Samsung Crescent Racing BSB 2011 Runners-up

Goodridge would like to congratulate Samsung Crescent Racing on a fantastic finish in the 2011 British Superbike Championship which saw John Hopkins miss out on the British Superbike Championship by the smallest ever recorded deficit, 0.006 seconds.

Goodridge continue to be proud sponsors of Samsung Crescent Racing for the 2011 season, supplying the team with brake lines, G-Link quick disconnect couplings and fuel/ oil hose and fittings.

In a day of tough breaks at the final round of the 2011 British Superbike Championship, Hopkins suffered an electrical glitch on the first lap of the first race, but was able to reset the bike’s ignition trackside and recovered from last place to 12th. His championship rival Tommy Hill meanwhile finished fourth, to narrow Hopkins’ championship lead to just two points. Hopkins’ team-mate Jon Kirkham was able to help in damage control by placing a superb second, ahead of Hill.

 In the final race of the series Hopkins held third place for 16 laps before being passed by Hill. Both then passed James Ellison to be second and third going into the last lap with the gap between them just 0.060-seconds. In a lap which saw countless pass and re-passing, their race and the championship was decided by the final lunge for the finish line, which Hill made by the smallest advantage measurable. Jon Kirkham had been challenging for fifth place when he crashed (uninjured) at Druids on the fifth lap.”

John Hopkins: “Well I don’t feel great obviously, but I don’t feel completely empty either. This has been a great season, I gave it everything I had but it just wasn’t to be. So hats off to Tommy for taking the title.

“I couldn’t be more grateful to the Samsung Crescent Racing team, they gave me everything including the best bike out there. I came into this year on a make or break basis in terms of my racing career but with their help I’m now set for a world championship ride next year. The team has put me there. I’m hugely grateful.”

Jack Valentine, team manager: “I’m speechless. It’s impossible to put into words how this feels. It’s hugely disappointing, yet I find I’m happy as well I think that’s the pride I feel for the team. What they’ve achieved this year has been brilliant, an unbelievable job.  We just have to take away the positives. We were there and we got to within literally an inch or so of the title. We did everything we could.

“So I’d like to say a big thank you back to my riders as well, I’ve appreciated everything they’ve done this season. Hopper has been an inspirational rider to work with, very giving, very open and always positive we’ll have so many great memories of this season with him. JK has been through an incredible journey this year, making the step up to the big time and today he showed he’s now one of Britain’s top riders for sure. Then huge thanks to Lez and Dale and their crews, all of them have been incredibly professional and inspirational this season. It’s been a great team. And finally, to Samsung, FIXI and all our sponsors thanks for everything, without their support we wouldn’t be here, the support has been brilliant. We hope they enjoyed the ride as much as we did.

“One more thing, then: bring on 2012!”