Reynolds closes on title

John Reynolds has almost secured the 2004 British Superbike title after a double win at Oulton Park on Sunday (Sep 12).

Closest rival Michael Rutter scored two second places and Yukio Kagayama was third in both races. But despite Rutter’s relative success, he now goes to Donington Park – and the final round of the series – 43 points behind Reynolds with only a possible 50 to win.

Race one was run in two stages, after a stoppage on lap 11, due to rain. By that stage Reynolds had a six second buffer over the field, having taken the lead from Steve Plater on the first lap. Michal Rutter was in second place, having moved up from fourth on the opening lap, with Yukio Kagayama moving up from back down in tenth place to take thrid on lap eight.

The second stage of race one went to Michael Rutter on the road, but Reynolds did enough to finish third on the road and close enough to Rutter to take the win on overall race times. On the road It was Rutter, Emmett, Reynolds, Kagayama, but the combined results saw Rutter take second and Kagayama take third by 0.095 seconds.

The second race was less eventful for Reynolds as he moved towards the BSB title with his second win of the day. Team-mate Kagayama did his best to hold second and slow the pace of title rival Rutter, but eventually the Honda rider made if past on the last lap.

Sean Emmett took fourth after a long battle with Sendo Ducat’s Dean Thomas.

James Ellison won the Superbike Cup with his result in the first race, and celebrated with a win in the second race.

And Suzuki has now won the British Supberbikes Manufacturers title after the racing at Oulton Park.

The final round of the championship, Round 13, takes place at Donington Park on September 17,18 and 19.

And Karl Harris has been crowned British Supersport champion for the second consecutive year, after his race win at Oulton Park.

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