Daniel Cooper

Centurion Racing secured a positive result at Oulton Park this weekend, when riders Dan Cooper and James Westmoreland gained a seventh and eleventh place respectively in the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship. This was 20-year-old Dan Cooper’s best result to date in the tough 600 Class. After dislocating his shoulder during first qualifying this was a fantastic result from the youngster. Westmoreland also improved from the 15th position that he achieved at Thruxton a couple of weeks ago and obtained a healthy points scoring position.
 
The Centurion team were missing a rider at Oulton Park, Dennis Hobbs, after the incident at Thruxton involving James Webb, Hobbs is currently seeing specialists regarding an operation on his shoulder, which he hurt during the crash and as yet it is not known when he will return to racing.

Cooper from Stroud, looked exceptionally good all weekend and despite his off in qualifying he was keen to get a good result after his disappointment at Thruxton. Seventh place at Oulton has seen him leap to 12th in the overall Championship positions. After completing qualifying he ended up in 14th place on the grid and was left with a lot of work to do if he were to gain a top ten finish. The race was red flagged on lap three after an accident at Druids and was re-started as a 12-lap race. Cooper got a great start and was up to 10th after the first lap. Fighting his way past Ian Hutchinson and Craig Fitzpatrick he was eager to chase down the 2007 R6 Cup Winner Toal, only 0.14 separated the pair as they crossed the line.

Commenting the youngster said “I’m really thrilled to have got seventh place. It was a really tough race but I just got my head down and got on with the job in hand. My shoulders were killing me at the end of the race but I was having a good scrap with BJ Toal and I’m sure I’ll be feeling a little second hand tomorrow. It was quite a big crash in qualifying and both my shoulders took a bit of a battering but hopefully they will be feeling a little better by the time that we get to Brands. I would like to thank all the Centurion team for working so hard this weekend and I’m delighted I could get the result that I did for them. We go to Brands this coming weekend and I’m eager to try and get a similar result.”

General Manager Paul Rees, was delighted with the results commenting, “Especially after the engine problems we had.  The engineers worked extremely hard and fast to enable the bikes to be on the circuits both at Thruxton and here at Oulton.  Dan had to grit his teeth and ride through the pain in order to gain such an important position at this stage of the competition.  It was a shame Westy out-braked himself at Knickerbrook though, as he was riding strong and this obviously lost him time and places. He did well to come in at eleventh position and gain some points.  However, a good weekend was had and we are looking forward to the short visit back to Brands Hatch this coming weekend. The Centurion teamwork in the paddock was again exceptional, so a huge thanks go to the whole team for their efforts.”

Coop’s comes in the top 10 at Thruxton.  Despite the weather Cooper puts on an excellent performance to claim a 9th position on the grid.    It’s a great start to the 2008 season and one that Coop’s wants to continue throughout the season.  Click here to view the qualifying times and come back to view the lastest photos & news.  Don’t forget to check out the latest gallery pics before you leave.

The organisers of Brands Hatch, have abandoned today’s (Sunday) race meeting, due to the snowy conditions.  They are, however, pleased to announce a re-scheduled date for 10/11 May.  This is a BMCRC meet, that will incorporate BSB races.

Tickets, for the weekend and race day will be valid for the re-scheduled meet, so hold on to them.  All grid positions will remain the same, as well as the racing programme.  See below for full details …

PRESS RELEASE :  Brands Hatch organisers

Extensive snowfalls at Brands Hatch this morning have caused the opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike championship to be abandoned.   At 11.15am Sunday morning Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of MotorSport Vision, the owner of Brands Hatch, announced that following a review of circuit conditions and the latest forecast, the meeting would be cancelled for the day.

“It is bitterly disappointing for all the fans who have come and of course for all the teams and organisations including the Brands Hatch team who have put so much into this weekend”, said Palmer.  “Apart from the inability to put on the great show fans expect from BSB, safety is our number one priority and this must not be compromised”.

“I have been very eager however to see if we could find a way not to just cancel, but postpone the first Brands Hatch event.   Fortunately a major benefit of MSV now running BSB is that following a review of our calendar, I am delighted to be able to immediately announce that we have rescheduled this meeting which will now take place on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit on 10/11 May.”

“All race day, weekend and grandstand tickets for today’s event will be valid for the new date with no extra charge.   The grids for all of the races within the BSB programme will be as set yesterday, 5 April.   The 10/11 May date was scheduled to be a BMCRC meeting and some races from this will be incorporated into the BSB event.”

“I am so sorry that so many people have had a frustrating day of uncertainty but can assure everyone we have done everything possible to minimise the disruption of such extreme weather in April.”

Jonathan Palmer
Brands Hatch Sunday 6 April 2008

It’s Friday and the sunny is shining at Brands Hatch, as the 2008 season kicks off.

Practice day looks set to be a good one … especially after the limited track time due to weather.  Although the weather is set to turn, making life a little interesting.

But today, the sun is out and is should be a goodun!

The Centurion Racing team had a strong finish to the 2007 Maxxis British Supersport Championship. Running three riders at the final round at Brands Hatch, James Westmoreland and Dan Cooper were joined by the 2007 British 125 Champion 19-year-old Luke Jones. All three riders rode an exceptional race at the tiny 1.2-mile circuit gaining 9th, 11th and 19th place respectively.

The trio struggled during qualifying and with a huge amount of riders on the circuit it was difficult to get clear track and a good run on a qualifying tyre. With only one second covering the top twenty riders in the Supersport class it was always going to be a tight battle as to where they would finish. Westy secured 16th, Cooper 19th and Jones 32nd on his first appearance on a 600 machine, this was the way they lined up for the scheduled 24-lap race.

All three gained positions off the start and Westy was sitting in 13th, Cooper in 14th and Jones 28th at the end of the first lap. All were carving their way through the tight knit field and manoeuvring their way through the tight pack gaining positions in the process. Aaron Walker crashed heavily into Paddock Hill Bend on lap 22 and forced the race to be red flagged and a result was called.

The team ended the year on a high and without any major hick-ups or problems, they are extremely happy with the way the season has progressed and how the two rookie riders Westy and Cooper have achieved some fantastic results gaining ninth and 15th in the overall Championship results and Westy securing Centurions second Supersport Cup Championship title.

Commenting Westy said “It’s been a very tough weekend but to finish ninth and run such a good consistent fast pace is very encouraging. I got a good start but got tangled up in Paul Young’s accident and lost a lot of time. I rode my hardest today and that was all I had. I’m happy because I was up against it and once again I have shown I can run up front in British Supersport, roll on 2008!”

Cooper said “Despite a really bad qualifying session I’m pleased with my end of season result as it’s one of my strongest results all year. I’ve really enjoyed this season and riding in the 600 class, it’s been a big step up from 125’s but I would like to thank everyone at Centurion Racing for giving me this opportunity. I’m hoping next year I will be able to get some stronger results for the Centurion Team.”

Jones said “This was my first time in the 600 class and I had a lot to learn in the three days. I’m very grateful to the entire Centurion Team for allowing me to race their bike at the weekend. For my first attempt in the series I was reasonably happy with the outcome. It’s a huge difference to riding a 125 and I quickly had to adapt my riding style and learning how to ride the bigger bike.”

The team are delighted with their 2007 season results and would like to thank all their sponsors and supporters that have made the team what it is throughout the year. They are very much looking forward to

welcoming Dennis Hobbs to the team for the 2008 season.
-END-
Carly Rathmell
Freelance Sports PR
www.carlyrathmell.com
carlyrathmell@yahoo.co.uk

Centurion Racing secured strong results in the Maxxis British Supersport Championship with their riders James Westmoreland and Dan Cooper. Westy gained a solid seventh place and took another victory in the Supersport Cup class whilst Cooper hit disaster on the last lap when he hit a false neutral going into the Esses and saw him fall from a healthy 10th place to 16th.

Westy had ridden extremely well throughout the weekend and did not fall out of the top ten throughout the weekend and mastering his way through to second at one point during practice on Friday. Eventually qualifying in seventh position the youngster from Hull was eager to gain another overall top ten finish.

The race was scheduled to be 18-laps but was red flagged on lap nine after a rider’s engine blew up down Craner Curves, the race was to be re-started as an eight lap dash.  Starting from the position they crossed the line when it was red flagged this put Westy in ninth and Cooper in 15th place. As the lights changed Westy dropped back to 11th and Cooper held his place. Both riders fought their way through the pack with Westy getting the better of Sam Owens to finish in seventh place.

Cooper had ridden a stunning race and had pushed through to 10th place a big mistake on the penultimate lap saw him run across the grass and drop a number of places.

Commenting Westy said “I’m pretty disappointed with my seventh place finish today. I messed both starts up and was deep going into turn one. In the first race I got rammed into turn one by James Webb, which unsettled me, then I got stuck behind slower riders. I set the fastest lap of the race just before the red flags came out chasing down the leaders. In the second part I again got stuck behind slower riders and lost touch with the leaders. I feel disappointed not to have been on the podium, or even taken the win. That’s racing and now we move onto Brands.”

A disappointed Cooper said “I got caught up in the first corner trying to avoid James Webb’s crash and was sitting in 19th after the first lap and knew I had a lot of work to do. I got a better start in the restart and was slowly working my way through the pack when I hit a false neutral into the Foggy Esses and I ran onto the grass losing seven places. I’m gutted not to have got a better result but I did feel much more confident on the bike. I’d like to thank the team and also Dunlop for helping me this weekend. I’m looking forward to Brands and hope I can finish the year on a high note.”

The next Maxxis British Supersport race is at Brands Hatch on the 12th – 14th October where the season will conclude.

-END-
Carly Rathmell
Freelance Sports PR

Centurion Racing suffered a mixed weekend of results at round ten of the Maxxis British Supersport Championship at Croft Circuit, North Yorkshire. Running strong throughout the weekend riders James Westmoreland and Dan Cooper achieved a varied set of results with Westmoreland gaining a confidence boosting eighth place and Cooper crashing out whilst lying in a fantastic eleventh position.

The youngsters soon got to grips with the technical 2.12-mile circuit and made good progress throughout practice and qualifying sessions. With Westmoreland consistently running within the top ten and just dropping back to 13th in overall qualifying. Whilst Cooper was making steady in roads all weekend and moving up the time sheets seeing him qualify 12th, his best qualifying position to date.

Holding his position off the line Cooper gained a great start and remained 13th after the first lap. Making a move on Sam Owens on lap four he soon began to calve his way through the pack. Looking strong and setting consistently fast lap times, the youngster from Stroud entered the first corner on lap nine too fast and tucked the front forcing him out the race. Dislocating his right shoulder Cooper was unable to remount and finish, after seeking medical attention he is hoping to be fully fit by Cadwell Park.

A disappointed Cooper commented “I’m totally gutted, that’s the first time in three years that I’ve crashed in a race. It’s a real shame as I’d improved throughout the weekend and I felt really happy with the way things were going. I’m totally gutted and feel sorry for the team and all my mechanics that worked so hard at Croft. We’d made some big progress here and I was hoping that I could get a decent result to say thanks. My shoulder is very sore but hopefully I will be fully fit by Cadwell in a couple of weeks time.”

19-year-old Westmoreland got tangled up in a number of first lap incidents which pushed him down to 18th position after the first lap. With the safety car being dispatched onto the circuit whilst the stricken debris was cleared Westy was unable to make a move until the car pulled back into the pits. Losing four valuable laps to the safety car the youngster rode an awesome and mature race to bring him back through the pack. As he mastered and manoeuvred his way through the field he was sitting happily in a top ten position by lap 11 of the 18-lap race. With Michael Laverty retiring and passing Alex Lowes, Westy gained a healthy eighth place and another Cup win for the Centurion Team.

He said “After a tough qualifying day on Saturday, I refocused myself and came up with the goods on race day. I got a really bad start and gave myself a lot of work to do but I chipped away and managed to finish eighth. The times I did should have been good enough for fourth or fifth position but these things happen and I will take the positives out of the weekend and look forward to Cadwell. I’d like to thank the whole team, my family, fans and Dunlop for a job well done.”

The next Supersport race is at Cadwell Park on the 25th – 27th August.

-END-

Carly Rathmell
Freelance Sports PR

The funeral for Bennetts British Superbike Championship rider, Ollie Bridewell will take place on Wednesday, August 1 at 12.00 noon.

The funeral will be held at:

St Mary’s Church;
Bishops Cannings;
Devizes;
Wiltshire.

A statement from Cartersport Motorsport Media on behalf of the family added:

“It is requested that there are family flowers only and a collection in lieu will be made at the church in aid of Ollie’s favoured charity, Cancer Research, or by sending any donations to Wayside Garage, Etchilhampton, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 3JT.

“Friends and family are encouraged to attend in ‘Happy Dress’ and are welcome to meet afterwards at the family home for refreshments whereby entertainment will be provided by Jazz Dynamos.

“The family wishes to acknowledge again the hundreds of cards and messages received since Ollie’s tragic accident for which they send their sincere thanks.”

In difficult circumstances at Mallory Park this weekend the Centurion Racing Team secured another set of strong results in round nine of the Maxxis British Supersport series. After the tragic loss of Ollie Bridewell during the first British Superbike practice on Friday. Plus activities being cancelled on Friday and the majority of Saturday due to the torrential weather conditions, James Westmoreland and Dan Cooper gained a confident 12th and 13th place respectively in the race.

The two youngsters only had one full practice session on Sunday morning in the glorious sunshine before going into the 28-lap race. Under the circumstances the riders qualifying positions were taken from their current Championship positions. This meant Westy was sitting in ninth place on the grid and Cooper in 14th.

Both gained a reasonable start and held their position at the end of the first lap. At the technical 1.41-mile circuit passing opportunities are limited but both made a valiant effort to work their way through the field. Cooper passed a number of riders and was on a mission to catch his team-mate, and was sat behind him after fighting his way past Aaron Walker on lap 18.

Westy took the Supersport Cup race win and extended his lead in the Cup championship commenting “After a difficult weekend I’m pretty satisfied with 12th place. With hardly any dry track time I felt like I did a good job to bring the bike home where I did. Although 12th doesn’t sound very impressive, Mallory has always been a track that I struggle at and now I’m happy to put it behind me and look forward to Croft. I would like to thank the Centurion Team and Dunlop for doing a great job once again.”

Cooper rode and exceptional race, after losing his best friend Ollie on Friday, he battled through the very difficult circumstances saying, “It’s been an emotional weekend for me, Ollie and I were very close and losing him like this was very hard. The team gave me the choice if I wanted to race or not but I know Ollie wouldn’t want it any other way and I wanted to have a good race for him. I did a few laps in the wet on Saturday and it was hard to focus on the job in hand but I regained my focus and ended up in fourth place. I started from 14th position on the grid and got a reasonable start, the new bikes are fantastic and Mallory is a very tricky circuit to pass on, I mastered my way past a few people and had to settle behind Westy as I was pushing my tyres to its limit. I was happy to bring the bike home and in the points, I’m going to spend some time with the Bridewell family this week and my thoughts are with Marc, Liz, Tommy and Charlotte at this time, he was a great person and I thought of him like a brother. I’d like to thank the entire team for supporting me the way they have this weekend, they have all been great.”

Team Manager Gary Stubbington said, “The boys, once again, did a fantastic job. This is the first time that the pair have ridden the new bikes in the dry and both scored exceptional results and both were in the points. Dan rose to the occasion after the sad loss of Ollie and really got his head down and focused himself on the race. Mallory is a hard circuit and the lap times that the pair were setting were great and it has proved that once they fully adjust to the new bikes then there will hopefully be more to come at the remaining rounds in the season. The team are all very pleased with the results that we gained today.”

Paul Rees and Gary Stubbington and the entire Centurion Team wish to send their condolences to the family and friends of Ollie Bridewell who sadly lost his life on Friday.

The next British Supersport race is at Croft Circuit on the 10th – 12th August.

-END-

Carly Rathmell
Freelance Sports PR
www.carlyrathmell.com
carlyrathmell@yahoo.co.uk

Qualifying for the ninth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Mallory Park in Leicestershire has been cancelled due to standing water at the side of the 1.41-mile circuit.  Click here for info and revised timetable.