BSB: Chrissy Rouse documentary launched on Amazon Prime

A new documentary which tells the story of Chrissy Rouse’s 2020 National Superstock 1000 title-winning campaign has been released on Amazon Prime.

The film, directed by Dave Baum, is titled Chasing the Championship and is available to either rent (£1.99) or buy (£4.99) right now. Chasing the Championship follows Rouse’s journey from injury to factory Kawasaki rider, to Covid-19 ruining his plans and leaving him without a ride as the season edged ever closer.

“The film started out as a one weekend thing back at Donington Park in 2020, when Chrissy could have won the title with a round to go,” Baum explained. “I got in touch because I follow the sport and listen to his podcast (Chasin’ the Racin’), and we thought why not do a short film about the weekend.

“When things didn’t go plan, but I’d met all of the team, we just had to carry it on. It grew from there really in terms of interviewing his family, surgeons, physios etc. We had some hurdles to overcome which affected timescales, but in the end, it has worked out well because of Chrissy and Crowe Performance reuniting and stepping up to BSB this year.”

Rouse underwent shoulder surgery in 2019 before signing for Nick Morgan’s MSS Performance squad – the factory Kawasaki team in the Superstock class. However, the pandemic struck, and sponsors pulled out as the racing came to a halt.

Things were looking bleak, but with only a couple of weeks to go until the start of the season, Rouse joined forces with Phil Crowe. Crowe Performance prepared a BMW S1000 RR and provided full electronic and technical support, with Rouse hiring and running the bike himself. Rouse put a team around him and funded the racing aspects of the season.

Remarkably, 2020 proved to be a season that Rouse will never forget. With two victories and seven podiums, Rouse secured the title with a 26-point advantage over factory Honda Racing UK rider Tom Neave. It was quite the turnaround for a rider who didn’t have a ride just a few weeks prior to the opening round.

“Prime was chosen because it offers easy, widespread viewing potential and Chrissy is a great ambassador for the sport,” Baum added. “I hope that the film reaches people outside of the bike racing world because the dedication and perseverance displayed (by all racers0 is inspiring and applicable to anything.

“Chrissy and I will keep working together, and who knows maybe one day there will be a sequel.”

Rouse and Crowe Performance have joined forces again this year for Rouse’s first full-time campaign in the Superbike class. Once again, Rouse is running his own team and will race a BMW M1000 RR prepared by Phil Crowe.

Chasing the Championship is available now on Amazon Prime, whilst Dave Baum can be found on thelifegallery.co.uk.