Again we had to look to the support classes for anything like a competitive race, as Camier and Ellison completed two more double tops for Airwaves Yamaha. GSE have truly delivered for their long term sponsor; Wrigleys Airwaves will be forever associated with dominant, classy champions like Gregorio Lavilla, Shakey Byrne and now Leon Camier, as this is their last year in BSB. GSE Group shouldn't have too much trouble attracting a new title sponsor after this years's rout.

Try as he might, Camier could not make a pass stick in Race2, running up Ellison's inside three times on the brakes into Abbey, and each time running wide as the bumps unsettled the back end. He does look like the finished article now, any misfortune like running off track being little impediment as he rushed through the pack to the sharp end, much like Shakey did last year on a few occasions on the Ducati.

There was encouragement for some of the pack, particularly Tommy Hill who bagged two fifths on his first time out on the Hydrex Honda. But Guintoli was disappointing, clearly still feeling the broken leg and visibly limping. He should take the fight to Ellison next year, along with the two Hydrex men, Simon Andrews has been getting quicker all year on the Kawasaki, and there may well be some returning heroes like Hodgson and possibly Shakey and Tom Sykes to spice things up.

But it was the Supersport boys who provided the fireworks. With Westmoreland long gone on the Triumph, the two title contenders battled it out for 2nd. Billy McConnell does not hold back when a gap appears, and he rammed it up the inside of Platers Honda as they tipped into the Complex for the last time. They clashed and Pater almost went down, forced onto the grass in the process. McConnell swept through to cross the line in 2nd, but unsurprisingly the result was reversed , so Plater was given 2nd after the podium party. So theres just 11 points in it, with one race to go. Should be a cracker.
Pete Morrison

CAMIER 2009 BECOMES BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPION AT SILVERSTONE- Airwaves PR

Airwaves Yamaha completed a perfect weekend at Silverstone today. Leon Camier won a dramatic Race One ahead of his teammate James Ellison, to secure the coveted British Superbike crown. The positions then reversed as James Ellison scored a sensational victory in Race Two.

At the start of Race One, James maintained 2nd off the line whilst pole sitter Leon got away in 5th. James took the lead on lap 4 and was soon joined by his teammate. After a number of attempts, Leon finally took the lead on the penultimate lap for his 17th win of the season, and his maiden British Superbike Championship.

In a restarted Race Two, the newly crowned Champion made a rare mistake, going off track on lap 4 whilst trying to take the lead. As Leon fought his way back from 9th up to 2nd, James battled his way to the front of the field for an eventual 4th career BSB victory.

After Race Two James said, "It's been a mega weekend. From the very first session we've been quick and the second race topped it off. It feels good to beat Leon fair and square on the track. I think I've managed to find something a little extra in me and the bike, which we will carry on to Oulton Park. Congratulations to Leon on a fantastic Championship win."

Commenting on his Championship crown Leon said, "It's a dream come true to become British Superbike Champion. I have to thank everyone who has helped me get here. The first race was one of the hardest of the season for me. I was pushing so hard and there were some places where I was a bit out of control. I kept trying to make passes, but they weren't working out. Thankfully it all turned out ok in the end, it's an unbelievable feeling to know I've finally done it!"


Results - round 11

Race one - 20 laps

Leon Camier (Airwaves Yamaha) 28m 55.092secs

James Ellison (Airwaves Yamaha) +0.244s

Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +8.837s

Stuart Easton (Hydrex Honda) +9.164s

Tommy Hill (Hydrex Honda) +18.278s

John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +18.787s

Sylvain Guintoli (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +18.33s

Ian Lowry (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +22.408s

Simon Andrews (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +22.921s

Julien Da Costa (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +24.682s

Race two - 18 laps

James Ellison (Airwaves Yamaha) 26m 02.765secs

Leon Camier (Airwaves Yamaha) +1.200s

Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +3.783s

Stuart Easton (Hydrex Honda) +3.974s

Tommy Hill (Hydrex Honda) +9.774s

Julien Da Costa (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +11.099s

Simon Andrews (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +14.340s

Sylvain Guintoli (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +16.148s

Ian Lowry (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +21.434s

Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS Evo) +23.963s


Championship standings

Leon Camier 479.5 (Champion)

James Ellison 380

Stuart Easton 329


Report Shelley McGrath

Pix Eric O'Brien