the year.
Joshua - 3rd
I got a good start and took the lead for the first two laps, but the bike felt a bit heavy and difficult in the corners. I think the full tank just made the bike hard to handle and I couldn't keep up with the leaders. I dropped to seventh, but the pace wasn't so fast and that allowed me to take a few laps getting comfortable. The race became more competitive towards the end, but I felt good enough to start challenging the front runners again. I pushed really hard in the final laps and was able to finish the race in third and take my fourth podium of the season. My third place today means I'm back in second place again in the championship, so that's great! All and all, I'm happy with this weekend and hope we can continue like this for the rest of the season.
Robbin - DNF
This was one of my best races in a long time. The bike was working extremely well and although I had problems with my rear tyre sliding to much at the start of the race, it improved after a while. As the grip level increased, I could work my way up the field. Towards the end of the race I was having a big fight with the Ten Kate boys and even took the lead for a while - and that was a lot of fun! I was in third, going into the last lap, and my plan was to overtake them both just before the hill but, before I could make my move, something went wrong with my bike. It was such a disappointment, but I had no choice and had to retire from the race. The team worked hard all weekend to make my bike the best it has been in a long time and I am sorry that the race ended when I could almost touch the chequered flag. Anyway, I'm anyway happy to leave Brno with the good feeling that I'm back on the pace again.
Johan Stigefelt
We saw great race performances today from both riders. Robbin managed to ride his way up to the top from 14th place on the grid and without doubt he would have finished on the podium but for the fuel starvation problem. It is really a shame as he needed that finish so bad, not only for the championship points but also for himself as a reward for such a great performance. I'm really happy for Joshua's third place. He also pulled off a great race, is now second in the championship and that is were we need to be.
Championship standings:
1. A. Pitt 133 p
2. Joshua Brookes (HANNspree Stiggy Motorsport Honda) 101 p
3. B. Parkes 100p
4. F. Foret 97 p
5. J. Rea 92 p
6. J. Lascorz 81 p
7. C. Jones 80 p
8. Robbin Harms (HANNspree Stiggy Motorsport Honda) 50 p
ends
